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October 2026 | Volume 214

Hershey Happens Because of You

What makes Hershey special isn't the cars, the flea market, or even the show field.

It's the people.

To every volunteer who gave their time, every vendor who filled the flea market, every judge, staff member, Board member, exhibitor, and enthusiast who attended the 2026 Eastern Fall Nationals:

Thank you.

Your passion, dedication, and enthusiasm are what make Hershey possible year after year. Whether you spent the week volunteering, selling parts, showing a vehicle, judging classes, or simply enjoying the friendships and experiences that make Hershey so special, you helped create another unforgettable event.

Because of you, the Eastern Fall Meet remains the world's largest antique automobile event and one of the hobby's most treasured traditions.

A Special Thank you to the Hershey Region

The Eastern Fall Meet would not be possible without the extraordinary efforts of the Hershey Region. From year-round planning and preparation to the countless volunteer hours contributed throughout the week, their dedication serves as the foundation of this remarkable event.

On behalf of AACA and the entire hobby, thank you to the Hershey Region for your leadership, commitment, and hard work in making Hershey a success year after year.

Congratulations to Our 2026 Award Winners!

We also extend our congratulations to all of this year's award winners. Your dedication to preserving and showcasing automotive history continues to inspire enthusiasts across the hobby.

Be sure to read the official recap and see more images from Hershey in the next issue of Antique Automobile.

SAVE THE DATE for next year - October 5-8, 2027!

RM Sotheby’s Celebrates 20 Years at Hershey w/ 99% Sell-Through Rate

By Natalie Cieslak, Communications Manager North America, RM Sotheby’s

The Hershey Auction achieved a 99% sell-through rate and drew bidders from 21 countries as RM Sotheby’s celebrated two decades at the AACA National Fall Meet.

• RM Sotheby’s marked its 20th year at Hershey with $13.8 million in total sales, a 99% sell-through rate, and bidders from 21 countries.
• A 1934 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy led the auction, selling for $1,022,500. 
• The 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Town Car sold for $494,500, surpassing its previous auction result of $400,000 in Monterey in 2023.
• For photos, click here. 

HERSHEY, Pa., Oct. 9, 2026 – RM Sotheby’s marked its 20th year at Hershey with $13.8 million in total sales during its Oct. 7–8 auction at the Hershey Lodge. Held as the official auction of the AACA National Fall Meet, the two-day sale achieved a 99% sell-through rate and drew bidders from 21 countries. A 1934 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy led the results at $1,022,500, followed by a 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Town Car, which sold for $494,500, surpassing its previous auction result of $400,000 in 2023.

“Hershey is one of those sales that reminds us why we love this hobby,” said Gord Duff, president of RM Sotheby’s. “It’s always great to see our customers and friends, whose continued support has made this sale so special for twenty years. We look forward to many more years together at Hershey.”

From Brass Era automobiles and coachbuilt classics to creations from Detroit’s design studios, the offering traced more than a century of automotive ambition. Other notable sales included a 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Town Car which sold for $494,500, while a 1915 Mercedes 28/60 HP Town Car and Tourer Display Chassis sold for $324,000. A 1958 Buick Limited Convertible brought $321,250, and the 1947 Chrysler Town and Country Sedan ‘Big Red’ sold for $280,000, completing the auction’s top five.

Top Ten Lots 

1. 1934 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy — $1,022,500 USD
2. 1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster — N/A   
3. 1956 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham Town Car — $494,500 USD
4. 1915 Mercedes 28/60 HP Town Car and Tourer Display Chassis — $324,000 USD
5. 1958 Buick Limited Convertible — $321,250 USD
6. 1947 Chrysler Town and Country Sedan ‘Big Red’ — $280,000 USD
7. 1937 Cord 812 Supercharged Cabriolet — $218,400 USD
8. 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biarritz — $207,200 USD
9. 1957 Cadillac Eldorado Brougham — $207,200 USD
10. 1939 Packard 1707 Twelve 2/4-Passenger Coupe — $179,200 USD

Call for Convention Seminar 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 November 1.

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.).

It's 2027 Membership Renewal Time

As most of you know, your AACA membership runs for a calendar year (January 1 through December 31), which mean it's that time of year again to start thinking about renewing so you don't miss out on all the great things coming in 2027!

Good News! The membership fees for 2027 have not changed.  

The quickest and easiest way to renew your 2027 dues is by using our convenient online renewal form. Click the button below and give it a try!

