February 2024 | Volume 182 | |
We Want to Hear Your Feedback on the 2024 Annual Convention | |
The Annual Convention Committee is always looking to improve your experience at convention. For those of you who attended the Annual Convention in Chantilly, Virginia, this year, we are looking for your feedback to help us continue to develop and elevate this event.
What did you like? What didn't you like? Which seminar was your favorite? What would you like to see at future conventions? The Annual Convention Survey is where you can voice your opinions about the event and know that it will be reviewed by the committee.
Attention All Attendees: Please click here to take a quick 10-minute survey online.
Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey. Your valuable feedback will help us continue to improve this event. The survey will close on April 15, 2024.
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Sights From the 2024 Annual Convention | Enjoy this sneak peak of photos from the event and make sure to check out the oversized complete wrap-up article, award-winner profiles, and photos in the next issue of Antique Automobile magazine. | |
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Wow – what an amazing AACA Annual Convention this year! The library staff showed up in full force for the 2024 event and attended nearly every activity throughout the week. These opportunities to mingle with AACA members, whether to talk shop or just catch up, is always a pleasure for us. A few thanks we’d like to give:
First and foremost, a really big thank you to everyone who stopped by our trade show booth to purchase books – the library raised $2,028 over the course of three days – that’s more than double our total from last year! We’d also like to give our appreciation to everyone who attended one or both of the library’s seminars this year. Thank you for your enthusiasm and thoughtful questions, we hope you enjoyed learning with us!
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Cheers again to all the regions and chapters who made donations to the library this year – you help sustain us, and we are very grateful. The Annual Convention Committee (including the AACA Board of Directors involved) deserve a huge round of applause for the work done to put on such an unforgettable event for all of us.
Lastly, I’d like to give a big shout out to the AACA Headquarters staff for all that they do for the library. Much of the work done by this group is invisible, but at an event like convention it becomes clear once more that these people labor tirelessly behind the scenes to make it all happen. Everything the library does is done in conjunction with those who help us with accounting needs, marketing, membership and awards questions, connecting people to merchandise and selling library books in the gift shop, hauling boxes of books to and from, making sure the library has platforms from which to make ourselves known to the community, and lending support to the library’s initiatives and goals. None of this happens without Stacy, Pat, Karen, Lori, Jon, Sue, West, and Steve – we could not be successful without you! And with that, we are looking forward to Charlotte in 2025!
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Call Out for Pictures
If you attended either of the library’s convention seminars (The Library & You or Preserve & Protect) we’re hoping you took some pictures! Library staff did not get any of our own, but we’d love it if you could share any photographs you might have taken. Please send images to Jen Wolfe at jwolfe@aaca.org. Thank you in advance!
Women in Automotive History Exhibit – Open in March
The AACA Library has been working with Penn State University’s Madlyn L Hanes Library (MLH) to showcase women’s contributions to automotive history in a new exhibit to be opened March 5th during Women’s History Month. The MLH Library has been named the Pennsylvania Library Association’s “2023 Library of the Year,” and we are excited and grateful for the opportunity to use their space to share items from our archives with PSU and the local communities. Look for Matt and Amoi’s article in the March/April issue of Antique Automobile for more information. The exhibit will be open to the public through the Eastern Fall Nationals in Hershey, so that car show attendees can see the display…you won’t want to miss it!
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Interested in becoming a volunteer with the AACA Library?
Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Matthew Hocker,
at mhocker@aaca.org or 717-534-2082.
Interested in doing research with the AACA Library?
More information is available on our website.
Visit AACA Library or contact our Reference Librarian, Amoi Goldman,
at agoldman@aaca.org or 717-534-2082.
Visit our Booth at Black Swan Antiquities
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Youth Development Corner:
AACA Youth Scholarship Program and 2023 Recipients
By Debbie Nolen, 2023 VP Youth Development and Awards, dpnolen1@gmail.com
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As one of the ways we can strengthen our old car hobby and continue its appreciation from one generation to the next, the AACA award and scholarship program recognizes students who demonstrate academic studentship paired with an active interest and participation in the antique car hobby. Whether their interests have been shown through restoration, preservation, and/or ownership of antique cars, AACA supports its commitment to qualified candidates with several types of $1,500 awards, with privately funded scholarships also awarded periodically. All Scholarship awards are presented as part of the AACA Annual Convention each year in conjunction with AACA’s national awards. This year we were blessed with a highly competitive applicant group of 29 scholars and old car hobbyists.
