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March 2026 | Volume 207

April 23-25, 2026

Grand Nationals (April 24)

Western Spring Nationals (April 25)

Las Vegas, NV

Registration Deadline: Extended to April 9

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

Reserve your room online or call 702-567-4700

mention Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA)

$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

Karl Krouch, PAS President, & Steve Moskowitz, AACA CEO

The Antique Automobile Club of America is pleased to announce that the Pierce-Arrow Society has become the first organization to join AACA’s new Affiliate Program. This marks an important step as AACA expands the ways it supports clubs across the collector car community.

As the inaugural Affiliate Club, the Pierce-Arrow Society is helping introduce a program created by AACA to strengthen collaboration within the hobby, enhance member benefits, and streamline services for participating organizations. The program is designed to provide support while allowing each club to maintain its own identity and traditions.

AACA looks forward to welcoming additional organizations into the Affiliate Program and is pleased to have the Pierce-Arrow Society take this first step with us.

Only paid members receive our award-winning and much beloved Antique Automobile magazine. Not to mention that you cannot receive registration materials or register for any 2026 shows or tours without a current membership.

Renewing is quick and easy online. All you need is your member number and pin. Don't remember one of these? No problem! Email or give us a call at 717-534-1910 and we'll be happy to help!

Each year, thousands of you travel to Hershey for the Eastern Fall Nationals, and this long‑standing tradition has earned a nomination in the Best Car Show category by USA Today editors.

Voting is now open, and AACA members have an opportunity to help highlight the strength of our community.

How You Can Help

• Cast your vote daily using the link below
• Share the voting page with your local region or chapter
• Invite friends, family, and fellow enthusiasts to vote
• Encourage your networks on social media, in newsletters, or at local events

Voting closes Monday, April 27th at 11:59 am EDT.

You can vote once every day until the deadline.

Find the official rules here.

Ramada by Wyndam

1395 Wayne Ave., Indiana PA 15201

Click here to book a room

Hampton Inn & Suites

62 Pine Ridge Rd, Blairsville, PA 15717

724-459-5920, mention AACA rate

Questions?

Chairman: Paul Colligan, sv26spring@gmail.com, 724-599-8711

Registration: Joanne Colligan, colljo147@gmail.com, 412-608-6520

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.

THANK YOU to all of the volunteers, judges, AACA Board, AACA staff, and all of our wonderful members who participated in the Guaynabo, Puerto Rico show!

And a very special THANK YOU to the Puerto Rico Region for doing such a great job hosting this event!

Special thanks to AACA member Annie Terrón for sharing some great photos from the event – enjoy them and be sure to read the official recap article in an upcoming issue of Antique Automobile magazine.

ModaMiami: A Different Kind of Car Event!

By Steve Moskowitz, AACA CEO, aaca1@aaca.org

You may ask why we are writing about someone else’s event—simply because of how great it was. The organizers (RMSotheby’s) are supporters of AACA, and a lot of AACA members were showing cars there and won awards. It is simply too spectacular to ignore!

This show was located in and on the grounds of the famous Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables, Florida. RMSotheby’s hosted an auction during the weekend, but it was so much more than that! A highlight for everyone was the special award given to young Luke Stitt (an AACA member) and his 1972 Ford Gran Torino. It is a great story, but one best left for a full story elsewhere.

During the events at the end of March, there were a host of activities for entrants and guests to enjoy—and boy did they. The Moda Classic allowed car owners to drive their cars on the banked legendary track. Apparently, for many there were few restrictions, so rumor has it some of the more powerful cars put on quite a show on the high banks. Vehicles were on display for two days rather than one, and the Saturday night party, Moda Noche, was a sight to see. It featured a fabulous band that reflected the culture of the Miami area, along with great lighting, food, and drink. RMSotheby’s also had an astounding and very successful auction.

Saturday, the cars were judged, and I was pleased to be asked to serve as part of the team reviewing the field. The awards were given out on Sunday until a torrential downpour occurred. While it was unfortunate, it did not ruin the enthusiasm for the event. Next year the event will enter its fourth year with many improvements planned.

