September 2026 | Volume 213 | | | | |
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Hershey Happens Next Week: Will YOU be There? | |
Eastern Fall Nationals
October 6-9, 2026 - Hershey, Pennsylvania
View the Event Brochure
Registered for the Flea Market or Car Corral?
Your packet, including windshield stickers and instructions, should have arrived by now. If you have not received it, contact fallmeet@hersheyaaca.org immediately.
Showing a Vehicle on Friday?
You must pick up your registration packet at the Folder Distribution Tent on the Chocolate Field, located next to the Hershey Region Main Tent.
Packet Pickup Hours
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Tuesday, October 6: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Wednesday, October 7: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
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Thursday, October 8: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Packets will also be available Friday morning at the show vehicle entrance behind the Giant Center.
Questions?
Flea Market & Car Corral: fallmeet@hersheyaaca.org
Car Show: carreghershey@gmail.com
Important Hershey Dates
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Flea Market Setup: Monday, October 5
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Show Days: Tuesday, October 6, through Friday, October 9
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Judging School: Thursday, October 8, at 2 p.m.
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Judges Breakfast: Friday, October 9, at 7 a.m.
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Car Show: Friday, October 9
Safe travels! We can’t wait to see all of you!!
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FREE Parking for Friday Hershey Car Show for 10 Lucky Volunteers
The Hershey Region is looking for 10 volunteers for Friday morning, October 9, 2026, to park show vehicles from 6 a.m. to approximately 10:30 a.m.
Volunteers will receive the following as a thank you:
- Free parking ($20 value)
- Food voucher ($15 value)
- Dash plaque
- Workers hat
- Hershey Region volunteer workers incentive
Volunteers do not need to be AACA members, so ask your friends to join you! If interested, contact Gloria Mader at glomad7123@gmail.com or 717-460-4957.
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Car Corral Spaces Available Onsite
Missed the deadline? A limited number of Car Corral spaces will be available onsite at the Hershey Show on a first-come, first-served basis.
To purchase a space, visit the Car Corral beginning 9 a.m. on Tuesday, October 6. Sales will continue throughout the week, subject to availability.
Requirements:
- Must be a current AACA member (memberships and renewals available onsite)
- Vehicle must be at least 25 years old
- Vehicle must be AACA-compliant (no hot rods)
- Vehicle must be operable and driven into the Car Corral
Back by Popular Demand - Flea Market Spaces Available Onsite
Thanks to the efforts of the Hershey Region, a limited number of onsite Flea Market spaces will once again be available this year.
Please note that vendors purchasing onsite spaces will not be listed in the official program book but must follow all Flea Market rules and regulations.
Location: Car Corral Shed behind the Giant Center, near Car Corral (view map)
Date & Time: Monday, October 5, 2026 ONLY - 7 a.m. to Noon
Cost: $135 per space - cash or credit card only (sorry, no checks)
Important Information
- Maximum of three 10' x 30' spaces per vendor, subject to availability
- Large vehicles and large trailers are not permitted
- Must be an AACA member (memberships available onsite)
- Valid photo ID required
- Spaces will be assigned by Hershey Region staff based on availability
- Upon registration, vendors will receive their window stickers and information packet
- Please bring a copy of this email notice to show traffic control personnel upon arrival (they will be notified, but better to be safe than sorry)
- Only motor vehicles, parts, accessories, and automotive-related items that are at least 25 years old may be sold
On behalf of all our members and the national club, we want to thank the Hershey Region for going the extra mile to accommodate more vendors this year.
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Come Visit AACA National at the Hershey Show
AACA merchandise will be at these locations in the flea market:
Chocolate Field in our blue trailer – C3H 5-7, C3I 5-7 (Tuesday - Friday)
Green Field in front of the Giant Center in a large white tent (Tuesday - Thursday)
AACA merchandise will be on the show field along the road in a large white tent on FRIDAY during the car show.
