December 2025 | Volume 204

Wishing you peace and joy and lots

of old fashion car fun in 2026!

AACA National Board & Staff

Just a quick reminder that

National Headquarters

& Library will be closed on

January 1 for the holiday.

The 2026 AACA Annual Convention will be held February 5-7 in Chantilly, VA, at the Westfields Marriott. As stated in the opening article above, convention is a combination of education, business, entertainment and celebration. There are seminars and judging schools, the General Membership Meeting, a trade show, special excursions, fun evening activities, and the big National Awards Banquet. We encourage all AACA members near and far to seriously consider joining us for this event.

Click here for the Convention brochure

Click here to register online for the Convention

If you would like registration materials mailed to you,

please email Sue Eitnier with your name and member number.

Registration Reminders:

• EVERYONE registering to attend any convention activities MUST pay the $50 registration fee per person.
• Your 2026 AACA membership dues must be paid prior to registering for convention.
• The registration deadline for convention is January 15, 2026.

Convention highlights include:

• Thursday pre-convention excursion: Washington, D.C., Monument Tour  (includes bus transportation, private tour guide & boxed lunch)
• Thursday evening Welcome Dessert Reception hosted by your AACA National Board of Directors who invite you to join them for an evening of sweet treats
• Approximately 30 educational seminars
• Trade show with more than 20 vendors
• Friday luncheon hosted by AACA First Lady Debra Anspach with keynote speaker Jacy Good
• Friday evening 1970s-themed Casino Night (Wear your bellbottoms, tie-dyed T-shirts, and Go-Go boots – play for free & win prizes!)
• Saturday evening National Awards “Oscars” (Dress to impress and support our special honorees!)

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

March 19-21, 2026

Special Nationals

Guaynabo, PR

Registration Deadline: February 18

Click here for brochure

Click here to register online

The Puerto Rico Region is excited to once again welcome mainland members to their beautiful island for an experience not to be missed!

If you have never been to Puerto Rico, now is your chance – especially if you are an AACA Judge. We NEED mainland AACA Judges for this show!!

Click here to register to judge now!

Event Highlights:

• Thursday Trip to the Beautiful La Marquesa Forest Park
• Friday Judging School, Membership Roundtable & CJE
• Friday Evening Welcome Party in the Capitol District Old San Juan
• Saturday Special Nationals Car Show at the Music Museum of Guaynabo
• Saturday Evening Awards Banquet at Pedrin Zorrilla Coliseum, San Juan

Host Hotel:

Courtyard by Marriott San Juan Miramar

801 Ponce de Leon Avenue, San Juan, Puerto Rico, 00907

Call 787-721-7400 or email Stephanie.Nora@courtyard.com to make your reservation

MCA Rate: $189 + taxes

Questions?

Chairman: Jose “Guillo” Davila, guillodavila57@outlook.com, 787-382-9813

Registration: Rafael F. Martinez, rmartinezcpa@gmail.com, 787-405-1650

REMINDER: Your 2026 membership dues MUST be paid

prior to registering for any 2026 National Activities.

March 26-28, 2026

Winter Nationals

Cartersville, GA

Registration Deadline: February 24

Click here for brochure

Click here to register online

Click here to register online to judge

The Lake Allatoona Region invites you to attend the AACA Winter Nationals on the beautiful new campus of Georgia Highlands College in Cartersville, GA. The Courtyard by Marriott Cartersville across from the college serves as our host hotel. Free shuttle services to our off-site excursions are courtesy of Cartersville Museum City,

cartersvillemuseumcity.com.

Also happening Saturday from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m., the 18th Annual Northwest Georgia Women’s Expo at the Clarence Brown Conference Center located next to our host hotel. Complimentary tickets are available for all AACA Winter Nationals participants.

Special Note: Because GA Hwy 20 is a busy stretch of road, we will be running free continuous shuttle transportation on Saturday between the host hotel Courtyard Marriott/Clarance Brown Conference Center and Georgia Highlands College from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Event Highlights:

• Thursday Welcome Reception at Old Car City USA
• Friday Excursions: Historic Downtown Cartersville, Booth Western Art Museum, Etowah Indian Mounds, Tellus Science Museum
• Friday Membership Roundtable & Judging School
• Friday Tour & Special Presentation at the Savoy Automobile Museum
• Friday Evening Georgia Highlands College Meet & Greet
• Saturday Swap Meet & Car Corral
• Saturday CJE & Owners Briefing
• Saturday Winter Nationals Car Show at Georgia Highlands College
• Saturday Evening Awards Banquet at Georgia Highlands College with special guest Corky Coker!! (read all about this below)

Host Hotel:

Courtyard by Marriott Cartersville

5460 Highway 20, Cartersville, GA 30121

678-721-1660, $159 + tax (includes breakfast)

Booking link: tinyurl.com/2026WinterNationals

Reservation deadline: February 24, 2026

Questions?

