Paying Tribute to America’s Top Classic Car Organizations and Resources

America’s Top Classic Car Organizations and Resources

Automobiles are an intrinsic part of the American landscape, and over the years, cars and trucks have been the subject of songs, books and movies. We all remember our first car, and as well as being an essential tool for living our lives, our choice of wheels is a reflection of our personality and values, whether its an all-American truck or a Japanese compact.

Automotive technology has advanced in leaps and bounds over the past 20 years. But car nuts would argue that this has diminished the driving experience and that modern cars have become so similar that they do not have the character of vehicles manufactured in the 1990s and earlier, prior to the technical age.

Little wonder, then, that the US classic and vintage vehicle market is thriving. According to data from Hagerty’s, there are 43 million vehicles registered in the US that meet their definition of a collector vehicle. That definition is, in itself, a moving target. In the 1990s, we would have laughed at the idea of a Honda Civic being considered a classic car, but today, these are highly collectable.

And so it goes on - even early Hybrids from the EV era such as first generation Insights and Priuses are attracting interest from collectors. Classic car enthusiasm is based on nostalgia, so inevitably, as years go by, interest in modern classics from the turn of the millennium will rise, while enthusiasm for vintage cars from the 1920s will wane. After all, even those who grew up with cars from the 1950s are now in their 70s and older.

Regardless of age, model or type, all classic automobile owners have certain needs in common. These include ways of buying and selling their classics, sources of parts for repairs and routine servicing and events where they can enjoy their cars and meet with like-minded enthusiasts. This has created a thriving community of organizations and businesses dedicated to serving the classic market.

We have selected 30 such organizations and split them into three groups of 10. The first are automobile clubs, dedicated either to classic vehicles in general or to single marques or models. The second group is focused on classic vehicle events and activities. And finally, we have 10 organizations that are focused on classic car sales and supplying the parts and expertise that are essential for keeping our automotive heritage alive.

Automobile Clubs and Associations

The Internet Z-Car Club (IZCC) was one of first online classic car organizations, having been established in 1994 at Melbourne University in Australia. It now has an international presence. ZHome.com is its virtual home. The club is a global gathering of fans of the Datsun/Nissan line of Sports GT Cars, known around the world as the "Z" cars. This international group meets along the Information Superhighway, and stops along the virtual roadside for friendly discussions and common encouragement, in the enjoyment of their favorite automobile. The data, information, knowledge, history and wisdom accumulated by the group is archived and shared publicly on the Z Car Home Page.

Delaware Jeep Association (DEJA) was established in 2001 by a small group of Jeep enthusiasts. Anyone who owns a Jeep is welcome, including members from outside Delaware. Club members enjoy various events including beach surf fishing & cornhole, beach clean ups, local meet-n-greets, parades, trail rides, wrenching parties, overlanding trips and even Jeep night at their local minor league baseball team. Delaware is a small state with very limited off-road opportunities, so members often arrange trips to out of state venues like AOAA and Rausch Creek off road parks. They promote "Tread Lightly" and are against any illegal off-roading. The club currently has about 150 paid active members and is a registered nonprofit.

The AMC Rambler Club (AMCRC) was founded in 1980 by Frank and Elaine Wrenick to encourage and promote the preservation, restoration and collection of automobiles produced by American Motors Corporation between 1954 and 1987. The Club also encourages preservation and collection of all information and printed matter relating to these cars. The club publishes the quarterly Rambler Reader, the monthly Ad Release, holds and participates in Local Car Meets, and maintains a Club Library of technical information. The club also promote the AMC hobby and spreads awareness of the history of AMC through local and national car shows. Owning a car is not a requirement for membership.

The Riviera Owners Association is in it’s 41^st year and is dedicated to the 1963-99 Buick Riviera,The club is international and is the only association that is dedicated to those years for the Buick Riviera, Members share information, tech advice and interesting articles in their 36-page color magazine and through the club website.The club’s growing membership consists of many prominent collectors, restorers, authors, mechanics, and researchers with years of experience who share their expertise. Membership also includes dealers of used, NOS, and reproduction parts.

Founded in 1974, the Porsche 356 Registry is an international group of owners and enthusiasts dedicated to the original Porsche, the 356. It is the largest official Classic Porsche Club and the 5th largest Official Porsche Club in the world. Along with dozens of affiliated local and regional clubs, it supports education, research, preservation and foremost, enjoyment of the first series of Porsche automobiles. Membership provides the 356 enthusiast with access to a network of nearly 7,000 members who can offer assistance and encouragement. You do not need to own a Porsche 356 to join.

Scout Motors is reviving an American icon, reimagining the classic Scout for the modern era. They are crafting all-electric trucks and rugged SUVs that honor the original Scout's heritage of durability and versatility. Built in South Carolina and engineered in Detroit, their vehicles combine American craftsmanship with cutting-edge technology, offering over 500 miles of range.

