Please enjoy a few photos from the event courtesy of Stacy Zimmerman and click here to watch a great video of the event put together by AACA member Jason Miller (YouTube channel "jamzdotnet"). Make sure to read the official recap article and photos in the next issue of Antique Automobile magazine.
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Hot Rod Jen Pinstriping Demo |
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Hershey Registration Deadline Only 18 Days Away!!
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The annual trek to Hershey will be here before we know it. All indications at the moment are that we will once again see our Canadian friends and other international guests. We look forward to welcoming them back. The change in dates/days for this year’s show do not seem to have an effect on the flea market or car corral. Both are expected to be sell-outs, which is pretty exciting to hear.
The Hershey dates for this year are October 4-7. Load-in day is Monday and the car show is on Friday. The AACA Library literature sale is on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. at National Headquarters (800 W. Hersheypark Drive).
The biggest concern we have right now is the procrastination of show car owners who wait until the last minute to register. We cannot stress enough the havoc this causes us due to lead times for materials such as trophies. It is a far more serious situation this year because of all of the supplier shortage issues.
The deadline for registration is AUGUST 15TH, NO EXCEPTIONS. PLEASE register now online or call us immediately at 717-534-1910 so we can send you registration forms ASAP. Your participation is needed to make Hershey a success, so don’t wait – stop what you are doing and register right now!
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Important Hershey Information
By "Mac" MacAdam, Flea Market/Car Corral Registration Chairman,
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Summer registration is happening NOW for the Hershey flea market, car corral and show vehicles. To acquire space(s), you must request a registration card from AACA National Headquarters. Because we are getting close to the registration deadline, please call us ASAP at 717-534-1910. We will mail you your registration forms.
With a show as big as Hershey, there are a lot of moving parts for our region volunteers to coordinate. Please help us by reviewing this important information:
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On the Show Car/Special Events registration card that you request from National Headquarters you can also choose to receive awards banquet tickets, ladies' luncheon tickets and antique car trailer parking reservations.
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SHOW CAR REGISTRATION ONLY: You may register online right now at www.aaca.org. You must print the registration form and submit it along with your check to Hershey Region AACA, PO Box 305, Hershey, PA 17033.
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There is a $10 parking fee for show car trailers parking on Boathouse Road. The fee covers the period of Tuesday, October 4, at 7 a.m. through Friday, October 7, at 5 p.m. All trailers must be removed no later than 12 p.m. (noon) Saturday, October 8, or they will be removed at the owner's expense.
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You must return the completed registration card and check to Hershey Region. There will be a pre-addressed envelope enclosed in the packet that you request from National Headquarters. PLEASE read all of the information that accompanies your registration card(s).
- Cards/Checks not signed will be returned for signatures and could jeopardize your request for space(s).
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If you have a special location request, you should send a note along with your flea market or car corral registration card. Spaces are assigned by the postmark on the envelope. You can ask for your check to be returned in the event we cannot fulfill your request. If you will accept spaces anywhere, you need not send any note. (Please DO NOT write notes on the registration card.)
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Please read ALL accompanying information that will be enclosed with the registration card(s) you receive from National Headquarters. Your signature on the card confirms you have read, understand and will obey AACA and Hershey Region rules and regulations.
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Please pay close attention to the firm postmark deadline of August 15 on the registration card. We need ample time to make assignments, enter the data and send the information to our printer. There is a very short lead time to accomplish this task.
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TO RESERVE & RENT A SCOOTER OR GOLF CART: ScooterBug has been contracted for the 2022 Hershey show to provide pre-reserved, single passenger ECVs and double occupant golf carts for those guests who have a valid, state-issued driver's license & handicapped placard in the state in which you reside. Guests can pre-reserve this mobility equipment online at www.scooterbug.com/aaca or call 800-726-8284 directly. NOTE: Personal mobility vehicles are not registered by ScooterBug personnel. There are NO refunds under any circumstances once the payment is received and equipment is reserved.
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YES, YOU CAN BRING YOUR OWN SCOOTER: Personal electric mobility vehicles are authorized; however they must be registered at one of the three registration areas. More information will be available in the literature you receive with your registration card.
- Flea market and car corral windshield stickers and other important information will be mailed at the end of August.
