The VMCCA is “The Touring Club,” right? We value driving in our old cars more than sitting with them at car shows. We admire vehicles that earn show trophies and that shine in museums, but we truly LOVE the cars we can drive on tour.

But where do you find lots of old-car fans? At car shows. The July Jamboree in Cedar City, Utah, is a huge regional show. The whole town turns out for a fun weekend centered around hundreds of special-interest cars. Western Region members Tom and Betty Rowlett have attended this show for years and won numerous awards.

This year, Tom had an idea for a new award, to be sponsored by the VMCCA. This award would recognize vehicles that are not finished showpieces, but rather, works in progress. It would honor cars and trucks that don’t qualify for “Best of Show,” but instead are in the process of being returned to functional driving examples of automotive history.

Tom offered his idea at the High Rollers Chapter meeting, and John Pendergast and Dion Stams worked with him to define and delineate it. The award took the form of a 7x9 inch plaque that reads, “Bringing Back History Award. The Vintage Motor Car Club of America Honors Those Keeping Special Cars and Trucks on The Road. July Jamboree 2026,” with the VMCCA logo featured. Organizers of the July Jamboree were very receptive to Tom’s offer to sponsor this new award, so twenty plaques were commissioned and taken to Cedar City by Tom and his wife Betty.

Tom and Betty brought their 1914 Stutz Bearcat inspired vehicle to the show. Tom always attracts crowds with his tales about the car, and even more rare, his offer to one and all to sit in the car and honk the horn. Betty and I staffed the table of VMCCA literature near the Stutz, while John Munoz, Abdel Rios, and Dion walked the show and scouted candidates.

You should have seen the smiles on the faces of our winners! They had put in many hours prepping their vehicles, knew there was yet a long way to go, and still they came for the fun of being among other old-car fans. They never expected to be honored for their work. One owner (not driver!) is a nine-year-old who’s been helping his dad restore the 1968 F-150 truck his great-grandma gave him. Another is a 16-year-old working on a 1972 Mustang. A 1936 Chevy truck was brought in by the young owners of the shop restoring it for a client. An unusual vehicle honored was a 1957 Boles-Aero trailer fully restored by a gentleman who has also restored a VW Thing and a Suzuki SUV. The trailer’s original owner was there to see the honor presented.

Most of the owners of the vehicles are young. Several expressed interest in VMCCA’s style of touring, and all were excited, amazed, and very gratified to receive our club’s recognition.

A “Bringing Back History Award” can easily be sponsored by other VMCCA chapters at other shows. It distinguishes us from other clubs, brings our name to the forefront, and is a terrific tool for recruiting new members. Thank you, Tom, for this superb idea. Let’s try this at more shows all over the country!

Photos by Dion Stams and Clare Oestreicher