Chairman: Kraig Bolus, kbolus3@gmail.com, 770-363-4293

Registration: Marion Benson, marionbenson@bellsouth.net, 404-680-6654

Information & Updates: lakeallatoona.aaca.com

REMINDER: Your 2026 membership dues MUST be paid

prior to registering for any 2026 National Activities.

Get ready for a fascinating ride as renowned automotive enthusiast and Director of Development at the Savoy Automobile Museum, Tom Shinall, sits down with the legendary Corky Coker—the man who took a small antique-tire niche and turned it into an international phenomenon.

Corky, son of Coker Tire Company founder Harold Coker, grew up on a family farm and initially dreamed of becoming a veterinarian. But after a self-described "too-carefree attitude" derailed his college plans, he returned to the family business. It was there, sweeping floors and cleaning whitewalls, that he found his true passion: making customers happy by helping them "play with their toys."

In this candid interview, Corky shares the formative years of the company with his father, the philosophy of "Doing right means something" that guided their success, and the genesis of the historical tire designs that cemented Coker Tire's reputation.

Inside the Exclusive Interview:

• From Whitewalls to Worldwide: Learn how he revitalized the antique-tire segment, which was less than 5% of the company when he started full-time.
• Beyond the Tread: Discover Corky's key accomplishments in the Chattanooga community, including his work with the Boy Scouts of America, the Chamber of Commerce, and his charitable mission work in Jamaica and Nicaragua.
• Collector's Regret: Hear the story of the "shoulda bought" car that got away.  
• Favorite Vehicle: In the extensive Coker Museum collection, which vehicle stands out as his absolute favorite?
• The Road Ahead: Corky offers his perspective on the challenges facing the vintage vehicle hobby and crucial advice for cultivating interest among younger generations.

Don't miss this engaging conversation between two passionate stewards of automotive history! Be sure to register to attend the Winter Nationals in Cartersville, GA, today!

April 23-25, 2026

Grand Nationals (April 24)

Western Spring Nationals (April 25)

Las Vegas, NV

Registration Deadline: March 20

Click here for brochure

Click here to register online

Click here to register online to judge

The Las Vegas Region is excited to welcome you to Sin City! This dual show is being hosted at a resort in Lake Las Vegas, roughly 30 minutes east of The Strip in the Henderson area. Join us for perfect weather, great food, awesome cars, and a good time with your AACA friends!

Event Highlights:

• Thursday Members Roundtable & Judging School
• Thursday Tour of the Maloof Car Collection
• Friday Grand Nationals Car Show
• Friday Grand Nationals Awards Presentation
• Friday Evening Ice Cream Social
• Saturday CJE & Owners Briefing
• Saturday Western Spring Nationals Car Show
• Saturday Evening Awards Banquet with special guest speaker Peter Brock

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)

Click here to reserve your room online

$155 per night (includes resort fee) + tax

Questions?

Chairman: John Ragonese, jbrags1644@gmail.com, 775-846-9045

Registration: Pat Buckley, pbuckley@aaca.org, 717-534-1910

REMINDER: Your 2026 membership dues MUST be paid

prior to registering for any 2026 National Activities.

Every year on the first weekend in December, the AACA National Awards Committee makes the trek to Hershey, PA, to meet at your National Headquarters to choose your National Award winners for that year. Once this dedicated group of volunteers has done its work, all of the National Award winners are notified that they have won an award which will be presented to them at the Annual Convention in February. They are not told what award they have won, just that they have won one. This is our way of still keeping some surprise and mystery about the awards.

Many thanks to the 2025 AACA National Awards Committee! We are looking very forward to honoring our 2025 National Award winners in Chantilly, Virginia, at the 2026 Annual Convention.

(L to R moving up the stairs) Kelly Adams, John Harvey, Hulon McCraw, Debbie Nolen, Stan Kulikowski, Terry Bond, Mike Petersen, Tom Howard, Dain King, David Bowman, Doc Stanley Stratton, Jim Elliott, Wayne Tuck, Randy Rutherford, Bob Parrish, Tom Cox, Rick Lay, John McCarthy, Eric Marsh

AACA student member Connor Jackson from Stanley, NC, reading his letter from AACA National letting him know he won a National Award and should plan to attend the Annual Convention in February to be honored. Just look at that smile!

Thanks to mom Amy for capturing the special moment and to dad Greg for sending it to us!

Want to see who else won National Awards this year?

Then you need to attend the Awards Banquet on Saturday evening at the 2026 Annual Convention!

You Are Running Out of Time to Renew Your AACA Membership for 2026!

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

Regarding Membership Renewal Forms & Antique Automobile Magazine

Over the last four weeks, many members have contacted National Headquarters because they still have not received their November/December magazine. The November/December magazines were mailed on time on November 6. Unfortunately, many magazines weren’t delivered as they normally are.

