June 2024 | Volume 186

Again, thank you so much to everyone who submitted an entry for this challenge! As you know, I have shared the submissions over the last several issues of Speedster. This is the last batch...

Everyone who took part in this challenge received one entry in the drawing for some AACA swag. By random draw, our 3 winners are Dave Hermanson, John Garnett, and E. Wayne Scites. Congratulations!! We will be in touch with the winners next week so we can send out their gifts.

All done with the restoration of my 1967 Oldsmobile 4-4-2 and ready to take it for a drive. (It’s never really done though, right?!) Submitted by David Harvey, Spotsylvania, VA, dch442@aol.com

This photo was taken at "Our Backyard Museum" in Plantation, FL, on January 28, 2024. We also drove our 1965 Chevy Impala convertible in March to pick up a friend at the airport. Submitted by Dawn Hebert, Ft Lauderdale, FL, sunrisedawn@hotmail.com

My first drive in my 1958 DeSoto Firesweep Sportsman this year was for a photoshoot for the Wall Street Journal! My article came out the last week of March. The photos were taken at a local drive-in theater and nearby country road. Even though it was a cold and cloudy Ohio spring day, it was so great to get it out for the first time this season, and I can't wait to drive it all summer! Submitted by Christina Park, Tiffin, OH, stina13@cbodies.com

I took this photo of my 1965 AMC Rambler Ambassador about a month ago at the cemetery in Roann, IN, where my wife’s grandparents are buried. Submitted by James Webb, Huntington, IN, webbsclassic@gmail.com

For St. Patrick’s Day, I took my very green 1930 Franklin out for a spin. This photo was taken in front of my house in Cutchogue, NY. Submitted by Steve Braverman, Cutchogue, NY, sdbraverman@gmail.com

Nothing like starting the season off with a fresh coat of paint. I’m giving my 1967 Mustang a complete makeover this spring. This is probably not the type of photo you were looking for, but I should have her out for her first spring ride very soon. Submitted by Robert Shelley, Conway, SC, shelley@sccoast.net

This is my 1964 VW Bug with original top and sheet metal on one of my first spring outings in Port Matilda. Submitted by Greg Raleigh, Port Matilda, PA, gmrcars@hotmail.com

After a year of storage, I broke out my 1958 Corvette for a trip to the Dogwood Festival in Mebane, NC. Submitted by Norman Joyner, Elon, NC, nwjoyner@yahoo.com

This is our very rare 1963 Buick Skylark. Buick tells me that it’s rare because it only has four lugs and skirts and no pillar/post. Her name is Alondra, and she originally hails from Connecticut. I’ve got about 8 inches worth of receipts and paperwork from the original owner. She’s a beauty and VERY special to us. We are very strong supporters of trying to get kids to like our classic cars. Every show we go to we always try to get a couple of kids to have their parents take their pictures in our car. Now others in our group are doing this, too! My wife lovingly refers to it as “cooky kids in cars” because they’re always smiling so big. Submitted by Michael Freedman, Venice, Florida, michaelfreedman31@gmail.com

Our first big outing this year was the AACA Southeastern Spring Nationals in Charlotte, NC, in April. Our 1977 Cadillac DeVille received its first Grand National award. Submitted by Richard Yarger, West Decatur, PA, rycarnut@gmail.com

Ready for a drive in my 1937 Chevrolet Master. Submitted by Bob Harlow, Foley, AL, hobbarlow@gmail.com

Just a drive down Scenic 98 in Montrose, AL, in our 1967 Plymouth Barracuda convertible on our way to a Fairhope retirement home drive-through for the residents. My Barracuda is a 2010 AACA Senior Award winner and a recent Preservation Award winner as well. Submitted by Rod Matthews, Fairhope, AL, imaptru@aol.com

