Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Car enthusiasts celebrate community contributions

The Nevada Car Owners Association this week is hosting the first-ever Collector Car Week -- a celebration of the metal chariots that have become as much a part of American culture as apple pie and the Fourth of July.

"This is an event to thank all of the state's car enthusiasts for their contribution to the community -- our efforts to clean the air, our charity work (Southern Nevada Child Home, senior groups, etc.) and for keeping kids occupied and off the streets," said James Sohns, president of the NCOA.

"This is the first of what we plan to make an annual event."

The five-day classic car gathering, many segments of which are free to the public, concludes Sunday with a car show at the Jokers Wild casino in Henderson.

The week's activities will mirror other popular antique car shows, including the long-running Hot August Nights in Reno and last year's first-ever Rocktoberfest in Las Vegas.

Sohns said Nevada lawmakers have been impressed by the many large and small Las Vegas car clubs that have in recent years fought for cleaner air.

"We are not owners of clunkers, and we get angry when we are lumped into that category," said Sohns, whose organization has about 20,000 members -- many of whom urge owners of older cars to keep them well-tuned so as not to add to pollution problems.

The cost of the week-long event is being picked up by several sponsors as their way of thanking car enthusiasts for the jobs they help create, especially in the secondary parts market, and for their community service.

In addition to the Jokers Wild, sponsors are Sam's Town, the Las Vegas Bus Co., Henderson Auto Air and Radiator, Friendly Fergie's Casino, Don Warren & Sons Tires, Sunset Pizzeria, Straight From Philly Steakout, Ichabod's Lounge and Fatburger.

In addition to the NCOA, major clubs involved in the show are the Las Vegas Cruisin' Association, Veteran Motor Car Club, F-100s Ltd. of Las Vegas and the Cruisers Car Club. They represent 5,000 classic cars in the Las Vegas Valley.

Those who want to enter their classic car this week can call 361-2331 or 451-0026 for more information.

A trophy will be awarded Sunday for Best of Show.

Here is a schedule of events:

* WEDNESDAY: Cruise night, food specials, trivia quiz and cars at Sunset Pizzeria, 6400 S. Eastern Ave. (Park 2000), 4-10 p.m. Free to public.

* FRIDAY: Cruise night, food specials, trivia quiz and cars at Philly Steakout, 1325 E. Tropicana Ave., 4-10 p.m. Free to public.

* SATURDAY: Poker Run/Scavenger Hunt (participants only, but public may observe along the route) starting 11 a.m. at Ichabod's, 3300 E. Flamingo Road.

* SUNDAY: Car show starting at 9 a.m. at the Jokers Wild, 920 Boulder Highway (free to public); cookout/picnic (participants only).

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