The Car Club of the Month for October 2008 is:
Keeping in Step with the Classics at the Valley Classic Wheels Car Club (VCWCC) of Simsbury, Connecticut
Those who adore classic cars of all makes and models will find friends, valuable information, fun events, and much more when joining the Valley Classic Wheels Car Club (VCWCC) of Simsbury, Connecticut. VCWCC prides itself in preserving, restoring, and exhibiting a variety of classic cars and special interest cars. Members enjoy camaraderie with other classic car enthusiasts while learning more about the cars they love. The club is a not-for-profit, charitable organization that keeps members busy with meetings, events, tours, cruises, and more… all while helping the local community.
VCWCC operations are conducted by elected officers, which include a president, vice president, secretary, and treasurer. The officers carry such tasks as enforcing club regulations, presiding over club meetings, recording meeting minutes, managing club finances, coordinating club events and activities, and more. The club's Board of Directors determines the mission of the club, provides written reports of board meetings to members, approves club expenses, and establishes operating committees within the club. The Board of Directors includes the immediate past president (who assists the current president), a director of public relations, a director of club car shows, and a director of club cruises.
VCWCC Membership Information
The club's members enjoy monthly meetings, activities, and events throughout the year. They also benefit from the advice and knowledge of other classic car lovers, which gives them the information and tools they need to restore and drive classic cars. Members are not required to own a classic vehicle, but should have a definite interest in classic cars and be willing to invest their time to help the club succeed.
There are three types of memberships, which are Founding, Active, and Honorary. The Founding members are those who joined when the club first got started. Active members are those who paid dues to join the club. Active members are the only members who can vote or hold office. They are each given one vote during elections or for other voting issues. The Honorary members are those who are designated by the Board of Directors, which are nominated from the active membership.
Membership dues are paid annually, and a membership application is provided at the club's website. Meetings are usually held once a month, but sometimes the club schedules alternate meeting places to plan an event or tour. Meeting and event schedules are provided at the club's website.
VCWCC Activities and Events
Besides enjoying regular club meetings, members of VCWCC also enjoy an annual car show hosted by the club, classic car cruises to interesting places, community activities, and several events and shows. During club cruises, members travel to various locations where they can enjoy their cars and get to know other members while seeing interesting sights.
The club also makes yearly donations to local charities in the community and hosts local miniature car shows for nursing homes in the area. At the Annual VCWCC Benefit Car Show in Simsbury, guests can tour more than 400 great classics, enjoy delicious food and music, and shop at vendor areas for classic-related products.
At the Big E Swap Meet in the New England region, classic car fans can find rare treasures at a collector’s flea market and visit more than 300 vendors from Street Rod, Antique, IHRA, NASCAR, Tuner Foreign, and many others. They can often find parts, collectibles, tools, and other unique items for sale. At the Frank Maratta Auto & Cycle Show, guests can tour antique cars, choppers, classics, hot rods, motorcycles, race cars, hot trucks, custom cars, imports, and more. The show also features a great Swap Meet.
Other shows and events include the 4Cs Auto Show and Aircraft Exhibit, The Cars are the Stars Show and Shine, the Annual Club Mini Car Show at McLean Village, the Invitational Mini Car Show at River Ridge in Avon, and the Boston World of Wheels Car Show.
Surf the VCWCC Website
VCWCC offers a website where one can join the club, view club events, and read about the club's operations and bylaws. The club officers are listed at the website as well. There's a great photo album from recent events and shows as well as a gallery of members' cars. Some of the featured members' cars include a 1967 Chevy Corvair, a 1993 Corvette, a 1987 AMC Eagle Wagon, a 1969 Chevy Camaro, a 1967 Ford Fairlane, a 1932 Ford B Truck, and many fabulous automobiles.
The website also lists useful resource links to classic car businesses, classifieds, local car clubs, national car clubs, publications related to classic cars, and technical help links.
With VCWCC, members will never be bored as they discover a delightful variety of cars from the past.