The Sugar Express based in Clewiston, FL, held a special photo-op excursion and wanted a period Model A to feature with its restored 1920 Flagler Steam Locomotive. My 1929 Roadster Pickup got the opportunity to be side-by-side with the impressive engine! Submitted by Jeff Mahl, Saint James City, FL, jeffmahl@aol.com

Took a little drive in my 1956 Austin Healey 100M to the coffee shop in Naples, FL. Submitted by Robert Morris, Great Falls, VA, greatgodsal35@gmail.com

We finally had a beautiful day here in Monee, IL. We’re just back from breakfast in our 1962 Corvair Monza turbo. Submitted by Dennis Heywood, Monee, IL, dennisheywood@hotmail.com

This is my 1984 Rolls-Royce Silver Spur with only 14,120 miles as I seldom drive her. She has an AACA First Junior award. This was a drive to Satellite Beach Paradise Beach Park location here in Florida. Submitted by Nicholas Bauer, Palm Bay, FL, nick.b.bauer@gmail.com

February 8 was a very nice day in Western PA, so I decided to take my wife's 1950 Ford Crestliner for a short ride. As you can see, it did not end very well. An unknown person had pulled out in front of me and rather than hitting them, I chose the ditch. They of course kept going none the wiser of the catastrophe we just avoided. The car spent about a month in the repair shop and is now back home. Submitted by Richard Black, New Castle, PA, blackre@comcast.net   

I just took my first drive of the year this week in my 1973 Charger. You are seeing the car after that drive and its spring car wash outside my garage. I felt that I had to make sure that Mopar was represented among your first drive photos since there wasn't a single one among the 20 photos you included with the April newsletter! That's all for now. Keep on driving! Submitted by Bryan Joseph, Hermitage, PA, bryanjosephpsu@gmail.com

Virginia is For CAR Lovers

Registration Deadline Extended to August 1!

August 22-24, 2024

Special Eastern Fall Nationals

Hampton, VA

Registration Deadline: August 1

Click here for brochure

Click here to register online

Click here to register to judge online

Click here if you would like registration information sent to you (please include your name and member # in the email)

The Historic Virginia Peninsula Region (HVPR) invites you to join them as they beat the August heat and weather worries on the air-conditioned show field inside the Hampton Roads Convention Center. That’s right – you read that correctly! The Special Eastern Fall Nationals show will take place inside! There will be plenty of room for up to 235 show cars, plus vendors, merchandise, and activities. The convention center boasts 300,000 square feet of indoor space. The host hotel, trailer parking, registration, Judging School, Judges Breakfast, and the awards banquet will all be at one location.

Event highlights include:

Thursday, August 22:

Virginia Air & Space Science Center, Welcome Reception Pizza Party

Friday, August 23:

Judging Schools, Membership Roundtable, Hampton Queen Twilight Boat Tour

Saturday, August 24:

Judges Breakfast, Judges CJE, Owners’ Briefing, car show, awards banquet

(Important: Judges Breakfast will be from 7:30 - 10 a.m. and will be the buffet served by the Embassy Suites. Judges team meetings and awards will happen at 9 a.m.)

Host Hotel:

Embassy Suites Hampton – $149+tax/night

1700 Coliseum Dr., Hampton, VA 23666

757-827-8200, use code: 91U

Click here to book your room online.

Reservation Deadline: July 15

Complimentary parking, Wi-Fi, and continental breakfast included.

Questions?

Show Chairman: Scott Dayton, smdayton40@gmail.com

Registration Chair: Pete Romeo, pnpromeo@cox.net

REMINDER: Your 2024 AACA membership dues must be paid

prior to registering for any 2024 National shows and tours.

How Do I Get Hershey Registration Materials?

Click here for Hershey brochure

Summer registration is upon us for the Hershey Flea Market, Car Corral and show vehicles.

To acquire 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 at this time. If you have lost your Activity Request Card, you can always call AACA National 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.

For those who have already requested registration materials, they were put in the mail to you this week so keep an eye out for them. 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 August 15 deadline.

