Albany Rods & Kustoms, or ARK for short, is a car club based in Albany, NY with members from all over the Upstate NY area. ARK was founded in 1983. In 1985 ARK hosted their first event “The Highland Farms Car Show” in Altamont NY. In 1986 it started “The Mom and Apple Pie Car Show”. These first shows were small and drew less than 100 cars. In 1988 ARK held a “by invitation” show called the Adirondack Nationals at the Sheraton Inn of Glens Falls, NY. There were 268 cars. The following year, the show was moved to its present location on the grounds of the Fort William Henry Resort in Lake George, NY. The event just keeps getting bigger and better. We now average 1500 cars every year! People from all over the country bring their cars to this show and it is considered a “must attend” event by many.
ARK limits it’s membership to 40 members plus social members. A social member is the spouse or significant other of a club member. Social members have the same duties and privileges as full members except for voting and holding office. To join ARK you must be nominated by a current club member and also own a pre 1973 vehicle. Members must attend at least 10 out of 12 monthly meetings each year, and drive their qualifying vehicle to at least 3 of those meetings or other club functions. Members must also work a minimum of 20 hours at the Adirondack Nationals Car Show.
ARK contributes to the community by providing scholarships at area colleges and by donating to local charities such as Double-H Hole in the Woods. See a list of these charities below.
Besides the Adirondack Nationals, ARK members participate many club activities. Some of these include; car shows & cruises, poker runs, swap meets, bowling, hay rides, and more. We also hold a clam bake each fall and a wonderful Christmas party each December. We like to try and do something as a club every month. Most of all, we enjoy talking about, working on, and driving our cars.
ARK gives back to our community through the scholarships and charities listed below.
Scholarships:
Albany Rods & Kustoms has scholarship programs at the following schools:
Hudson Valley Community College hvcc.edu
As of 2021 Charities (to-date):
Albany Ronald McDonald House
Alplaus Explorer Post 885
American Cancer Society
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association
American Red Cross
Animal Lovers Rescue
Catskill Animal Hospital
Carrol Center for the Blind
Chatham Central School District
Churchtown Fire Department
Columbia County Sheriff’s DARE
Columbia Greene Humane Society
Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation
Double-H Ranch - a Hole in the Wall Camp
Explorer Post 724-EMT’s
Leukemia & Lymphoma Society - fighting blood cancers
Operation Santa Claus
Our Redeemer Lutheran Church
Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Capital Region
The Community Hospice
Toys for Tots
VFW Hall 8692
Victory Junction Gang Camp
West Charlton Fire Department