2026 Holiday Cards - 1965 Mustang

Pack of 12 (5” x 9”) Holiday Cards featuring a 1965 Ford Mustang.

Inside verse reads: "Merry Christmas & Happy New Year"

$12.00

2026 Holiday Cards - 1948 Town and Country

Pack of 12 (5” x 9”) Holiday Cards featuring a 1965 Ford Mustang.

Inside verse reads: "Happy Holidays"

$12.00

2027 AACA Calendar

AACA's Official 2027 Event Calendar featuring 2026 AACA President Vicki Bolton.

All AACA Nationals & Tours are highlighted.

$14.00

A word about this event from AACA CEO, Steve Moskowitz -

Our show in Melbourne promises to be a special treat! The show is being held at the amazing American Muscle Car Museum in Melbourne on February 18-20, 2027. It is a complex that must be seen to be believed with hundreds of incredible vehicles on display. This museum has been graciously opened for our event and will begin with an early reception on Thursday evening which promises to be special and an opportunity to view the museum in a private setting. Plans are for a Friday tour to Cape Canaveral by bus which will be led by a local region member who was employed by NASA! There are more plans being worked on and we hope to finalize as soon as possible once the final logistics are in place. Sorry for the delay in getting you the details but hope that in the end it will be a incredible experience for our members. 

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.

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.

NJ Region Presents Fig Trees at the NB Center

By John Pieczynski, Lambertville, NJ

This is a member submitted article.

I really love driving my 57 Chevy to car shows and meeting and talking to car people. I also really enjoy judging cars at AACA National Meets both to use my knowledge of cars, and for the camaraderie with other judges. However, I have a separate hobby, which has led me to grow Fig Trees. Last year I began successfully propagating fig trees which allowed me to gift fig trees to lots of my friends this year, many of whom are also car people.

This August, as part of AACA’s Grand National Meet at the NB Center For American Automotive Heritage, I registered to tour the NB Center Collection and see the AACA Zenith Display on Friday morning. I had promised Larry Savino a fig tree, and we agreed to meet during the tours. Craig Kunz, his wife Yvonne, and Larry’s tree filled my car on the trip up. Getting to tour the NB Center cars and shops and talking with more than a dozen friends from the NJ Region was quite a fun day. We all had a great time and were very appreciative of the efforts that both the NB Center and AACA made to accommodate AACA members.

On Saturday morning, Craig & I drove to the Judges Breakfast together. I have more than a dozen varieties of figs, and I had picked an early ripe fig off an Italian 258 that morning, so I cut it in half, and we ate it before the breakfast. Even Craig admitted it tasted great. I told Craig that if I saw Mr. Bulgari, who had founded the NB Center, at the Grand National, I was going to offer him a fig tree. Thinking about the varieties of trees I have, I thought he might like an Italian 258. It is a top tier variety which was brought to the United States from Italy in the 1980s. A man of few words, Craig just nodded and said, “Yeah, Sure”.

While I was on the show field, someone said “there’s Mr. Bulgari.” I had never met him before, so I explained to someone in his group about wanting to give Mr. Bulgari a fig tree. The woman with him said “let me get him.” Mr. Bulgari came over and spoke to me and said that he would love a fig tree. They told me to talk to Keith Flickinger, Curator and Chief Operating Officer at the NB Center to make the arrangements.

After I wrapped up judging, I wasn’t sure how I’d connect with Keith. It was coincidental that Keith was near the food trucks just after I ordered a gyro. Fortunately, Bill Hallman, who I met judging several years ago and now attend car shows with, was nearby so he could pick up my lunch. That freed me up to introduce myself to Keith and explain that Mr. Bulgari had agreed to accept a fig tree. Keith suggested we find a day to drop the tree off in the next week or two. Now I was sharing the story with everyone I know at the show. I don’t know if Craig quite believed me at first, but he knows how passionate I am about fig trees, and maybe all I would do was just drop off a tree, not presenting one and meeting Mr. Bulgari again. While eating lunch at Alex Soultanis’ KdF-Wagen, I told the story to Alex, Bill Pritchett, and Ed and Rita Koch whose Kaiser Darrin was parked next to the KdF. I also bumped into Wayne and Denise Tuck and told them the story. To be honest, I told the story to everyone I knew, and there were too many people from multiple regions to name. It was hard to suppress how excited I was having experienced an exceptional car show and meeting Mr. Bulgari. The NB Center and AACA deserve a lot of credit for putting on a great show.