This is a Canadian organization, but we simply had to include it. In Canada it is estimated that the National Association of Automobile Clubs of Canada touches over 400,000 collector vehicle owners. The NAACC has representatives in every Canadian Province. It is partnered with several major organizations including TechForce Foundation, American Hot Rod Foundation, RPM Foundation, LeMay Americas Car Museum and the International Chief Judge Advisory Group (ICJAG). The NAACC offers all car and motorcycle clubs in Canada a comprehensive Club insurance program for officers/directors and club members as a service. The NAACC is a not for profit federally incorporated corporation and all the board and directors are volunteers.

Camaro Hi-Performance, Inc. is the go-to source of great information about first generation Camaros. Launched by Camaro historian and owner Jerry MacNeish, it is one of the most knowledgeable Camaro facilities in the world. The company provides consulting and restoration, as well as a range of publications. Vehicles include “Old Reliable,” Dave Strickler’s World Championship Super Stock Race Car, often considered the Ultimate Z/28.

In January 2012 the Connecticut Military Corvette Club was formed by three Corvette enthusiasts with military backgrounds. As a 501 (C3) organization the club’s mission is to support our military personnel in need by raising money through car shows and various other automotive-related activities. They work with other car clubs and veteran associations to accomplish this goal. All the funds raised go to Connecticut veteran organizations and they support national veteran organizations as well. The club sponsors two annual events that provide clothing and personal hygiene items for veterans at a Connecticut VA Hospital. Club members are all US Military Veterans or closely related to Military Veterans.

AACA is “America's Car Club,” paving the way in the classic car hobby, celebrating all marques 25 years and older and bringing like-minded car enthusiasts together. The club traces its origins back to the 1930s. Beginning with founding of the Illinois Region, the number of Regions and Chapters has grown to more than 400 today. Innovative approaches to enhance enjoyment by its members has helped AACA become the largest club in the world dedicated to furthering interest in, and preservation of, antique automobiles and their history.

Classic vehicle events and activities

Nestled in the grandeur of the Rocky Mountains of Southwest Montana, between Yellowstone and Glacier National Parks, is Montana’s most unique city, offering small-town charm with a big city feel. Butte is a magnet for classic car enthusiasts, with a range of events and meet-ups throughout the year. Home to one of the nation’s largest National Historic Landmark Districts, there is a wealth of turn of the 20th century architecture listed on the National Register of Historic Places; celebrating the history of mining industrialization with stories and culture of the men and women who immigrated to “Butte America” from western European countries.

Kool April Nites is a non-profit organization that presents a week-long public event for classic car enthusiasts in Redding, California every April. Comprising a cruise and car show, the event is open to vehicles manufactured in 1979 or older. All entrants must be street legal and insured. The Cruise takes place on the Friday night. It starts at 6:30 PM and ends at 8:00 PM. The street closures for the cruise start at 5:00 PM. Then there is the Big Show on the Saturday. Cars start arriving at 6:00 AM, with the last arrival at 10:00 AM.

The Buccaneer Region is the local region of the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA). The region encompasses a portion of eastern Georgia and Northern Florida. In addition, it is one of two regions in the country that owns a race track - Roebling Road. The track conducts automobile and motorcycle racing events, and is also rented most of the year by various other organizations. In addition to road racing, the region conducts autocross (Solo) events and Road Rallies.

Utah Motorsports Campus (UMC) is a world-class, state-of-the-art motorsports and events venue located in Grantsville, Utah. The 511-acre facility, nestled in the Tooele Valley between the Oquirrh and Stansbury Mountains, is just 35 minutes from Salt Lake City. Originally opened in 2006 as Miller Motorsports Park, it was named “Motorsports Facility of the Year” by the Professional Motorsport World Expo during its first year of operation. Racing surfaces include a 4.5-mile, multi-configurational road racing track, a 0.9-mile karting facility, an eight-acre Rock Crawling Course, a 7-acre skidpad, a 22-acre high-speed Off Road Short Course with covered grandstand seating for approximately 14,000 and a unique rallycross course that hosts the Nitro World Games. UMC hosts a variety of professional and amateur racing series for karts, automobiles, off-road vehicles and motorcycles.

The goal of eClassicAutos is to record what is currently happening in the world of classic cars for future generations to see what they believe will be the golden era of the hobby. The webstie and social media channels cover national car shows and auctions. They also publish articles on a host of original and highly customized vehicles, with input from builders and owners about their special vehicles.

NYC has no shortage of limo hire companies. But NY City Limo does things a little differently. Founder and CEO Archie A has a fondness for classics, so as well as the usual fleet of luxury sedans, stretch limos and party buses, he has some extra special vehicles for hire, along with drivers. These include a stunning Porsche Panamera, and Archie’s personal favorite, his much-loved 1972 Mercedes 280 SEL S-class.

Ouray is located in the heart of the San Juan Mountains, offering some of the most breathtaking drives in Colorado. Visit Ouray covers an assortment of activities for car enthusiasts. The Million Dollar Highway (U.S. Route 550) is an iconic stretch of highway between Ouray and Silverton, famous for its hairpin turns, steep cliffs, and incredible mountain views. It’s a thrilling drive for any car enthusiast and offers a taste of both adventure and natural beauty. The road is particularly popular in the fall when the aspen trees turn vibrant yellow. For enthusiasts who love off-roading, the Alpine Loop is a network of high-altitude, historic 4x4 trails that pass through some of the most rugged terrain in Colorado. It connects the towns of Ouray, Silverton, and Lake City, and includes ghost towns, mining remnants, and sweeping mountain views.