AACA membership will be at these locations in the flea market:
Chocolate Field in front of our blue trailer – C3H 5-7, C3I 5-7 (Tuesday - Friday)
Chocolate Field C3G 5-9 (Tuesday - Thursday)
Green Field in front of the Giant Center in a large white tent (Tuesday - Thursday)
AACA membership will be on the show field along the road near the merchandise tent on FRIDAY during the car show.
New memberships and membership renewals will be taken at all of these locations all week.
AACA National Headquarters building, including the AACA Library, will be open to the public Monday-Thursday from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Don’t forget about the Library yard sale on Tuesday from 4-7 p.m. behind AACA Headquarters! (Reminder: Library closes at 2 p.m. Tuesday to get ready for the sale.)
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RM Sotheby’s Marks 20 Years at Hershey
By Natalie Cieslak, Communications Manager North America, RM Sotheby’s
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RM Sotheby’s returns to Hershey, Pennsylvania, October 7-8, 2026, as the official auction of the AACA Eastern Fall Nationals. Held at the Hershey Lodge, the sale presents a focused offering of veteran, Brass Era, and early American automobiles, complemented by a curated selection of rare automobilia. This year’s offering is led by the 1934 Duesenberg Model J Convertible Berline by Murphy, a 1935 Auburn 851 Supercharged Speedster, and a 1915 Mercedes 28/60 HP Town Car and Tourer Display Chassis.
Now in its 20th year, the Hershey auction occupies a place in the collector car calendar. Long regarded as a cornerstone event for pre-war collecting, the sale draws collectors, historians, and enthusiasts whose knowledge of early motoring shapes the market defined by expertise. “Hershey is one of those events that reminds you why people fall in love with this hobby in the first place,” said Gord Duff, President, RM Sotheby’s. “There’s a depth of knowledge and passion here that you just don’t find anywhere else. These early cars have so much individuality, and you’ll hear conversations about tiny details, histories, and stories that could only happen at Hershey. We’ve been part of this event for 20 years now, and that history means a lot to us. The cars are important, but it’s the people and the shared appreciation for this era of motoring that make coming back every October so special.”
For all the details about the auction, and to take a look at the cars and automobilia that will be up for sale, click here. If you have any questions about the auction, please contact RM Sotheby’s at 1-800-211-4371.
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IMPORTANT!!! 2027 AACA National Board of Directors Election | |
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In the September/October edition of Antique Automobile is a postpaid ballot for the 2027 Board of Directors election. It is your ONLY ballot and must be filled out according to the instructions or it will not be counted.
Please read the biographies of all the candidates listed in the magazine and vote for the 7 of your choice. Our candidates this year come from widely different backgrounds, so please give serious consideration to those who match your ideas of what is important to the future of the club. All ballots must have 7 names selected or they will be considered "not valid" and will not be counted.
Your ballot must be RECEIVED by November 15, 2026.
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AACA LIBRARY & RESEARCH CENTER | |
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By the time you’re reading this, Eastern Fall Nationals will be upon us, and car enthusiasts the world over will be on their way to Hershey, Pennsylvania! We know a lot of you have a visit to the library on your itinerary, and we can’t wait to see you! Here are the details for visitors that week:
Open Research Hours:
Mon. 8am-4pm, Tue. 8am-2pm (early closing for Yard Sale prep), Wed. 8am-4pm, Thu. 8am-4pm, Fri. CLOSED (see us on the show field!)
- Remember to bring your photo ID to the library, and be prepared to leave bags and personal items in our FREE lockers while in the Reading Room
- Pricing for photocopies is reduced during Hershey week to .50 cents a page (digital scans are still $1 per page). Large copy orders may have to be done the following week and mailed to you
Events:
- Yard Sale – Tuesday 4-7pm, pick up a timed entry ticket as early as 3pm that day, from the Info Tent set up near the parking lot sidewalk
- Pop-up Book Sale – Friday all day during car show, on the show field next to AACA Merchandise tent (weather dependent)
Material Donations:
- PLEASE do not bring donations to Hershey week without notifying library staff ahead of time
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We currently have a limited amount of space to store donated material, so if you plan to bring donations for the library, please call Jen in advance at 717-534-2082 ext. 1410 or email at jwolfe@aaca.org
- There are some materials that we are unable to accept at this time – call for more information
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Automobile Quarterly FULL SET for sale!
