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REMINDER: Your 2026 membership dues MUST be paid prior to registering for any 2026 National Activities. Renew online now.
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| Don’t Miss the First Ever AACA Nationals in Green Bay | | |
July 22-26, 2026
Central Spring Nationals
Green Bay, WI
Registration Deadline: June 20
Brochure
Register online
Register online to judge
This is the first ever AACA Nationals in the beautiful city of Green Bay, Wisconsin. It is a city rich in culture and diversity. A city that has rolled out the red carpet for the AACA.
Event Highlights:
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Thursday & Friday Lambeau Field Tours
- Thursday Evening Welcome Party – Wear Your Favorite Sports Teams Gear!
- Friday Race Car and Motorcycle Certification
- Friday Fun Craft Event
- Friday Membership Roundtable & Judging School
- Friday Evening Ice Cream Social & Oneida Dancers
- Saturday Judges Breakfast, CJE & Owner’s Briefing
- Saturday Central Spring Nationals Car Show
- Saturday Evening Awards Banquet
Host Hotel:
Tundra Lodge, 865 Lombardi Avenue, Green Bay, WI 54304
920-405-8700, ask for AACA rate
Room includes $10 daily breakfast if you show your AACA badge
Questions?
Chairman: Russ Walker, russellswalker@aol.com, 920-819-1407
Registration: Kim Gardner, rmmusic@comcast.net
| | Time is Running Out to Tour Apple Country | | |
August 5-8, 2026
Southeastern Divisional Tour
Flat Rock, NC
Registration Deadline: June 27
Brochure
Register online
Note: Tour is limited to 75 vehicles 25 years and older.
The Great Smoky Mountains Region and Little Detroit Chapter of AACA invite you to tour their beautiful apple country during harvest season.
Tour Highlights:
- Thursday Visit to Sky Top Orchard for Apple Harvesting, Lunch, Hayride & Apple Cannon Shooting
- Thursday Visit to Brooms Blooms Farm for Flower Picking
- Friday Stops Include the House of Flags, the Polk County Historical Museum, Carolina Carriage, Benson’s Automobile Memory Lane Museum & Finally a Local Winery
- Saturday Takes You to the Historic Hendersonville Airport & the WNC Air Museum
- Saturday We Will Spend Time at Matt Cook’s Drag Racing Facility & Tour the Historic Johnson Farm
Host Hotel: SOLD OUT!
Mountain Inn & Suites, 755 Upward Road, Flat Rock, NC 28731
Alternate Hotels:
Holiday Inn Express & Suites, 107 Upward Crossing Dr., Flat Rock, NC 28731
Phone: 828-698-8899
AACA group rate $129.00 per night +tax
Quality Inn & Suites, 111 Commercial Blvd., Flat Rock, NC 28731
Phone: 828-697-1085
AACA group rate $110.00 per night +tax
Questions?
Tour Co-Chairmen:
Hulon McCraw, GSMR, hcmccraw@gmail.com, 828-606-2918
Mike Block, LDC, mike@sailparrottales.com, 770-547-7088
Tour Registrar: Kim LaRowe, klarowe68@gmail.com, 828-779-2378
| | Deadline Extended! Don’t Miss the Chance to Take an Amazing Race Through History | | |
September 9-14, 2026
Founders Tour
Williamsburg, VA
Registration Deadline: June 30
Brochure
Register online
Note: Tour is limited to 100 vehicles manufactured between 1932 and 2001.
Come celebrate the 250th Anniversary of our country’s founding by touring the land where America was born.
Tour Highlights:
- Welcome Reception
- Jamestown Settlement
- Ferry Across the James River
- Colonial Williamsburg
- Colonial Meal in Historic Shields Tavern
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Saude Creek Vineyards for a Tasting & Tour
- Historic Yorktown via the Colonial Parkway
- Drive Through the Battlefields Where General Cornwallis Surrendered to General George Washington
- Plantation Tour
- Colonial Banquet
Want more details on each day’s activities? Click here!
