Valley Collector Car Club - Feature Stories

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Feature Stories

12/4/2011		VCCC Breaks All Records For Donations The Valley Collector Car Club, Inc. has been busy presenting club checks to seventeen local charities this month. The car club, based in Simsbury, raises money each July when the group hosts their Annual Charity Benefit Car Show on Iron Horse Blvd., in downtown. Always held on the second Sunday in July, this year’s show broke all previous records. The Valley Collectors will be giving away checks totaling $9,000.00 to the following charities: Open Hearth Mission, New England Auto Museum, Connecticut Junior Republic, American Cancer Society, Shriner’s Hospital Burn Center, Susan G. Komen For the Cure of Breast Cancer, Connecticut Civil Air Patrol, Leukemia & Lymphoma Association, Avon’s Gifts of Love, Simsbury Light Opera Company, ABC House in Simsbury, Kids In Limos, National Multiple Sclerosis Society, Crossroads in Simsbury, Fidelco Guide Dogs, The Salvation Army and Foodshare. For the past decade, the club takes over the commuter parking lots on Iron Horse from Drake Hill to Phelps Lane – a total of 5 blocks – and plays host to over 425 collector vehicles from all over Connecticut and beyond. This year’s show had 426 exhibitors, 15 vendors, and an estimated 2,500 spectators. Their event has been blessed with great weather for the past ten consecutive years, and continues to be one of the top rated car shows in our area. Classic originals, customs, hot rods and vintage vehicles of all kinds fill the lots on the second Sunday in July. Each October, the members nominate their favorite charity to receive the monies that were raised in July. The group was formed in 2001 in Simsbury. In 2009 they received federal recognition as a 501 (c) (3) charity. Vehicle ownership is not a requirement to join The Valley Collector Car Club. Membership is comprised from the Farmington Valley area and beyond, and currently totals 56 enthusiasts. The Club is based on service to the community and the encouragement of the preservation, restoration and enjoyment of the automobile through education and camaraderie. To find out more about the Valley Collector Car Club, Inc, log onto their web site at Http://www.ValleyCollectorCarClub.Org.

10/3/2011		The Teddy Bears for Tears program, begun this April, has made great strides. Starting with an event at Dish and Dat Restaurant in the Shoppes of Farmington Valley, we benefitted Canton Fire, EMS and Police departments. Then onto Avon where we outfitted the Avon VFD, and then East Granby at the Simsbury Non Profit Expo. We last continued through this first weekend of October better than we imagined. Despite the weather, Granby celebrated its 225th Anniversary with a parade Saturday morning, and then a wet event at Salmon Brook Park. The VCCC turned out for both and actually took $107.00 in donations for 20 bears. The contributions supplied enough teddy bears to equip the three ambulances in town. Thanks go out to Gretchen Wolf, who heads up the Granby Ambulance, and all the contributors. Club cars displayed from 12:30-3:15. Then on Sunday, a dozen club members turned out to support Cartoberfest in Pine Meadow (aka New Hartford). A suprise of rain (again) falling from the skies at 7:30am convinced some to sleep late, others to show up at the Log House. The skies parted for Mike and Chris, and Time Was Garage held another rendition of the most anticpated event in the first week of October. We met new club members too, which allowed us over a dozen cars representing the VCCC at Cartoberfest. In the process of having fun, we set up a table and sold bears at the show. At the end of the day, Board Member Art Dammers presented New Hartford Fire Chief Mark Worseman with 33 Teddies to be deployed to the New Hartford, Nepaug and Pine Meadow Rescue vehicles. The Club took in $165.00 in donations, that included a wonderful suprise donation of a $50 bill. The Club currently has only 32 bears left in supply since the intial purchase back in the spring. Welcome to all the new club members, and thanks for all the help from the community with our Teddy Bears for Tears program.

7/11/2011		The Membership of the Valley Collector Car Club, Inc. wishes to thank everyone who came out to our TENTH ANNUAL CHARITY BENEFIT CAR SHOW, on Sunday, July 10th. Official figures are in: we have broken our record of attendance in terms of show cars on the field: 439 cars! (The previous record was 427 and was set two years ago.) With wonderful weather gracing our show for ten years in a row, the day couldn't be beat. Simsbury Patch ran 32 photos of the event, and we will be posting our shots on this website shortly. May we suggest you enjoy the remaining shows this summer, and "Take a Kid to a Car Show! Happy Motoring, and thanks for coming out for our 10th Annual Charity Benefit event.

