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January 2018 - Volume 110
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The Hustle is Real in This Office
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A month into the new year and the hustle happening here at AACA Headquarters is bordering on crazy town! We have the usual culprits this time of year - membership renewals still flooding in through the mail, online and on the phone; preparation for the Annual Meeting in Philadelphia and everything that entails; and getting registration materials printed and out the door to all of you for all of the National meets and tours starting soon.
On top of all of this, we decided to design and order new merchandise for you and have been busy pricing it, creating inventory logs and adding them to the website store. The guys in the library have been working feverishly to archive multiple new collections and donations that have come in - in fact, they've had so many volunteers in to help them that some days I don't even have a parking spot. It also seems like we've had more and more visitors stopping by just to say "HI," which we LOVE of course! And as the business with our new building continues, there have been lots of meetings and conference calls happening to move everything along.
Whew! Like I said before, the hustle in this office is real, but we wouldn't have it any other way! We all love AACA and this hobby just as much as you do, and everything we do is for the betterment of this club, its members and the antique automobile community. Please NEVER hesitate to contact us with questions, concerns or suggestions - we are always ready to help no matter what else is going on.
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2018 AACA Members' New Year's Resolutions
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In my opening article in the December Speedster, I discussed New Year's resolutions and asked you to share yours with us. Thank you to those AACA members who did just that!
I have been a member of AACA since 1980 and I will be going to the Eastern Fall Meet for the first time. Funny how work always got in the way. Now retired, anything goes.
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Kem Jones' 1932 Plymouth Convertible
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To complete my 1932 Plymouth Convertible sedan and take it to the Glidden Tour this fall.
I need to drive my old truck more. Last year, I had only put on 100 miles for the year when I stored it away for the winter. So for 2018, my resolution is to drive my truck at least once a week. Thanks for the encouragement.
My goal for 2018 is to enjoy my antique cars more than last year, and to look for more stuff to sell at Hershey. The best event in the world!!
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2018 AACA Annual Meeting Registration Still Open!!
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 Have you ever attended the
AACA Annual Meeting before?
Then you know what a good time it is! The camaraderie of members, the celebration of our beloved hobby and AACA, the educational seminars, the trade show vendors and the special receptions and dinners make this an event not to be missed. The special guests, Youth Program, National Awards Banquet and one of the largest Judging Schools of the year only add to the list of reasons why YOU should be attending the Annual Meeting.
Never been to the Annual Meeting before?
Isn't it about time you find out what all the hype is about?! Join about 1,000 of your fellow AACA members and experience a weekend to remember!
Registration is still open, so
click here to download your registration form.
Click here for the most up-to-date seminar schedule and descriptions.
Note: This schedule is subject to change. Be sure to pick up the most up-to-date schedule on location at registration.
Don't miss these event highlights:
- First Lady's Breakfast: AACA First Lady Tammy Cox will host Friday morning's breakfast along with her ventriloquist friend. It will be a fun-filled event with special entertainment no one will want to miss. Tammy is requesting that everyone come comfortable and wear jeans. This event is open to all members - you just need to purchase your tickets.
- Join us for an evening chat with Dr. Fred Simeone! Dr. Fred Simeone, the founder of the world-renowned Simeone Museum in Philadelphia (the birthplace of AACA), will chat with us about his museum and the amazing cars on display. Dr. Simeone has an encyclopedic knowledge of the collection and his great library, so this should be a very entertaining and enlightening evening. This event is included with your meeting registration.
- 50 Educational Seminars! Topics include: restoration and maintenance tips, market value trends, estate planning, several automobilia & collection topics, AACA Library Bookmobile, lubrication fundamentals, battery types & care, Allards, touring safely, collector car fraud, license plate history, cheap hobby cars, several AACA judging-related topics, 3D printing technology and much more!
- National Awards Banquet: A chance to celebrate and honor our members' achievements in grand style - 72 car-related awards, 20 service awards and 42 master editor and webmaster awards will be presented this year!
- Annual Trade Show: 34 specialty vendors, hand-picked just for AACA members will be participating this year including: American AutoWire, Eastern Etching, D & D Automobilia, This Ole Coupe, Egge Machine, Battery Saver/Granite Digital and more! Click here for a complete vendor list.
