Colorado Springs Rod and Custom
Car Club
WELCOME TO
Colorado Springs Rod and CustomIn 1978 five guys were talking about joining a car club. After visiting several, they decided to form their own club oriented to rods & customs. Dorsie Childs, Gene Musick, Don Patterson, Ray Phillips and Mike Ramaris were the founding members. News of the new club was passed out at the Stockers car show and the first formal meeting was held in November of 1978. During the next year the name Colorado Springs Rod & Custom was chosen. A competition was held to design the Club plaque. Jesse Mabe submitted a 1954 Chevy Custom and a Hiboy Roadster, Larry Purcell submitted a 1950 Merc Custom and Hiboy Roadster and the Club members selected Larry's design. Palmer High School allowed the Club to cast the aluminum plaques using molds made by Larry. Club colors and jacket style were chosen and remain the choice today. In April 1979, the Club proceeded to incorporate and on March 26, 1980, Pete Gruitch, President, signed the application for tax exempt status and submitted it to the IRS. In June 1980, the IRS granted 501-C.7 status as a social dub exempt from federal income taxes. The officers at the time of incorporation were: Pete Gruitch, President, Ron Palmer; Vice President, Gene Musick; Secretary; and Daryl Roberts, Treasurer. In 1980 the first rod run was held. Marshall Sanders came up with the name 'ThinAir Nationals' and the event is held annually in Black Forest for several years and then moved to the beautiful mountain setting of Green Mountain Falls around the lake. The last 'ThinAir Nationals' was held in 2019 when the car show was retired after 40 years. Articles of inrorporation show the following club mission statements: 1. To build or rebuild autos, the likes of streetrods, street machines, classics or milestone cars and maintain a social, family oriented atmosphere for functions utilizing these special interest autos. 2. To provide an educational base of technical skills so that unskilled members may learn from skilled ones that which is necessary to build, rebuild or modify his or her special interest auto. 3. To show, display and drive these special interest autos at organized shows, exhibitions, parades and rod runs. 4. To maintain and promote safety, pride in ownership and responsibility while having fun with autos. |