This is a true bucket-list event, and I hope more AACA members can enjoy it in 2027. Watch RMSotheby’s website for further details.

Keith Flickinger, AACA member and Curator/COO of the NB Center with the award-winning 1934 Nash

AACA Spirit of the Hobby Award Presented to 1934 Nash Ambassador Eight at ModaMiami

The NB Center for American Automotive Heritage brought home an important honor from this year’s ModaMiami event. The Center’s 1934 Nash Ambassador Eight 1297 Long Wheelbase Brougham received the AACA Spirit of the Hobby Award for the Outstanding Restoration of a Historically Important Production Automobile. The award highlighted the accuracy, craftsmanship, and dedication behind the restoration performed by The NB Center team.

Despite heavy rain late in the weekend, ModaMiami delivered a strong field of American Pre War Classics and an enthusiastic group of spectators. The Nash attracted consistent attention for its striking design and factory‑correct presentation. Judges acknowledged the car as an exceptional example of meaningful preservation work.

The NB Center also highlighted the work of restoration apprentice Luke Stitt, who presented a 1972 Ford Gran Torino Sport in the Shift and Drift category. Luke restored the car with guidance from his father, and their project earned the Spirit of Moda Award. Throughout the weekend, many visitors stopped to view both cars and connect with The NB Center team.

This recognition arrives at an exciting time for the NB Center and for AACA. The NB Center will host the 2026 AACA Grand Nationals and Zenith Awards in Allentown, Pennsylvania on August 19–22. Members will have an opportunity to experience the facility up close, explore the collection, and celebrate the nation’s finest restorations during one of the club’s premier annual events.

The AACA congratulates The NB Center for American Automotive Heritage on this achievement and looks forward to gathering with members at the Grand Nationals later this year.

Luke Stitt & Keith Flickinger, both AACA members, pictured with the award-winning 1972 Gran Torino

If you’re interested in purchasing the set, call the library at 717.534.2082 or email Jen at jwolfe@aaca.org for more information. Please note the following conditions:

• Price: $1,000 firm
• Available on a first-come, first-served basis
• Must be picked up in person and within a reasonable timeframe
• Additional photos can be provided to parties with serious interest
• The library will box up and label the set for the buyer

Not looking for a complete set? No problem! If you already have issues of Automobile Quarterly and are interested in filling in the gaps in your collection, the library also has several loose issues for sale. Give us a call to see if we have your item in stock!

Schedule a Tour of AACA National Headquarters

& Library Research Center

Pierce Arrow Motor Car Family History Presented to HVPR

By Al Crane, Yorktown, VA, Historic Virginia Peninsula Region

This is a member submitted article.

The February Meeting of the Historic Virginia Peninsula Region (HVPR) AACA was held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Newport News, VA on Tuesday, February 10, 2026. 35 members were in attendance, and the meeting was chaired by Region President Pete Romeo.

The highlight of the meeting was a presentation by Tom Richmond, whose great‑great‑grandfather was Geo. Pierce of the Pierce‑Arrow Motor Car Company in Buffalo, NY, and whose grandfather was Percy Pierce of the Pierce Cycle Company and a famous racer of Pierce‑Arrow automobiles in the turn‑of‑the‑century Glidden Tours. His presentation focused on the Pierce family history and their contributions to our national automotive heritage.

Of interest, member Judy Cross’s great-grandfather, Charles Waterhouse, was one of the founders of the Waterhouse Company Webster, Massachusetts, which built custom bodies for some Pearce-Arrow cars. Her grandfather, Moses Sargent Waterhouse, was a master upholsterer at the company.

Terry Bond shared more history on the Glidden Tours and Pierce-Arrow and Waterhouse automobiles. Also, member Linda Crane's grandfather worked at the Fisk Rubber Company in Chicopee, Massachusetts, and may have manufactured tires used on both Waterhouse and Pierce-Arrow automobiles.

From left: Roger and Judy Cross share Waterhouse Company book and reflections with Speaker Tom Richmond

Pre-War Cars Capture the Spirit

By Federico Kunzendorf, Miami, FL,  fnk@vintageracingcar.com

This is a member submitted article.