Both the Publications Seminar and Webmasters' Forum are open to ALL members.
Are you currently involved in your region/chapter publications or website? Do you want to be? Or do you just want to learn more? Everyone is welcome!
Parking at the Hotel
The hotel has its own garage and if you are staying at the hotel you will receive a discounted rate for overnight parking of $17 for self-parking and $35 for valet. You will be able to use your room key to come and go from the garage during the day. If you are just driving in for the day time (not overnight), you will receive a discounted rate of $15 for self-parking and $44 for valet.
IF THE HOTEL GARAGE IS FULL... We recommend the lot next door (
Gateway) as it offers a $5 rate on Friday's after 5 p.m. as well as a $7 all day rate on Saturday and Sunday. The hotel has also provided
this list of other parking options.
We can't wait to see you in Philadelphia!
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Photos courtesy of the Hershey Region AACA
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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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From the AACA Library & Research Center
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The AACA Library at Annual Meeting
Will you be attending this year's AACA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia? If so, be sure to swing by the AACA Library booth! Staff will be on-hand to answer any questions you might have about our services. We will also have a diverse selection of automotive books for sale.
Attendees won't want to miss out on the library seminar, "Bookmobile: from Concept to Reality." Join us for a brief history of bookmobiles, followed by an in-depth history and chronicle of the restoration of the library's own bookmobile. The bookmobile was donated to us in 2011 and served the residents of Anderson, South Carolina, from 1956 through 1991. If you are interested in attending, the seminar is scheduled for Friday, February 9, 11:30 a.m.-12:45 p.m. and will be held in the Freedom Ballroom EF (Mezzanine level).
Please note that the library will be closed on February 9 and 10 because the entire library staff will be in Philadelphia. See you in Philadelphia!
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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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New Official 2018 AACA Meets & Tours Shirt on Sale NOW!!
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Do you remember that shirt you purchased to commemorate a favorite concert? The shirt that still makes you smile as you relive the memories of that special event. Now is your chance to create memories with the official 2018 AACA Meets & Tours shirt.
Buy your shirt today and "rock it" at any or all of the 2018 Meets & Tours!!
T-shirts are available in black and navy. Long-sleeve t-shirts and sweatshirts are only available in navy. You can purchase the t-shirts right now by clicking here. If you would like a long-sleeve t-shirt or sweatshirt, we are taking pre-orders right now - just call us at 717-534-1910.
For those coming to Annual Meeting in Philadelphia next week, we will have them at the AACA merchandise booth in the trade show.
This shirt is sure to become a collector's item!
Buy yours NOW before they sell out!
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Who's Going to Mobile, Alabama, in March?
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The Deep South Region is excited to 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 lots cars and judges before the March 1 deadline!
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The Story of Our 1942 Buick Century
Our names are Rheal and Helene Larose from the Ottawa Capital Region of AACA. Rheal is currently President and a founding member of this region in Canada's Capital City.
Rheal started in the hobby in 1973 and joined AACA in the 1990s. We own 5 collector vehicles, the oldest being quite rare - a 1942 Buick Century (model 61) 4-door sedan.
This Buick was built in late 1941, hence I call it my Pearl Harbor car. The Century utilized the slightly longer body of the smaller Special series but the largest engine and thus its power to weight ratio was the best in the Buick line (the Century was often called the doctor's hot rod, when doctors made house calls).
The Century name also came from the fact that this was one of the few cars that could reach 100 miles an hour in stock form, called doing the Century. This one is equipped with an Overhead Valve Straight Eight of 320 cubic inches and rated then at 165 hp (one of the highest in the era) thanks to its Compound Carburetion (two carburetors). The transmission is a column mount 3-speed manual.
We acquired it from South Carolina in 2014. It is an older restoration, but wearing its correct two-tone English Green and Ludington Green. Only 3,319 of these were built (a Canadian McLaughlin-Buick version was also built, but with even less numbers) because by February 1942, all automotive production was suspended for the duration of WWII.
We take it to shows, tours and Cruise Nights in our area.
