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December 2017 - Volume 109
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Well, 2017 is drawing to a close and I think most of us are really ready to get the new year started. Hopefully, you have plans to celebrate with friends and family. Be sure to take some time for yourself so you can reflect on all that this past year has taught you about yourself and life and use it to make 2018 better.
With January 1 comes the expectation to make those darn resolutions and goals, which we make with all of the best intentions but somehow always get side-tracked, forget about them or often lose the paper we wrote them on so we just give in. Well, let's make a pact right now. No matter how many other resolutions or goals you decide to make, let's all make just ONE that relates to this beloved hobby of ours. It could be as simple as attending a car show or even showing your car at a show. Maybe it's to work on that special project car in the garage and get it running. What about promising yourself that you will take your antique car out for a short drive at least once a month? It could be getting that friend who loves cars to finally come to a local AACA meeting? These resolutions/goals don't have to be complicated - in fact, the simpler the better!
I'll go first...
I would like to attend my first AACA Grand National this year.
Now it's your turn... Email me your AACA/hobby-related resolution/goal for 2018 and I'll share them all in the next Speedster.
From everyone here at AACA Headquarters
and the Board of Directors,
Happy New Year
to you and yours!!
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Make Plans to Attend the NEW WINTER MEET in Alabama
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Save the date! The Deep South Region will host a winter meet in Mobile, Alabama, from March 22-24! The meet will be held at Cooper Riverside Park. This 3-acre park along the Mobile River has outdoor sculptures, paved walking paths & benches. It will be a great setting. The host hotel will be the Renaissance Riverview Plaza Hotel at 64 S. Water St. in Mobile. Rooms will cost $119 per night and you can call 251-438-4000 to make your reservations.
AACA is very grateful for the willingness of this region to jump in at the last minute! Let's support the Deep South Region by registering cars and judges as soon as the meet officially opens.
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You are Running Out of Time to Renew Your AACA Membership for 2018!
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Your AACA membership runs on a calendar year
from January 1 through December 31.
If you have already renewed your membership for 2018, thank you!! If you have not renewed your membership yet, please take a few minutes to do it now.
Renewing your membership only takes 5 minutes and can be done one of three ways...
- Renew online - be sure to RETRIEVE YOUR ACCOUNT first! Once your account is set up on the new site, you can renew online with your credit card.
- Renew by mail - fill out the form that came with your November/December issue of Antique Automobile magazine, provide payment in the form of a check made out to AACA or your credit card information (VISA, MasterCard & Discover) and then mail it to AACA, 501 W. Governor Rd., Hershey, PA 17033.
- Renew by phone - call AACA Headquarters (717-534-1910) and any of the staff here would be happy to take your renewal over the phone with a credit card payment (office hours: M-F, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time).
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SNEAK PEAK at the Brand New Official 2018 AACA Meets & Tours Shirt!!
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Here is your first look at the brand new 2018 AACA Meets & Tours shirt... These will be available in black and navy as t-shirts, long-sleeve t-shirts and sweatshirts. As soon as the shipment arrives here in our office in January, we will put them on the AACA website store so you can purchase them. For those coming to Annual Meeting, we will have them at the AACA merchandise booth in the trade show.
We have never done a shirt design like this
and hope that you are as excited about it as we are!
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It Was Love at First Sight with My 1919 Model T Speedster #4
While visiting an old school chum some 300 miles to the North on the California coast, we were taken to an antique dealer's home that once was also a chicken farm with three long barns.
While roaming among a vast number of antique cars, trucks and various other treasures, I discovered a dust-covered 1919 Model T Speedster #4 sitting forlornly in the back of one of the barns.
I immediately fell in love with this yellow and black, wire-wheeled relic with Ohio license plates.
On the way back home to Southern California, I couldn't get the Speedster out of my thoughts. Three days later I called my friend asking him to relay an offer to the owner. It was accepted, and could be brought right to our house as my friend was going to bring an empty car trailer down the coast to trade-in on a new one. Free transportation for #4 as well!
