It was quite a treat to host a tour of D & D for members of the Classic Car Club of America. We applaud what the CCCA stands for as stated so eloquently in its mission statement. * The mission represents the epitome of dedication to excellence in car restoration, promotion and education. Topping off their devotion and involvement is a avid interest in cars which represent the highest level of mechanical and artistic excellence achieved from 1925 through 1948.

Arriving via two bus loads on January 7, 2009, members of the CCCA were on a day trip from nearby Cincinnati where they had gathered for a four day Annual Meeting hosted by its Indiana Region. It was a frigid Wednesday morning but it took little time for the group to warm things up a bit as they buzzed about the facilities of D & D where it appeared the group felt right at home. Where else within driving distance of the Queen City could they examine some 60 cars currently under restoration including several notable Classics. Plus a dozen or so national winners brought back to D & D for spruce ups and routine maintenance? One person was heard to say that it was a pleasure to see the cars but the icing on the cake was the opportunity to speak one-on-one with the restorers who call D & D home.

Meeting with the Club two days later, D & D owner/partner Mark Kennison presented an hour-long program titled "The Process and History of Coachbuilding," a pictorial that details how the coachbuilding tradition evolved over the centuries from the shaping of metal armor in the Middle Ages, through the stagecoach, timber construction, steam, station buck and several more processes into the current digital age design of an 8L Bentley body. Parties interested in touring D & D Classic or seeing Kennison's presentation can call 937-473-2229 (weekdays 8-5 pm).

It was a privilege and quite a compliment to host members of the CCCA. Adhering to high standards the group continues to keep the memory of "Classic" automotive achievements fresh on the minds of the world. Singing those phrases has never been more appropriate than at the onset of 2009, a year that awakened to see an automotive industry struggling worldwide to stand tall while being held in check by political and economic barriers more complex then any in recent memory.

Thanks CCCA for stopping by. It was a pleasure! Come back soon.

** The CCCA's mission statement can be found on the Club's website: www.classiccaraclub.org. You can send mail inquiries to the CCCA, 1946 Des Plaines Run Road, Suite 7A, Des Plaines, IL 60018-2006, Phone: 847-390-0443.