Host Hotel:
DoubleTree by Hilton, 50 Kingsmill Rd, Williamsburg, VA
1-800-774-1500, group code AACA
Book Online: group.doubletree.com/9k2vx8
Reservation deadline: August 15
Questions?
Tour Co-Chairs:
Scott Dayton, smdayton40@gmail.com, 757-303-0650
Greg Smith, greg.smith.va@gmail.com, 757-352-8093
Registration Chair:
Pete Romeo, 462weaponschief@gmail.com, 757-503-3533
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REMINDER: Your 2026 membership dues MUST be paid prior to registering for any 2026 National Activities. Renew online now.
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Do You Have an Official AACA Car Sign for Your Next Show? | |
| Deadline to order for Central Spring Nationals in Green Bay, WI, is June 19! | |
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The only official AACA recommended car show sign intended for use at AACA events. 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.
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Cost: $45 plus shipping and handling. Image(s): $5 each. PA residents pay sales tax.
Please allow 4-5 weeks for the entire process from start to finish.
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Sign Up a New Member for Only $25
By Karen White, AACA Membership Manager, kwhite@aaca.org
Do you want to help promote AACA membership? There is no better time than right now!
Starting June 1st, new members can join the club for only $25 for the second half of the 2026 membership year, covering June through December. New members will receive three issues of Antique Automobile magazine (July/August, September/October, and November/December). They will also be eligible to participate in national shows and tours.
To show your support for AACA, you can sponsor a new member by covering the $25 fee. It is quick and easy to apply online.
Be sure to include a note with your name and member number in the comment field at the bottom of the online form indicating that you are sponsoring the new member. You will receive an “I Got a Member” pin to proudly wear at your next AACA event, showing that you helped promote the club.
If you have any questions regarding the half-year membership program, feel free to contact me.
If you prefer to mail a check, use this application form.
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AACA SPIRIT OF THE HOBBY AWARD | |
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2026 Greenbrier Concours d’Elegance
Greenbrier Resort, White Sulphur Springs, WV
| "We don’t recall the last time we saw a Land Rover Series 2A as nice as Dover, Pennsylvania resident Sarah Crabtree’s 1971 example. The judges agreed, and the off-roader took the AACA Spirit of the Hobby Award. It was an original, North American-market Landy, making it all the more unusual." - Hemmings | This year's 2026 Greenbrier Conrcours d'Elegance winner receiving her "AACA Spirit of the Hobby Award" | |
What is "The Spirit of the Hobby Award?"
By Steve Moskowitz, CEO AACA, aaca1@aaca.org
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Several years ago, AACA started providing awards to several well known and respected concours’ d’Elegances around the country. This has been proven very successful and gives AACA a presence with another segment of the car hobby. The exposure to the entrants and concours helps promote our brand.
The winners are chosen by the concours judges, not AACA. The winner is usually given preference to the restoration of a historically important car but not exclusively as some judges base it on things like owner restoration, provenance, etc. This year's winner had a great story on her restoration, and it is a vehicle that is gaining in popularity at shows along with other similar SUVs.
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AACA LIBRARY & RESEARCH CENTER | |
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Raise Your Hands – Volunteers Wanted!
By Jen Wolfe, AACA Library Director
jwolfe@aaca.org
| | Summer is here and we’re ready to jump into pools, cook out in backyards with friends, and pack for that family vacation…but we’re also already looking down the road a bit to October – because Hershey will be here before we know it! If you’re planning on attending Eastern Fall Nationals this year and are looking for a way to contribute to the enormous enterprise that is the Hershey car show, please consider helping the AACA Library! | |
As usual, it takes a village to carry out such a big event, and we are looking for a variety of assistance when it comes to library volunteers this year. Donating your time to one of the following opportunities is a great way to get involved during our most exciting event of the year, and is a great way to give back for those looking to contribute:
Library Welcome Duty (Monday, October 5th – Thursday, October 8th):
“Fall Hershey” is our busiest week of the year, with visitors from all over the world. In order to remain open for research and provide excellent service, we are looking for volunteers to assist us with staffing the library reading room entrances. Refer to our schedule for available shifts.