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SALES TAX LICENSE: If you do not have a sales tax license, you can apply online at www.pa100.state.pa.us or call 717-783-1405. IMPORTANT: Do not wait for your tax license number to arrive. Send your flea market registration card and check to the Hershey Region and simply write "applied for" above the Tax ID spaces on the registration card.
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Important 2022 Hershey Reminders |
Show will run Tuesday, October 4 through Friday, October 7
Flea Market set-up will be Monday, October 3
Judging School will be Thursday, October 6, at 2 p.m.
Judges Breakfast will be Friday, October 7, at 7 a.m.
Car show will be Friday, October 7
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Collector Car Appreciation Day Cruise-In Hosted by Fort Lauderdale Region
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The Fort Lauderdale Region had an awesome cruise-in celebrating Collector Car Appreciation Day on July 9th. We had a D.J., food trucks and a Good Humor ice cream truck. Under absolutely beautiful South Florida skies, approximately 70 members and friends showed off their gorgeous cars. We had door prizes including $50 gift cards, tools and miscellaneous car guy (and gal) items. We also had a 50/50 drawing with the proceeds benefiting the AACA Library. What a great day with friends and beautiful cars! |
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Hornets Nest Region Holds its 2022 Red, White and Blue Show
in Recognition of Collector Car Appreciation Day
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The Hornets Nest Region held its 2022 Red, White and Blue Show in recognition of Collector Car Appreciation Day on Saturday, July 16, at the Levine Center in Matthews, North Carolina. Forty-seven collector cars graced the show field, and everyone present was given a ballot by Dale Fisher, the Vice President of Car Shows for the region, to use to vote for their favorite car. After attendees turned in their ballots, everyone went inside for a bountiful breakfast.
The ballots were tabulated, and Vice President Fisher announced the winners. Trophies were presented to the top three vote-getters: Jeff King for his 1940 Chevrolet (above), Tim Croswhite for his 1960 Studebaker (below left) and John Tomcik for his 1972 Cutlass Pace Car (below right).
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Suwannee River Region Continues Their Tradition
of Celebrating Collector Car Appreciation Day
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On July 19, the Suwannee River Region of Lake City, Florida, hosted their Collector Car Appreciation Day celebration. Since every third Tuesday we have a cruise-in at Sal’s Italian Deli in Lake City, it’s always the place we pick to have this event. I believe it’s our fifth year having this event at Sal’s and at least the last three years it has rained on us.
Well, this year was no exception, but we were prepared for the worst. Even though our event started with the sun shining and quite a few cars in the parking lot, the storms came. The bravest of the group had their tops down like Dennis Roberts and his 1966 GTO convertible and Rob and Kim McIntyre with their 1957 Ford hardtop retractable. Needless to say, as the rain started to fall several of the cars left.
We welcomed the North Florida Region members who joined us and some of the Gainesville Street Rodders were there as well. With our members, I counted 47 car lovers who came out for a great dinner and social time.
Thinking ahead and keeping the ice cream sundaes, root beer floats, homemade cookies and brownies, and the music inside their screened-in porch was a big help – at least most of it stayed dry. At 6:30 p.m. we gathered everyone together and read the resolution.
This whole event was about us celebrating our love and passion for our cars. There is an instant bond when you talk to someone who has a collectible car or truck. We all love telling everyone about our vehicles, and when you think about it, we all are a wealth of knowledge from collecting to restoring. Whatever need or question you may have, someone always has an answer and is willing to help.
I watched as the different clubs talked and shared and checked out the cars. The different cars that the members of each club displayed were incredible. It’s not about who has the most popular car or the most expensive car, the make or model or color, it’s what each one of us loves.
Our cars are chosen by us to be loved by us and that is what makes collecting so special. I think we can all remember the first moment we saw the car we chose. It was love at first sight even unrestored. Every time we wash or wax, we show that love.
So, each year the Suwannee River Region is proud to host this event and we thank SEMA and AACA for sponsoring the program. We are so excited about telling others about the hobby we love so much. It’s all about participation; it takes all of our members participating to make a club a success.
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Meet AACA Library Intern Matt Edwards
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I have been fascinated with cars as far back as I can remember. My parents told me I was able to recognize who was at our family gatherings just by seeing the cars parked outside. I guess you could say I was born with the “car-thing.”
