August 2025 | Volume 200

38 Days Until the Start of Hershey Week!

Will We See YOU in the Sweetest Place on Earth?

Eastern Fall Nationals

Hershey, PA

TUESDAY, October 7 –

FRIDAY, October 10

Click here for brochure & full schedule

The Hershey Region invites you to make the pilgrimage to antique car Mecca this October. Come join the more than 200,000+ visitors who come each year to experience Hershey. The Hershey show is considered the largest antique car show and flea market in the world boasting some 9,000 vendor spaces in its flea market, a car corral with 800+ antique cars for sale and culminates in a great car show with about 1,000 vintage cars on display.

If you registered for the flea market or car corral, you should expect to see your packet with your windshield stickers and instructions sometime the first week of September.

If you registered to show your car on FRIDAY, you will need to pick up your packet on the Chocolate Field at the FOLDER DISTRIBUTION tent located next to the Hershey Region main tent. The FOLDER DISTRIBUTION tent is open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Packets will also be available for pick-up on Friday morning at the show vehicle entrance behind the Giant Center.

WE NEED JUDGES!!

Judges' registration for Hershey is open online here.

Here is a link to the last Judges Newsletter,

which includes the Hershey registration form.

HURRY! The judges' registration deadline is September 15.

If you have questions about the flea market or car corral, please send an email to fallmeet@hersheyaaca.org. If you have questions regarding the car show, please send an email to carreghershey@gmail.com.

COME JOIN US FOR THE LARGEST

ANTIQUE CAR SHOW & FLEA MARKET IN THE WORLD!

Important 2025 Hershey Reminders:

Show will run Tuesday, October 7 through Friday, October 10

Flea Market set-up will be Monday, October 6

Judging School will be Thursday, October 9, at 2 p.m.

Judges Breakfast will be Friday, October 10, at 7 a.m.

Car show will be Friday, October 10

Hershey Region is looking for approximately 30 volunteers for Friday morning, October 10, 2025, to park show vehicles from 6 a.m. to approximately 10:30 a.m.

Volunteers receive the following as a thank you:

• Free parking ($20 value)
• Food voucher ($15 value)
• Dash plaque
• Worker’s hat
• Hershey Region volunteer worker’s incentive

You do NOT need to be an AACA member to volunteer.

If interested, contact Gloria Mader at glomad7123@gmail.com or 717-566-2901. Please include your contact information with phone number.

AACA merchandise will be at these locations in the flea market:

Chocolate Field in our blue trailer – C3H 5-7, C3I 5-7 (Tuesday - Friday)

Green Field in front of the Giant Center in a large white tent (Tuesday - Thursday)

AACA merchandise will be on the show field along the road

in a large white tent on FRIDAY during the car show.

AACA membership will be at these locations in the flea market:

Chocolate Field in front of our blue trailer – C3H 5-7, C3I 5-7 (Tuesday - Friday)

Chocolate Field C3G 5-9 (Tuesday - Thursday)

Green Field in front of the Giant Center in a large white tent (Tuesday - Thursday)

AACA membership will be on the show field along the road near the

merchandise tent on FRIDAY during the car show.

New memberships and membership renewals

will be taken at all of these locations all week.

AACA National Headquarters building, including the AACA Library,

will be open to the public Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Don’t forget about the Library yard sale on

Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. behind AACA Headquarters!

Car Corral Spaces WILL Be Available Onsite

There will be car corral spaces available onsite at the Hershey show. They will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. If you would like to enter a car into the car corral, you will need to show up at the show at 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 7. You MUST be a current paid AACA member. The vehicle MUST be 25 years old or older, you MUST be able to drive the vehicle on to the car corral and the vehicle MUST be AACA compliant – no hot rods allowed. (If not a current AACA member, you can renew and/or join onsite at the car corral office.)

Race Car Condition Run & High-Wheeler Event

Come see the race cars and high-wheelers race around the track in the Hershey Stadium starting at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 9. There is a 75+-year history of race cars driving around the stadium, starting with the midget car races during the depression. Today, Hershey is one of the only places where spectators still get to see these cars in action!

Juniors at Hershey

Juniors at Hershey is a project of the Hershey Region Youth Committee. Join us for the 27th Annual Junior Display for youth of all ages. The event will be held on Friday, October 10, from 12 to 2 p.m. in front of the Giant Center. The Hershey Region Chuck Wagon will be on display.

Eastern Fall Nationals is coming up fast, and we know you’re wondering about the library’s planned activities for the week – well, you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers! There’s a lot going on during Hershey, and we understand that members have limited time to get to everything they want to see that week. If you plan to visit the library while you’re in town, here are some details to help you plan your time:

What are the library’s hours during Hershey?