Magazines are included in a mailing class called Periodical Class Mail. The United States Postal Service® (USPS) does NOT guarantee delivery of periodicals within a specified time.

Because of the holidays, USPS has more mail and packages to deliver during the months of November and December. Their top priority is delivering mail that must be received in a specific number of days. Sadly, this means that our magazines weren’t a priority.

Now that the holiday rush is over, we are hopeful that the November/December magazines that have been on hold will be delivered. If you still have not received your magazine by the second week of January, please call National HQ at 717-534-1910 or email kwhite@aaca.org. 

Automobile Quarterly For Sale from the Library

Every year we are donated volumes of Automobile Quarterly – if you’re trying to fill the holes in your personal AQ collection, consider the library’s duplicate reserves. While it’s rare for us to have the last few in the series in stock, we do have an excellent variety of the rest. Help the library keep this important publication in circulation and with the car community, so it can be appreciated in the years to come! If you’re interested in purchasing copies of AQ from the library, contact staff at 717-534-2082. 

2026 Annual Convention

If you’re joining us this year in Chantilly, VA, for the Annual Convention, be sure to look for Amoi and Jen at the following activities:

• Trade Show (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday)
• Welcome Reception (Thursday evening)
• Regions & Chapters Dinner, and Groovy ‘70s Casino Night (Friday evening)
• General Membership Meeting (Saturday afternoon)
• National Awards Banquet (Saturday evening)

As usual, we’ll be selling duplicate materials at our trade show booth—perfect for adding a few new books to your personal collection. We’re also debuting a limited selection of AACA Library merchandise this year, so don’t miss the chance to pick up some fun items that show your support for the AACA Library & Research Center. We’re testing out a few ideas and hope to offer more Library merch down the road!

Reminder: New Year’s Hours

The library will be closed Thursday, January 1, for the New Year’s holiday.

Sneak Peak! New Display Cases in the Library

What’s new in the library? Check back next month to see what’s been added in the classroom!

Happy Holidays from the AACA Library & Research Center!

Would you like registration

materials mailed to you

as soon as they are available

for any of these events?

Email Sue with your name,

member number and the event

or send in the Activity Request

Card from your Antique

Automobile magazine.

2025 is almost in the “bag” as they say. It was quite a year for the club with a phenomenal convention, many great shows and tours, and capped off with an amazing Grand National in Dayton and a Hershey which once again had very good weather. 2026 has a full and diverse schedule of events – many in entirely new parts of the country. It should be a great year for AACA!

As you consider your year-end taxes and philanthropy, hopefully you will consider making a special tax-deductible gift to your club. We hope that those who are required to take a mandatory distribution from their retirement accounts will consider AACA as part of your tax savings plans. Please discuss this with your accountant.

Many of you have already given, some have not. Our sincerest THANK YOU to everyone who has continued to support this club with your time and donations! We hate to ask again as we truly realize there are many deserving charities you can choose from for your charitable donations. However, the club is continuing its quest to become stronger each year and your generosity helps us to maintain and grow our member services.

So, we are asking you to please seriously consider making a tax-deductible contribution before the end of the year – it will make all the difference for the future of this club. You can make a general donation to the club, or you can specify your donation to go to the library endowment or the building fund endowment. You can make your donation one of three ways: 

Click here to donate online – easy and fast!

Call us at 717-534-1910 and we will take a donation via credit card over the phone.

Mail a check off to us right away.

Send to: AACA, 800 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033

Remember, you do not have to itemize to take this deduction and any donation amount is appreciated! We will send you an acknowledgement letter for your records.

On behalf of the Hershey Region, we thank you for attending the 2025 Fall Nationals. We hope you had an enjoyable experience.

As a reminder, the Eastern Fall Nationals will again be held the first full week in October starting Tuesday and ending with the judged car show on Friday. Mark your calendar for the 2026 show October 6-9. We have already begun working on the 2026 show in which Bonnie Kulikowski will be the Fall Meet Chairman and Frank Desendi will be her assistant.

The 2026 pre-registration packets were mailed THIS WEEK!

If you do not receive your packet in the mail by January 20, 2026, you should call 717-566-7720 on Monday or Wednesday between 1-5 p.m. eastern time or email

fallmeet@hersheyaaca.org.