My primary interests in the hobby have taken many turns over the years. I suppose the 2007 Shelby GT500 was one of the first new cars I remember seeing and being absolutely infatuated with, and it left me claiming Mustangs as my favorite for a couple of years. After that love affair got old, I really didn’t like any particular car until I watched the Stephen King movie Christine. After seeing this, I became very interested in 1958 Plymouths, and this led to my love of Chrysler’s “Forward Look” designs from 1956 to 1961.
At this point, I was getting ready to attend Penn College in Williamsport, PA, for Automotive Restoration, so purchasing a car to wrench on myself was becoming an increasing desire of mine. I decided on a 1959 DeSoto Fireflite 4-door sedan, which I owned up until just a month ago.
The car arrived from Texas on a snowy November day in 2021. It had no brakes, and I couldn’t even drive it. I had the car trailered to my college and I was very fortunate to be able to work on it in class with instructional help all along the way. Among many touch-ups, I rebuilt the brakes and even got a fresh pair of whitewalls on it just before school finished up in May.
Unfortunately, I sold the car due to the cost of correcting its rust issues. I simply couldn’t afford to completely restore it and ultimately the DeSoto had many other smaller issues that would’ve been costlier still.
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More recently, I have fallen in love with the little British sports cars of the ‘60s and ‘70s, and I just purchased a bright blue Triumph Spitfire 1500. Good handling and styling are my favorite attributes of a car, and a ‘50s cruiser only has one of those features. My uncle is probably to blame for this interest; he had always been a car guy and was preaching to me about Triumphs since I was young, as well as poking fun at my love of big floaty Chryslers.
I am very glad to have been interning here at the library this summer. Having hands-on access to so many rare and interesting books and pieces of literature has been nothing short of fantastic. Each day here I am likely to see and learn about something new. For someone who has only been able to access such things at swap meets and flea markets previously, even just filing and sorting items has been rather fun due to the dense variety of pieces.
I have also gotten the chance to meet many interesting people, too. Most people who come in to do research also have a story to tell about the history of their past and present automobiles, which is always fascinating to hear. I love how cars are involved in the culture and history of most Americans, and these stories are an important part of our lives. Therefore, I believe that the library is an important part of maintaining this history to be preserved and enjoyed for years to come.
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Reminder: Seminar at the AACA Library Tomorrow |
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2023 AACA Annual Convention Call for Speakers |
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 August 15.
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.). |
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Date Correction:
The 2023 Convention will be held February 9-11 in Williamsburg, VA.
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Please scroll all the way to the end of Speedster to find the answer. |
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What well-known vehicle company extended its reach from tarmac to turf? |
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Going Full Circle
This is a member submitted story.
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While going through some old magazines, I came across the October 2020 issue of the VCCA magazine. There on the cover was a 1960 Chevrolet with the same colors as my very first car. It wasn’t the exact same car – mine was the Biscayne with the 235 engine and three on the tree – but nonetheless my trip down memory lane was triggered.
In 1970 while a senior in high school, I bought the car from my oldest brother. He had received it for free from a fellow electrical engineering student from India that he had tutored. My brother was always “tight” when it came to money and sold it to me for $75.
When I was a freshman at Washington State University, the clutch went out during a very snowy winter. I crawled under the car outside at the dormitory parking lot and started taking out 4 bolts that I thought held the transmission to the bell housing. As I was prying it apart, hypoid oil ran out onto my favorite jean jacket. I quickly pushed it back together and figured out which bolts to pull out to change the clutch disc. Shortly after that, the transmission stuck in second gear. I went to a junk yard near Moscow, Idaho, and picked out the cleanest looking Chevy 3-speed tranny for $15 on a pallet stacked full of them. That evening while everyone else was drinking and partying in the dorm, I was back under the car laying in snow replacing the tranny. I distinctly remember thinking to myself while freezing under the car, “after I graduate and have a little money, I’ll never be a grease monkey again.”
Fast forward to 2001 when we bought our first vintage car, a 1936 Master Deluxe 2-door town sedan. It has a very similar drive train as my ‘60, 6-cylinder with a 3-speed tranny. We still have the 1936 Master and a 1937 Master coupe. We’ve had 5 Chevy vehicles with the 6-cylinder and 3-speed tranny, and now I thoroughly enjoy being a grease monkey. LOL 😊
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We want to hear from you! 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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Experience History in Gettysburg
Only 13 Days Left to Register!
