About the eastern nebraska / western iowa car council



IN THE BEGINNING…

In 1971 Mel Alexander and the Centennial Model T Club of Omaha invited two representatives of each Omaha-area car club to a meeting to discuss issues of mutual interest. In 1972 the meetings expanded to include car clubs from Lincoln and Fremont. From that beginning, the Eastern Nebraska/Western Iowa Car Council (ENWICC) was formed.


TODAY…

ENWICC (a.k.a. the Car Council) now comprises over 60 clubs from as far away as Kearney, Aurora, Grand Island and West Point, Nebraska, Onawa and Des Moines, Iowa, and Tarkio, Missouri. Club affiliations range from cars and trucks of the early 1900's to the newest vehicles on the market including stock, modified, customs, street rods, trucks, classics and lead sleds. The Car Council meets monthly, alternating between locations in Omaha and Lincoln, in order for members to keep abreast of happenings in the region, foster goodwill and communication between clubs, and provide a forum for those wanting to reach member clubs with issues relevant to the old-car hobby.


“WHEEL ISSUES” – KEEPING ALL CONNECTED AND INFORMED

The Car Council publishes a monthly newsletter called “Wheel Issues” for member clubs, recapping the past month’s meeting and passing on information of relevance that hobbyists need to know.


WE’RE ON THE WEB

The Car Council also maintains a website at www.enwicc.com – on this website a listing of upcoming events for the year is maintained, along with a listing of Car Council-member clubs to put people in contact with those local groups that may be of assistance for a particular make/model of antique automobile.


LEGISLATIVE WATCHDOG AND ACTIVISM FOR THE HOBBY

Over the years the Council has addressed legislative matters such as year-of-manufacture license plates, antique auto taxation issues, laws concerning abandoned cars, and historical license plates. It actively networks with other councils and related groups throughout the country to keep up-to-date with hobby issues and concerns.


EVENTS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE

The Council sponsors two activities each year. The first is the ROCKY MANGINELLI MEMORIAL SWAP MEET held on the Sunday of the first full weekend of March at the Sandhills Global Event Center in east Lincoln. At this swap meet, vendors from across the Great Plans and from the far corners of the country sell auto- related parts and memorabilia. The Spring Swap Meet is the largest event of its kind in the region, with over 1100 vendor spaces (including 700 spaces housed inside four buildings (most of which are heated) and an additional 400 spaces outside). Attendance annually is estimated to be well over 20,000 for the one-day event. Council member clubs provide the manpower needed to handle the tens of thousands of spectators and thousands of vendors, and share in the proceeds – many clubs in turn take their shares and contribute to their favorite local charities and causes. The second event that the Car Council sponsors is the ANNUAL BILL YATES MEMORIAL FALL FOLIAGE TOUR. This is held on the second Sunday of October. Groups from Omaha and Lincoln meet at Waubonsie State Park in Iowa for a picnic lunch and fellowship.


ANNUAL EVENTS AND RESOURCES DIRECTORY

Each year the Council prints and distributes over 10,000 "Area Auto Calendar of Events and Resource Directories," which are distributed free at the Spring Swap Meet. The Directory includes listings of area clubs which are members of the Car Council, local and national events, and includes advertising by area businesses and events promoters with an interest in the old-car hobby. You can view the Directory by going to www.enwicc.com and clicking the link to the Directory.


AUTOMOTIVE HOBBYIST OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Car Council recognizes people within and outside of its membership with an annual award presented to a person (or persons) who have gone above and beyond the call in the promotion of or contributed to the betterment of the hobby in the region. Past recipients include many people who have selflessly given of their time in the furthering of the Council’s mission by their involvement in activities and events.


HELPING FUTURE HOBBYISTS AND TRADESPEOPLE

Each spring the Council awards its Paul High Memorial scholarships to students studying in automotive- related fields. To learn more about this, go to the ENWICC Scholarship page.


HELPING AND GIVING BACK TO THE COMMUNITY: HELPING THOSE IN NEED

Each Christmas season, the Eastern Nebraska Western Iowa Car Council donates to area charities. In 2023, the Council donated $500 each to People’s City Mission of Lincoln, Tangier Shrine Transportation Fund, Siena-Francis House in Omaha, Children’s Square U.S.A. in Council Bluffs and Voices of Courage Children’s Advocacy Center in Northwest Missouri.


IS YOUR CLUB A MEMBER OF THE CAR COUNCIL?

Membership Dues: Dues are 25 cents per member per year for each club, with a minimum of a $10.00 charge, and a maximum $150.00 charge for each club.

Clubs within the area can benefit by becoming a member of the Car Council and receive the latest in news via our monthly newsletter, “Wheel Issues". Clubs can also participate and be eligible for shares by working at the annual Spring Swap Meet. In addition, your Club and contact information will be listed in the Annual ENWICC Area Calendar of Events and Resources Directory book.


ENWICC truly is "By hobbyists, for hobbyists."