Show will run Tuesday, October 8 through Friday, October 11

Flea Market set-up will be Monday, October 7

Judging School will be Thursday, October 10, at 2 p.m.

Judges Breakfast will be Friday, October 11, at 7 a.m.

Car show will be Friday, October 11

Look for the Activity Request Card that came with your May/June issue of

Antique Automobile magazine and use it to request the registration materials

for the Hershey car show, flea market and car corral be mailed to you.

REMINDER: Your 2024 AACA membership dues must be paid

prior to registering for any 2024 National shows and tours.

The AACA Library

Needs You!

Are you planning on attending the 2024 Eastern Fall Nationals in Hershey this October? Would you be interested in making a meaningful difference to your research library and AACA National Headquarters? If the answer to both questions is “yes,” the AACA Library will have exciting volunteer opportunities throughout the week.

We particularly need volunteers to staff and assist with this year’s annual Library Yard Sale, which will be held on Tuesday, October 8th from 4-7 p.m. This is our largest fundraising event of the year, in which we sell duplicate materials to help raise money for the library. Volunteer opportunities will include working registration, monitoring the sales tents, providing assistance and guidance to customers, etc. We also need help with setup and staging of literature throughout the day and leading up to sale time. 

If you are unable to volunteer during the Library Yard Sale but would still like to make a difference, we could use help with staffing the library reading room throughout “Hershey Week.” We also 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.

For more information, please contact Librarian Matthew Hocker at mhocker@aaca.org or 717-534-2082.

We know you have burning questions about your latest acquisition or restoration project, and the AACA Library is here to help! If you’re new to our research services, we offer several ways to reach out to us with a question.

Use the Online Research Request Form – This is our preferred method of contact. The form is available on our website’s “Research” page, which is where you can find general information about our services and our fee schedule. When filling out the form, answer each section as fully as you can – this will reduce the amount of clarification we need to ask for. The online form is the best tool to use for straightforward questions and is the easiest and fastest way for librarians to address and track the progress of your request.

Call Us – You can reach the librarians at 717-534-2082, Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. When calling, have all the necessary information available so that the librarian can take adequate notes. Be advised that if you contact us by phone, it’s possible that a librarian will want to follow-up via email if they require photos or other information to be sent digitally to assist with their research. Submitting your research request by phone is best used for questions that are complicated or require an in-depth explanation that is more easily given in a conversation.

Email Us – Send any of us an email. You can access our email addresses on our website’s “Contact & Hours” page. Asking a question by email (like the online research request form) helps librarians more easily maintain a paper trail of communication and progress. It is the only method that allows attachments to be submitted with your request. Therefore, email is best used when your question includes photos, documents, or other files that you wish to include along with your question.

Visit Us – Come on in, the library is open! Visit in person Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and select Saturdays (see our website for the specific dates). You don’t need an appointment to visit, although we always appreciate a heads up. Researching in person is the best (and most cost-effective) way to perform research. Our Reading Room is quiet and comfortable, and librarians are happy to bring out items from the archive for you to review and are available to assist you. Researching in person is preferred for those already in (or visiting) the area, and those who want to perform the research themselves. It’s also best served for research that is likely to take a lengthy period of time.

Send Us a Letter – Slap a stamp on it and drop it in the mailbox – we love getting mail! Sending your request by the postal service is a way for those less technically inclined to reach the library. Although this is the slowest method of communication, we understand that not everyone has internet access, email, or a smartphone. While we’re happy to accept research requests by mail, please include a telephone number that we can use to reach out to you. Submitting by mail is best for those without a computer or internet service, and those who enjoy reflecting on the communication of yesteryear. 

No matter how you choose to contact us, there are a few things to remember:

1. Check the fee schedule first and ask questions if you don’t understand the potential costs of research. Don’t forget that current AACA members get 2 hours of free research by our librarians as one of your many member benefits!