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September 10-15, 2022
Sentimental Tour
Gettysburg, PA
Registration Deadline: August 10
The Buzzard’s Breath Touring Region is looking forward to hosting this relaxing, informative and fun tour for 1928-1958 automobiles.
Tour highlights include:
-- National Civil War Museum
-- Eastern Museum of Motor Racing
-- C & O Canal National Park
-- Don Bowman Collection
-- PA Capitol and Governor’s Residence
-- Jay Crist Collection
-- Cyclorama and WWII Experience
For those members who want to participate in both the Sentimental Tour (cars 1928-1958) and the Glidden Tour in Princeton, NJ (cars 1942 and older), we have created the first ever “In Between Tour.” We will work our way from Gettysburg to Lancaster to Princeton and arrive a day early for the Glidden Tour. There will be a Sip and Suds Wine and Cheese Day at the Laundromat and stops at interesting local places between PA and NJ. This will be a marvelous motoring adventure!
Host Hotel:
Wyndham Gettysburg, 95 Presidential Circle, Gettysburg, PA 17325
717-339-0020, special rate of $139 per night
Questions?
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Do You Like to Drive Your Car?
Then the Mileage Award Program is For You!
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If you enjoy driving your antique vehicle, start your engine and get recognized for driving your AACA-approved vehicles throughout the calendar year with the Mileage Award Program (MAP).
Participation is voluntary and tracking mileage is your responsibility. Any time a vehicle is driven – anywhere for any reason – the mileage counts towards the award levels. Once you sign up, you will receive a badge and awards at 2,000, 5,000 and each 5,000-mile increment thereafter. The cost to become a MAP member is a one-time fee of $25.
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Every day we lose the history of our hobby, and for a simple reason: no one is recording it! For some time, we have felt that getting oral histories from AACA members would be important in years to come. Hearing historical stories that members relate will be a great source of information and entertainment long into the future. Car people understand the value of history and we hope that you will seriously consider a brand-new project we will be kicking off shortly.
While we are working on the infrastructure, equipment and the avenue in which to make these histories available to our members and guests at our new building, we recognize that we simply do not have the manpower to do this on our own. As such, we have partnered with Publishing Concepts (PCI) to reach out to members and inquire about their interest in participating in this project. PCI has been around for about 100 years, and they produce all sorts of publications such as the membership albums we did a few years ago.
PCI will be contacting you directly to inquire about your interest in participating in the project, and if you wish to purchase a book that they will publish based upon the stories they collect. You are under no obligation to participate but we are hopeful many of you will. PCI will not only be donating all the oral histories to AACA, but also a monetary donation from the company to our club.
We are very excited to get this project underway and hope that your history stays with our new building forever. A lasting monument to your experiences in the antique car hobby and AACA will be a fitting legacy for not only you but your family. We heartily endorse this new initiative but understand some of you do not like being solicited. If this is the case, contact us at 717-534-1910 and let us know that you do not wish to be solicited. We will have your names redacted from the file that we send to PCI.
Thank you for considering this project. We anticipate that it will be fun for many of you and serve as a lasting tribute to those who participate.
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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? We even have a back patio with picnic tables where your group can host lunch.
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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Membership Corner: Beyond Yourself
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Some years ago, I was fortunate enough to attend a workshop led by one of the leading experts on volunteer groups (clubs, special interests, churches, etc.). He started with the bad news: twenty-five percent of all local volunteer groups will be gone by 2025! There was a deathly silence as all the leaders of volunteer groups in that room pondered what this man, who we hoped could help us revive our agencies, had just said. Then he went on, “That is the given… Now, let’s discuss what we are going to do about it. Getting beyond yourself is the best place to start!”
As I write this membership article for Speedster, I want to share with you the three concepts which I learned in that workshop:
Look Beyond Yourself
If you haven’t already, it is time to take a look at your region’s activities from the “outside in.” Do you find that you are an open or a closed group? My region did a series of meetings on our inclusiveness. At our first meeting we all thought we were very inclusive. After all, we hold an event every year that gathers thousands of people who love old cars! Yet, as we continued to meet, we discovered that the vast majority of the persons who attended our event had no idea who we were and knew precious little about AACA. Yes, we were gaining members but only at the rate of staying even with our membership loss. Over the next several meetings we began to find answers to questions like, “Where are others in our community who share our interest in the old car hobby?” From there we developed a plan to bring these people into our membership. As for that plan, we are still working on it.