As we have in past years, the library has obtained another full set of Automobile Quarterly. From the very first volume, to the final more elusive ones (including the final issue 52-1, which can sell for $100-$200 by itself!), this is a complete run of the publication. Additionally, volumes 1 through 31 are encased in slipcovers that have provided added protection from wear. The set is in overall very good condition, with minimal wear from use.
Please note the following conditions:
- Asking $1,000
- Available on a first-come, first-served basis
- Must be picked up in person during Eastern Fall Nationals in Hershey
- Photos can be provided to parties with serious interest
- The library will box up and label the set for the buyer
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.
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| | Charles Brady King, who drove the first automobile on Detroit city streets (March 6, 1896) is credited with initiating a then-innovative shipping tactic for the fledgling automotive industry which contributed to its ability to quickly grow and prosper. What was this unique transportation development? | | Please scroll all the way to the end of Speedster to find the answer. | | | | |
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.
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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!
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It’s as easy as 1, 2, 3…
1) Log in with your member number and pin.
Member Name: Not a member yet? It's just as easy to sign up!
Member Number:
Pin:
Note: The PIN begins with the first letter of your last name, followed by four numbers.
2) Review the information currently listed on your membership record and make changes if necessary. Click payment to confirm and move to the next step.
3) Choose credit card as your payment method at the bottom of the screen. then simply enter your card details. We accept Visa, MasterCard or Discover. After your payment has been confirmed, you will receive a confirmation email and receipt.
If you don’t see your membership number and PIN above, you can find it on your membership card and the renewal notice that came with your September/October issue of Antique Automobile. Questions? Email membership@aaca.org.
If you're going to be at Hershey, you can also renew your membership in person at any of our AACA membership locations:
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Chocolate Field: C3H 5-7 & C3I 5-7 in front of our blue trailer (Tues - Fri)
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Chocolate Field: C3G 5-9 (Tues - Thurs)
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Green Field: In front of the Giant Center in the large white tent (Tues - Thurs)
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Show Field: Near the Merchandise Tent (Friday during car show)
We look forward to seeing or hearing from all of you very soon!
If you aren’t comfortable renewing your membership online, you can use the 2027 renewal notice included with your September/October issue of Antique Automobile. Mail the entire 2027 renewal notice along with your check or credit card information in the blue envelope included.
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Dover Hosts a Memorable 80th Revival AAA Glidden Tour® | |
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AACA and VMCCA members recently enjoyed a memorable week at the 80th Revival AAA Glidden Tour® based in Dover, Delaware. Participants traveled scenic roads throughout Delaware, Maryland, and New Jersey, demonstrating that antique automobiles are meant to be driven and enjoyed.
Highlights included visits to museums, historic sites, and the Cape May-Lewes Ferry, along with a special stop at Dover Motor Speedway, where participants took parade laps around the famous track in their antique vehicles.
The tour concluded with a celebration of the friendships, fellowship, and shared passion for preserving automotive history that make the Glidden Tour a favorite AACA tradition.
View a photo slideshow from the tour here: bit.ly/4AH22L2
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A Different Kind of Story: A Motorcycle.
By Alan Singer, Jacksonville, FL
This is a member submitted article.
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Yes, this is the story of a motorcycle in an automobile club publication. Although I’ve owned more than a few notable cars, for the past few decades I have been playing around with Bultaco motorcycles. Bultacos, you say? Yes, a semi-obscure Spanish brand, orphaned over 40 years ago. For a very small company they produced a vast range of machines and won many championships in a variety of disciplines.
The focus of this article is a 1974 Bultaco Matador SD. SD stands for Six Days, this model was a homologation special built for competition in the International Six Days Trial. The ISDT is frequently referred to as the Olympics of motorcycling. Over six days, riders, representing national teams, compete in a variety of speed events on differing surfaces while maintaining difficult speed averages between the tests. The rider must also perform all maintenance and repairs alone and using only tools and parts carried on the bike.