AACA is honored to award the 7 scholarships listed below this year. We were excited to have two of our scholarship winners attend and receive their awards in person at this year’s annual convention. You will be able to read more about all 7 of the recipients in the March/April issue of Antique Automobile magazine.
I especially want to thank the 2023 members of the Youth Scholarship Review Committee who were amazing in their evaluation, perceptions, and fairness in dealing with a strong applicant field. The committee included Julie Aubrey, WY; Tracy Ricketts Lesher, PA; Patrick Gamble, PA; Dave and Marilyn Chiotti, CA; Steve Kopp, PA; and Pat Buckley, AACA National.
AACA Young People’s Scholarship Award
• Olivia Belk, Denver, NC/East Tenseness State University (Nominated by the Hornet's Nest Region, NC)
This award recognizes an individual who is nominated by an AACA region or chapter, has made a significant contribution to its successful operation and/or has demonstrated a sustained active interest in owning, restoring, or preserving antique vehicles or automobilia.
AACA Scholarship Award
• John Schwear, III, Sugarloaf, PA/PA College of Technology, Williamsport, PA
• Weaver Goldman, Hershey, PA/Worcester Polytechnic Institute, Worcester, MA
This award is granted to encourage individuals to further their education and stimulate interest in AACA and the history of vehicles in general.
Louise Bianchi Chiotti Memorial Scholarship
• Mary Rose, Ridgeway, OH/Wilmington College, Wilmington, OH
This award was instituted and funded by Dave and Marilyn Chiotti to honor Louise and as a way to continue to support youth in the automobile hobby.
John and Janet Ricketts Leadership Scholarship
• Elizabeth Bodvin, Hanover, PA/High Point University, NC
This award is in recognition of AACA’s first female national president, Janet Ricketts who served in 1999, and is granted and funded by the family of John and Janet Ricketts in appreciation of their love for AACA and their belief in service to the club.
Hershey Region Automotive Restoration Scholarship
• Richard Metclaf, Katy, Texas/Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, Ill
• Tyler Chin, Williamstown, NJ/Ursinus College, Collegeville, PA
This award is granted by the Hershey Region AACA to students to further their education and stimulate interest in AACA and automotive history.
Congratulations to all of our scholarship winners!
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Special Room Offering for Hershey 2024 | |
RM Sotheby’s has secured an introductory rate of $289 + taxes at the Hershey Lodge for October 7-11, 2024, which is over $100/night cheaper than their website is offering right now and as we all know, rates tend to go up the closer we get to the event! This deal is currently available to us until March 31 with no deposits, free changes, and free cancellation up to 72 hours before arrival. These rooms will go fast, so book early! Help us keep the Lodge as a great place for attendees to enjoy the auction and all that happens there during Hershey week. We need to fill the hotel with AACA members and guests!
We understand that there are other options for accommodations in Hershey – some being less expensive and some being more. Why not take advantage of this special offer and be where all the action is, watch the cars drive into the auction, watch the bidding, and have fun at a bustling hotel.
Click here to take advantage of this special deal and book your room for Hershey!
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Is Your 2024 AACA Membership PAST DUE?
By Karen White, AACA Membership Department, kwhite@aaca.org
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Your AACA membership runs on a calendar year
from January 1 through December 31.
If you have already renewed your membership for 2024, thank you!!
If you have not renewed your membership yet, please take a few minutes to do it now.
If you submitted your national dues to your region or chapter and received a renewal form with your January/February Antique Automobile magazine, please disregard the notice.
REMINDER: Your 2024 membership dues MUST be paid before you can receive registration information for any 2024 National Shows or Tours. Your 2024 membership dues MUST be paid to continue receiving your beloved Antique Automobile magazine.
If you have not renewed yet, a renewal form was included with your most recent issue of Antique Automobile magazine. Simply fill out the form and send it back to the office with a check or credit card information.
You can also use our new and improved online renewal on our website. Renewing online is quick and easy! Just log in with your membership number and PIN, review the information currently listed on your membership record and make changes if necessary. Review your information one more time and choose your payment type. Payment options include Visa, MasterCard, Discover or PayPal. Your payment will automatically record to your membership record, and you will receive an email confirmation.
Your membership number and PIN can be found on your membership card. You can also call National Headquarters at 717-534-1910 or email kwhite@aaca.org to get your numbers. Please DON’T try to pay your dues by using the JOIN AACA tab. This WILL NOT renew your membership – instead, it will create a new one.
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Membership Corner: 5 Suggestions to Increase Your Club Membership
By Paula Lynn Ruby, AACA National VP Membership, paulaspackard@hotmail.com
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ATTENTION REGIONS & CHAPTERS:
Your Reporting Forms Are PAST DUE!!
