QUAD CITY'S VINTAGE RODS CAR CLUB HISTORY ORIGIN
The Quad City's Vintage Rods (QCVR) Car Club has a long and storied history (1972 - Present). On the Rector Scale, this registers as quite an achievement in this day of here today, gone tomorrow Car Shows. The Club was intercepted with 9 initial members. It was a "spinoff club" from the Street Rod Limited Car Club. For various reasons, in late 1971, several Rodders decided to start their own Club. The QCVR Car Club was formed to further promote interest, appreciation, building and use of vintage automobiles, to help establish a favorable public attitude and to stimulate the safety aspects of automotive design and ex*****on. The Quad Citys Vintage Rods is a non-profit organization. They make their money for charities from promoters who donate money for the annual Car Show, by spectator donations,gate receipts and from the food concessions at the show. NSRA NATIONAL STREET ROD ASSOCIATION MEMBERSHIP
The QCVR's has been a Chartered Club with the National Street Rod Association since February, 1974. This membership includes a pledge that its constituent clubs will apply "safe driving habits and vehicle maintenance befitting representatives of the Street Rodding sport. ANNUAL CAR SHOW
The first annual Rod Run and Picnic was held in 1972 at Loud Thunder Forest Preserve. Andalusia, IL There was no entry fee and it was a BYOL (Bring Your Own Lunch). Proceeds from the gate fee were to go to the Crippled Children's Clinic (now Children's Therapy Center). There was a spark plug changing and wheel changing contest for women. Earlier Runs were held at Loud Thunder, Mississippi Valley Fairground, Scott County Park, and Indian Bluff Forest Preserve and were in a picnic format. The annual Show also took place at the Niabi Zoo for several years and was called the"Zoo Run". The Muscular Dystrophy Foundation was also a recipient of the initial proceeds from Car Shows. The Annual QCVR Car Show is now held the last Sunday in September, rain or shine at Black Hawk College campus Moline, IL. A typical show features approximately 350 vintage autos/trucks with spectators numbering over 2000. Peak attendance featured over 600 cars for the 20th Car Show featured a 1927 Track -T Roadster built by the Club Car members for the grand prize. The annual car show is a fun-filled day for the family. Men,Women & Children's games, door prizes and dash plaques, along with a generous goodie bag, including a free Tee Shirt for all pre-registrants are included. A 50/50 drawing is held. Great food for all and a DJ by 3D Sound adds to the show effects. No greater bargain can be found to "show and shine" your vintage rod to the admiration and oohs and aahs of other enthusiasts. Working at the annual Rod Run is also a family endeavor with the children and wives working the show. The day goes from 8:00 AM with awards given at 2:00 PM. Black Hawk College has hosted the much anticipated annual event since 1984, the past 36 years. OCVR SCHOLARSHIP
In appreciation to their hosting the Car Show site since 1984 the Club has given over $80,000 to the Black Hawk College Foundation. The donation supports the QCVR scholarship, which is available to Quad-Cities Campus students with excellent academic performance making the QCVR the largest and longest continuously donating organization. Fifteen BHC students received a QCVR scholarship for 2019-20 year. CAR SHOW PROMOTERS
Over the years, there have been many businesses that have contributed to making the annual Car Show successful thru the donation of money, give- a- ways or time/energy. The list is way to long to mention,but if you see one of our Show Tee Shirts the back will have a logos from just a few. TEE SHIRTS
Yearly, a Tee Shirt is produced for the Car Show which features I or 2 of the Club members cars on the front. Tee shirts have been produced since the 6th Rod Run In 1977. TROPHIES/PRIZES
The tradition of building homemade trophies for the Car Show has been replaced by sleek store bought models. Many creative and innovative trophies were built during the years in which each member had to sign up for and design and build a trophy representing the chosen Class. Typical Club Picks are awarded to various automotive categories. Door Prizes are awarded to the majority of participants with a numbering system being used. A grand prize is also awarded each year and has included V-8 engines, transmissions,$500.00 cash, gift certificates and welders and plasma cutters. FAMILY FUN
As one car collector once said, "Car collecting is like potato chips. You have one and you can't stop." But, Street Rodding and vintage/custom cars are not limited to the men folk only. It's also not restricted to maturity as the young and young/older attend Car Shows and build rods. Also, you'll see many families at the Car Shows. Street Rodding is a family sport and several social activities are scheduled thru out the year. Wives provide garage support offering unsolicited advice, bleeding brakes, bringing beers, and many wives/partners own and operate rods. Kids hope to drive their parents Rod to the Prom, have it at their weddings etc. and with luck will inherit their folks much cherished rods. CURRENTLY
There are more than 300 vintage rod clubs spread across the USA. Currently, the QCVR Car Club has 20 members and meet the first Tuesday every month @ 6:30 at the East End Bolders Club Moline. Past membership includes approximately 100 enthusiasts. Many of the Rodders spend countless hours between meetings working on their "rods" and are master craftsmen (with a bit of tinkering thrown in). The Club celebrated its 50th and final Anniversary Car Show in 2021.