• Monday: 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Tuesday: 8 a.m.-2 p.m., Wednesday: 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Thursday: 8 a.m.-4 p.m., Friday: CLOSED
• The library closes early on Tuesday to prep for the BIG Yard Sale

What services does the library provide that week?

• Research

-- Remember to bring your photo ID with you!

-- Research requiring in-depth staff assistance may need to be done after

Hershey week

-- Large scanning projects may need to be done after Hershey week

• Donation acceptance

-- If you plan to bring a large donation of material, please call us in advance

• Digital scans/photocopies

-- Fees during Hershey week are $.50 per photocopy, and $1 per digital scan

What can I bring into the library with me?

• You MAY bring: pencils, paper, laptop, phone, wallet, camera, scanner (MUST receive staff approval for scanners first)
• You MAY NOT bring: food and drinks, notebooks/binders/folders, pens/markers, purses/briefcases/suitcases/handbags/boxes/bags or containers of any kind

-- We have free lockers for visitors to use for safekeeping of any personal items

Tell us about the Yard Sale!

• Tuesday, Oct. 7, from 4-7 p.m. behind AACA Headquarters (show field area)
• Includes 3 organizations with 3 tents full of duplicate automotive literature, shop manuals, books, vintage items, and automobilia
• More information to come in next month’s Speedster and on our website

Why isn’t the library open on Friday?

• The HQ facility is closed on car show day…we’re all out on the show field working!
• You can find the library staff next to the AACA Merchandise tent with our popular pop-up book sale

If you have any other questions, always feel free to get a hold of us and ask! The library staff can be reached at 717-534-2082, or you can email me directly at jwolfe@aaca.org. 

Last year, in conjunction with RM Sotheby’s, we were able to obtain a discounted rate at the Hershey Lodge during the Eastern Fall Nationals which most simply refer to as “Hershey.” Thanks to AACA members who took advantage of this deal, we were able to sell out the entire block of 900 room nights. Selling out this room block is the best way we can ensure that the auction remains a part of our event. The auction is back in 2025 and we already have the block set up to take reservations. Please consider making your reservation now clicking here. This year’s rate is $299 a night. Thank you all for your support last year!

Join Us For “The Runaway Scrape”

An Historic Tour Across Early Texas

Relive Texas History – One Mile at a Time

Submitted By Debra Lankenau, Texas DFW Region, Debra@kipmotor.com

October 18-22, 2025 -- Central Divisional Tour -- San Antonio to Galveston, TX

HURRY!! Registration Deadline: September 2

Click here for brochure -- Click here to register online

We invite you to join the 2025 AACA Central Divisional Tour: “The Runaway Scrape”

October 18-22, 2025, through Southeast and Central Texas.

Drive your vintage automobile through the dramatic landscape of early Texas history. This tour follows the path of the Texian settlers and Sam Houston’s army as they retreated from Santa Anna’s advancing forces in the spring of 1836. You’ll travel the very roads (or close to them) that tell the story of fear, determination, and ultimate victory that shaped Texas’ fight for independence.

Tour Highlights:

• Scenic routes through historic towns and battlegrounds
• Visits to museums, mission sites, and cultural landmarks
• Period re-enactments and local storytelling
• Optional costume events and evening socials
• Dedicated support for antique vehicles

The tour starts at The Alamo in San Antonio and ends at the San Jacinto Battlegrounds in Houston. Whether you're behind the wheel of a 1930s roadster or a 1960s classic, this is your chance to be part of a rolling tribute to both early Texas and automotive heritage.

Online registration is still open! Space is limited to preserve the intimate and historical nature of the experience. HURRY! Registration closes September 2, 2025!!

Questions?

Tour Director: Kip Lankenau, Kip@KipMotor.com, 214-498-0531

Tour Registrar: Tammy Keith, AACATXDFW1@gmail.com, 469-338-6358

Website: texas-dfw.aaca.com/runawayscrape/

Let your wheels tell a story. Come drive history with us.

Don't Miss the Last National Show of 2025!

The Texas Coast is Calling... See Y’all Soon!

October 23-25, 2025

Central Fall Nationals

Galveston, TX

Registration Deadline: September 26

Click here for brochure

Click here to register online

At its Golden Era in the late 1800s, Galveston Island was known as the “Playground of the South” – a booming tourist destination built on its attractive beaches, convenient location, high-traffic port and numerous attractions. Galveston has reclaimed that title in recent years with an influx of new attractions and cruise ships that keep drawing visitors to this charming historic beach town on the Texas Gulf Coast. The Gulf Coast Region is excited to host this show and anxiously awaiting your arrival! 