As it turns out, the #4 Speedster had been sitting, un-driven, in a collector's Ohio garage display from 1961 until his death some 44 years later.
Number 4 is pretty much all original except for some engine modifications I've made. Those were necessary because I planned to drive it at every opportunity!
It has the Ford factory engine (totally rebuilt to factory specs and balanced), antique Dayton wire wheels, an original Warford auxillary gearbox, Hassler shocks and dual 1920s one-barrel Zenith carburetors.
However, I found the single transmission brake inadequate and installed rear wheel brakes to keep from killing myself or someone else!
Ole #4 has won many trophies and brought us much pleasure for the past 12 years.
We're excitedly preparing for a 100th birthday gala celebration for #4 in just 2 years!
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2018 Hershey Flea Market & Car Corral
Pre-Registration Forms Have Been Mailed
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Greetings from the Hershey Region! The 2018 Flea Market and Car Corral pre-registration cards have been mailed out to those vendors without compliance issues who were registered in 2017. Please read ALL the information accompanying the pre-registration cards in order to reduce the workload of our volunteers. Please READ the following information carefully:
- Sign your pre-registration card(s) signifying that you have read the AACA and Hershey Region Regulations and Guidelines enclosed in your packet. Unsigned cards WILL BE returned.
- Scotch tape a copy of your 2018 AACA membership card in the space provided on the pre-registration card.
- If you are pre-registering both a Car Corral AND Flea Market space, please submit a separate check for each. We will not process your spaces if you do not comply with this request.
 DO NOT SEND MONEY FOR OR REQUEST ADDITIONAL FLEA MARKET OR CAR CORRAL SPACES. To request additional spaces, you will need to use the Activity Request Card that will come with your May/June 2018 issue of Antique Automobile magazine.- If you wish to move from your present field/space location, write a short note listing the area to which you would like to relocate. (You must register your present spaces!) The more specific you are the less likely you can be relocated. The more spaces you have, the more difficult it is to move you. There are no guarantees - however, every effort will be made to honor your request. Relocation requests are taken first-come, first-served using the postmark on the envelopes received.
If you have any questions, please email
fallmeet@hersheyaaca.org
. Hershey Region volunteers will begin monitoring telephones on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. EDT beginning January 15 through March 14, 2018.
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2018 AACA Annual Meeting Seminar Schedule Available
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The 82nd AACA Annual Meeting will take place February 8-10, 2018, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. If you have never been to an AACA Annual Meeting in the City of Brotherly Love you are missing a great time. The trade show, car exhibit, educational seminars and the awards banquet are just a few of the highlights you'll experience during the meeting. We look forward to seeing each of you in Philly!
Registration is now open, so click here to download your registration form.
Here is the seminar schedule and information:
Please note that the seminar schedule is tentative and subject to change. We will be sure to provide all attendees with the most up-to-date copy onsite at the Annual Meeting.
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Region/Chapter Banner Hanging at the 2018 AACA Annual Meeting
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Preferred Drop-Off Times:
- Wednesday 2/7 & Thursday 2/8 (until 8 p.m.)
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**Banners to be hung overnight on Thursday 2/8**
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Location:
@ banner table located near registration counter on Liberty Foyer
Last Minute/Late Drop-Offs:
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Friday until 8 p.m.
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**Banners to be hung overnight on Friday 2/9**
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Location:
@ banner table located near registration counter on Liberty Foyer
** We will remove all banners starting @ 8 p.m. during the Awards Dinner on Saturday night and place all banners @ original drop-off location on the Liberty Foyer for pick-up that night OR the next morning**
Pick-Up:
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Saturday 2/10 After 10 p.m./After Dinner
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Sunday 2/11 All Day
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Location:
@ banner table located near registration counter on Liberty Foyer
If there are some guests who need to leave prior to our removal times, they can take the banners down themselves using careful discretion not to harm the railings.