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If you have not yet sent your Region/Chapter Officer Reporting Forms and Roster Reporting Forms to AACA National Headquarters, they are PAST DUE. These forms were mailed to your President back in the fall. If you need another copy of the forms, you can click here to download them from our website, or we can mail you another set if need be.
Please return the forms to Sue Eitnier at seitnier@aaca.org. You can also mail them to AACA, 800 W. Hersheypark Dr., Hershey, PA 17033.
Please understand that if these forms are not current, we cannot provide you with insurance for any of your local events.
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Please scroll all the way to the end of Speedster to find the answer. | |
Nowadays, curved window glass is taken for granted. When did the first curved windshield appear in series, and on what production car? | |
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Member Story: My Ford Belle
By Edwin & Joy Winet, Fairmont, WV, ewinet@ma.rr.com
This is a member submitted article.
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Allow me to introduce us… Joy Winet is my wife of decades, and we regard the AACA as significant to our habit and hobby! My first name is Edwin, which is somewhat rare, but it sort of goes with my passion of enjoying very old Ford products including Ford car models from 1915 to 1951, from full restorations and/or restoring just what needs to be restored to refurbishing them as the case might be. This also includes the Ford family of vehicles, such as Mercury and commercial vehicles like 1/4-ton pickups and our current and now only 1930 Ford 1-1/2-ton rated Model AA with 40 horsepower and a standard 4-speed transmission. As I am 85 years old (February 1, 1939), the truck is only slightly older than I am!
Many years ago, I found her on her brake drums! And I learned all about acquiring Budd 20” split-rims and tires to return her to a whole running I930 Ford truck once again. Her name is “Belle,” probably because she is outfitted with a 12” brass church bell, a variety of Klaxon horns, beeper horns, and yep, she also sports a vacuum operated whoop-whoop wolf whistle from the 1940s. She seems to acquire more and more noise makers as the years goes by, which is a must because…
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She seems to want to go to festivals and parades. This is the kind of habit that I support! She is LOVED! by the locals and she occasionally gets her photo in the local newspapers as a (sort of) “parade standard” and local celebrity.
- Her future is planned as my daughter, an excellent electro-mechanical technician for the U.S. postal Service, will be her protector in the not too far future as long as she can learn double-clutching while shifting.
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Also, and ONLY if necessary, provisions have been made to (GOD HELP US!) completely convert Belle to electric utilizing earlier technology.
- That being said, I am currently preparing a 1934 Ford 4-cylinder engine with 60+ horsepower to help her keep up with the West Virginia “2-laner” traffic and also provide a smoother ride.
- Belle was fitted with 3-1/2-ton overload springs to assist her with heavier loads – clever as they only come into play when needed.
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Belle’s AA design still exists all over the whole world – 1930 being the first year that told all others that the design was excellent!! No one else offered what the 1930 Ford AA offered for what it was designed to do! That is my own accurate opinion of how valuable that particular model was and still is to the design of what a 1-1/2-ton should be able to do.
- If you are ever in West Virginia, then consider experiencing a ride in Belle with Edwin and Joy Winet. Belle is the oldest running vehicle in our local AACA club! When she is on “her roads” (our “2-laner” hilly roads), she politely pulls over for faster vehicles. Guess what happens?!? At least two or more cars pull over with us just to see her! Apparently, it goes with the territory of owning a 1930 Ford Model AA truck like Belle.
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She was assembled at the Ford Motor Company assembly plant in south San Francisco, California. Belle is hand-painted Forest Green with black fenders. Her bed is varnished West Virginia red oak (nothing fancy), and everyone loves her just the way she is.
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We want to hear from you!! | |
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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.
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Charlotte Hosts an AACA Trifecta Over 3-Days in April
Zenith Competition, Grand Nationals & Southeastern Spring Nationals
ONLY 15 DAYS LEFT TO REGISTER!!
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April 4-6, 2024
Zenith Competition, Grand Nationals & Southeastern Spring Nationals
Charlotte, NC
Registration Deadline: March 15
Click here for Grand Nationals brochure
Click here for Spring Nationals brochure
Click here to register online
Click here to register to judge online
Click here if you would like registration information emailed to you (please specify Grand Nationals, SE Spring Nationals or both)
The Hornets Nest Region extends a cordial welcome to all fellow AACA members attending the Grand Nationals and the Southeastern Spring Nationals. April is a great time of year to visit Charlotte and we are especially pleased that you have chosen to participate in these events. The AACA Grand Nationals & Spring Nationals are being held during the Hornets Nest Region’s Charlotte AutoFair (produced each Spring & Fall) at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Credentials for Charlotte AutoFair will be provided to each AACA owner registering a vehicle and to each registered AACA Judge for both events.