Gather Beyond Yourself
Reading across our AACA region newsletters, I have found the importance of gathering beyond yourself. Declining groups tend to gather “privately.” They do not have meetings, events, or even drive their old cars in public places. Our growing regions and chapters do gather in highly- visible, public places. They advertise their presence through social media. Most importantly, they engage the public by answering questions and inviting potential new members to their meetings.
Reach Beyond Yourself
That’s right! If we want to grow our AACA membership, we need to engage the public! We need to discover those people who love old cars no matter where they are. We need to be prepared to answer their questions and to invite them to our meetings and events. The best place to start is by getting beyond ourselves….
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Get a Friend to Join AACA for Only $25 Right Now!
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Do you know anyone who would enjoy going to a car show? Maybe you know someone who would enjoy the Antique Automobile magazine. This is an excellent time to encourage them to join AACA. New members can join the club now and pay only $25 for the second half of 2022. They can test the AACA waters now for half the price. By the end of the year, we hope they will be ready to dive in for a full year of membership for 2023!
The ½ year membership allows new members to join the club for the second half of the member year and pay half the yearly membership fee. The ½ year membership includes the months of June through December at a cost of only $25. The ½ year members receive three bi-monthly issues of Antique Automobile magazine (July/August, Sept/Oct & Nov/Dec).
If you have any questions regarding the ½ year membership program, feel free to contact me.
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Order Your Official AACA Car Sign for Hershey Now |
This is the only approved AACA car show sign and is intended for use at AACA events. These signs are only available to AACA members and are custom created to tell your vehicle's story and history.
Please allow 4 weeks for the production of your sign from start to finish. Signs are 16.5" tall and 12" wide and are made of hard plastic to withstand the elements. The signs cost $45 plus shipping, and an image can be added to your sign for an additional $5.
Contact Jon Curtis at AACA Headquarters if you would like to have a sign made: jcurtis@aaca.org or 717-534-1910. |
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Do You Know a Military Veteran Who Would Like to be an AACA Member? |
The Military Sponsorship Program is available to all of the Military Veterans that have proudly served to protect our homeland and freedoms. With this program, AACA is extending a limited number of complimentary 2022 memberships for first-time AACA applicants. More information on this program and an application can be found on the AACA website under Join/Renew and drop down to Military Discount, or simply click here.
These complimentary 2022 memberships are for first-time AACA applicants and are limited by the funds available for this program. 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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AACA National Activities Calendar |
August 11-13, 2022
Central Fall Nationals
East Moline, IL
September 10-15, 2022
Sentimental Tour
Gettysburg, PA
September 25-30, 2022
Revival AAA Glidden Tour
Central New Jersey
October 4-7, 2022
Eastern Fall Nationals
Hershey, PA
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This newsletter contains judge registration forms for East Moline and Hershey.
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Would you like registration information and materials about any of these 2022 National Activities? You can:
1. Fill out the activity request card
that came with the last issue of
Antique Automobile magazine
and mail it in to us.
2. Sign into the members only area of the AACA website to print your own registration form and brochure.
3. Call us at AACA Headquarters and we will fill out a request for you
and mail you the materials.
Call 717-534-1910 Mon.-Fri. from
8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
REMINDER: Your 2022 membership dues MUST be paid prior to registering for
any 2022 National Activities.
If you request registration materials for a show or tour and those materials are not finalized and printed yet, you will be put on the mailing list to receive them as soon as they are available.
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In 1946, REO (as in Ransom Eli Olds) expanded its horizons and established a Lawn Mower Division. Their mowers were known for their specification to run backwards…i.e., counterclockwise. REO’s president at the time, Joseph S. Sherer, Jr., coincidentally came from the Ideal Lawn Mower Company in Lansing, Michigan. The REO line of lawn mowers was ultimately absorbed by South Bend, Indiana’s Wheel Horse Products in 1963. |
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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. |
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