The Dream Machine Classics Auto club was formed in the fall of 1979 by a group of friends that owned 1955/56/57 Chevrolet cars. The original name was Born Again Classics which was changed in 1981 to Dream Machine Classics. With the name change, the bylaws were altered to allow membership to persons with all Chevrolet cars up to 1972.
In 1988 the bylaws were rewritten to include all U.S. made autos and light trucks 1972 and older.
In 1990 the bylaws were changed once again to allow fiber glass reproduction kit cars as long as they replicated a car made before 1973.
In Nov 2016 the bylaws were changed to allow opening membership to newer vehicles 1973 up to 30 Years old; these vehicles will be called Special Interest Vehicles and the Clubs’ interpretation is as follows:
Special Interest Vehicles that are 1973 up to 30 years old, limited production American cars and light trucks [excluding vans] that are at least 30 years old on the day of the membership application.
They must represent the style of vehicles that are seen at a typical 50/60s Cruise Night event. Cars and trucks may be stock, modified, custom, or replica.
All vehicles must meet basic cruise-quality standards, with particular attention to safety in the engine, interior, body, and frame. Vehicles are expected to be maintained primarily for use in exhibitions, club activities, parades, and other automotive events.
All cars will be judged by the Dream Machine Classics Auto Club Inspection Committee. Cars being judged must meet the standards set forth by the judging application sheet and meet a minimum requirement of 60% of points.
The club has maintained a membership average of 65 to 78 members since 1980 and have attended many car events throughout New England, New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts as well as countless cruise nights.
Over the years, the club has proudly supported a variety of charitable causes, including A Child’s Wish Come True, the Annual Toy Run benefiting Connecticut Children’s Medical Center in Hartford, CT, the Annual Cruise to support the Melanoma Cancer Research Foundation in honor of the late Kathy Domijan at Don Mallon Chevrolet, and the Rhode Island Toys for Tots fundraiser.
Our founding purpose is to share our passion for cars with fellow enthusiasts and to promote automotive interest within the broader community. We’ve done this by participating in numerous car shows, cruise nights, and fundraising events.
Dream Machine Classics was one of the early clubs to start Cruise Nites in the Connecticut area. In the summer of 1983, we held our first cruise at Bob’s A&W Root Beer in Brooklyn, CT. The first cruise was attended by club members only and so much interest was expressed by other clubs and car owners that we invited anyone with an auto 1972 and older. The only request we had was “No Booze & No Burnouts.” We support many other club cruises and Car Shows throughout the New England area.
The club is still active today; with an average of 60 members.
Ronald Phillips
DMC member since 1979
