|
|
 |
| Dear AACA Member:
Welcome to SPEEDSTER!
As the heat of the summer settles in, there are many more long drives and beautiful sunsets on the horizon. We also thought it was time for an 'end of the summer makeover and would' like to introduce the new SPEEDSTER newsletter, we hope you all enjoy the new changes and find it easy to navigate around!
Looking ahead there is much excitement on the way, with the Glidden Tour, in the breath taking Rocky Mountain region, right around the corner and the Central Fall Meet in Topeka, Kansas approaching fast, the coming months will be full of life!
Remember to help expand our AACA family ... you can help by bringing a friend to an upcoming event, open your garage to curious neighbors and friends, take a young "co-pilot" along on a tour, share a ride with potential members, invite a fellow hobbyist to come along when you visit the AACA Library to research your latest restoration... the opportunities to enjoy our AACA family friendly community are endless!
Visit the Calendar section below for further information on upcoming events or call the Headquarters office 717-534-1910 for details.
|
 |
|
Show me what you got! 
Do you have a unique story or picture you want to share with our readers, before and after restoration project photos, a review from an event, a young auto enthusiast we should showcase, a question or comment for SPEEDSTER?
Let's see it!
|
Centennial Reenactment of Alice Ramsey's Drive
By Sally Barnett |
|
|
The History
Who is Alice Ramsey?
Alice Ramsey's exploits are not well known, even among those who love automotive history. Alice Ramsey was twenty-one years old in 1908 when she first fell in love with the automobile. In 1909, the 22 year old made history as the first woman to drive across the United States.
|
|
|
The Journey begins... The centennial reenactment of Alice Ramsey's drive from New York to San Francisco was an incredible experience. I am very happy that I had the opportunity to participate in the drive and will always cherish the great memories. The drive was in many ways more than just a cross-country tour in Brass era vehicles. A team of people had to bond together and support each other for nearly five weeks on the road.
We started off with a cavalcade of vehicles and support crew. Outside of the members of the Anderson family, most of us had never met. The basic crew consisted of the Andersons: Rich, father and car restorer; Margaret, Rich's wife and Emily's mother; Emily, the driver and Bengt her brother who led the documentary crew. And of course Kaisa, Emily's 4 month old baby. Tim Simonsma and his wife Barbara were mechanics, major supporters, and motor home/trailer drivers. Christie Catagna, a long time friend of Emily was the navigator. I was the "all other duties as assigned" person and the storyteller. Cassie Cerny was the other "gofer" in the beginning of the trip. Ted and J.D. completed the documentary  crew.
Then there was the "Spyker Gang", initially Stynus Schotte and his cousin Jan. Stynus was driving a 1907 Spyker, which was made in the Netherlands. The car had done the Peking to Paris Run twice and would have a revolving crew for the journey. The first day we also added Peter Ramsey, Alice's grandson, Andrew Ramsey, her great-grandson and Isabel Ramsey, Peter's wife. We met for the first time the night before we left and began the process of becoming Team Alice. Rich gave out the blue "team Alice" shirts and jackets from HCCA and AACA and hats from HCCA.
After some TV and press interviews we were loaded up and ready to go just after 9:00 AM. The Maxwell and the 1907 Spyker led the way. The Spyker does not stop very quickly so there was heart  stopping moments as we watched them change lanes to avoid ramming the Maxwell. We did not stop for traffic lights and I was grateful for the police car behind us that helped us through intersections. There was a pickup truck hired by the documentary crew to carry a cameraman and try to drive alongside the Maxwell as it drove out of the city. The most terrifying part of the trip to me was driving through New York City with Isabel Ramsey in a modern car as we cut off anyone who tried to get between us and the other support vehicles. To add to the mayhem, a freelance reporter tried to join in the convoy and narrowly escaped being run over by Isabel. What a start to our incredible journey!