Event highlights include a Texas Rangers presentation, welcoming day party activities, technical session on chrome plating, driving tour to the Galveston Ferry ride to Port Boliver Peninsula, Judging School, membership roundtable, Island Banquet with band and silent auction, Judges Breakfast, CJE, Owners Briefing, lots of southern hospitality and awards presentation.

Host Hotel:

Moody Gardens Resort and Spa

One Hope Boulevard, Galveston, Texas 77554

Call 409-683-1299 Monday-Friday between 7AM-8PM to make a reservation for the Antique Car Club room block. Group rate is $182.

Book online: tinyurl.com/2025TXnationals

Hotel Reservation Deadline: September 30

Questions?

Chairman: Jim Johnston, telcopressure@att.net, 832-693-4008

Registration: Sandra Johnston/Thomas Kidd, 2025galvestonmeet@att.net, 713-542-9481

Judges' registration for Galveston is open online here.

Here is a link to the last Judges Newsletter,

which includes the Galveston registration form.

HURRY! The judges' registration deadline is September 26.

Car sign requests for the Eastern Fall Nationals (Hershey, PA)

and the Central Fall Nationals (Galveston, TX)

must be received by Monday, September 8.

IMPORTANT: Signs for Hershey MUST be picked up at the

AACA merchandise tent next to the show field on Friday, October 10.

This is the only official AACA recommended car show sign and is intended for use at AACA events. The AACA car sign format, styled similarly to other Concours signs, when properly weighted or staked would limit potential damage to vehicles if bumped or blown. Signs are 16.5" tall and 12" wide and are made of hard plastic to withstand the elements. These signs are only available to AACA members and are custom created to tell your vehicle's story and history.

AACA car signs cost $45 plus shipping and handling. Add an image or images for $5 each. PA residents also pay sales tax.

Please allow 4-5 weeks for the entire process from start to finish.

Click here for more information and instructions.

Email Jon Curtis at AACA Headquarters if you would like to have a sign made.

2026 AACA Membership Renewals Start Soon

By Karen White, AACA Membership Manager, kwhite@aaca.org

1956 to 1960… those were my high school years. Exciting times. Rock and roll music was in its heyday. We were pioneering into space. Automobile models and styles were changing drastically. And, of course, there were those gorgeous T-Birds that made a young man's fantasy soar into the stratosphere. How I dreamed of having one!

My desire for a T-Bird was particularly peaked by the fact that the gentleman who owned the wholesale ice company where I worked part-time in my hometown of Port Arthur, Texas, was the owner of not one, but two T-Birds: a white '57 with red interior and a white '58 with red interior. He frequently had me take the 'Birds to my home to wash and polish them. I used the '57 on two occasions to drive with a queen contestant sitting on the trunk area in the annual Cav-­Oil-Cade parade. And then for my senior prom, he "insisted" that I use the '58 (which was the four passenger Bird) since I was double dating. I had been selected as king for the prom, but I felt even more "royal" driving that beautiful T-Bird.

Then it was on to college, Army, Vietnam, law school, marriage and children (so much for T-Birds). But I did not lose that love and desire for those great cars. Of course, I liked many different cars. Since my earliest recollection, I was a car buff. I still recall sitting on my dad's lap at around age 4 and steering the car as we drove slowly down some seldom used road. And then there were the collections of model cars which I would play with for hours on end. However, through the years my favorite car has always been the early T-Birds.

One day in 1986 as I was driving back from court in my transplanted home of Sulphur, Louisiana, I spied a white '56 sitting on the used car lot of the Shetler Ford dealership. I whipped in immediately. It was parked there in the bright sunlight with the top removed and with (you guessed it) a red interior. The dealer was a personal friend, and it didn't take long to make a deal.

Over the past 38 years, since I have owned the car, it has seen many improvements, including repainting, overhaul of the engine and transmission, and addition of air conditioning. It has been shown at events in Galveston, Dallas, San Antonio, Memphis, Miami and The Villages of Florida, as well as numerous local shows in the Lake Charles and surrounding area.

My love of the T-Birds has "forced" me to acquire three other Birds, a 1955, a 1957 and a 2002. I guess you could say that I have had a life-long love affair with Ford T-Birds and probably always will.

We are always looking to feature articles from AACA members in Speedster. We'd love to share your personal accounts of tours and shows you have attended, restoration projects, unique vehicle stories and history, and any other stories you think other AACA members would enjoy hearing about.