Library Yard Sale (Tuesday, October 6th):
We also need volunteers to staff and assist with this year’s annual Library Yard Sale, held on Tuesday, October 6th. This is our largest fundraising event of the year, in which we sell duplicate materials to help raise money for the library. We’ll need help welcoming attendees and crowd control, monitoring the sales tents, helping customers, etc. We also need help with the moving and setup of literature earlier in the day.
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Yard Sale Preparation (June – October):
Lastly, we will need help sorting literature and manuals in the months leading up to the event and will be ramping up this process in June. With so much to do, we can use all the help we can get!
Pulling off such an event is only possible through the support of our volunteers. If you want to support your library and the broader old car hobby, please consider volunteering at the AACA Library this year!
For more information, please contact Librarian and Volunteer Coordinator Matthew Hocker by email or phone – 717-534-2082.
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THIS ISSUE SPONSORED BY HEWLETT'S AUCTIONS | |
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Sheldon Ball Estate Auction
Showcases Distinguished Antique Car Collection
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Collectors and enthusiasts of early automobiles will have a unique opportunity this June as Hewlett’s Auctions presents the Sheldon Ball Estate Auction, a standout event featuring an exceptional lineup of antique cars.
Scheduled for Sunday, June 14, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., the auction will take place at 5711 Vernal Fall Road in Mariposa, California, offering both an on-site experience and multiple bidding options for those unable to attend in person.
The sale highlights the collection of the late Sheldon Ball, owner of Authentic Restorations, whose work and dedication to preserving early automobiles are well known among hobbyists. This auction reflects a lifetime commitment to the restoration and care of historic vehicles, making it especially significant for collectors seeking well-maintained and thoughtfully curated examples like the 1927 Marmon below.
| 1927 Marmon - Completely restored by "Authentic Restorations" | |
Hewlett’s Auctions has structured the event to accommodate a wide range of bidders. Participants may bid live, absentee, by phone, or online through AuctionZip, ensuring accessibility for collectors nationwide. Registration is required for bidding.
For those planning to follow or participate, additional information is available through hewlettsauctions.com, or by contacting the auction team at hewlettsauctions@gmail.com or 209-500-8801.
Events like this continue to play an important role in the antique automobile community, not only bringing vehicles to new caretakers but also preserving the stories and craftsmanship behind them. The Sheldon Ball Estate Auction is expected to draw strong interest and serves as a reminder of the passion that drives collectors to keep automotive history on the road.
For AACA members and fellow enthusiasts, this sale represents both an opportunity and an inspiration to continue supporting the preservation of vintage vehicles.
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| | As automobile sales expanded exponentially in the 1920s, what unfortunate irritant arrived…was eradicated over time…and has now returned? | | Please scroll all the way to the end of Speedster to find the answer. | | | | |
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Collector Car Appreciation Day is July 10
How Will YOU Celebrate?
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This year marks the 17th consecutive commemoration in what is now an annual holiday to raise awareness of the vital role automotive restoration and collection plays in American society.
I know every day is Collector Car Appreciation Day (CCAD) for many of us but having a specific day when EVERYONE is celebrating brings visibility to our hobby and reinforces the importance of old cars. Now, if you can’t celebrate on July 10th, that’s okay – just make sure you set aside some time during the month of July to do something special.
Here are just a few ideas on how to celebrate Collector Car Appreciation Day:
1. Organize or attend a car show.
Organize a car show and invite local collectors and admirers to come together and celebrate the beauty of collector cars. Make sure there are awards and prizes in place. No time to plan a show? Then just find one to go to and/or participate in.