As a little kid, I always remember the stories my grandpa and uncle used to tell me —

stories about the races they followed on a portable radio back in the 1940s, ’50s, and ’60s. They would describe the thrill of the announcer transmitting live from a small airplane, flying above the racing cars on the open roads of Argentina.

Back then, races spanned over 1,000 miles across mostly dirt roads. The cars were European and American models, transformed into open-wheel racers with big straight-

eight engines. The drivers were pure adrenaline junkies — passionate people who drove at 100 miles per hour wearing nothing more than a button-up shirt, regular shoes, and a pair of goggles. No seatbelts, no fire extinguishers, no helmets.

That’s where the passion came from — and one day, I decided to put that passion to work.



The first car I had in mind was a 1932 Chrysler called Golden Seal (#14). It was among the top five of its time, racing against legends like the Reo Royale, Bugatti Type 35, Mercedes SSK, and Hudson Super Six. The car was originally built by two Italian immigrants in Argentina. It was even invited to race in the 1932 Indianapolis 500 — back when the track was still known as the Brickyard.

I bought a Chrysler Imperial for $12,000, hired a builder, and started the project. But a couple of months into the process, I discovered that the builder had sold my engine and

transmission. Long story short, I had to go all the way back to the beginning and start over.

Years later, with the Chrysler already finished, an interesting thing happened — I received a message from the grandson of the driver who raced the #14 Chrysler in Indianapolis in 1932. He shared incredible photos and stories about the car and his grandfather. We ended up becoming good friends.

Building that car taught me a lot. I made plenty of mistakes and paid a high price for trusting the wrong people. But I learned, and I kept going.

Then, I decided to build a very rare Ford. Once finished, we took it to the Hershey car show in Pennsylvania. We were exhibiting our replica of the Ford Edsel Speedster Model 40 and suddenly, an unexpected visit! Bill Warner came by to check out the car. Bill is not only an amazing person, but also one of the most knowledgeable people in the car world. He had previously found and restored the only known original Edsel Speedster Model 40.

His comment meant the world to us. He said, "If I put your car and my car side by side, I wouldn’t be able to tell them apart." That moment filled our souls. It made all the effort, all the hard lessons, completely worth it.

We sold the Edsel to an English collector, and we use that “incentive” to keep building more cars. The idea of building these kinds of cars is simply the expression — the materialization — of a passion. Because this idea was born from something I truly love, it gave me the opportunity to put into practice some life principles that, for many years, had remained mostly theoretical.

Doing something where profit isn’t the goal brought me a deep sense of peace. It gave me the freedom to focus on what I truly wanted to do — to do it the best way possible, for no other reason than to pursue excellence itself. I believed that if I gave my absolute best to something I genuinely enjoy, the result would have to be good — and eventually, that might even lead to profitability.

I’ve loved cars for as long as I can remember. I’ve always been drawn to the simple ones — no sensors, no plastic, no computers. Just gasoline, a spark inside a cylinder, and the

explosion that does the rest. I’m especially fascinated by that era when a group of friends would prepare a car and race it on open roads from town to town, while people sat in trees and waved as the cars roared by. Back then, safety was just a few hay bales on the side of the road, and the drivers were true gentlemen.

Pre-war cars capture all of that spirit — the passion, the simplicity, the story — and those are the ones I love to create.

See more of Frederico’s work with speedsters: vintageracingcar.com

Follow him on Instagram: @vintageracingcar

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 500 words or less. And we love photos, so make sure to include some! Please send your photos and stories to Chrissy Arnold. 

Earlier this month we shared an update about our evolving partnership with Grouper. Many members will remember Grouper’s past support of the AACA community and their interest in helping people stay connected. While the original programs they offered are no longer available, both organizations have been working to find a new approach that brings meaningful value to AACA members. We are pleased to share that the next step is now live.

Hello by Grouper is a national healthy‑living platform now included with your AACA membership. It is designed to support active living, personal growth, and stronger connections within our community. Members can access a wide range of practical tools and engaging activities at any time, including fitness and art classes, puzzles, educational talks, wellness trackers, and topic‑based groups. The goal is simple: help you stay involved and inspired between AACA events.