Stories should average about 500 words or less. And we love photos, so make sure to include some! Please send your photos and stories to Stacy Zimmerman at szimmerman@aaca.org. 

In the September/October edition of Antique Automobile is a postpaid ballot for the 2026 Board of Directors election. It is your ONLY ballot and must be filled out according to the instructions or it will not be counted.

Please read the biographies of all the candidates listed in the magazine and vote for the 7 of your choice. Our candidates this year come from widely different backgrounds, so please give serious consideration to those who match your ideas of what is important to the future of the club. All ballots must have 7 names selected or they will be considered "not valid" and will not be counted.

Your ballot must be RECEIVED by November 15, 2025.

Click here to download the scholarship application.

Susquehannock Region Automotive Technology Scholarship (formerly known as the AACA Student Scholarship): Cash award to a student currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning leading up to a degree in antique automotive technology and or restoration.

AACA Young People’s Award: A cash award to an AACA member (student or regular) who has been accepted into an accredited institution of higher learning or is now enrolled in such institution, i.e., a four-year college leading to a bachelor’s degree or a two-year vocational education program leading to a degree. Applicant must be nominated by a Region or Chapter of AACA and must be no more than 25 years old.

AACA Scholarship: A cash award to any AACA member (student or regular) who has been accepted to an accredited institution of higher learning or is now enrolled in such institution, i.e., a four-year college leading to a bachelor’s degree or a two-year vocational education program leading to a diploma. Applicant must be no more than 25 years old.

Louise Bianchi Chiotti Memorial Scholarship Award: Louise (Bianchi) Chiotti was born on June 11, 1914, in San Jose, California. The family’s first automobile was a 1926 Dodge Sedan. Her two younger brothers purchased a 1939 Studebaker and took delivery in January 1939. They wanted to give it to Louise’s son Dave in 1956. His mother thought it too big of a car for a fifteen-year-old in San Francisco and talked him into buying a 1930 Ford Model A Coupe. In 1959 the little Model A was a bit slow, so Dave purchased a 1959 Ford convertible. As Dave sat on the running board of the Ford waiting for the new owner to arrive his mom came and sat next to him. “You really don’t want to sell it do you?” she asked. “NO, I don’t” was my reply.” “Then don’t,” mom said. Dave and Marilyn Chiotti still own the Model A; it is a Senior and First Place Grand National Award Winner. The 1939 Studebaker came to the Chiottis after spending 40 years under a walnut tree. It is now a Senior and First Place Grand National Award Winner. The 1926 Dodge was cut into a truck for ranch use in the 1940s. Dave brought it home in 1976 and built a Woodie. In 2000, they donated it to Luther Burbank Home & Gardens in Santa Rosa. After Dave and Marilyn’s uncle’s passing, they acquired their 1968 Cadillac El Dorado. It now lives in the AACA Museum in Hershey, PA. This $1,500 scholarship is based upon the same rules as the AACA Automotive Technology Award and is awarded as funds are available. It was instituted and funded by Dave and Marilyn Chiotti as a way to honor Louise and a way to continue to support youth in the hobby.

AACA John & Janet Ricketts Leadership Scholarship: A cash award to any AACA member, child or grandchild of an active AACA member in good standing for at least 5 years, who has been accepted to an institute of higher learning or is now enrolled in such institution. The award is granted by the family of John and Janet Ricketts in recognition of their love of AACA and their belief in service to the club. It is also in recognition of our first female National President, Janet Ricketts, in 1999.

Hershey Region AACA Automotive Restoration Scholarship: Cash award to an AACA member currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning leading up to a degree in antique automotive restoration.

If you have any questions, please contact:

Kyle Blake, AACA National Board of Directors

VP Youth Development & Awards

blakerestorations@gmail.com or 443-564-7268

Have you ever thought about speaking or putting on a seminar at the Annual Convention? Well, now's your chance! If you would like to be a possible speaker, please fill out this form and send it in no later than October 20.

Have an idea for a workshop? What topics would you like to hear a panel of experts discuss? This is YOUR Annual Convention, and we want to know what you want to learn about. Please email Stacy with your seminar ideas and/or speaker suggestions (membership, leadership, chapters/regions, marketing, cars, technical, fun, historical, ladies-focused, etc.).