Overall Schedule:
Thursday, April 4: Zenith Competition & Awards, Race Car/Bike Condition Run, Judging School, Advanced Judging School, Ice Cream Social
Friday, April 5: AACA Grand Nationals & Awards, Picnic
Saturday, April 6: AACA Southeastern Spring Nationals & Awards, Judges’ Breakfast, Judges CJE, Youth Program, New Owners Clinic, Picnic
Host Hotel: Unfortunately, the special rate AACA room block at the Embassy Suites is SOLD OUT. You may still be able to get a room there, but it most likely will not be discounted. Here are a few other options to check out…
Comfort Suites Concord Mills, 704-761-6803
Wingate by Wyndham, 704-979-1300
Hampton Inn, 704-793-9700
Courtyard by Marriott, 704-453-2600
Residence Inn, 704-454-7862
Homewood Suites, 980-313-3100
Show Chairman: Phillip Cole, 704-577-8576, lakeholme@att.net
Registration: Hornets Nest Region, 704-841-1396, aacaclt@windstream.net
REMINDER: Your 2024 AACA membership dues must be paid
prior to registering for any 2024 National shows and tours.
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Order Your Official AACA Car Sign Now for the 2024 Car Show Season | Requests for car signs for the Grand Nationals and Southeastern Spring Nationals in Charlotte MUST be received by Monday, March 4th. | |
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.
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Check Out These Upcoming AACA National Activities... | |
How Long Have You Been an AACA Member? | |
As a thank you for your longtime passion for and dedication to the automotive hobby, AACA awards members who have been in the club for 50 years or more with a beautiful 50-year pin. This stunning award can be bestowed upon a long-time member at an AACA Nationals or regional event, or simply by sending it to you in the mail.
To receive this pin, you must be a member for at least 50 years, which do not have to be consecutive. You (or your region/chapter) must then contact National Headquarters. We will research our archives to confirm your 50 years of membership.
AACA is proud of the many members who have already received this pin and who wear it equally as proud. If you believe you have been a member for 50 years or more, contact Jon Curtis at jcurtis@aaca.org for review of your membership history.
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Do you know what a Medi-Wallet is?
Or how it could save your life in an accident or emergency?
A Medi-Wallet acts as an immediate information resource for first responders at the scene of an accident or during an emergency situation by providing important medical data even if the injured person is unable to communicate with medical personnel.
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How does it work? Once you have your Medi-Wallet, take a few minutes to fill out the information cards inside. The cards ask you for both general information like your name, insurance and emergency contact, and health-related information like your medical conditions, allergies, blood type, medications, etc. You are then ready to use your Medi-Wallet. Simply close the Medi-Wallet over your car seatbelt, the strap of your carry-on bag or even your belt. By always having your Medi-Wallet with you, especially while traveling, you and your family will have that extra little piece of mind.
Personal message from Steve Moskowitz, AACA CEO: If you have not purchased one of these very low-cost items (only $10!) to protect yourself in case of an accident or emergency, please think seriously about doing so. Many of us have medical issues, allergies and significant problems that first responders need to know about. If you or another family member are unable to provide timely information to emergency crews, it could be disastrous. Please consider purchasing one or more for your cars. We want to see all our members protected and this new idea seems to fit the bill.
Visit the AACA store to purchase your Medi-Wallet today!
(And depending on how many cars you own you might want to buy a couple!)
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Thank You to Our 2024 Philadelphia Auto Show Volunteers | |
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Thank you to Mike Jones, our 2024 Philadelphia International Automobile Show Exhibit Chair, and all of his amazing 48 volunteers (listed below) who helped pull off our beautiful exhibit. A very special thank you to all of the wonderful owners who shared their 26 antique cars with the hundreds of thousands of attendees. It was a showstopper of a week for AACA – not only did everyone attending the show see our name and the gorgeous cars, but we also gained 58 new members. Click here to read about the displayed cars.
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| Duncan Aust
Sylvaine Aust
Bill Boorse
Robert Broeze
Robert Ciampa
Bob Delucia
Jordon Duhaime
Tim Eckert
Michael Etling, Jr.