2. Please be patient – at our busiest times it can be several weeks before we can address your inquiry. If you submit a request with multiple layers of questions, it will take us longer to look into everything.

3. Everyone has their favorites – though you may prefer to work with a particular librarian, we all have multiple other responsibilities and there are times when we must distribute the workload in a way that allows us to reasonably address requests in a timely fashion.

4. Lastly, if you have any questions about the library’s services, please contact me directly at jwolfe@aaca.org.

Knowledge awaits you, and access begins at the library! 

Interested in becoming a volunteer with the AACA Library?

Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Matthew Hocker,

at mhocker@aaca.org or 717-534-2082.

Interested in doing research with the AACA Library?

More information is available on our website.

Visit AACA Library or contact our Reference Librarian, Amoi Goldman,

at agoldman@aaca.org or 717-534-2082.

Visit our Booth at Black Swan Antiquities

On May 20, 1972, I placed a factory order for a 1972 Dodge Charger from a dealer in D.C. that no longer exists. This was the first weekend after I started working at my first permanent full-time job at age 25. I chose the Charger because I really liked the styling of that year. The car was my only vehicle for 23 years.

I drove it in all kinds of weather conditions including ice and snow even though a rear-wheel-drive car with wide tires was not well-suited for slippery road conditions. The car took me to the grocery store, the shopping center, the Burger King, to visit friends, and so on. It also took me to Army Reserve meetings every month and to summer camp at Indiantown Gap and Fort Bragg. In addition, the car saw a long-distance round trip with my parents to visit Florida, round trips to my brother in Minneapolis and also one round trip all the way to Phoenix, Arizona, after my brother moved out there. Also, the car took my wife and I several times to visit my father-in-law in Wisconsin and there were literally innumerable trips between D.C. and my parents' home in New Jersey. The trips with my wife also included her dog who seemed particularly intrigued with the car; it was amusing to see the dog looking down at the floor trying to figure out where the exhaust noise was coming from.

The car never gave me any trouble during any of these trips. It never broke down except on two occasions right in town when the electronic ignition control module went dead. Naturally, after I started carrying a spare module in the car, I had no further failures.

Now being married with a wife who had her own car, at least I was able to avoid taking my Charger out in bad weather. But the excursions to the grocery store and the hardware store and the shopping center continued. Still in the car is a litter bag the dealer gave me 50 years ago! This apparently is an approved Chrysler accessory because the back of the glove compartment door has two tabs onto which the bag is attached. Now how many people can say that their car still has an accessory like this after so many years?

In 2003, my wife and I both retired and moved to sunny Tucson, Arizona. The Charger has been treated to new upholstery and new carpet, but the rest of the interior and the vinyl top are all original. Other than that and a repaint and rechroming, it remained an original unrestored survivor and went to car shows where I exhibited it as such. However, all it needed was a serious cosmetic detailing of the engine area to win a First Junior award at the AACA Western Spring Nationals in Tucson in 2015 and a Senior in 2018, both of which I am very proud and honored to have received. 

The photos below show me when I was new and the car was new, and then the car and I today. I think the car aged more gracefully than I have.

We are always looking to feature articles from AACA members in Speedster. We'd love to share your personal accounts of tours and shows you have attended, restoration projects, unique vehicle stories and history, and any other stories you think other AACA members would enjoy hearing about.

Stories should average about 500 words or less. And we love photos, so make sure to include some! Please send your photos and stories to Stacy Zimmerman at szimmerman@aaca.org. 

Beth and John Gerwin’s 50 Year Pin Presentation

By Charlotte Dahlenburg, Great Southern Region Editor, realracegirl1@yahoo.com

This is a member submitted article.

Do you know anyone who would enjoy going to a car show? Maybe you know someone who would enjoy Antique Automobile magazine. This is an excellent time to encourage them to join AACA. New members can join the club now and pay only $25 for the second half of 2024. They can test drive AACA for half price! By the end of the year, we hope they will see the value of belonging to AACA and be ready to commit to a full year of membership for 2025!