The 2026 AACA Annual Convention will be held February 5-7 in Chantilly, VA, at the Westfields Marriott. We are working on an excellent pre-convention excursion for Thursday that you will not want to miss, so you may want to consider coming in on Wednesday. Here is the full hotel and reservation information, so you can book early and start your planning:

Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles

14750 Conference Center Dr, Chantilly, VA 20151

Less than 10 miles from the Washington Dulles International Airport

Room Rates:

$139 per night OR $159 per night with 1 breakfast OR $179 per night with 2 breakfasts

Reservation Link: https://book.passkey.com/e/51001554

Reservation Phone: (800) 266-9432 (mention Antique Automobile Club of America)

Reservation Deadline: January 13, 2026

April 23-25, 2026

Grand Nationals (April 24)

Western Spring Nationals (April 25)

Las Vegas, NV

Host Hotel:

Hilton Lake Las Vegas Resort & Spa

1610 Lake Las Vegas Parkway

Henderson, NV 89011

702-567-4700 mention Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA)

$155 per night (includes resort fee) + tax 

Even though the 2025 Glidden Tour doesn’t kick off for another 10 days, it’s not too early to start thinking about the 2026 tour. The Revival AAA Glidden Tour® is an annual collaboration between AAA, the Vintage Motor Car Club of America (VMCCA) and AACA. VMCCA and AACA take turns hosting the tour on alternate years with the VMCCA hosting this year. The AACA Board of Directors will be the host for the 2026 tour, which will center around Dover, Delaware.

Charles Glidden was a strong supporter of the automobile as reliable transportation. He and Mrs. Glidden completed the first around the world tour by auto in 1902. By 1908, he had traveled 46,528 miles by auto circumnavigating the globe twice. He participated in the AAA tour from New York to St. Louis in 1904 and decided that this tour should happen every year. He created and donated an elaborate trophy to AAA to be awarded. As a result, the tours from 1905 to 1913 were known as the Glidden Reliability Tours. Commercialism of the tour became so rampant, that the tour was stopped after only 8 years. In 1946 at the conclusion of WWII with the resumption of production of tires for antique cars, a group of enthusiasts organized a tour for these cars and gave it the name the Revival Glidden Tour. It has run in locations all over the United States ever since.

The tour is for cars manufactured before 1943 and participants must be members of AACA or VMCCA. They are normally “hub tours” that center around a single point and radiate out in many directions. Tours usually average between 400 and 500 miles over 6 days and feature stops at historic areas, coffee shops, lunch locations, ice cream stores, and other interesting places, usually returning to the host hotel by dinner. The pace is leisurely and allows for the enjoyment of traveling in a vintage car. 

The 2026 Glidden Tour will center around Dover, Delaware. We have lined up a lot of interesting and historic locations to visit. We might even have a boat ride or two! And, as in all tours, be prepared to eat. People who do a lot of tours tend to rate them on the “pounds gained per tour.” This one could be a big gainer!!

You don’t need to own a car to participate in a tour. Once the registration materials come out, contact the tour director, and talk to them. There is usually a group of car owners that are more than happy to have you ride along and experience touring with them. You will have an opportunity to experience driving through many areas in a way and at a pace like never before. 

So, sign up for next year! Come experience what touring is all about. Touring is a fun way to enjoy your old car!! If you have questions, feel free to contact me anytime. 

AACA Christmas and holiday cards are an annual tradition for many members. These beautiful 5x7 cards feature artwork from renowned artist Dan Reed. Here are this year’s new designs...

1969 Jaguar Type E

Inside: Season’s Greetings

1937 Buick

Inside: Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

The cards come in packs of 12 and include envelopes. Each pack is only $12 (plus shipping). You can purchase them in the AACA store on our website or by calling AACA Headquarters to place your order (717-534-1910).

The AACA Calendar is always a hot item this time of year, so be sure to order yours before they are gone! This 13-month calendar runs from January 2026 to January 2027 and highlights AACA National Activities in addition to moon phases, all Federal Holidays and many other observances. The best part of the annual calendar is getting to see the fabulous member cars showcased each time you flip the month. At a cost of only $14 postpaid, these calendars also make great, inexpensive gifts for all of the car-lovers in your life!

Order online from the AACA Store or call AACA National Headquarters at 717-534-1910. An order form will also be included with your next issue of Antique Automobile magazine.

Below are several exclusive deals on live events including concerts, sports, shows and more. Check out these and more deals by clicking here.

Morgan Wallen

Disney On Ice

Benson Boone

Mickey's Not-So-Scary Halloween Party

New York Aquarium

The Wizard of Oz at Sphere

Antique Automobile Club of America

AACA.org | 717-534-1910

America’s Premiere Resource for the Collectible Vehicle Community

The Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, is the country's premier resource for the collectible vehicle community. Since its formation in 1935, the Club, through its national office, publications, and membership, aids individuals, museums, libraries, historians and collectors dedicated to the enjoyment and preservation of automotive history.