July 2010
Volume 22
Welcome to SPEEDSTER!
75 AACA Logo
Thank you all who helped make the 75th Anniversary Celebration possible and to everyone who attended the event! How great it was to have such a turn out to celebrate our Diamond Jubilee! We hope you all enjoyed the weekend!
  
View the 75th Meet Results Here.  Plus visit our forum site to see lots of great pictures from some of our members at the 75th Anniversary Celebration.
 
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Hot off the press!
The very special AACA 75th Anniversary Commemorative Book has arrived at headquarters and is ready to ship out to you!
 
Call our staff at 717-534-1910 to place your order. This one-of-a-kind book will make an excellent Christmas gift, birthday present, or gift for any occasion! Don't miss out! 
 
Our book incorporates an innovative publishing concept of the "artifact inclusion" which is based on time line research which finds and reproduces rare historical artifacts and items such as programs, tickets, telegrams, newspaper articles or letters. These items facilitate an involvement of the reader with the memory joggers and placeholders in history that reveal a time evolution of both the AACA organization and the icon of the automobile itself. It is an entertaining and informative way of paying tribute to the significant milestones and personalities that shaped the growth and dynamics of the club today. As you browse the pages of this unusual presentation you will have the opportunity to literally hold history in your hands. It is both a compelling and unforgettable experience.

The book will feature large colorful and information packed pages with over 50 historical artifact inclusions, packaged in a protective slipcase!
 
Call our offices to order and we will ship it out immediately!
 
We want to hear from you!

We want to know... what is your favorite car or the most unique car you have owned? Send us a short story (200-500 words) and photo(s)!
 
We love hearing from you - keep them coming!



 
Member Contribution
Our Model T
By Bill Strasse
 
I've always been a car buff and amateur mechanic.  Engine rebuilding, axle changes, transmission repair, body work, and painting - the garage was never empty of a vehicle in some state of disrepair.  Theory was you could buy the tool to fix an ailment at a cost equal to or less than the price the professional shops would charge for the repair.
 
After years of busted knuckles, smashed fingers, late nights of "almost got it" lots of cussing and my sympathetic wife Ann (always willing to give medical assistance and moral support) - I thank God I had a day job!   Attempts at reviving old cars as daily drivers or "restoring" a classic from junk usually resulted in more junk.  Included in the requiem are several VW beetles, '59 Olds 98, several  early '60's Ford Falcons, a Corvair Van, '63  Pontiac Bonneville, '65 Ford Mustang, '65 Chevy Carryall, '68 VW Meyers Manx Dune Buggy, '72 Chevy Short bed Pickup,  '72 Pontiac Firebird, '72 Chevy El Camino, '75 Chevy 1 Ton, '76 Jeep, and a '79 AMC Eagle - all of which were "drivable" but needed repair from a simple brake job to an engine rebuild - and all cost me from free to $500.00! 
 
In 2002, one of my clients purchased a "complete" 1927 Ford Model T Tudor from a farm auction.  He was so proud of his acquisition.  He always did his own work including rebuilds of semi tractors and farm equipment.  Showing interest in the project, I followed him home one night to view progress.  In his spare time, the vehicle had been completely disassembled.  Every screw, nut, bolt and spring was removed and saved.  The body had been trucked to a stripper for complete paint/rust removal. 
 
A year later, I asked how the T project was going.  "Not so good...".  He never primed or treated the body after stripping.  Rust had taken over the bare exposed metal.   "I've run out of time and patience; don't know if it'll ever be done...".  I offered him a reasonable price and subsequently acquired a pile of parts; supposedly it was a 1927 Ford Model T Tudor.   In the past, I always had a complete car to work with - this time, I had no idea what it should look like assembled, what part went where and how the parts worked.  And, I found out later, some of the parts weren't even Ford!
 
 
 
Student Contribution
AACA Student-Member Collaboration with Indiana State University
 
This past fall the AACA collaborated with life member and professor Charlie Henry of the Indiana State University for his online course called The Automobile Industry: The First 100 Years. Mr. Henry has students from all over the United States enrolled in his course.  His syllabus requires students to research our hobby and write a major paper about a member's car.  The project called for students to arrange an interview at a designated member's home, shop or wherever convenient.  Time would be spent discussing the member's car, its significance or place in automotive history, the success or failure of the parent company and any of the usual stories for which antique car "nuts" are famous.
 
