February 2016 - Volume 87
In This Issue...
We Need Your Feedback on the Annual Meeting
NEW! AACA Military Sponsorship Program
Why Not Head to Charlotte in April?
Back Home Again in Indiana
South Jersey Region Celebrates 50th Anniversary in May
A Tale of Two British Cars
Steve Rossi's Old Car Quiz
AACA Approved Car Signs Available
20% Off Advertising for AACA Regions & Chapters
Help Preserve the AACA Library Film Collection
Think Spring at the AACA Museum
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links
Thank You for Celebrating the 
80th AACA Annual Meeting with Us!
By Stacy Zimmerman, Speedster editor
 
Even with temperatures in the teens and random snow squalls here and there, almost 1,000 AACA members from all across the country showed up to help us celebrate the 80th AACA Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA. Thank you!
 
Attendees kept busy in the nice, warm hotel enjoying 2 full days of educational seminars, trade show exhibits, special breakfasts and banquets. AACA National Award winners were recognized during an Oscar-like evening, complete with a red carpet and spotlight. During the Annual Membership Meeting, attendees were updated on Club, Museum and Library activities. Attendees also got to meet, interact with and listen to the stars and producer of the new AACA-endorsed TV show, The Appraisers.
 
Thank you again to all of the members and their families who made the trek to join us for the Annual Meeting. The camaraderie and genuine enthusiasm for the hobby and AACA could be seen on all of your smiling faces the entire weekend. We hope you had as much fun attending as we did putting the event together! This event is a success year after year because of all of you!
 
Make sure to mark your calendars now to attend the 
81st AACA Annual Meeting next year February 9-11!
 
Congratulations to all of our 
 
If you were unable to attend The Appraisers seminar, 
 
Do YOU want to present a seminar at the 2017 Annual Meeting? Click here to download the speaker form.
We Need Your Feedback on the Annual Meeting!!

The Annual Meeting Committee is always looking to improve your experience at the Annual Meeting. For those of you who attended the Annual Meeting this year, you know that we had lots of new seminars, but also made sure to include several of your old favorites as well. The trade show was filled with some of your favorite vendors, as well as a few newbies. The National Awards Banquet was amped up a bit with new lighting effects and pageantry for the 80th Anniversary.
 
In order to continue to improve and elevate this event, we need your feedback. What did you like? What didn't you like? Which seminar was your favorite? What would you like to see at future Annual Meetings? The Annual Meeting Survey is where you can voice your opinions about the event and know that it will be reviewed by the Committee.  
 
If you would prefer to print a copy of the survey and mail it back to us, click here to download a PDF.
 
Thank you in advance for taking the time to complete this survey. Your valuable feedback will help us continue to improve future Annual Meetings. 

Photos from the Annual Meeting

Here are just a few photos from the Annual Meeting taken by the Hershey Region AACA and others...  Be sure to check out the next issue of Antique Automobile magazine for a full article and tons more photographs from the event!
NEW! AACA Military Sponsorship Program
By Bob Parrish, 2016 National AACA President

This is a new AACA membership program and I would like you to get to know it and utilize it. The "AACA Military Sponsorship Program" will introduce retired military members to America's premier collector car organization, AACA. This program offers a one year complimentary membership (a $35.00 value) to first-time members only. These memberships will enjoy the same club benefits as all of our members. For this special program, retired military is defined as someone who has had a career in military service and receives a military pension or someone who retired with a disability from the military. What a patriotic way to expand their hobby interest and show our gratitude for their service protecting our country.
 
Military personnel have often lived all over the world and once they retire are ready to settle down - maybe pursue a hobby. Perhaps antique cars is something they have always had an interest in and we can be the ones to make that introduction.
 
This program will be promoted on the AACA Region/Chapter level and an attempt will be made to match these new members with the local Regions/Chapters where they reside. Regions and Chapters will be encouraged to invite these new members to a meeting or activity and also consider giving these new members a one year complimentary membership to their respective Region/Chapter.
 
