Writer Joseph J. Airdo // Photography by Loralei Lazurek

As the sun rises over the Sonoran Desert on the last Saturday of each month, an eclectic mix of cars, trucks and motorcycles converge in the parking lot of Outlets North Phoenix in Anthem. From classic American muscle cars and vintage beauties to meticulously modified imports and modern marvels, each automobile carries the imprint of its owner’s personality and passion.

Having recently expanded from the cozy parking lot of a small shopping center to the spacious grounds of the outlet mall to accommodate the growing number of participants and their beloved vehicles, Anthem Cars and Coffee has become one of the community’s most vibrant and cherished traditions over the past five years.

“I believe that Anthem Cars and Coffee has become a big draw for car enthusiasts from all over the Valley for a variety of reasons,” says Brian Sheehan, a former semi-professional race car driver who has served as the monthly event’s organizer since its inception in 2019.

“Saturday morning road trips to a not-too-distant destination allow their clean and polished automobile to stretch its legs and strut a bit. The enthusiast can then enjoy coffee, breakfast and a chance to mingle with people from all walks of life. A sense of community and a family atmosphere contribute to the show’s success.”

Beyond the gleaming paint and roaring engines, Anthem Cars and Coffee is about much more than just cars; it is about community, friendship and a shared passion for the automotive world. It is also about the individual stories behind each vehicle’s acquisition, restorations, upgrades and road trips.

“People come together to share stories, enjoy the variety and create inspiration for the next generation of petrolheads,” Sheehan adds. “The guys and gals with the garage-built projects and the tuner cars feel just as welcome as the folks who own the rare and the exotic. Anthem Cars and Coffee is not defined by income or social status; it has become an equalizer.”

The Ultimate Driving Machine
Growing up surrounded by muscle cars, thanks to his father’s influence, Michael Romani developed a deep appreciation for automotive aesthetics and mechanics at a very young age.

“One of my favorite things to do as a kid was to go out and wash the cars with my parents,” Romani fondly recalls. “My dad only let me do the wheels, though, because he did not want me to scratch the paint.”

Romani’s own automotive journey officially began with a BMW — a make that he initially dismissed.

“I did not really like European cars,” Romani admits. “But this BMW was in my budget as a 16-year-old, and it really laid the foundation for how much I learned about the car brand and the history behind it.”

After getting his American muscle car fix with his second vehicle, a Mustang, Romani returned to BMW with a 2003 M3 because of the brand’s high customizability.

“Cars are really a representation of their owner,” he explains. “I am really big on style. With American cars, there is only so much style you can incorporate before it starts getting very repetitive. You start to see a lot of cars doing the same modifications and upgrades, so you then have just a copy-and-paste build. Your car ends up looking just like everyone else’s.”

Despite initial challenges, such as the inconvenience of disassembling and reassembling it for daily use, Romani grew to appreciate the car’s unique red color, which he discovered is a rare motorsport heritage color for BMW.

“I now believe that the red color gives the car a lot of personality,” he says.

Seeking a platform to express his individuality, Romani found solace in modifying his BMW M3, blending elements of street style and early 2000s inspiration, as well as German and Japanese cultures, into a unique creation that truly represents himself. These modifications include Air Lift Performance air suspension and custom Work Meister S1 3P wheels that were built by Work Wheels in Japan specifically for Romani’s car.

“Doing most of the work myself in my own garage has also been really humbling,” Romani says. “There are not too many people who can say that they built their own car. So that is a really sentimental aspect of being able to share the car with other people at events like Anthem Cars and Coffee.”

Having previously needed to travel to other areas around the Valley in order to attend or participate in automobile events, such as the Pavilions at Talking Stick Rock ‘n’ Roll Classic Car Show in Scottsdale, he appreciates having one in his own community.

“What I love about the Anthem event is that it is an all-town show,” explains Romani, noting that the event fosters a sense of community and connection among neighbors. “It is just one big hangout and there is such a hometown feel to it.”

For Romani, who also owns a Jeep as his daily driver, the event provides an opportunity to showcase his pride and joy while forming lasting friendships and relationships with fellow car enthusiasts.

“Cars are such a universal language,” says Romani, adding that his BMW M3 has played a pivotal role in his journey to self-discovery. “Long nights working in my garage help me get back in touch with my roots, and why this makes me so happy. So being able to share something that I built — not only something that means so much to me but has also changed my life in a very positive way — has been a very rewarding experience.”

‘The Grinch’
While growing up, Thomas Sichrovsky was surrounded by the luxury and elegance of Cadillacs. His father’s collection included a ‘68 Cadillac DeVille and a ‘72 model, instilling in him a deep love for the iconic luxury vehicles.

However, as he entered his teens, Sichrovsky discovered a fascination for Volkswagens and muscle cars, expanding his automotive horizons. He recalls sitting with friends on the curb near his home at 46th and Peoria avenues and pointing out what he liked and disliked about passing cars.