2. Take a drive.
Simply take a drive in your collector car. Head out on an open road adventure and enjoy the scenery or take a scenic route for some sightseeing. Either way, it's sure to be a memorable experience.
3. Visit a classic car museum.
Visit a classic car museum and admire the beauty of these historic vehicles. Learn about the history of each car and get up close to see them in all their glory.
4. Join a collector car club or sign up a friend for a $25 half-year AACA membership.
Join a collector car club and meet other enthusiasts like yourself. Meet up with other members for events, car shows, and more. Already belong to enough clubs (AACA being the best one, of course!)? Why not sign up a friend who you think would enjoy all the benefits AACA has to offer?
5. Restore an old car/work on your current project.
If you're feeling ambitious, why not restore an old car? Find an old classic and spend time restoring it to its original glory. It's sure to be an enjoyable and rewarding experience.
Help promote this special day by posting on social media using the hashtags #CCAD and #AACA. If your Region/Chapter is having an activity for Collector Car Appreciation Day, please share a few sentences and photos with us so we can publish them in Speedster. Send them to Chrissy at carnold@aaca.org.
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Clear skies and pleasant temperatures brought out 40 antique and vintage vehicles to Historic Yorktown, VA, for the 5th Invitational Classics on Main Street. A wide range of cars starting with a 1912 Model T Ford all the way up to a 1975 Volkswagen Super Beetle convertible were displayed. | |
The event is a joint effort between the York County Department of Economic and Tourism Development and the Historic Virginia Peninsula Region (HVPR) of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA). The show, which ran from 8 AM until noon, had a musician playing on Main Street across from the HVPR and Tourism tents, and gave out awards to three of the participating vehicles.
The vehicles were parked along Main Street in front of Historic Buildings (many dating to the Revolutionary War Period) and shops. Thousands of spectators enjoyed sharing smiles and memories. The event was held in conjunction with the Yorktown Market Days Vintage Market on the Waterfront Riverwalk Landing.
| | People's Choice award went to Brian Daniel's Model T Ford. The Washington Award went to Jim Elliott for his 1931 Chevrolet convertible, and the Yorktown Victory Award went to the 1955 Cadillac convertible of David Brown. | |
HVPR Committee members were Pete Romeo, Al Crane, Tony Scarpelli, Donna Elliott, Greg Smith and Scott Dayton.
Photos by York County Department of Economic and Tourism Development and Al Crane.
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Stamped Steel Body Construction
Budd Mfg. Company 1920s-30s
By Walt Gosden, Floral Park, NY, coachworklines@aol.com
This is a member submitted article.
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Most car companies do not make every part used to build their cars. Some parts that they contract out for manufacture are small, but others require large machines/presses to create components to assemble a complete unit. The presses used to create steel body panels/parts take up enormous amounts of space. These require separate buildings to house all the equipment necessary for volume production. Car companies from the teens onward saw specific manufacturing companies that were starting to specialize in all-steel body production. Some companies made bodies finished and ready to ship in primer coat paint for final finishing and assembly at a car manufacturer’s factory.
Edward G. Budd Mfg. Co. started to supply stamped, welded steel bodies to the motor vehicle industry in 1912. Budd supplied rail cars as well as motor car bodies, wheels, etc., to numerous manufacturers. What you view here are photos from the Budd Co. archives of stamped front doors being shipped by freight cars, circa 1935-36, from their Philadelphia, PA, plant.
There are twenty doors per row (!) with scuff marks in areas that would need to have slight imperfections (scratches) remedied while being prepared for painting. The doors were resting on notched wood pallets to prevent damage and shifting during transport.
A decade earlier, from the same Budd plant, “All steel Full Vision two door sedan” bodies were rendered for an Ajax automobile. This is design No. 2 for Ajax to consider. Budd also shows the car with wheels and fenders they could produce. The artist’s rendering shows incredible detail of what a finished car would look like.