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Special Tours Offered at the 2018 Western Spring Meet in Tucson, AZ
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Western Region Spring Meet
Tucson, AZ
April 19-21, 2018
Registration Deadline: March 30
The tri-fold meet brochure that was originally produced has an error in the Hilton room rate. The special rate for the Hilton Tucson East is $109, NOT $190. Please make a note of this if you received an incorrect brochure.
As a feature of the 2018 National Western Spring Meet (April 19-21), the Tucson Region is offering a private tour of the Tucson Auto Museum, also known as "Wayne's Toys," after its owner, Wayne Gould. Wayne has collected a variety of impeccably restored vehicles and automobilia from around the country and has recently opened his facility to the public. There are between 50-60 vehicles on display. Those who register to attend the tour of the museum receive admission and transportation from the headquarters hotel and back for a charge of $15 per person. There will be a cash bar and light snacks available at the museum.
Although the museum tour is the only scheduled event during the meet, Tucson has many nearby attractions that will make arriving early or staying over an enticing option. Among them are the historic San Xavier del Bac Spanish mission and the world-
renowned Pima Air Museum, as well as Saguaro National Park and the Franklin Museum - all within a short drive from the headquarters hotel. Plan to spend an extra day or two in Tucson to enjoy some of the local sights.
Meet activity request cards were in the November-December issue of Antique Automobile.
Note that your 2018 dues must be current in order to register for the meet. The registration deadline is March 30.
Contact the host hotel, Tucson Hilton East, at 1-800-445-8667 and mention "AACA" to receive the special $109 group rate.
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Ever the conscientious homemaker, even with fame and fortune, what menial task did Clara Ford continue to perform for so, so many years...despite Henry's objection?
or scroll all the way to the end of the
Speedster to find the answer.
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How Millennials Will Save Our Car Hobby
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It's not nostalgia, but the richness of the experience that appeals to young generations
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It's the appeal of analog: Your non-digital automobile provides hands-on experiences that younger generations want, but that the computer screen and self-driving cars cannot duplicate.
Between traveling and work and other responsibilities, including an eight-day babysit of three grandchildren, it sometimes takes me a few days - OK, sometimes a couple of weeks - to get around to working my way through the Sunday edition of The New York Times (yes, I'm an old codger who actually likes to get printer's ink on his hands as he reads his news).
But I've finally read David Sax's mid-November essay, "Our Love Affair With Digital Is Over." The subhead on the article is "Many of us are yearning for records, real books, and hardware stores," to which I suggest we can add cars that you not only drive yourself but that need some tender-loving care from time to time, perhaps even some carburetor adjustment or re-setting of the ignition points (remember those?).
In addition to writing his piece in the NYT, Sax is the author of The Revenge of Analog: Real Things and Why They Matter. In his essay, he notes that in this Digital Age, not only has analog survived "but, in many cases it is thriving." He points to such things as the surging sales of vinyl records (and the equipment to play them), of printed books, of instant-film cameras (remember Polaroids?), and even of board games.
"This surprising reversal of fortune for these apparently 'obsolete' analog technologies is too often written off as nostalgia for a predigital time," he writes. "But younger consumers who never owned a turntable have few memories of life before the internet drive most of the current interest in analog, and often include those who work in Silicon Valley's most powerful companies."
How can this be? Why is this happening? Sax offers an answer:
"Analog, although more cumbersome and costly than its digital equivalents, provides a richness of experience that is unparalleled with anything delivered through a screen."
That bears repeating - "a richness of experience that is unparalleled with anything delivered through a screen" - to which I'll note that he's talking about a computer screen, not a windscreen.
"People are buying books because a book engages nearly all of their senses, from the smell of the paper and glue to the sight of the cover design and weight of the pages read, the sound of those sheets turning, and even the subtle taste of ink on your fingers. A book can be bought and sold, given and received, and displayed on a shelf for anyone to see. It can start conversations and cultivate romances."
To which I add a "ditto" as his words relate to classic cars as well as to books or vinyl records.
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Did You Get an Amazon Gift Card for Christmas or Chanukkah?