6/11/2011		We are READY AND WAITING FOR YOU to come out to our big event, the Tenth Anniversary Charity Benefit Car Show, hosted by us, The Valley Collector Car Club, Inc. Please be warned in advance, that the State of Connecticut, in its infinite wisdom, has decided to commence the repaving of route 10 and 202 (our main street, Simsbury) on Sunday nite after the show. Along the entire route of 10/202, the manhole covers are marked with BRIGHT RED paint and those raised structures are easy to circum-navigate. DO NOT STRADDLE THEM if you have a low slung ride. Go around them, please. You really should not have a problem with the road. JUST BE CAREFUL, PLEASE. We can however, make arrangements for an alternate route into the showfields if 10-202 presents a problem for you. YOU MUST NOTIFY US OF YOUR INTENTION TO TAKE THIS ALTERNATE ROUTE SO WE MAY ACCOMODATE YOU. Contact us BY 4:00am SUNDAY VIA EMAIL TO: info@valleycollectorcarclub.org YOU MUST PROVIDE A CELL PHONE NUMBER FOR US TO CONTACT YOU AS YOU ARRIVE FROM THE OPPOSITE SIDE OF THE FIELD TO GAIN ADMISSION TO THE SHOW. Give us a description of the vehicle and your CELL phone number, via e-mail to the address above, NO LATER THAN 4:00 AM Sunday. Right now, north on 10-202 is clear until Drake Hill where you would turn right. Then left onto Iron Horse, missing the problem (north bound) If your are coming from the north + heading south on 10-202, make a left onto Iron Horse Blvd (at the Simsbury Bank traffic light) and come in the back way. Note that Registration opens at 9am We have 27 show classes and five additional special trophies that will be presented at our event, Sunday, July 10, 2011 on Iron Horse Blvd, in Downtown Simsbury. We have invited back all of the Club Choice winners from the past 9 years to display in a special area. What we discovered in the process was that some of those cars no longer reside in Connecticut. One vehicle is in Canada and a second in Iowa, with others not able to attend due to previous commitments. Despite all that, we still plan to celebrate our ten years of hosting quality car shows. We ask you to join us and remember that your donations at the gates are tax deductable due to the Valley Collector Car Club, Inc being a federally recognized charity. (We are very proud of our 501 (c) 3 status.) Please be aware that we do not allow bicycles on the showfields (they may be walked) nor do we allow skateboards or sneaker wheelies. Strollers for small children may be used, just not between rows of the showcars - stay on the main pathway lanes. There are 27 Show Classes this year. We will also present the Club Choice Trophy at the conclusion of our show, along with 4 other special trophies, selected by committee and or Friends of The Club. They are listed here Alphabetical by Class: Class/Make Years Field A Ford Pre 1935 5 B Ford 35-49 5 C Ford 50-59 5 D Ford 60-79 5 E Thunderbird All Years 6 F Mustang All Years 5 G Chevy 55-57 3 H Chevy 58-69 3 I Camaro All Years 3 J Corvette All Years 1 - Car Clubs All Years 10 K GM Pre 1960 3 L GM 60-69 2 M GM 70-79 2 N Mopar Pre 1960 6 P Mopar 60-79 6 Q AMC All Years 6 R Orphan All Years 7 S British Sports Pre 1980 8 T Foreign Pre 1980 8 U Custom Car All years 9 V Stock Truck Pre 1980 8 W Custom Truck All years 8 X Special Interest All Years 9 Y Professional Services All Years 4 Z Race Car All Years 4 AA Street Rod Open All Years 9 BB Street Rod Closed All years 9 Additional trophies for Club Choice, “Makes Me Smile”, “Most Likely to Get Pulled Over by the Police”, “Chick Magnet” and a special “Appreciation Award” will be awarded by The Club. Vehicles with more than three modifications from stock, should class in either (U/W) Custom Car/Truck or (X) Special Interest. We do not have modified divisions. Further questions may be directed to Info@ValleyCollectorCarClub.Org Thanks, and see you on the Second Sunday of July: 7/10/2011 10:00 am - 3:00 pm )

11/19/2010		The Valley Collector Car Club is proud to announce the disbursement of funds raised at the July 11, 2010 Car Show. The Club is writing six thousand dollars worth of checks to the following local and national charities: honoring WDRC-FM's efforts for FoodShare, Gifts of Love, Connecticut Junior Republic, Simsbury Light Opera Company, Susan Koman Breast Cancer, Civil Air Patrol, Salvation Army, Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, New England Auto Museum, Kids in Limos, Multiple Sclerosis, Shriners Burn Center, Colon Cancer, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund. The VCCC wishes to thank all who participated, advertised, donated, worked, displayed and ultimately enjoyed our charity benefit car show in Simsbury on July 11^th. Without you, these checks could not have been written. Have a safe and joyous Holiday Season and New Year.