The half year membership allows new members to join the club for the second half of the member year and pay half the yearly membership fee. The half year membership includes the months of June through December at a cost of only $25. The half year members receive three bi-monthly issues of Antique Automobile magazine (July/August, September/October & November/December).

REMEMBER: The half year membership is for first-time new members only!

If you have any questions regarding the half year membership program, feel free to contact me.

Click here to join as a new member online with a credit card – it’s quick and easy!

If you prefer to mail a check, click here for the AACA Membership Application.

Adventure Awaits You in Colorado

September 12-14, 2024

Western Fall Nationals

Loveland, CO

Registration Deadline: August 31

Click here for brochure

Click here to register online

Click here to register to judge online

Click here if you would like registration information sent to you

(please include your name and member # in the email)

The Poudre Valley Region welcomes you to the 2024 Western Fall Nationals in Loveland, CO. Loveland is located about 40 miles east of the quaint mountain town of Estes Park. Estes Park is home to the Stanley Hotel and is the gateway to The Rocky Mountain National Park. Loveland, located in the heart of northeastern Colorado, is an ideal location for all your adventures.

Event highlights include:

• Cussler Automotive Museum Bus Tour
• Club Merchandise Sales
• Race Car/Motorcycle Condition Runs
• Membership Roundtable
• National Judging School
• Judges Breakfast & CJE Courses
• Owners Briefing
• Awards Banquet

Host Hotel:

Embassy Suites, 970-593-6200

4705 Clydesdale Parkway, Loveland, CO 80538

Special AACA rate of $180/night, plus tax, includes breakfast

Ask for 91Z rate (available on a first come, first served basis)

For additional hotel options, check out the brochure

Questions?

Show Chairman & Registration: Joe Pirrone, Joenkathy@earthlink.net, 970-686-9291

REMINDER: Your 2024 AACA membership dues must be paid

prior to registering for any 2024 National shows and tours.

Are You Rocket City Bound?

October 24-26, 2024

Southeastern Fall Nationals

Huntsville, AL

Registration Deadline: September 30

Click here for brochure

Click here to register online

Click here to register to judge online

Click here if you would like registration information sent to you (please include your name and member # in the email)

North Alabama Region (NAR) is proud to be hosting the AACA Rocket City Southeastern Fall Nationals. We are thrilled to welcome you to Huntsville and offer you some good old southern hospitality. The Nationals show will take place at the Orion Amphitheater located at 701 Amphitheater Drive, Huntsville, AL 35806.

Event highlights include:

• U.S. Space & Rocket Center Tour
• Cruise to Lake Guntersville
• Self-Driving Tours to Explore Huntsville
• Social Event – Stars & Strikes, Mid-City District Huntsville
• Membership Roundtable
• National Judging School
• Social Event – Orion Amphitheater with live entertainment by Grits & Juice
• Judges Breakfast & CJE
• Owners Briefing
• Flea Market
• Youth Event – Greenpower Electric Car Races
• Awards Banquet at the U.S. Space & Rocket Center

Host Hotel:

Holiday lnn Research Park, 256-830-0600

5903 University Drive, Huntsville, AL 35806

$155/night plus tax

For additional hotel options, check out the brochure

Questions?

Show Chairman: Dave Robertson, daveLrobertson44@gmail.com, 256-653-4036

Registration Chair: Dena Robertson, registration@nar-aace.org, 256-651-5627

REMINDER: Your 2024 AACA membership dues must be paid

prior to registering for any 2024 National shows and tours.

Would your AACA region or chapter like to visit?

What about any of the other car clubs you belong to?

If you are planning a tour or day excursion for a group near the Hershey area, why not include a stop at our building as part of your itinerary?

If you would like to book a tour, please reach out to Amoi Goldman, AACA Reference Librarian & Outreach Coordinator, at 717-534-2082 or agoldman@aaca.org.

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.