The different military services have Retiree Services Offices throughout the country to provide assistance to and connect with military retirees in their respective locales. These individual Retiree Services Offices plan various retiree activities, which usually include an annual Retiree Appreciation Day. The Retiree Appreciation Day is an event that may have guest speakers, luncheons, seminars, etc. designed to keep retirees informed about services for them. This would be a good venue to promote this program.
 
Applications will be available from AACA National Headquarters and can be downloaded from the AACA website by clicking here. Startup funding will be provided by AACA. Corporations, Regions/Chapters and individual contributions are welcome.
 
The number of memberships are limited by the funding available. Applications should be mailed to, and questions regarding this program can be directed to:
 
Holly Forester LTC (ret.)
1225 Smokey Mountain Trail
Chesapeake, Virginia  23320

2016 AACA National Meets & Tours Activity Request Card

A 2016 Activity Request Card was included with your January/February issue of Antique Automobile magazine. If you are interested in attending or would like more information about any of the meets and tours listed on the card, please fill it out and send it to: AACA Activity Request, 501 W. Governor Road, Hershey, PA 17033. Make sure to include your name, address and membership number on the card.
 
Online registration is now open for the following:  Southeastern Spring Meet (North Carolina), Special Meet (Indiana), Eastern Spring Meet (New Jersey), Grand National (Pennsylvania), Central Spring Meet (Minnesota) and Southeastern Fall Meet (North Carolina). To register online, click here and log in with your member number and pin.
 
Please remember that your 2016 membership dues MUST BE PAID in order to receive information for 2016 events.

Florida in March? Yes, please!!
 
Winter Meet
March 16-19, 2016
Naples, FL

This year the Naples Marco Island Region will be hosting the Southeast Winter Meet in Naples, Florida. The event will be held at the Lorenzo Walker Technical College. 

The Paradise Coast of Florida offers 16 miles of pristine beaches, fishing and boating, world class golf courses and tennis. Nature lovers will enjoy the Naples Zoo, the Conservancy of SW Florida and the Botanical Gardens.

Winter Meet Highlights:
1. Enjoy an elegant dinner cruise aboard the Naples Princess, SW Florida's best yacht. 

2. Docent guided tour of the Collier Collection of over 100 significant automobiles built between 1896 and 1995. 

3. Tour the sights of Naples from historical landmarks to world class shopping areas, local attractions, beautiful beaches and waterways and much more.

Click here to visit their website for more information. 

Why Not Head to Charlotte in April?
 
Southeastern Spring Meet
April 7-10, 2016
Charlotte, NC
Registration Deadline: March 11, 2016

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 and we are especially pleased to once again be hosting the Spring Meet. 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. 

Come enjoy the Charlotte AutoFair, the Race Car Condition Run on the Fifth Mile Track, Judging School, Membership Roundtable, Youth Program, Car Show, Awards Presentation and a fabulous picnic to wrap up the meet.
Back Home Again in Indiana
 
AACA Special Meet
May 5-7, 2016
Auburn, IN
Registration Deadline: April 13, 2016

The AACA is pleased to host a weekend that has just about everything for car guys and gals! This is one meet that is sure to fill your appetite for the hobby. First of all, we will be on the grounds at Auburn Auction Park where Auctions America will be conducting their Spring Sale. You will be their guest for FREE! The facility is huge and all of our activities will be onsite. Our goal was to make this event affordable and low stress. With everything on the Auctions America grounds and their generous providing of the space for free we are able to pass the savings on to you! 

We have arranged special discounts for all AACA members at several prestigious and interesting automotive/truck/military museums in the area. There is easily enough to see over multiple days. In order to receive your AACA discount you must present your AACA membership card at the ticket counter. 

