The Kalamazoo Antique Auto Restorers Club (more commonly known as the KAARC) is a non-profit club, founded in 1962 by a Mr. John Bailey. Our group is composed of automobile enthusiasts, mainly from the West Michigan area.

At the time of the KAARC’s founding, an “antique automobile” was any vehicle built in or before 1940. Members would gather once a month for a short meeting and to sell parts out of the trunks of their cars. By 1967 the club had its own newsletter, The Arc and Spark, which is still the primary way the KAARC reaches its membership with news of club events, anecdotes, minutes from the monthly meeting, and, yes, to advertise cars and car parts for sale (although, the official swap meet has grown substantially, and is now an annual event.)

As the KAARC grew, so did its concern for preserving automotive history. In 1981, the KAARC and the Gilmore Car Museum initiated a joint effort in order to raise funds for the museum; The Red Barns Spectacular. Multiple projects at the Gilmore Car Museum have been supported over the years through this continuing cooperation, including the 1998 installation of the Old Shell Station on the museum grounds (our logo and names of KAARC members can be found on the pavers in front of the station.) These days the proceeds from our fundraisers help support Garage Works (a program run by the Gilmore Car Museum to mentor students interested in entering the automotive trades,) and the Tool Box Program (an initiative by the KAARC to purchase tools for students going into automotive trades.) 

While the Red Barns Spectacular and the KAARC Winter Swap Meet are fundraising events, the club enjoys many group activities through out the year. Outside of meetings, members are invited to a spring Dust Off, and planned driving tours such as the March Winds Tour, the Garage Hop, the Autorama Bus Tour, and the Fall Color Tour.

Many of our members own antique vehicles, but that is not necessary to join the club. We welcome any one with a passion for the automobile, its history, and its future.