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REGISTER NOW FOR THESE EVENTS | |
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REMINDER: Your 2026 membership dues MUST be paid prior to registering for any 2026 National Activities. Renew online now.
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AACA Grand Nationals / Zenith Awards
415 Cars Already Registered. Don't Wait - Register Today!
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August 19-22, 2026
AACA Grand Nationals/Zenith Awards
The NB Center in Allentown, PA
Registration Deadline: July 22
500 vehicle limit for the show
Brochure
Register online
Register online to judge
The nation’s best of the best are heading to the AACA Grand Nationals. Experience stunning restorations, rare classics, and the passion that drives our hobby.
Event Highlights:
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SOLD OUT! Thursday Welcome Reception at America on Wheels (300 attendee limit)
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Friday AACA Member Only Open House and Tours of The NB Center (advance registration required)
- Friday Zenith Competition & Awards
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SOLD OUT! Friday Evening Reception at Mack Trucks Historical Museum (300 attendee limit)
- Saturday Grand Nationals & Awards Dinner
Host Hotel: Hyatt Suites Allentown West
621 Grange Rd, Allentown, PA 18106 (22 minutes from the NB Center)
ALL ROOMS HAVE BEEN SOLD OUT
AACA Judging School and Judges’ Breakfast will all be held at the host hotel.
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Alternate Hotels:
Homewood Suites by Hilton Allentown Bethlehem Center Valley
3350 Center Valley Pkwy, Center Valley, PA 18034 (22 minutes from the NB Center)
Rooms available Thursday, Aug 20 to Sunday, Aug 23:
King Studio Suite, $150, includes breakfast
King 1-Bedroom Suite, $160, includes breakfast
Book now or call Erica Jones: 610-351-6400 x159, reference AACA Room Block ‘26
Hilton Garden Inn Allentown Bethlehem Airport
1787-B Airport Rd, Allentown, PA 18109 (8 minutes from the NB Center)
Rooms available Wednesday, Aug 19 to Sunday, Aug 23:
Deluxe King, $179, includes breakfast
Deluxe 2-Queen, $179, includes breakfast
Book now or call Becky Zavilla: 484-245-0402, reference AACA Grand Nationals 2026
Moxy Allentown Downtown
949 W. Hamilton St, Allentown, PA 18101 (12 minutes from the NB Center)
Rooms available Wednesday, Aug 19 to Sunday, Aug 23:
King, Queen or 2-Queen, $109
Book now
| | Join Us as We Celebrate 80 Revival Tours | | |
September 21-26, 2026
80th Revival AAA Glidden Tour®
Dover, Delaware
Registration Deadline: August 1
Brochure
Register online
Note: Tour is limited to 150 vehicles manufactured prior to 1943.
The AACA Board of Directors, VMCCA and AAA invite you to join us for more than 500 miles of touring around The First State of Delaware to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Revival AAA Glidden Tour®.
Tour Highlights:
The registration fee includes: MONDAY Opening Banquet, coffee breaks, 5 lunches, hospitality room, tour book & bag, admission to all attractions, Freshman Gathering, and SATURDAY Closing Banquet. The fee for participants is all inclusive and there are no deductions available for those not able to participate in all events.
Host Hotel:
Bally's Dover, 1131 N. DuPont Highway, Dover, DE 19901
Rates: Monday – Thursday $79++; Friday $149++; Saturday $159++
(++ resort fees & hotel taxes)
Group Code: GAACA26
Phone: 1-800-711-5882
Online Booking: tinyurl.com/BallysDoverGlidden
Hotel Reservation Deadline: August 22, 2026
Questions?
Chairman: Dave Anspach, 484-769-7856 (cell & text), AACAdave1054@yahoo.com
Registrar: Vince DeLisi, 908-803-1570 (cell & text), vincentdelisi@comcast.net
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REMINDER: Your 2026 membership dues MUST be paid prior to registering for any 2026 National Activities. Renew online now.