Rheal's uncle was a Pearl Harbor survivor, but now deceased. In one of the photos, I am wearing (on loan) a U.S. Naval Commander uniform typical of the Pearl Harbor era.
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2018 Hershey Flea Market & Car Corral
Only 15 Days Until the Deadline!!
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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.
Deadline: February 15!!
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Your 2018 AACA Membership Renewal is PAST DUE!
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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. If you retrieved your account information previously, go to the Registered Customers area and enter your email address and password.
- Renew by mail - fill out the form that came with your January/February 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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Recognized as "America's Finest Car," Pierce-Arrow made many prestigious accomplishments throughout its 1901-1938 lifespan. One of the most memorable occurred in 1914. What was it?
or scroll all the way to the end of the
Speedster to find the answer.
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April in Charlotte is an AACA Tradition
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 Southeastern Spring Meet
Charlotte, NC
April 5-8, 2018
Registration Deadline: March 16
The Hornets Nest Region extends a cordial welcome to all fellow AACA members planning to attend the Southeastern Division National Spring Meet. April is a great time of year to visit Charlotte. The AACA Meet is being held during the Hornets Nest Region's Charlotte AutoFair (produced each April & September) at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Free tickets to Charlotte AutoFair will be provided to each AACA owner registering a vehicle and to each registered AACA Judge.
Host Hotel Information:
Embassy Suites
5400 John Q. Hammons Drive N.W.
Concord, NC 28027
(Located one mile from Speedway)
Phone Direct: 704-455-8200
Ask for "AACA or Charlotte AutoFair" Rate
Standard Suite is $159 Night + Tax
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Head to Arizona in April for the Western Spring Meet
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 Western Region Spring Meet
Tucson, AZ
April 19-21, 2018
Registration Deadline: March 30
Reminders and highlights from the
Tucson Region:
- Online registration is open at: members.aaca.org.
- Remember to order your commemorative event t-shirt - only $18!
- There will be a poolside western-style barbeque buffet Friday evening at the Hilton host hotel.
- The Saturday Awards Banquet will feature your choice of beef, chicken or vegetarian plated dinners.
- The host hotel, Hilton Tucson East, has just completed an $8M renovation celebrating their 30th anniversary. In addition to updated guest rooms, the hotel is refurbishing the pool, restaurant and bar areas.
- Make your room reservations with the Hilton Tucson East by calling 1-800-445-8667 and mention Antique Automobile Club for a special $109 rate.
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Texas Region Celebrates 65th Annual Tour
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Greetings from the Texas Region AACA! We would love to invite everyone to the 65th Annual Texas Tour located in historic Nacogdoches, Texas, May 17-20, 2018. This year's theme is the "Golden Age of Transportation." Our tour has been a continuous event rotating between four AACA chapters and one HHCA. Participation in our event is open to those interested in the antique vehicle hobby. Vehicles must be at least 25 years old in order to register and be eligible for awards.
We have a full lineup of exciting events throughout the tour including socials, entertainment, ladies event, delicious food and some beautiful touring of East Texas! Our main event on Saturday, May 19, is a scenic drive to Palestine where we will board the historic Texas State Railroad for a leisurely train ride through the Piney Woods.
Our base hotel is the newly restored Fredonia Hotel in downtown Nacogdoches. It was built in 1955, but has received a $17 million dollar facelift and has been reopened for less than a year. Rates begin at $109 and are available for booking now.
 We open with some small afternoon touring options on Thursday, culminating with a wine social that evening. Friday opens with the Judge's Breakfast followed by car judging. The ladies will be participating in their own event during this timeframe. Late morning, the group begins touring north for a catered lunch followed by an enjoyable ride through the countryside. Dinner and a show will cap off the evening. Saturday is our all-day touring and train event ending with dinner and awards.
Registration includes lunches, dinner, hospitality room, anniversary tour swag and train ticket. We hope to see you there! For more information, please email Charlie & Nichole Gambulos II at
TexasRegionAACA@gmail.com
or visit our website at
www.texastour.org
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Come Experience Fall in the Heart of America
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 Founders Tour
Metropolis, IL
October 21-26, 2018
Registration Open August 1-31 ONLY
Some people say that fall is the most beautiful time of the year. But fall in the heart of America is best of all. A tour through the rural back roads of extreme southern Illinois and extreme western Kentucky offers the best of the fall colors.