Friday evening on the grounds of Auction Park there will be a FREE concert by a well-known Blues Brothers tribute band. The two-hour concert will begin at 6:30 p.m. and will delight everyone with great music and maybe a surprise or two on stage! Open bar at the event courtesy of Auctions America! This is going to be a fun filled night and a lot of entertainment all at no charge to registered AACA members (judges, car show participants and their families) and VIP Auction America guests. You MUST send an email to Pat Buckley (pbuckley@aaca.org) to RSVP for the concert - please note how many people will be attending with you.

And one last item... Many of you have asked for less formal awards dinners and shorter evenings. At Auctions America Park, we will conclude the meet with a late afternoon BBQ. This promises to be a little out of the ordinary BBQ as you will have the opportunity to chow down on BBQ that is made by a national competitor and award winning one at that! Everything is homemade. The menu includes Texas style beef brisket, ribs, pork chops, pulled pork and chicken for meats. Sides will be potato salad, green beans, baked beans, roasted red potatoes and pasta salad! Whew! Drinks and desserts as well! We don't think you will go away hungry and the price is affordable! The awards will be presented right after dessert!

FREE Auction Passes & FREE Trailer Parking
South Jersey Region Celebrates 50th Anniversary in May
 
Eastern Spring Meet
May 19-21, 2016
Vineland, NJ
Registration Deadline: April 19, 2016

The South Jersey Region, host of the 2016 Eastern Division National Spring Meet, invites you to participate in "Celebrating 2016 - Our 50th Anniversary." The location is at the beautiful New Jersey Motorsports Park, located in Millville, NJ. These grounds will accommodate the show field, flea market, car corral, motor home parking, trailer parking and spectator parking. There will also be an opportunity to drive the track with your antique car. All our venues are close to the Hampton Inn, our host hotel. 

On Thursday and Friday, you will have the opportunity to visit one of the following nearby attractions: Wheaton Village, Millville Army Air Field Museum, Matchbox Museum or Bellview Winery.
Member Submitted Story

A Tale of Two British Cars
By Leo Magiera, Sandhills Chapter North Carolina, lmagiera@earthlink.net

Original LBMC
LBMC II on parade
LBMC II day of purchase
LBMC II Char and Leo
My involvement with the MG began in Indianapolis in 1962. I was still single. The purchase of a 1956 MG coupe whetted my appetite for MGs. The coupe mercifully turned its toes up and died and was towed to the MG dealer.  While there, I saw this brand new 1962 MGA MK II-Chariot Red. A quick negotiation and disposal of the coupe, plus $2,700, began the adventure of LBMC (Little British Motor Car).
 
In 1964, Motorola moved me to St. Louis. This was an easy move. Everything I owned, except the MG, fit into the company station wagon. I quickly found an apartment in a brand new complex, and was generally only home on weekends. One Saturday, from the second floor apartment window, I noticed an attractive brunette enter and heard her open the apartment door just below mine. How best to make an effective approach?
 
That next Saturday morning, bright and sunny, I decided to clean up the MG parked just below the windows. The extension cord I dropped down to vacuum the MG hit the window of said brunette. She opened her window and saw the cord and glared at me. Apology and introductions made, offers to give her a ride, stop for dinner at Merrit's House of Ribs and the courtship began. There were lots of good times in LBMC, even a proposal and marriage in 1965.
 
Now, I always thought it was my charm and good looks that won that fair maid. Not so, Char was attracted to LBMC and I was just part of the deal. Thereafter, Char subtly let me know that LBMC cannot accommodate a car seat for future offspring. LBMC was sold-a dad bought it for his college-aged son. I won't lie, I cried as it drove away.
 
The hurricane years of moving, raising children and paying the mortgage ensued. No LBMC. Down the street lived Bob (aka Kermit), who owned many antique cars, mostly British. We became fast friends and I asked Bob to let me know if he ever hears of an MGA MK II for sale. One day, a phone call from Bob-another neighbor was selling his MGA MK II. Another quick negotiation and the deal was closed. LBMC II was owned by the high school physical education teacher. It was, for many years, the car that was the chariot for the high school homecoming queen.
 
