The Vintage Auto Club of Delaware, Ohio – Established 1984
The Club began in 1984 when a group of car enthusiasts
got together to form the club and meet in each others garages to talk about cars and do some work on each others cars. Eventually they were hosting cars shows around the City of Delaware and interest in cars and the Club began to grow.
The Club became a family affair with the wives and kids more involved. Over the years the Club grew and over the last several years, the average membership has been around 50 families. As in all clubs or organizations, the membership consists of the very active to not so active members.
Also as interest in the vintage cars grew, the more requests came to the Club to host car shows at various business locations in the area. The Club decided in the early 1990’s that it would only do shows within Delaware County to minimize the demand. But soon found that even then there were more requests than could be done and how many times would our generous sponsors be willing to help us with a show. Also, who do we say yes to and who to refuse on doing events.
In 1994 the Club decided to host one show a year to benefit the Delaware Hospice Group. It would be called The Blast From The Past and held in July around the 4th years of this show it was held at the Delaware City Water Works Park north of the City. After a few years, it was moved to South Campus of Delaware County JVS and the date was moved to the fourth Saturday of July. In 2001, the show was moved to downtown Delaware after a couple of City Council members asked the Club to host a car show downtown. The “Blast” became co-hosted by The Vintage Auto Club and The City of Delaware and is open to cars, trucks and motorcycles of all years, makes and models.
Delaware Hospice was chosen as the Club’s beneficiary of any moneys made by the Club after Club members had delivered gifts and dinner to a family in Hospice care at Christmas time in 1993. The Club members at that time were very touched by the need and care provided the Hospice Staff. The Club also donated $791.00 from its treasury that year. Since then, several Club members have had need for that same care in their families and OhioHealth Hospice is still its primary beneficiary.
The Blast from the Past has been very successful in the downtown setting. Historic Sandusky Street has been filled with 750+ cars, trucks and motorcycles and thousands of spectators at times when the weather was beautiful and even with less desirable weather, the show seems to draw a surprising attendance. The show is very popular with enthusiasts all over Ohio. It also has attendees from West Virginia, Michigan and one time Florida. The show has several times been voted one of the top downtown Ohio on a poll taken by Cruizin Times Magazine located in the Cleveland area.
The Club also hosts a Spring Dance each year in March to again benefit OhioHealth Hospice . The dance is open to the public, but is attended primarily of car enthusiasts from the central Ohio area as they are itching to get out after a long winter of being cooped up and not seeing the other car folks.
Over the last several years the Blast and the Spring Dance have been the two primary fund raising events the Club has used to benefit OhioHealth Hospice. In earlier years the Club also held car washes and other various events to earn donations for this charity. Since the 1993 beginning, the Club has donated over $209,000 to OhioHealth Hospice of Delaware. The Club has been recognized by this organization several times over the years for their efforts.
The Club also hosts an informal cruise-in on the first Friday of each month; April through October on the south end of town. This event is held in the parking area of Long John Silver and Taco Bell restaurants. In addition to this, the Club has assisted other non-profit organizations in the Delaware area to put on car shows including the Delaware JVS and Council for Older Adults.
The Club has many other activities during the year. Some of these are an annual Christmas Party, Club picnic in the summer, parades including July 4th Veterans’ Day, going out to dinner, and fall leaf cruises. Several members attend other car show events as a group during the year, including an annual trip to Indiana during the James Dean Festival.
The Vintage Auto Club continues to accept new members. Anyone owning a collector car or truck is open to apply for membership. The Club consists of antique, custom, stock, modified or any other special interest cars or trucks.