Over the course of the following week, Keith and I agreed I could drop the tree off the next Tuesday. It was during those communications I thought I should ask if Keith might be interested in a tree too. Keith responded almost immediately that he would love a tree, so I decided to give him a Smith variety Tree. Wayne had suggested that I ask the NJ Region if they would be interested in my presenting the trees on the Region’s behalf. Of course, the Board of Directors enthusiastically agreed with the idea.

With the BOD’s approval, Craig and I thought it would be a good idea to attach a “NJ 75th Anniversary license plate” on each tree pot. Tuesday morning, it might have looked like we were launching an expedition for all the effort we put into transporting the trees. Although the trees are less than a year old, the Italian 258 was about six feet tall, and the Smith’s branches were four feet in diameter. We didn’t think they’d transport well in an open pickup bed, so we measured all our closed vehicles to find the one that would best accommodate both trees and settled on a Jeep. The figs were better secured in the back than any precious cargo you can think of.

photos courtesy of Keith Flickinger

Craig and I arrived at the NB Center a few minutes early, and Keith let us know he was on his way. A few minutes later he met us at the gate, and we were immediately reminded that Keith is a great storyteller. After sharing a couple of quick stories which made us feel really comfortable, we followed Keith to the maintenance building. We met Keith’s wife Christina, and Josh Richards who maintains the NB Center’s grounds. It was an honor to represent the NJ Region by presenting the Smith Fig Tree to Keith and Christina and providing some guidance on caring for the trees. It was pretty evident Christina enjoys figs, so I had a great sense of satisfaction.

Next, Keith took us and the Italian 258 down to meet and present the tree to Mr. Bulgari. For car guys, both Craig and I felt honored to present the tree on behalf of the Region to Mr. Bulgari at the NB Center. Mr. Bulgari thanked us and shared stories about fig trees in Italy, but he couldn’t suppress sharing his passion for cars with us. We talked about Model A’s and Chevys of the period, and of course Buicks! Everyone we met could not have made us feel more welcome, and everyone took time to share stories.

While we were talking, a 1930 Chevy Coupe was being exercised on the grounds. Craig was immediately distracted from Fig Trees and watched and listened attentively to the Chevy as it passed us. Craig also mentioned he has a 1940 Buick, and that prompted Mr. Bulgari to ask to have the NB Center bring out their 1934 Buick’s World’s Fair car. Almost immediately, the Chevy is parked next to us, and Keith is inviting Craig to take a drive. Off we went. When we got back, the Buick was waiting for us to take a few laps in.

I couldn’t have had a better time. It was a great experience.

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. 

Have You Visited Our Video Library Yet?

Did you know AACA videos are available right on our website? From event coverage and member features to educational and historical content, there's always something interesting to watch.

Watch the videos here or click the "AACA Videos" link at the top of the AACA website to explore our growing video library anytime.

Stay tuned! New videos will be added next week.

Volunteers make the Founders Tour Possible!!

By Al Crane, HVPR AACA Publicity, Yorktown, VA

This is a member submitted article.

Each event any Region conducts requires a smiling and enthusiastic group of volunteers to plan, coordinate, and carry out a wide variety of activities in a safe and successful manner.

The Historic Virginia Peninsula Region (HVPR) AACA began planning the 2026 Founders Tour, held September 9-14, 2026, several years ago by selecting the venue and dates, and coordinating with National AACA Headquarters, local businesses, and tourism departments. A preliminary budget and agenda were developed and refined.

To develop a tour that would encompass the Historic Triangle's historic sites and provide memorable experiences, many hours were spent conducting site surveys and coordination visits. As tour planning matured, publicity through National and Regional social media alerted AACA members to the opportunity to experience an "Amazing Race Through History" during America's 250th Celebration year. Participants visited and experienced Jamestown, "The Settlement"; Williamsburg, "The Vision"; and Yorktown, "The Victory." In addition, Yorktown hosted a “Founders Car Show” featuring vehicles from the tour for the enjoyment of visitors and to promote AACA's mission of preserving and celebrating antique vehicles.

In the final months, a detailed tour book, including tour routes, schedules, and site information, was developed and published. Nametags were printed, and final arrangements were made with the host hotel, the DoubleTree by Hilton, tour sites, restaurants, and local tourism offices. Welcome packages were assembled for each participant.

As tour participants arrived, they were welcomed and registered by our smiling committee members and volunteers at the hotel, complete with surprise Colonial personalities. A welcome reception was also held. Volunteers were on hand to assist with parking of the vintage cars and those with trailered treasures! Old friendships were renewed, and new friends were made!