Continue reading about Sally's journey HERE! -->
Also stay tuned to future issues of SPEEDSTER for more tales from the Reenactment drive! |
|
How much do you know!?! 
Automotive Trivia
1. Name the ad that placed a well known car forever in the All-American hall of Fame?
2. The die-cast grille is another stylistic feature that was popular in the late 30s and early 40s. What car inaugurated this styling advance?
3. What was the most important automobile design to come out of World War II?
4. What year did the Chevrolet Impala debut?
5. Name this fin.............. 
Update to the SPEEDSTER July Trivia: Thanks to several of our readers, we were notified that the answer to the first trivia question was slightly off - the Kaiser Darrin was a 1954 car, the 1953 car that Howard Darrin introduced was only a prototype.
Scroll down for the answers! |
|
Member Spotlight
Meet West Peterson! By Ann Kulp 
Volume 69, Number 1, January-February 2005 ... a fresh chapter in AACA history, the first Antique Automobile issue with West Peterson as our Editor and Art/Production Director! Our magnificent magazine has thrived under his editorship. Bringing innovative ideas, knowledge, genuine love for the hobby, and a creative eye, West continually strives to enrich Antique Automobile magazine for you, our members.
____________________________________________________
Things you didn't know about West..
In what car did you pass your drivers license test? I don't even remember. Isn't that terrible?! I think it was my brother's 1972 Toyota Celica. However, I took the test twice, because I flunked the first time. The first time I was in a 1975 VW Scirocco. The test was given on a fake street rather than public roads and I got confused. I turned the wrong way onto a one-way street barely 30 seconds into the test and was immediately told to go back to the office and come back another day.
If you could live in any home on a television series, what would it be? Addams Family
What car would you be? Bugatti type 57SC
Where would you take your owner? Davos to Stelvio Pass in the Italian Alps - Go here to check out the video.
What is your favorite movie? Comedy: "My Cousin Vinnie"
Serious: "Cool Hand Luke" and "Sliding Doors"
If you could attend an AACA meet or tour with any celebrity alive today, who would it be? Neal Boortz (radio talk-show host from Atlanta)
What was your favorite musical group when you were in high school? Three Dog Night, Doors, Jethro Tull, Queen, The Who
What profession other than your own would you like to attempt? Architect, Car Designer, Race Car Driver
What is your favorite sound? "I love you, daddy", "Dinner is ready", Silence (except when I'm driving through a busy city and the car I'm driving has a tendency to vapor lock), Jazz.
What do you think the greatest invention is in your lifetime? Cell phone... 2nd greatest: Cell-phone jammer (I wish I had one)
What is your motto in life?
 "It's the action, not the fruit of the action, that's important. You have to do the right thing. It may not be in your power, may not be in your lifetime, that there'll be any fruit. But that doesn't mean you stop doing the right thing. You may never know what results come from your action. But if you do nothing, there will be no result."
- Gandhi
"Use what life gives you and make your own world out of it"
What is the longest you have ever waited in line and why? Two-hour traffic jam in Monterey, leaving Concours Italiano driving a Corvette Z06 with a manual gearbox. Other than that, I will not purposely wait in line longer than 30 minutes for anything, not even dinner or a good roller-coaster.
You would not be caught dead, where? Opera
What is the last thing you bought yourself, just for fun? Aside from some small toy cars at Hershey, I guess it was my 1962 Porsche. When my wife said, "you have to buy it," well... I just had to buy it.