10/7/2010		The Club has to again report bad news. We are saddened at the fact that VCCC Supporters and friends Canton Cycles in Winsted, CT is going out of business. Ralph and Bill told us in an email to the club that the showroom is closing and that the decision was tough. They just could not beat this recession. On the good side, they are having a sale of inventory. Stop by and wish them well.

7/28/2010		The Valley Collector Car Club regrets to inform you of the passing of one of this Nations authorities on Model A's. Alfonse Lepore, who owned and operated A+L Parts Specialties in Canton/Pine Meadow passed away on Monday, July 26, 2010. If you had a Model A you probably knew Al Lepore. Al was born on February 4, 1931 and served this country in occupied Europe. After a progression of tool and die making jobs, Al founded A & L Parts Specialties and began manufacturing Model A Ford parts. He is considered a pioneer in the Model A community for his dedication to producing quality USA-made parts for over 45 years. He was a member of numerous vintage car clubs, including the Connecticut Model A Restorers club where he was one of the original members and was active as the club historian. Al was also a supporter of the Valley Collector Car Club. If you have a Model A it would be great to attend the calling hours on Friday (2-4) and 6-8. The funeral is on Saturday. Contact Vincent Funeral Home for more information.

6/25/2010		The 9th Annual Charity Benefit Car Show on Iron Horse Blvd, Downtown Simsbury will be held on Sunday, July 11. The fields will open early for vendors to set up, show cars may start arriving at 8:00 am and the car show officially starts at 10:00 am (registration for show cars opens at 9:00 am.) In addition to the classes below, we will award Club Choice, “Makes Me Smile”, “Most Likely to Get Pulled Over by the Police”, and “Chick Magnet” trophies. Vehicles with more than three modifications from stock, should class in either (V/X) Custom or (Y) Special Interest classes. We do not have modified divisions. Groups wishing to park together with friends may do so in Field 6 Alphabetical by Class Class/Make/Years A Ford -Pre 1935 B Ford - 35-49 C Ford -50-59 D Ford -60-79 E Thunderbird - All Years F Mustang - All Years G Chevy - 55-57 H Chevy - 58-69 I Camaro - All Years J Corvette - All Years K GM - Pre 1950 L GM - 50-59 M GM - 60-69 N GM - 70-79 O Mopar - Pre 1950 P Mopar - 50-79 Q AMC - All Years R Orphan - Pre war S Orphan - Post war T British Sports - Pre 1980 U Foreign - Pre 1980 V Custom Car - All years W Stock Truck - Pre 1980 X Custom Truck - All years Y Special Interest - All Z Professional Services AA Race Car - All BB Street Rod Open - All Years CC Street Rod Closed - All years

4/2/2009		The Valley Collector Car Club Inc. is an IRS reconized 501(c)(3) charitable organization of car enthusiasts that use our love of automobiles to help our community. Our members' automobiles range from Ford Model Ts up to late model Corvettes. Ownership of a car is not required to join our club, all you need is a love of cars and community. The Valley Collector Car Club's major event is a yearly Charity Car Show held the second weekend in July on Iron Horse Boulevard in downtown Simsbury CT. Our July Car Show attracts hundreds of cars each year, and raises thousands of dollars that are distributed to local charities, and local chapters of national charities. The Valley Collector Car Club also sponsors smaller car shows in association with local shopping malls. Our past events have had great turn outs, with hundreds of dollars raised for Gifts of Love of Avon CT. In addition to raising money, the club also uses its Classic Cars to raise morale at local nursing homes. Each month over the summer and fall you can find the Valley Collector Car Club members cruising to local nursing homes to share their cars with the residences of the homes. Residents who don't normally choose to leave the home are found smiling while walking down memory lane with club members at these events. If you want to feel you have made a difference in someone's life and brighten their day, this is the event for you. The Valley Collector Car Club holds many car related and social events each year, giving our members a chance to interact and share the love of our hobby. During the summer, we hold tech sessions, have picnics, garage tours, and attend cruise nights or car shows as a club. During colder months you can find us touring a local garage or car collection, or enjoying one of our famous movie nights where members bring their favorite classic car related movie to share with other members at the Simsbury Fireman's Clubhouse Automobiles of the Valley Collector Car Club are also used in the Avon, Simsbury and Granby Memorial Day Parades, providing classic rides for veterans during these events. The Avon and Granby Parades are held in the late morning, where the veterans are found clamoring for a ride in one of the clubs convertibles. The Simsbury parade is held in the early afternoon, and the veterans attending this event much prefer the shaded cover of a cool coupe or sedan. Because of the varied times of the local parades, many members make it a point to contribute rides to several of the parades in a single day.