Be Sure to Shop Using AmazonSmile for AACA
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 Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to the Antique Automobile Club of America whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.
What is AmazonSmile?
AmazonSmile is a simple and automatic way for you to support your favorite charitable organization every time you shop, at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you'll find the exact same low prices, vast selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate a portion of the purchase price to your favorite charitable organization.
How do I shop at AmazonSmile?
To shop at AmazonSmile simply go to smile.amazon.com from the web browser on your computer or mobile device. You may also want to add a bookmark to smile.amazon.com to make it even easier to return and start your shopping at AmazonSmile. Once you are signed into your account, search for Antique Automobile Club of America and choose it as your charity. Now, you are ready to shop & support AACA at the same time!
How much of my purchase does Amazon donate?
The AmazonSmile Foundation will donate 0.5% of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases. The purchase price is the amount paid for the item minus any rebates and excluding shipping & handling, gift-wrapping fees, taxes, or service charges.
Click here to learn more about AmazonSmile.
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Check Out These Upcoming AACA National Meets & Tours...
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Save the Date for The Elegance at Hershey
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The Elegance at Hershey will be celebrating its 8th year at the
historic and magnificent Hotel Hershey in Hershey, PA. The annual event features The Grand Ascent (a two-day vintage hill climb) on Friday and Saturday, Cars & Coffee and the Concours d'Elegance on Sunday. We are excited to announce a new event for this year's Elegance, Meet the Designers on Saturday afternoon. This luxurious addition to The Elegance will feature afternoon tea, previewing and shopping the designers' Fall 2018 Collections. A generous portion of the trunk show sales will benefit our charities.
The Elegance at Hershey will take place on June 8-10, 2018. Please visit our website at
www.theeleganceathershey.com
for more details. Sponsorships for this event are still available. We also still have volunteer slots to fill and would love for you to help us!
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From the AACA Library & Research Center
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Stay Updated with the AACA Library
on Facebook!
Did you know that the AACA Library is on Facebook? Facebook allows the library to connect with automobile enthusiasts in a meaningful way. We use the platform to share the latest library news, interesting images from the collection and even videos digitized by Mike's Movie Machine!
If you have Facebook and want to see what we are up to, you will definitely want to visit and like our
Facebook page
! We also encourage you to share your favorite AACA Library posts with your Facebook friends and family members. Sharing automotive history is both fun and helps build public awareness of the library and its services. Who knows? The next post may even inspire you to do some research with us!
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With Us on eBay
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Visit our Booth at
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Interested in doing research with the AACA Library?
or
contact our head librarian,
Chris Ritter, at
critter@aaca.org
or 717-534-2082.
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HURRY! Exclusive Offer From Coker Tire For AACA Members Expires Soon!
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Coker Tire is proud to present an exclusive offer for AACA members on their next purchase of tires -
Buy One Extended Tire Protection Plan and Get the Second One FREE!
This offer is an extension of our Life of the Tread warranty, and protects your investment by offering full replacement for damaged or blemished tires.
In addition, you can combine this offer with our current
FREE Shipping
promotion, as well as our current rebates on BF Goodrich Radial T/A and Michelin tires.
This exclusive offer ends December 31, 2017!
Thank you for trusting Coker Tire
to supply your classic car tires.
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Do You Know a Military Veteran Who Would Like to be an AACA Member?
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The Military Sponsorship Program is available to all of the Military Veterans that have proudly served to protect our homeland and freedoms. With this program, AACA is extending a limited number of complimentary 2018 memberships for first-time AACA applicants. More information on this program and an application can be found on the AACA home page under member information and drop down to Military, or simply click here.
 These complimentary 2018 memberships are for first-time AACA applicants and are limited by the funds available for this program. These complimentary applications for membership are intended for individuals who have a genuine interest in the antique car hobby.