What is your favorite spectator sport? I haven't regularly watched sports (or racing, which I used to like when one could identify the cars on the track) since I was a teenager. I enjoy watching a championship game or series, but do not follow any sport religiously. I decided a long time ago that it wasted valuable time. I used to bet against my favorite teams because either way I was happy at the end of the game.
|
|
|
AACA Library & Research Center on Facebook
The AACA Library & Research Center is leading the way as the Facebook craze is sweeping the nation. If you are not aware of it, Facebook is a social networking website. It helps people keep in touch and stay aware of news and events. It also allows us to do things that our traditional webpage can not. By signing up to Facebook you can become a "fan" of the AACA Library & Research Center. As a fan you will get instant updates about the library. Recent posts on our page included detail pictures of the library's 1940 Ford and 1906 Mitchell. Fans also got to participate in a "name that car" thread that highlighted a few of the mystery pictures the library gets each week. To visit our page, simply click on the link below.
|
|
|
Speedy's Notes
AACA Bookworms
Check out Old Cars Bookstore if you are looking for a specific book for old car restorations, collectors, enthusiasts and all your automotive needs. Brought to you by AACA, Krause Publications, publisher of Old Cars Weekly and Old Cars Price Guide.
Pedalcarmania 2009!
As the annual pedal car auction is well on its way, this year will certainly deliver an unusual and unique array of pedal cars.
Take a look at this car from the award winning shop of Eric and Vivian Lavine.
Prowler Giveaway!
 Don't miss your opportunity to WIN this distinctive 2000 black Plymouth Prowler, generously donated from the private collection of Richard Ullman. Add this beauty to your collection!
No longer in production, never registered for the road, 3.5 Litre V6 High Output Engine with AutoStick Transmission, Air Conditioning, CD Player with 6 Disc Changer, Front Air Bags, Keyless Entry, MSRP sticker price of $43,500!
Only $20.00 per CHANCE!
Drawing to take place on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at the AACA Eastern Fall Meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania. Winner need not be present! Proceeds benefit the entire AACA Family. We need your help NOW, PLEASE!
SPEEDSTER Archives
Read and print newsletters, visit the links provided in each section for more information, use the articles in your region publications and updates, join our mailing list, edit your profile, and please share issues with family, friends and future AACA members. SPEEDSTER Archives Here.
|
|
|
Trivia Answers 
1. Name the ad that placed a well known car forever in the All-American hall of Fame? "Baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet."
2. The die-cast grille is another stylistic feature that was popular in the late 30s and early 40s. What car inaugurated this styling advance? 1934 Pontiac Cabriolet
3. What was the most important automobile design to come out of World War II? The Universal Jeep. The standardized design, after 1500 test vehicles were built by Ford, Willys and Bantam, was the Ford Model GP ("General Purpose" derive "Jeep"), a quarter-ton 4x4.
4. What year did the Chevrolet Impala debut? 1958
5. Name this fin 1956 Cadillac El Dorado "shark fin"
Source: Automotive Milestones. Trivia of a Most Unique Machine, Edited by Clark Cassell and Charels Merritt, Braddock Publications.
*Please note the Trivia section may not be 100% accurate and is offered for entertainment purposes only.* |
|
|
Calendar Spotlight
August 23-28 - Revival AAAź Glidden Tour, Golden, Colorado
October 7-10 - Eastern Fall Meet, Hershey, Pennsylvania. Car Corral and Vehicle Registration has been extended to August 21. Call National Headquarters for car corral registration. Register online for vehicle registration or call National Headquarters.
(Palm Springs area)
The AACA Exhibitors Brochure and the Owners Briefing Checklist offer a wealth of information. Please take the time to read them over.
If your AACA Region or Chapter would like to sponsor a future National Event, please contact Hulon C. McCraw, Vice President of National Meets & Tours at 828-606-2918. Thank you for your support! |
|
|
AACA on Facebook and Twitter
...one more way to stay connected to the AACA family and spread the word!
Follow us, become a fan, or join the group!
Click below to find us
The twitter bug who opened the account is not tweeting much but who knows what's ahead! Send us a Tweet! | |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Contact Information
Phone: 717-534-1910
Email: speedster@aaca.org
About The Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA)
The Antique Automobile Club of America, 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.
For additional information on the AACA family, please visit: |
|
|
www.aaca.org www.aacamuseum.org www.aacalibrary.org
| |
|
|