Sam Fiorini
Michael Ford
Wicker Francis
John Fruncillo
Bob Hobaugh
Charlene Hutchison
Dave Hutchison
| Norm Hutton
Mike Jones
Joe Kantner
Steve Klein
Cindy Lindsay
Sumra Manning
Milan Moncilovich
Gene Mosteller
Bill Murphy
Richard O Flynn
Jerry Parnes
Mary Parnes
Seth Parnes
Doug Petrozzini
Frank Radio
Gerry Radio
| Stoney Read
Mike Riebe
Rich Rosen
David Santmann
Harlan Schufeldt
Shellie Stewart
Michael Stinson
Jack Stoll
Russ Swallow
Bruce Swayze
Mark Thompson
Dan Tinsman
Rob Vendetti
Carl Villone
Howard Wellens
Steve Wilcox
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Have You Checked Out MemberDeals Yet? | |
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MemberDeals is a member benefit program with exclusive offers to the world’s greatest entertainment and travel brands. While working with the top suppliers and partners in the industry nationwide, MemberDeals develops attractive offers that you, as an AACA member, now get to take advantage of.
What kind of offers are we talking about? How about offers for Walt Disney World® Resort, Universal Orlando Resort™, Cirque du Soleil® and SeaWorld® Parks and Entertainment. There are deals on hotels, rental cars, flights, movie tickets, concerts and sports events. Don’t forget about Broadway musicals, cell phones, computers, appliances, automotive, flowers, food, subscriptions… the list goes on and on.
Click here to check out the most current Epic Deals!
This new benefit program is completely FREE for all current AACA members to utilize. To check out all of the great deals available right now, all you need is your AACA member number and PIN. Click here to go to the members only section of the AACA website, log in with your member number and PIN, and look for the Travel & Entertainment link on the homepage.
(Your member number and PIN can be found on your AACA membership card. If you have lost or misplaced your card, feel free to call AACA National Headquarters at 717-534-1910 and we will be happy to help you.)
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Update Regarding the Oral History Project Books | |
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The Oral History Project books are finally in the mail, and we have seen the gamut of reactions from fabulous, people ordering extra books (we have a few at $25 each, plus $25 shipping & handling) to a few people who are unhappy with their story for a variety of reasons.
We are saddened that everything was not perfect. The silver lining with this entire project is that all of your oral histories you dictated over the phone will be coming to AACA National Headquarters and be available for the public to listen to in our new AACA Oral History Center sponsored by John & Lynn Heimerl.
If you have any concerns or questions, please contact the
PCI Customer Service Department directly at 1-800-982-1590 or customerservice@publishingconcepts.com.
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Schedule a Tour of AACA National Headquarters
& Library Research Center
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Would your AACA region or chapter like to visit?
What about any of the other car clubs you belong to?
If you are planning a tour or day excursion for a group near the Hershey area, why not include a stop at our building as part of your itinerary?
If you would like to book a tour, please reach out to Amoi Goldman, AACA Reference Librarian & Outreach Coordinator, at 717-534-2082 or agoldman@aaca.org.
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Do You Know a Military Veteran Who Would Like to be an AACA Member? | |
The Military Membership Program is available to Military Veterans that have proudly served to protect our homeland and freedoms. With this program, AACA is extending complimentary 2024 memberships for first-time AACA applicants. More information on this program and an application can be found on the AACA website under Membership and drop down to Military Program, or simply click here.
These complimentary 2024 memberships are for first-time AACA applicants. These complimentary applications for membership are intended for individuals who have a genuine interest in the antique car hobby.
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AACA hosts online forums! AACA hosts a massive online forum area on our website that you can read and/or join in on the conversations on all sorts of topics. People post some really interesting material and pictures on an everyday basis. If you haven't used the forums before, just use the sign-up button in the upper right corner to create your user account. Anyone can join the online forums and it's completely free.
AACA has Facebook! AACA has an official Facebook page for club information and events. We also have an extremely active Facebook group, where group members post, ask questions and discuss everything and anything car-related. LIKE our Facebook page and ask to JOIN our Facebook group. Don't forget to connect with the AACA Library on their official Facebook page as well.
Be sure to use these hashtags: #DrivingHistory, #AACA, #AntiqueAutomobileClubofAmerica, #Hershey, #AACAHershey, #AACAproud, #AACAstrong
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The aerodynamic icon…Chrysler Airflow…is said to have included the first, single-piece curved windshield in 1934. It was incorporated on the CW Imperial Custom limo. | | |
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Antique Automobile Club of America
AACA.org | 717-534-1910
America’s Premiere Resource for the Collectible Vehicle Community
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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. | | | | |