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Hershey Still Ranks as One of 10 Best Car Shows in U.S. | | |
Are you a big fan of the AACA Hershey show & flea market in October? Apparently, so is everyone else! The Hershey event was once again named one of the 10 best car shows!
What an honor – thank you to everyone who voted for us! Thank you to the Hershey Region for always putting on such a great show! And thank you to those of you who continue to attend the show year after year!
Make sure the largest antique car show and flea market in the world is on your calendar – October 6-9, 2026, in Hershey, PA. Find out how to get registration materials below. We can't wait to see you!
The top 10 winners for Best Car Show in 2026 are ranked as follows:
- Cruisin' The Coast (Mississippi Gulf Coast)
- MSRA Back to the 50's Weekend (St. Paul, Minnesota)
- Triple Crown of Rodding (Lebanon, Tennessee)
- Renaissance Euro Fest (Ridgeland, Mississippi)
- Hot August Nights (Reno, Nevada)
- Eastern Division AACA National Fall Meet (Hershey, Pennsylvania)
- NSRA Street Rod Nationals (Louisville, Kentucky)
- The Gathering at the Roc (Bartlesville, Oklahoma)
- Celebration of Cards (Melbourne, Florida)
- Woodward Dream Cruise (Detroit, Michigan)
| | How Do I Get Hershey Registration Materials? | | |
Summer registration is almost upon us for the Hershey Flea Market, Car Corral, and show vehicles.
Online show car registration will open June 1!
To acquire Flea Market or Car Corral space(s), you must request a registration card from AACA National Headquarters by using the Activity Request Card enclosed in the plastic covering of the May/June issue of your Antique Automobile magazine.
Please DO NOT send any money at this time. You are simply requesting that registration materials be mailed to you. If you have lost your Activity Request Card, you can always call AACA Headquarters (717-534-1910), and we can fill one out for you. You can also send an email with your name, member number and which registration materials you want (flea market, car corral, or show car) sent to you to Sue Eitnier at seitnier@aaca.org.
All requested registration materials will be mailed to you by the AACA staff the first week of July. We recommend that you fill out your registration card(s), write your check and mail everything back to the Hershey Region immediately so that you do not forget/lose it/miss the strict August 15 deadline.
Important 2026 Hershey Reminders
- Show will run Tuesday, October 6 through Friday, October 9
- Flea Market set-up will be Monday, October 5
- Judging School will be Thursday, October 8, at 2 p.m.
- Judges Breakfast will be Friday, October 9, at 7 a.m.
- Car show will be Friday, October 9
| | Discounted Room Rate at the Hershey Lodge | | |
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 this year and have always wanted to stay at the Hershey Lodge, now’s your chance!
Book your reservations online: visit this link and use password AACA2026 (all caps)
Or call 855-729-3108 and ask for the room block for RM Sotheby’s, October 4-8, 2026.
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From Conversations to Connections: Building AACA Engagement
By Jerome Mark Dean, VP of Volunteer Recruitment, jmdean2@msn.com
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We all know there are many car enthusiasts, both young and seasoned, who appreciate antique automobiles. That being said, how do we get them more engaged in AACA activities?
Each of us can take part in TELLING our story: Our origin, membership, national meets, point judging and evaluation system, swap meets, Speedster e-newsletter, the Library & Research Center, tours, regions, chapters, and our grand Hershey meet with over 1,000 cars. Yes, folks know about us, but we don’t want to be a best kept secret.
We all attend car shows outside of AACA, especially Cars and Coffee events in our respective areas. Most people see our AACA badges on our car grilles. What a perfect ice breaker to engage a non-member about AACA. Are we sharing our outstanding Antique Automobile magazine with neighbors and friends?
Other big opportunities to recruit are when driving your classic car, filling up at the gas station, parked in a lot, or even at a stop light. As AACA advocates, we are the best ambassadors to increase membership and encourage volunteer involvement.