Please read the following important information regarding the submission of pre-registration cards:

1. A "Space Relocation Form" will be enclosed in each vendor's packet. This will be the only form accepted for space relocation. If you write your request on the pre-registration card, or a separate sheet of paper, etc., it will NOT be accepted. Also, be advised we make assignments using the postmark on the envelope. The space(s) must be available after the pre-registration phase in order for you to be relocated. (Additional spaces are NOT SOLD during pre-registration. The May/June issue of Antique Automobile magazine will include the procedure for acquiring new spaces during summer registration.)
2. Pay close attention to the deadline on the card. The pre-registration postmark deadline is February 15, 2026. A $25 late fee will be charged for pre-registration cards received with a postmark of February 16th to March 15th. Registration cards received after March 15th, 2026, will be returned and the spaces deleted from the vendor's record. The deleted spaces will be placed on the availability list for summer registration. The registered vendor is ultimately responsible for the timely submission of the pre-registration material.
3. If your card or check is not signed it will be returned to you. That will also delay your postmark position for relocation.
4. Checks deposited that are returned for insufficient funds, account was closed, etc., will be charged a $35 administration fee.
5. The dates and times for which our telephones will be staffed will be printed on the pre-registration card. If you leave a message, please speak slowly and clearly leaving your name, telephone number, AACA member number and a very short message.
6. If you DO NOT receive your new 2026 AACA membership card by January 20th, DO NOT wait to mail your pre-registration card. Write your AACA member number in the space provided on the card and mail it with your check or money order.

Thanks once again to our partnership with RM Sotheby’s, we are able to offer all of you a discounted rate at the Hershey Lodge during the 2026 Eastern Fall Nationals happening October 6-9. The auction will back again, and the special room block is already set up. The discounted room rate is $308 a night. Selling out this room block is the best way we can ensure that the auction remains a part of our event. So, if you are ready to make your reservations for next year and have always wanted to stay at the Hershey Lodge, now’s your chance!

To book your reservations online, click here.

If you prefer to speak to a reservation agent, please call 855-729-3108 and ask for the room block for RM Sotheby’s, October 4-10, 2026.

Today, the identification of vehicles and their components are mainly made of a flexible plastic based printed label with an adhesive backing.

If you go back a century ago when motor cars were introduced to the public for sale, a small emblem was attached to the radiator shell on most of the vehicles as well as on the hubcap center. This would state who the particular vehicle was made by. The bodies on the vehicles were often not made “in house” by the car manufacturer but rather ordered in assorted quantities for ‘catalog’ production from coachbuilding firms located in many areas across the U.S. and Europe. Bodies of very limited production or even an individual single body were also produced upon request.

The identification of who the body was built by was a small emblem attached to the lower edge of the body, usually on a molding that started at the front of the cowl and ran the length of the body. The emblem would be near the hood or at the door post area. D. L. Auld Company was a major manufacturer of both the body and radiator shell emblems.

My lifelong interest in who designed and built the coachwork inspired me to locate and acquire a fair representation of coachbuilder’s emblems for both carriages and cars from all over the world. To me these are a significant part of the overall story and history of the art of design and transition from carriage to motorized chassis. Many carriage builders became automobile coachwork manufacturers.

Pictured here is a small sample of my collection of coach builders’ emblems. Most are stamped or cast brass. 

This fall, several AACA members took a step back in time, immersing themselves into the most dramatic journey of Texas history — the Runaway Scrape. Adventurous participants came from near and far to retrace the path of Texian and Tejano settlers fleeing ahead of Santa Anna’s Mexican Army after the fall of the Alamo in March of 1836. More than 380 miles were covered during the five-day progressive tour from San Antonio to San Jacinto. As we visited key historic sites and listened to stories from descendants of the Texas revolution, we came to understand some of the challenges, determination, and emotions from so long ago. The unusual tour format served to bind participants together in a sense of shared learning and experience we will never forget.

Photo to the right: AACA National President Dave Anspach with his possible bag (men of the day kept their powder cartridge, balls (bullets), flint & steel, and other critical tools of the day in bags like this) @ Washington on the Brazos where Texians signed their Declaration of Independence, 1835

Hosting a national tour or meet is a great team building experience for any region or chapter, where everyone works towards a common goal. With support from our national office staff and volunteers, there is an unequalled depth of knowledge available just an email or phone call away. Everybody loves attending our AACA activities, but it is so much more fun hosting!

Runaway Scrape tour participants in front of the Alamo

Vehicles parked in Seguin,

Texas, for lunch stop

Driving through Texas South Plains from San Antonio

to Gonzales

San Jacinto Monument – where the Texians surprised and captured General Santa Anna defeating the Mexican Army and winning independence

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.

The 2026 car show and tour season will be here before we know it and we are positive that all of you could use some new gear to show off your love and pride for AACA. Earlier this month, we restocked the online AACA store with lots of cool stuff – both old and new. While browsing the website, be sure to check out some of our most popular items like the hats, T-Shirts, puzzles, license plate frames, and drink koozies shaped like a stack of tires.

Click here to visit the AACA store.

Can't find something in the online store? You can always call AACA Headquarters to place your order as well (717-534-1910, M-F 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

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

AMC Theaters Tickets

Detroit Red Wings

Wicked on Broadway

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.