Two years and too many dollars later, LBMC II was restored, going from Black to Chariot Red. It led a rather uneventful life until we retired to Pinehurst in 1995. Joining the AACA Sandhills Chapter and the British Automobile Touring Society (BATS) opened a world of opportunities to enjoy antique car motoring and the friendship of a great group of people. I like to refer to this car as a pathetic attempt to recapture my youth. 
 
There was one embarrassing event in my life with LBMC II. The car gradually became difficult to start. After a frustrating attempt to start it without success, I, in a fit of pique, went inside leaving the garage door open and LBMC II just sitting there. About 15 minutes later, I went back out to the garage and there was no car to be seen. Before I could say "where is the car?" a look to the left revealed the answer. There nestled between two pine trees sat the car. All three panels on the driver's side were crumpled. A call to the towing service brought it up the incline. I asked Bubba (the 280 lb tow driver) to help move it into the garage. Bubba (who by himself could have picked up and carried it) said "get in." So I steered, while he pushed it into the garage. As a memento of the event, the car club members gave me a wheel chock and have never let me forget the incident. Well, $7,000 later LBMC II is as beautiful as ever and looking forward to many happy days of antique car motoring.
 
And yes, now when it is parked in the garage, the emergency brake is on and the car is in gear!

Check Out These Upcoming AACA National Meets & Tours
Trivia Question
   
Legend has it that the Rolls-Royce monogram was changed from red to black in recognition of the passing of Henry Royce in 1933. In fact, that's not the case. Why did it really change?


or scroll all the way to the end of the
Speedster to find the answer.

AACA Custom Car Signs Available

Do you have an AACA approved car sign for your car? AACA members can have these custom signs created to showcase all of their car's great features or to share the history and story of their car. The signs stand 16.5" high and 12" wide and are made of a hard plastic to withstand the elements. All signs include the AACA logo and website, as well as the year/make/model of your car and owner information. The rest of the content is up to you. The signs cost $30 plus shipping and production takes about 3 weeks. You can also add an image or photo to your sign for an extra $5.
 
Click here for complete instructions on ordering your sign. Contact Stacy at AACA Headquarters if you would like to have a sign made or need more information: szimmerman@aaca.org 
or 717-534-1910.

20% Off Advertising for AACA Regions & Chapters

Is your region or chapter hosting a meet, tour, swap meet or other special event this year? Why not advertise it in Antique Automobile magazine? The magazine has been published since 1937 and has an extremely enthusiastic and dedicated readership of 60,000+ hobbyists! What better place to spread the word about your event!
 
And as a bonus, all AACA regions or chapters receive 20% off advertising costs in the magazine.
 
Click here to download the current advertising rates.
Please contact Stacy at AACA Headquarters with any questions: szimmerman@aaca.org or 717-534-1910.  

From the AACA Library & Research Center

Help Preserve the AACA Library Film Collection!!!!
By Chris Ritter

One of the AACA Library's best kept secrets is its 300+ collection of automotive films and filmstrips, covering everything from racing and early AACA events to training films for salesmen and mechanics. They are a unique window into our automotive past.
 
Many are over 60 years old and, as time goes by, they become increasingly fragile. In order to preserve these films, the library staff will be building a digital film scanner known as the Kinograph. With your help, we can share these films with the world before it's too late!
 
A Kino-What?
The Kinograph is a digital film scanner that uses a high definition camera for image extraction. Thanks to open source software, the images are compiled into high quality video. AEO sound, developed by the University of South Carolina, extracts the sound and pairs it up with the video. 3D printed rollers allow the scanner to handle 8, 16 and 35 mm film. The Kinograph provides a high quality, cost-efficient alternative to prohibitively expensive film scanners and outsourced preservation projects.
 
What We Need
To make the Kinograph a reality, we aim to raise $3,500 for the following:
  • Parts & building accessories
  • 3D printed rollers
  • Electronic components
  • An HD digital camera with electronic shutter
  • Film cleaning hardware & supplies
  • Digital turntable to extract audio from vinyl recordings
Any additional funds raised will be put toward equipment upgrades and the maintenance and repair of the Kinograph.
 
