Ozarks Antique Auto Club
At Ozarks Antique Auto Club, our vision is to create and enhance greater interest and awareness of the need to preserve, restore, drive and display a part of America’s heritage as it relates to antique automobiles and the world.
Our mission is to promote and perpetuate the preservation, restoration, and use of antique automobiles through individual and group participation for the enjoyment of the automobile owners, enthusiasts and the public.
Incorporated in 1958, OAAC is one of the oldest antique auto clubs in the Ozarks. We are an independent club, not affiliated with any national organization.
John Piatchek of the Ozarks Antique Auto Club describes the club’s members as old boys with lots of toys — lots of classic cars to be specific. The members’ love for cars has translated into a major benefit for Ozarks Technical Community College and the OTC Foundation’s scholarship fund. Since 2006, the club has been funding an endowed scholarship for students in OTC’s automotive program with funds raised from the club’s annual swap meet, held annually at the Ozarks Empire Fairgrounds. At the event, visitors can buy everything from cars to nearly any auto part imaginable. The club, was founded in the late 1950s in a garage. All members had a common interest in cars. At that time, the cars included mostly Model As and Ts.
Today, the members’ collections include everything from Model Ts to Rolls Royces to Corvettes to muscle cars, including a 1967 Pontiac GTO, owned by Piatchek. In 1961, the club became a full-fledged nonprofit club. Members wanted to give back to the community and enjoy their classic automobiles at the same time. According to Piatchek and Dave Freeman, two long-time members, the club turned to OTC when it was looking to contribute to the community. “We wanted to do something to be remembered when we are gone. We wanted to find a place that we could sink our teeth into,” said Freeman. OTC Chancellor Hal Higdon said the Foundation and college are grateful to have the club’s involvement. “OTC appreciates Ozarks Antique Auto Club for its continued support of our students,” Dr. Higdon said. “This ongoing gift speaks to the unique partnership between the club and OTC.” Piatchek said the club is honored to be associated with the OTC automotive programs. “We like the people, the kids, the administration and what the college stands for,” he said. “We feel like we’re helping and feel good about doing it.”
Impact
Ozarks Antique Auto Club Scholarship