Please remember that a simple conversation can spark AACA involvement. How many chapter and region members attend only local events and are missing out on all of our great national activities. Your voice is important. Happy Motoring!
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ATTENTION: REGIONS & CHAPTERS | |
| Car Show Season is Here! Is YOUR Region/Chapter Prepared? | | |
$3,000-$5,000 Grants Available to Regions Hosting National Activities
The AACA National Board of Directors realizes that the financial risk involved with hosting a national show or tour has caused many regions and chapters to be hesitant to volunteer to host a national event. Some regions simply do not have the funds available to even think about hosting.
The board has approved a grant program for any region receiving board approval to host a national event. A national car show must not have been hosted for more than ten years. There is no time restriction on national tours, but tours must include a minimum of 30 cars.
Here's how it breaks down:
- $5,000 grants available to regions hosting national car shows
- $5,000 grants available to regions hosting national 5-day tours
- $3,000 grants available to regions hosting national 3-day tours
There are many opportunities to host one of these events. We have Winter Nationals available and will schedule up to three years in advance. Spring and Fall National shows are available to schedule for Eastern, Southeastern, Central and Western Divisions, also up to 3 years in advance.
Touring events share the same opportunities. Founders Tour, Sentimental Tour, Vintage Tour, Reliability Tour, Glidden Tour and all four Divisional Tours have available openings for your region to reserve for up to three years in advance.
For more information, please contact Greg Jackson, VP National Activities, at greg.jackson15@outlook.com or 704-408-6217.
Don’t miss this opportunity to host a national event. Take advantage of this special grant program while the National Board has this offer available!
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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
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Hello by Grouper is an online community for the Antique Automobile Club of America members — offering simple ways to stay active, connected, and engaged beyond the garage.
"I love it. I don’t feel like I’m doing it alone."
From live classes like Gentle Strength & Balance to wellness sessions on topics like mindful eating, members are finding easy ways to build healthy habits and connect with others across the AACA community and beyond.
Whether you join a class, explore a new topic, or check in with others, it’s all designed to fit into your routine.
Explore the community: join.hellogrouper.com/aaca
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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 2026 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 2026 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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Don’t forget to sign up to get information about ongoing legislative issues affecting the car hobby directly from our partner SEMA!
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WE APPRECIATE YOUR FEEDBACK | |
| Did this month’s news, events, and member stories hit the mark? | | | | | | |
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 groupour Facebook group. Don't forget to connect with the AACA Library on their official Facebook page as well.
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AACA is on Instagram! @antiqueautomobileclubofamerica
Be sure to use these hashtags: #DrivingHistory, #AACA, #AntiqueAutomobileClubofAmerica, #Hershey, #AACAHershey, #AACAproud, #AACAstrong
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As more and more cars hit the road, headlight glare became a rather significant issue. So much so that everything from anti-dazzle lenses and lamp deflectors to unique headlight designs such as Woodlights were employed. The then-common flat plate glass certainly didn’t help, either.
The good news is that through careful lighting management, improved window glass design/manufacturing processes, and industry standardization, the problem was very much alleviated. The bad news is that nighttime glare has returned.
Because car makers now design their own unique headlights, which are therefore inconsistent across the industry, to further serve as brand-specific styling elements, the car park is full of vehicles with very different ride heights. Modern headlamps generate crisper/whiter and more focused (instead of diffused/softer) lighting. In addition, modern lights imperceptibly flicker via pulse-width modulation, which you normally don’t realize, but can still be a bother to some.
The aftermarket is also loaded with high intensity bulbs, including LEDs, that can be bought right over the counter, including excessively bright light bars. Headlight adjustment isn’t as intuitive as it used to be and traffic density continues to escalate. Plus, when it comes to eyesight, many of us aren’t getting any younger - which means that there are also a lot of folks simply running around with their high beams on!
Yes, history has a way of repeating itself…
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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. | | | | |
