Nearly 500 car enthusiasts assembled along the Wesley Bolin Memorial Plaza at the Arizona State Capitol on March 7 to show their support and enthusiasm for collector cars. Arizona’s Collector Car Appreciation Day celebrated the recent approval of an emissions testing exemption for the state’s collector vehicles and motorcycles. The event was organized by Hagerty Plus, the country’s largest collector car membership organization, which is part of Hagerty Insurance Agency. 

The occasion also honored State Representative Ray Barnes with Hagerty’s first Hobby Advocate of the Year award for his tireless support of Arizona’s collector vehicle community. To further mark the state’s support of the collector car hobby, Governor Janet Napolitano issued an official proclamation naming March “Arizona Collector Car Appreciation Month.”

“We were pleased to see the amazing turnout at this event. We didn’t realize how much interest this bill garnered until we saw hundreds of enthusiasts line the streets with their own cars to show their support,” states McKeel Hagerty, CEO of Hagerty Insurance Agency. “We want to thank the local legislators who recognized the importance of this bill and truly welcomed us and all the collector car owners that attended the event.”

The recently approved legislation will help to ensure a bright future for Arizona’s collector vehicle enthusiasts. The law, which exempts collector cars from Arizona’s emissions testing, passed with near-unanimous support from legislators and state regulators. Widespread support for the measure came after the Arizona Department of Environmental Quality determined that collector vehicles had almost no effect on the state’s air quality. The EPA also recently approved the legislation, signaling a statewide victory for hobbyists. 

“What a great day for the car hobby! Arizonians showed the same vim for the hobby that won them an emissions exemption in the first place bringing out over 400 spectacular collector cars.  This was an effort that was driven by hobbyists from day one, it was great to be able to celebrate such an important victory with the people to whom it matters most,” says Rory Carroll, Hagerty Legislative Resource Director.

Hagerty has supported numerous bills for car enthusiasts nationwide. The organization has also conducted two previous Collector Car Appreciation Days – in West Virginia and Michigan. Future events are planned for later this year and will be posted on this site.