Sichrovsky also recalls absorbing knowledge from his neighbors — five older boys who were always tinkering with their Chevrolet Nova. It was during this time that he developed a soft spot for the model, which, despite not being considered a true muscle car, captured his heart.

“I have always seen the Nova as an underdog,” explains Sichrovsky, noting the overwhelming popularity of the Chevrolet Chevelle and Camaro. “So, as I got older, I continually looked for them and finally came across a great deal on one in Spokane, Washington.”

The green 1971 Chevrolet Nova SS — which Sichrovsky lovingly refers to as “The Grinch” — boasts a “Max-approved” 454 big block engine and a Turbo 400 short shaft transmission. Although he also owns a 1967 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia, a 1966 Volkswagen Beetle and a 1956 Volkswagen Beetle, “The Grinch” is by far his favorite and therefore the car he most frequently brings to car shows.

“The Nova is just a good piece of machinery,” says Sichrovsky, noting that there is an art and a beauty to automobiles. “There is also a rich history within each one, from who owned it to the restorations they have done. Discovering that history is actually my favorite thing about going to Anthem Cars and Coffee.”

For Sichrovsky, the gatherings are more than just displays of automotive marvels; they are testaments to the passion and dedication of car enthusiasts. From street bikes to Ferraris, the diversity is awe-inspiring, and the stories shared by fellow enthusiasts create a sense of camaraderie and connection.

Racebred and Reliable
First registering an interest in cars when he was just 7 years old, Jim Vranich has very fond memories of building model cars that he bought from a Milwaukee hobby shop.

“I bought a lot of car magazines when I was younger,” says Vranich, noting that he recalls having as many as five subscriptions at a time. “I found it very difficult to do my schoolwork instead of reading those. I also enjoyed going to NASCAR, Formula One and IndyCar races.”

When his family moved to Michigan, Vranich befriended a neighbor who owned a 1953 Chevrolet pickup truck, dune buggies and a wooden Chris Craft boat that was fully equipped with a 283 Corvette fuel-injected engine. As his parents forbade him from buying his own car in high school, Vranich spent as much time as possible helping his neighbor work on and test-drive his beloved vehicles.

It was not until his sophomore year at Michigan State University in 1971 that Vranich finally had a car of his own.

“I worked in a warehouse all summer to save up enough money to buy my own car,” explains Vranich, noting that his parents were vehemently opposed to the idea of him owning a vehicle.

“I bought a one-way ticket on a Greyhound bus to Allentown, Pennsylvania, with $800 in my pocket, a duffel bag and my Kennedy toolbox. My friend and I looked at cars for a week and really did not find anything. Then, the day before I had planned to go back to Michigan, my friend’s neighbor said that he had heard I was looking for a car and showed me his Triumph Spitfire.”

Vranich bought the racebred car for $250, fixed it up and drove it back home, eager to show it off to his fraternity brothers.

“On my way to college, I was cruising along at 70 or 75 mph and suddenly heard this big thunk,” Vranich says. “The engine had just let go. So rather than driving to the fraternity house with a big smile on my face, I had to contact a wrecker and have my car taken to a local shop to be rebuilt.”

After $370 in repairs, Vranich’s Triumph Spitfire became known as one of the most reliable cars on campus when it was the only vehicle in his fraternity’s parking lot to start during three days of minus-20-degree weather.

“I paid for everything on that car with no help from my parents,” says Vranich, listing license, insurance, fuel, oil, tires, repair parts, professional service and the engine rebuild among the many expenditures.

It was all entirely worth it, though, as the car is still every bit as reliable today as it was more than 50 years ago. Manufactured in 1962, Vranich’s car was the 565th Triumph Spitfire made — and the 17th oldest still intact in the entire world.

In addition to his Triumph Spitfire, Vranich also owns a Jaguar XJS and a 1978 Corvette that he brings with him to shows such as Anthem Cars and Coffee. He also has a 1967 Corvette that he has owned since he was 21 years old in storage, as well as a 1964 Chevrolet Impala Super Sport that he is restoring in his garage next to his daily driver, a Buick Enclave.

Vranich attributes the prevalence of automobile-related hobbies and activities in Arizona to the state’s suitable weather for storing and driving cars, as well as its large population of retirees.

“There are a lot of baby boomers here — guys like me who retire and finally have the money to buy the cars that we wanted when we were kids,” he says. “I believe that everybody — especially those my age (70) — needs a hobby,” Vranich says. “I know some guys who do not have any hobbies and are not as happy in retirement as I am.

“Some people paint. Some people golf. I enjoy being around car people and looking at cars. Anthem Cars and Coffee gives people like me a chance to drive our cars and be around other car enthusiasts.”

Anthem Cars and Coffee
March 2 and April 27 // 8–11 a.m. // Outlets North Phoenix // 4250 W. Anthem Way, Anthem // Free // anthemcarsandcoffee.com