AACA members also have access to our dedicated AACA Community Space inside the platform. It offers a place to connect with other enthusiasts while still enjoying the larger national community that thousands already use across many organizations.

If you have not taken a look yet, this is a great time to explore what is available. Since Hello by Grouper is already part of your AACA membership, you can start using it right away.

Join Hello by Grouper by clicking here.

Once you register, you can download the Hello by Grouper mobile app for iOS or Android to stay connected wherever you are.

We look forward to seeing more AACA members inside the community!

*Editor's note: Games! Puzzles! Play! is my favorite section! 😊

A Tribute to Duryea and New England’s Early Automakers

By Ken Lemoine, Framingham, MA,  alvis1934@aol.com

This is a member submitted article.

Massachusetts was the genesis of the automobile in America (Stevens Duryea) and there were 162 manufacturers of cars, trucks and motorcycles made in MA before WWII.  

Come see the featured display of made in New England vehicles at the Bay State Motor Festival on Fathers Day, June 21st 9-200pm in Framingham MA. Museums and collectors will have fascinating exhibitions, the Framingham history center will show the first VMCCA rally memorabilia, Stanley Steamers, Springfield Rolls, Knox, Atlas, Indian motorbikes, Metz, Orient, Grout, Morse, Cameron, Corbin, Locomobile, Pope, and the last existing Bay State sedan will all be on the 67 acre Cushing Memorial Park lawn. 

Bay State Sedan Before

Bay State Sedan After

Add 53 years of GM vehicles built in the Framingham plant, UAW Alumni docents, club group registration, on site trailer parking, food trucks and you have a motor festival.  ALL vehicles are welcome and spectators are FREE! Check out the “Behind the Garage Door” podcasts at baystatemotorfestival.com, preregistration is available online. 508-259-6314 for more info. Plan to be amazed!

Color: The Transition of Materials

By Walt Gosden, Floral Park, NY,  coachworklines@aol.com

This is a member submitted article.

There have been several stages in the application of color to vehicles over the decades. Currently the base coat/clear coat system is popular as the final layers to apply to bodies, fenders, and roofs. 

There was an era when lacquer became popular, and that is the product used on most cars being restored today. DuPont, in 1923, was supplying G.M. with lacquer (nitrocellulose) for its production of assorted makes. Prior to the early 1920s, the colors of vehicles (motorized or horse drawn) used varnish on wood and metal paneled bodies. It was a finish that had been used since the preceding century, and that tradition was carried over. Sprayed on finishes is a new process, just as lacquer paint was a new product for vehicles.

The varnishing process, applied with a brush, was explained in detail in two small hardcover books issued by the Murphy Varnish Company of Newark, New Jersey, Chicago, and Montreal. They stated they were manufacturers of varnishes and colors for “Railways, Motor Cars and Coaches.” The books I have are dated 1921 and 1924.

Beyond showing a huge selection of available colors, each book was a detailed manual on how to apply the pigment/varnish under assorted weather temperatures. They noted that the painter’s skill resulted in the desired effect. “The certain flow or spread under the brush (application) – not more sluggish and not more volatile” was vital. The thinning was done with turpentine to a proper brushing consistency. A binder for colors was added as was a few drops of linseed oil, but all dependent upon the color/pigment.

Drying between coats was 24 to 36 hours. The amount of linseed oil would slow down drying time.

Below are a few exclusive deals on live events, theme parks and attractions. Check out these and more by visitng the AACA MemberDeals site.

Bush Gardens - Tampa Bay

Save up to 46% on Tickets!

Georgia Aquarium

Save up to 27%

AMC Thaeatres - Tickets

Save up to 25%

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, call 855-729-3108 and ask for the room block for RM Sotheby’s, October 4-10, 2026.

As a thank you for your longtime passion and dedication to the automotive hobby, AACA awards members who have been in the club for 50* years or more with a commemorative 50-year pin. 

Receive your pin at an AACA Nationals or region event, or by mail.

Email Jon Curtis at JCurtis@AACA.org to verify your eligibility.

*Membership years do not have to be consecutive

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.