The Matador SD, therefore, has many special features to meet the extreme needs of an ISDT competitor. It has quick removable wheels; the rear tire can be removed with a single wrench, the tire repaired and wheel replaced with the chain remaining untouched. There is a tire inflator bottle carried on the frame. A leather tool carrier is bolted to the oversize fuel tank. The motor has been tuned from enduro to motocross spec. It comes from the factory with a route roller and watch holder. Other special pieces are found throughout. In all, this is a specialized, high performance limited production vehicle.
My involvement with this bike begins with another about ten years ago. I always have the antennae up for Bultacos. Perusing Facebook, I found a later production Bultaco for only $700. It was non-running but complete and largely original. The bike was in York, PA, I am in Jacksonville, FL. After a quick confirmation call, I did a non-stop run, met the owner, and noted his Matador SD. Not for sale he said, so I loaded up the Mk.9 and headed south. Subsequently I performed a sensitive refurbishment of the Matador, rode it, showed it, and it joined my little collection.
Five years later, I saw the SD was for sale. He was the original owner; it was all there though needing restoration. Haggling ensued. Finally, when I hemmed and hawed at his final offer, he said he would throw in his forty year accumulation of Bultaco stuff and that I would be pleased.
This was in 2020, deep in the pandemic, but still a buddy and I undertook another trek to York. The seller was true to his word, there was a horde, much of it rare. It filled my Nissan Xterra.
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Selling some and trading other pieces assisted with funding a yearlong restoration. I was able to retain virtually every part of the motorcycle, refinishing and refurbishing as needed. With the exception of body paint and chrome, it was all done in my home garage.
Once the Covid lockdown eased, I was able to show the Matador; it won a number of regional shows throughout the southeast. It ran well but was always difficult to start, finally at the Hilton Head Concours it just would not go. When my feeble skills failed, I turned to a friend who maintained a local car collection. Despite opining his lack of knowledge of two-stroke machines, he found and corrected a fault in the points and timed the engine in what seemed like no time, all the while talking about his hobby: building fuel dragster motors!
In April 2025 I attended the initial AMCA/AACA dual National in Charlotte. I was fortunate enough to win First Junior awards with both organizations and had a great time. I decided then to attend the next dual meet in Galveston. Traveling the near 1,000 miles each way, I was rewarded with a pair of First Seniors.
With that, the Matador has been retired to in home display.
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We are always looking to feature articles from AACA members in Speedster. We'd love to share your personal accounts of tours and shows you have attended, restoration projects, unique vehicle stories and history, and any other stories you think other AACA members would enjoy hearing about.
Stories should average 500 words or less. And we love photos, so make sure to include some! Please send your photos and stories to Chrissy Arnold.
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2027 AACA Annual Convention Call for Speakers
February 4-6 – King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
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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 September 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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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
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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
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2027 AACA Calendar
AACA's Official 2027 Event Calendar featuring 2026 AACA President Vicki Bolton.
All AACA Nationals & Tours are highlighted.
$14.00
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ATTENTION: REGIONS & CHAPTERS | |
| Free Region/Chapter Membership Applications | | 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. | | 2026 I.C. Kirkham Membership Award | | 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. | | Is YOUR Region/Chapter Prepared to Recruit New Members? | | |
$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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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 2027 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 2027 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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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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Charles B. King applied the FOB (Freight on Board) concept to the early automotive industry, which accelerated the point at which ownership was exchanged from manufacturer to recipient. With FOB, the legal transfer occurred when freight was loaded for shipment…instead of waiting for final delivery…which therefore relieved manufacturers from having money tied up in finished goods/inventory during transport. So, scarce funds could immediately be re-invested into day-to-day operations. | | | | |
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Antique Automobile Club of America
AACA.org | 717-534-1910
America’s Premier 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. | | | | |