The Founders Tour, October 21-26, in Metropolis, Illinois, will combine the outstanding show of nature with the interesting historical sites of the area. From historic Cairo, Illinois, to the natural wilderness of Land Between the Lakes, these sites are truly unique to the area. From the home of Superman and the Planet to the rocky formations in Garden of the Gods to the site of the Lincoln/Douglas debates, drivers will enjoy a vast variety of interesting destinations.
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Check Out These Upcoming AACA National Meets & Tours...
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The Elegance at Hershey Tickets Now Available
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The Elegance at Hershey will take place on June 8-10, 2018. Tickets are now available for The Grand Ascent, VIP Charity Ride Along and The Elegance. All event proceeds benefit charities, including our very own AACA Library & Research Center.
Please visit
TheEleganceAtHershey.com
to purchase your tickets and to learn more about our available sponsorships and how to become a volunteer.
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2018 Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance to Honor AACA Cars
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 The 2018 Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance will honor the cars of AACA! Our cars will be the featured marque and will be eligible for all awards other than class awards. The cars will be in a special decade by decade display to educate the public on the advancement of the automobile.
We invite you to join us over three spectacular days, February 23, 24 & 25, as we commemorate the 12th Annual Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance. With the attendance growing dramatically every year & raising more than ten million dollars for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, the Boca Raton Concours d'Elegance is the fastest growing concours in the nation and the world's largest for charity.
This will be an amazing opportunity to show off AACA and the quality of our members' cars. It truly is a magnificent event and to have this much respect for our cars and our club is very special.
Tickets are now on sale for this event by visiting www.bocaratonconcours.com. We would love to see many of our AACA members come out to support this great event and our special car display!
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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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It's Not Too Late to Grab Yourself an 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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AACA Calendar Spotlight
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February 8-10, 2018
Annual Meeting - Philadelphia, PA
**CANCELLED**
March 2-3, 2018
Winter Meet/Special Grand National - San Juan, Puerto Rico
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Would you like registration information and materials about any of these meets or tours? You can:
1. Fill out the activity request card
that came with the last issue of
Antique Automobile magazine
2. Sign into the
members only area
of the AACA website to print your own registration form and brochure.
3. Call us at AACA Headquarters and we will fill out a request for you and mail you the materials.
Call 717-534-1910 Mon-Fri from
8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time.
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March 22-24, 2018
Winter Meet - Mobile, AL
Click here for the brochure
April 5-7, 2018
Southeastern Spring Meet - Charlotte, NC
April 19-21, 2018
Western Spring Meet - Tucson, AZ
May 11-12, 2018
Central Spring Meet - Auburn, IN
May 31-June 2, 2018
Annual Grand National Meet - Greensburg, PA
June 25-29, 2018
Eastern Divisional Tour - North Central PA
July 11-14, 2018
Eastern Spring Meet - Gettysburg, PA
August 20-24, 2018
Reliability Tour - Geneva, NY
September 12-15, 2018
Central Divisional Tour - Texas Panhandle
September 16-21, 2018
Revival AAA Glidden Tour (VMCCA) - Twin Falls, ID
October 10-13, 2018
Eastern Fall Meet - Hershey, PA
October 21-26, 2018
Founders Tour - Metropolis, IL
November 5-9, 2018
Sentimental Tour - Natchez, MS
Online registration for Judges is now open for Winter Meet, Southeastern Spring Meet, Western Spring Meet, Annual Grand National and Eastern Spring Meet.
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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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That's the year in which Pierce-Arrow received a patent for its innovative, fender-mounted head lights.
To quote the accompanying application documentation..."the two lamps are placed considerably further apart and at a higher elevation...than in the usual position...illuminate the road for a greater distance and to a greater width...and to much better advantage in turning...the construction obviates supporting brackets...and produces a very distinctive and attractive appearance." In addition, fender-mounted head lights marked the outer extremity of the vehicle for oncoming motorists, which was becoming more important at this time because traffic density was about to start increasing.
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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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