Over the next four days, participants were greeted at each site and restaurant by tour volunteers wearing their distinctive patriotic caps, vests, and nametags.

The "Amazing Race " concluded with a final banquet, followed by wishes of safe passage and Godspeed!

The tour was supported by 35 volunteers from both the Historic Virginia Peninsula Region (HVPR) and the Tidewater Region AACA (TRAACA).

THANK YOU ALL!!! JOB WELL DONE!!

Drive Your Future Forward: AACA Scholarships Are Now Open!

We are excited to announce that applications for the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) scholarships are officially open. We will be awarding six scholarships of $1,500 each to eligible students enrolled in 2-year or 4-year programs. While AACA student membership is preferred, it is not required to apply. 

New This Year: The Benny's Box Scholarship

The Bennett Automotive Foundation has partnered with the AACA to introduce the Benny's Box Scholarship. This special award will provide a toolbox and basic hand tools to two lucky automotive restoration students. Please note that a separate application is required for this specific scholarship. 

The deadline to submit all applications is December 1st.

Visit AACA.org/Scholarships to learn more, review the requirements, and apply today!

Four 2027 FREE membership applications have been mailed to your current region/chapter President. These applications can only be used for the recruitment of BRAND NEW AACA NATIONAL MEMBERS and must be signed by a region/chapter representative. These membership forms must be used by September 1, 2027. 

The I.C. Kirkham Membership Award is again up for grabs at the 2027 Annual Convention. This award recognizes the efforts of a region or chapter to grow their membership. Entering the competition is simple! Click here for a copy of the form. Fill it out with how many members you had on December 31, 2025, and how many members you gained in 2026. Then write up a short paragraph to share with us what you did in order to increase your membership and email the completed form to general@aaca.org. A committee will review and select the applicant with the largest percentage increase, along with the best narrative. The deadline to apply is December 1, 2026.

Chasing (2) Classic Cars

By Rodney Wheeler, President- Saratoga, NY Region- AACA

This is a member submitted article.

   My paternal Grandfather, apparently had a taste for future classic cars. He was the second owner of a very rare 1931 Marmon V-Sixteen Seven Passenger Sedan, and the original owner of an also quite rare, custom painted 1956 Packard Caribbean Hard Top Sedan. I knew both of these cars well as a teenager in upstate New York.

    Both cars were sold by my dad in the early ‘70s. I was able to keep track of the Packard through two new owners but then lost track of its whereabouts. I completely lost track of the Marmon just after my future wife and I got to take a quick spin around a parking lot in it in Scotia, NY in 1971. I had always believed it was sold at an auto auction in Vermont. It was not.

    After many years of research, and correspondence, I have finally been able to locate both of the cars and I am now in contact with both of the current owners.

    The extremely rare 1931 Marmon V-Sixteen has been completely restored and has been shown at and received a third-place award in its class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. My dad had always suggested that he still had the clock from the dash board of the Marmon although he wasn’t quite sure where he had stored it. I eventually found what I thought might be that clock and thanks to Google images, was able to confirm its identity. In 20I9 I was happy to be able to return the clock to the then-present owner of the Marmon, and was rewarded with a thrilling ride in the long lost 1931 Marmon.  It is now in another semi-private collection in southern California.

     The 1956 Packard Caribbean has also been located in a private collection south of Houston, Texas and is being shown at local and regional car shows. The Packard still retains its custom-made name plate with my grandfather’s name…misspelled! Using a classified listing in Hemming’s Motor News for a similar car, I was able to make connections with a Packard expert in Switzerland who then put me in touch with another knowledgeable gentleman here in the US. It was he who eventually positively identified the ’56 Packard Caribbean as the one I was searching for. A modification of the rear-view side mirrors that my grandfather made and a small window sticker that my archived photos showed, confirmed the identification.

    The years long searches and subsequent discoveries were a great adventure that led from upstate New York, to Switzerland, to southern California, and Texas. I have been cordially invited to see the cars (and maybe drive them) when I am in the states where they now reside. Thanks to persistence, correspondence, contacts, and the internet, the haystack that contains the needle has gotten just a bit easier to search.

Check out these offers and more by visitng our AACA MemberDeals site.

Antique Automobile Club of America

AACA.org | 717-534-1910

America’s Premier Resource for the Collectible Vehicle Community

SPEEDSTER ® is a registered trademark of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA)

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.