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Start the Year Off Right with the Official 2018 AACA Calendar
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 The AACA Calendar is always a hot item this time of year, so be sure to order yours before they are gone! This 13-month calendar runs from January 2018 to January 2019 and highlights AACA National Meets and Tours in addition to moon phases, all Federal Holidays and many other observances. The best part of the annual calendar is getting to see the fabulous member cars showcased each time you flip the month. At a cost of $12 postpaid, these calendars also make great, inexpensive gifts for all of the car-lovers in your life!
To order, either call AACA Headquarters at 717-534-1910 or go to the AACA online store. An order form was also included with your last issue of Antique Automobile magazine.
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Regions & Chapters: Are You Using These to Recruit New AACA Members?
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These 1964 Mustang car cutouts were especially designed for AACA Regions and Chapters. They list membership benefits on the front and the back has a short message with plenty of space for Regions and Chapters to put their local contact information and website.
Keep some in your glove box and when you see someone with an AACA eligible car, talk to them about joining! Leave one on their windshield or seat! Help us get the word out about the best value in the car club kingdom!
Just contact AACA Headquarters at 717-534-1910 and we will send some out to you right away. Thank you to all of our members for continually promoting AACA!
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Don't Forget to Check if YOUR Fire Extinguisher was Recalled!
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Recently, a recall was announced involving 40 million fire extinguishers manufactured by Kidde. The recall involves 134 models of Kidde fire extinguishers manufactured between January 1, 1973 and August 15, 2017, including models that were previously recalled in March 2009 and February 2015. Be advised that some of the recalled extinguishers were sold under names other than Kidde (i.e. Fuller Brush, Honeywell, Montgomery Ward, Sears and other names).
Be advised that the link above has the list of recalled extinguishers. It also lets you submit your request for a replacement extinguisher after you provide your name, address, the model extinguisher and serial number. It verifies that your extinguisher is being recalled and submits your request for a replacement.
If you do not want to submit your request online, you can contact Kidde via telephone to find out if a fire extinguisher is included in the recall or to get a replacement.
 Contact Kidde at 855-271-0773 between 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST Monday-Friday (excluding holidays), or between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. during the weekend to determine whether your extinguishers are affected.
Given how many AACA members have fire extinguishers for their vehicles, we have no doubt that some AACA members have extinguishers that are being recalled. Please take action on this situation immediately and be sure to share this information with all of your region and chapter members as soon as possible.
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AACA Calendar Spotlight
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February 8-10, 2018
Annual Meeting - Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
**CANCELLED**
March 2-3, 2018
Winter Meet/Special Grand National - San Juan, Puerto Rico
March 22-24, 2018
Winter Meet - Mobile, Alabama
Click here for the brochure
April 5-7, 2018
Southeastern Spring Meet - Charlotte, North Carolina
April 19-21, 2018
Western Spring Meet - Tucson, Arizona
May 11-12, 2018
Central Spring Meet - Auburn, Indiana
May 31-June 2, 2018
Annual Grand National Meet - Greensburg, Pennsylvania
July 11-14, 2018
Eastern Spring Meet - Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
August 20-24, 2018
Reliability Tour - Geneva, New York
September 12-15, 2018
Central Divisional Tour - Texas Panhandle
September 16-21, 2018
Revival AAA Glidden Tour (VMCCA) - Twin Falls, Idaho
October 10-13, 2018
Eastern Fall Meet - Hershey, Pennsylvania
October 21-26, 2018
Founders Tour - Metropolis, Illinois
November 5-9, 2018
Sentimental Tour - Natchez, Mississippi
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Who Do You Contact at AACA Headquarters for What?
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Have you ever wondered who to contact for what when you call or email AACA Headquarters? Here is a list of the current staff and their responsibilities. By clicking on someone's name below, you can email them directly.
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Executive Director
Membership & Merchandise
Accounting, IT & Website
Advertising & Marketing
Speedster Editor
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Office Administration
Antique Automobile Magazine Editor
Library, Research & Cataloging
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Naturally, many of the staff have the capability of answering questions in each other's area as we try to cross train as much as possible. Please don't hesitate to contact us anytime for assistance.
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Trivia Answer
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She'd darn old Henry's socks.
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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.
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