Should the project fail to meet its goal, all funds raised will still be used toward the construction of the Kinograph. We intend to make this happen, no matter what! By contributing to this project, you will be helping to preserve a unique aspect of automotive history. These films will also be made freely available online for all to see! 
 
Visit Our Blog
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 Interested in doing research with the AACA Library?
More information is available on our website.  Visit AACA Library   or  contact our head librarian, 
Chris Ritter, at  critter@aaca.org  or 717-534-2082.
CLICK HERE to order your ticket & thank you for supporting AACA!
News From the AACA Museum

Thank You from the Museum
The AACA Museum would like to thank all the AACA Regions and Chapters and individuals who provided donations during the recent Annual Meeting in Philadelphia and for those who participated in the auction. We truly appreciate your continued support in helping us to preserve and share the automotive hobby with future generations.
 
Think spring! We're looking forward to spring and some new exciting exhibits and events:
 
March 11 - May 31
HotRod Jen brings a diversity of art mediums to the AACA Museum. From photography to pinstriping to drawings and glass mosaics, Jen enjoys all forms of art. Jennifer Thomas, aka "HotRod Jen," comes from generations of artists and gearheads. Be sure to visit and see some of these interesting works on view.
 
Jen will be at the Museum on March 12 for a special pinstriping program in the newly renovated AACA Regions & Chapters room beginning at 2:00 p.m. as part of Smithsonian Museum Day LIVE! We hope some of our AACA members can join us.   

March 19 - October 15
Mods and Rockers were two conflicting British youth subcultures of the early 1960s and 1970s. The Rocker subculture was centered on motorcycling and the Mods subculture was centered on fashion and music and many Mods rode scooters. This exhibit will showcase a sampling of both motorcycles & scooters from this time period.   

Double the Fun This Year!
March 19 & 26
We have an Easter Special this year; not just one, but two chances to hunt for eggs through the Museum. We're taking our normal Easter fun and doubling it with two days of indoor egg hunting!
 
Find some eggs and score some sweet prizes at the end of your hunt! The Easter Bunny is making special visits from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on both days. A special thank you to The Hershey Company for providing treats for the Easter Egg Hunt and to Hoffman Ford for being our event sponsor. 

The show will be held on the beautiful grounds of the AACA Museum. In past years, when this was the Cool Cars for Cats and Canines Show, there were over 180 cars and a record attendance of hundreds of people participating. We want to thank Betsy & Tom Clark for starting such a fabulous exotic and sports car show and leaving a great legacy. While the AACA Museum is now taking over this show, we hope to continue this tradition and are inviting participation from car owners all over the mid-Atlantic region - Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, Delaware, New Jersey, New York and even more states!

April 24, 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
Calling all collectors! This is the perfect event to beef up, or begin, your toy collection while also enjoying our Museum's variety of real-size vehicles on display! With over 80 tables filled with toys, you are sure to find the perfect one for any youngster or for someone who is a kid at heart. Special admission for the day is $7 per person, 3 and younger are FREE. This event is sponsored by Diecast Toy Exchange.

We continue to have not one, but two of the original Herbie the Love Bug vehicles on view through April, as well as our Pioneers in African American Automotive History exhibit through April 30. Our Micro & Mini cars continue to be a big hit with visitors and will be on view through April 22. More details on our summer exhibits and events will be included in next month's issue.     
   
Visit the Museum's website at www.AACAMuseum.org for all the details!  

Keep up to Speed  with information on additional exhibits and 
events specifically at the AACA Museum - register today!    

REMINDER: The AACA Museum is open late, the first Thursday of each month until 9:00 p.m.
 
AACA Library eBay Store: New Items!

