HISTORY

The Wizards of Rods, Inc., is a non-profit organization that believes in the preservation of the old car hobby. The club was established in 1979 and has been active for many years in the following areas:

· Since 1980, the club has sponsored an annual car show which is now held on Father’s Day weekend for the entire family to enjoy.

· In 1987, the Wizards of Rods participated in the first Platoon Run event to show appreciation to the hospitalized veterans at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Tomah, Wisconsin (see Platoon Run section for more details).

· In 1988, a scholarship fund was established to help students enrolled in auto-related programs.

· In 1990, the club started participating in the adopt-a-highway litter control program sponsored by the Wisconsin Department of Transportation.

· Each year a donation is made to the Toys For Tots program along with other worthy causes.

The club started when five or six local “car nuts” used to meet in individual garages to brainstorm over problems. Was anything solved? Sometimes yes, but other times it was just nice to sit around and talk about projects and how they were progressing. Surprising how many different ways there are to accomplish the same thing!

In December of 1979, it was thought it was time to organize. In January of 1980, an ad was placed in the local newspaper, a room at a local supper club was rented and the first informal meeting was held. As word spread, more members joined. During 1980, it was decided we needed a name. Out of the suggestion box came the tin men, and from that came the Wizards of Rods. So the club was born with 22 members.

During the club’s second year in existence, a car show was put together and that tradition has continued to this day.