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is one of the biggest classic car events of the year. It showcases some of the world’s most rare and exotic automobiles, and is the culmination of Pebble Beach Automotive Week, which takes place every August. The show welcomes classic vehicles of every era, from the dawn of motoring to modern exotica. The finalists get the opportunity to display their cars on the 18th-hole fairway of the world-famous Pebble Beach golf course.

The Northeast Classic Car Museum is a not-for-profit educational facility in Norwich, New York that collects, preserves, interprets and exhibits vehicles related to the evolution of transportation, with particular emphasis on the role of the automobile and its impact on American culture. The Museum opened on Memorial Day weekend 1997, and over 200 vehicles from 1899 through the early 1980s are on display in five connected buildings. Permanent exhibits feature pre-war and post-war vehicles, the world’s largest collection of Franklins, and cars made in New York State.

The Iola Old Car Show has been wowing car lovers in Wisconsin for more than half a century. Taking place every July at the Iola Classic Car Show grounds, it boasts an incredible array of classic cars from every era. The event typically attracts well over 100,000 attendees, who flock from across the nation to see thousands of lovingly preserved cars, trucks and motorcycles.

Classic car sales and parts

Few classic cars are as iconic as the Jaguar XK series. The British thoroughbreds have a passionate following in the USA. Coventry Auto Components is a small, specialist supplier of parts for classic XK Jaguar cars. Although the company is based in Coventry, UK, it supplies a number of classic car specialists in the USA and also ships parts directly to private owners in North America and the rest of the world.

Mill Brook Imports is a family-owned repair and maintenance business that specializes in Audi, Volkswagen and other European cars. Based in Waitsfield, VT, the business is owned and operated by Jim Garilli. Jim has more than 40 years experience in automotive repair and restoration. Mill Brook also stocks a range of classic Audis, Volkswagens and other European classics.

Shenandoah Restoration has been in business for more than 20 years. Among their many activities, the company has built up a reputation for antique trunk restoration. Shenandoah has restored trunks for a wide assortment of very early model cars, made in the era before the trunk was incorporated into the car body. Their trunk technicians can help with the wooden trunk restoration for classic early model cars that carried the actual trunk on the rear of the car.

Sierra Classics & Imports, LLC has been in business 22 years. The company is operated by a team of genuine enthusiasts, who have established a great reputation for sourcing classic cars of all makes and from every era. Sierra prides itself on its number of repeat customers who have come back for more classic cars over and over again.

Placing an accurate value on a classic car can be difficult. But it’s something everyone has to do, whether buying, selling or dealing with a deceased estate. That’s where the International Society of Appraisers comes in. Founded in 1979, the ISA is the industry’s leading professional personal property appraisal association. A not-for-profit, member-driven association, it was formed to support member needs and enhance public trust by providing qualified and ethical appraisers who are recognized authorities in personal property appraising.

Dashes Direct has been manufacturing classic car and truck interior parts for over 20 years. They are made from high quality materials, just like the original parts. Dashes Direct has been licensed for over 20 years by Ford Motor Company to use original Ford tooling to manufacture replacement dash pads for Mustang, Ford trucks, Thunderbirds, full size passenger cars, and many other vehicles. Dashes Direct also covers a wide array of parts for most classic cars from Chevy, GM, Volkswagen, Datsun, and Porsche.

BE FORWARD is a global leader in used car exports, operating a cross border e-commerce site. The business meets the needs of customers from over 200 countries & regions by selling a wider range of products, primarily classic and used cars and auto parts. The business specializes in Japanese classics, but also sources European and American cars and parts for its global client base.

If you’re restoring a vehicle from the dawn of motoring, you need Jem Blueher from Anvil Wagon Works on your team. The Montana-based woodwright, wheelwright, wainwright, blacksmith and upholsterer specializes in building and rebuilding wagons, coaches, sleighs, buggies and more. His knowledge and skill when it comes to diamond tufted seats and folding and stationary tops could be exactly what you need to finally get that project finished.

SC Parts has been the first port of call in the US for 40 years when it comes to sourcing spare parts for classic British vehicles. For some time now, they have been extending their spare parts supply to include classic cars of other vehicle brands, too. At SC Parts you will find spare parts for classic cars in original equipment manufacturer quality (OEM), improvements, e.g. tuning parts, and every now and then, New Old Stock treasure that has spent the last 30 years in slumber. SC’s purchasing agents are constantly on the lookout for new old parts. And if a spare part just can't be found, they have it made.

Fourbie Exchange is the premiere online marketplace dedicated to rare, classic, and custom pickup trucks and 4x4s. Started in 2021 by co-founders Brian Ellis, Garret Ohm, and Joel Salisbury, Fourbie offers standard and featured listings for private parties and dealers like EarthRoamer, GR Auto Gallery, Car Cave USA, and Garage Kept Motors, and reaches over 50k monthly active users and 140k+ social accounts.