New ebay logo Looking for the perfect gift for your favorite motor head? The AACA Library's eBay store offers a wide variety to choose from: over 2,000 reproduction factory photographs of historic cars, books, and sales literature. We will also be holding our monthly eBay auction, with over 50 unique listings! 

The auctions will end between 
Tuesday, March 1st and Thursday, March 3rd .

To view our available selection, click here.
 
Check back often, as we will continue to add new items throughout the year!  For more information, contact our Assistant Librarian,  Matthew Hocker, mhocker@aacalibrary.org or 717-534-2082.


SAVE THE DATE!!
Top 10 Car Songs of Rock and Roll Correction
Article reprinted from Hagerty.com in the January 2016 Speedster
Correction Submitted by Phil Forney, PKENTER2@aol.com

Regarding "Red Barchetta" by Rush, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barchetta. Granted, Getty Lee of Rush may have pronounced Barchetta incorrectly, but he wasn't singing about a Fiat! Drummer Neil Peart of Rush was referring to a FERRARI Barchetta when he penned the words and music. Even though Fiat built a puddle jumper, named a Barchetta, from 1995 to 2005 and they too were built in Italy, that's where any commonality ended. Fact check: http://www.songfacts.com/detail.php?id=2376

Did YOU Forget to Renew Your AACA Membership for 2016?

You don't want to miss out on all of the AACA fun in store for this year, including 15 great Meets and Tours, 6 awesome issues of Antique Automobile magazine and tons of fun celebrating the hobby! 

Renewing your membership only takes 5 minutes and can be done one of three ways...
  • Renew online - fill out the secure online form and pay with your credit card
  • 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 credit card payment (office hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time) 

The Entire AACA Family is on Facebook!

 

The entire AACA Family is on Facebook. Make sure to like all of our pages to stay up-to-date on everything going on with the Club, Library and Museum. Did you know that AACA also has a Facebook Group you can join to discuss cars and hobby hot topics? Request to join the group by clicking here.

 

Click the logos below to go to our Facebook pages.

 


 


AACA Calendar Spotlight
Desk Calendar

March 16-19, 2016
Winter Meet - Naples, FL
 
April 7-10, 2016
Southeastern Spring Meet - Charlotte, NC
 
May 5-7, 2016
AACA Special Meet - Auburn, IN
 
May 19-21, 2016
Eastern Spring Meet - Vineland, NJ
 
June 3-4, 2016
Annual Grand National - Williamsport, PA
 
June 12-17, 2016
Sentimental Tour - Salisbury, NC
 
July 14-16, 2016
Central Spring Meet - North Mankato, MN
 
July 17-21, 2016
Founders Tour - Huntingdon, PA
 
July 31 - August 3, 2016
Eastern Divisional Tour - Richmond, VA
 
August 11-13, 2016
Southeastern Fall Meet - New Bern, NC
 
September 1-3, 2016
Western Fall Meet - Cheyenne, WY
 
September 11-16, 2016
Revival AAA Glidden TourĀ® (VMCCA) - North Conway, NH
 
October 5-8, 2016
Eastern Fall Meet - Hershey, PA
 
October 20-22, 2016
Central Fall Meet - Galveston, TX
 
November 5-11, 2016
Reliability Tour - Savannah, GA


   
Visit the  calendar on our website  for a complete listing of AACA national events and much more!
 

Who Do You Contact at AACA Headquarters for What?


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.

 

Executive Director

Steve Moskowitz

 

Membership & Merchandise

Karen White

 

Regions & Judging

Lynn Gawel

 

Accounting, IT & Website

Pat Buckley

 

Advertising & Public Relations

Speedster Editor

Stacy Zimmerman


Office Administration

Ann Kulp

Kathy Skiles

Rick Gawel

 

Antique Automobile Magazine Editor

West Peterson

 

Library, Research & Cataloging

Chris Ritter

Matthew Hocker

Michael Reilly


 

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.

 

Trivia Answer TriviaAnswer
 
 


Because red often clashed with coachwork colors that clients selected. Black proved to be a much more neutral alternative.
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.