This program gave the Club and these young students a very unique opportunity, a great way for a member to share some stories and pictures with a young student, and for a student to hear and see first hand about the hobby.  
 
Over the next few months we would like to share some of these wonderful papers with our members at large.
 
 
 
Library & Research

Library and Research Center

 
Some Recent Donations
 
The AACA Library & Research Center receives thousands of donations every year.  Most donations include books, sales literature, and magazines.  During the past few months we received some unique multimedia donations including film strips, 8mm, and 16mm films. 
 
The 8mm silent film is a copy of "Barney Oldfield's Race for a Life".  During the film two criminals kidnap a young lady and chain her to a railroad track.  The hero of the story, Barney Oldfield, comes to her rescue and eventually whisks her off in his race car.  Have you seen this classic?
 
Our "new" 16mm films were produced by the Shell Oil Co. in London, England in 1950.  This series of five films chronicles early automobile racing events, mostly in Europe from 1900-1949. A few of the races include the French Grand Prix, Gordon Bennet Cup from 1900-1905, and the Brooklands.  
 
Lastly, the film strips that we received were issued by the Ford Motor Company as training aids in the 1950s & 60s.  They cover a wide variety of topics including specific vehicle models, customer service, and tips for salesmen.  
 
If you are wondering, yes, we do have the ability to play all of these formats at the library.  Next time you are here let us know that you would like to view them and we will set you up.  Unfortunately popcorn is not allowed in the library.  
 
24/7 Library Booksale Continues
 
In the last issue of Speedster we told you about our booksale website.  That site is still available & will continue to be available throughout the year.  Many of these items are rare or out of print so act quickly!  We have a broad range of items ranging from modern tractor encyclopedias to early books on automobile operation and repair from the early 1900's.  Just like the material in our literature auction, the books we are selling are duplicates or their subject matter doesn't match our mission.  You won't find these books at more reasonable prices!
    

AACA Museum
 

Gala and Auction presented by RM Auctions
Wednesday, October 6, 2010
 
Get pumped with the AACA Family for a fully fueled and unforgettable Night at the Museum featuring Pumps on Parade as we jump start another great Meet Week at the Eastern Fall Meet in Hershey!
 
Enjoy an evening of fund raising, fellowship and all things automotive! Fill up on a full service of Food and High-Octane Fluids along with a program by our Master Mechanics including Bill Warner. Period era and gas station attire is welcome!

This year's auction will feature "Pumps on Parade". One-of-a-kind Vintage Gas Pumps custom designed by six of the country's most celebrated automotive artists: Roger Blanchard, Ken Eberts, Dan McCrary, Tony Sikorski, David Snyder and Sue Steele Thomas!
What will these pumps look like? Be sure to check the website often for the updates and progress pictures on the artist pumps!
 
Remember AACA members get into the
AACA Museum FREE! Bring your membership card next time you visit.


Automotive Trivia

How much do you know!?!

1) Doghouse ID: Guess these cars...
a. 
 
b.
   Scroll down for the answers!


Speedy's Notes 

Join in the Discussion
Check out our topics on the AACA Forum
  
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 and please share issues with family, friends and future AACA members!  SPEEDSTER Archives Here
masthead

Calendar Spotlight!

August 12 - 14 2010
- AACA Southeastern  Fall Meet - Blacksburg, VA - Roanoke Valley Region - Meet brochure available online
 
 
August 19 -21 2010 - AACA Central Fall Meet - Moline, IL - Mississippi Valley Region 
 
August 25 - 29 2010 - AACA Special Dvisional Tour - North Central PA and Ohio area - Shenango Valley Region 
 
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For a complete listing of events please visit the AACA Calendar
 
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 Donald Barlup, Vice President of National Activities.  Thank you for your support!


Trivia Answers 

1) Doghouse ID:
a. 1929 Nash Sedan
b. 1957 Aston Martin 
 
Thanks for playing!
Source: Automotive Milestones. Trivia of a Most Unique Machine,
Edited by Clark Cassell and Charles Merritt, Braddock Publications.
 
*Please note the Trivia section may not be 100% accurate and is offered for entertainment purposes only.*


AACA on Facebook 

...one more way to stay connected to the AACA family!
 
Click below to find us!
 
      

In This Issue
Member Contribution
Library & Research
Museum News
Speedy's Notes
Calendar Spotlight
Contact Us
Quick Links
 
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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.


Contact Information for Speedster Newsletter:
AACA Headquarters
501 W. Governor Road
Hershey, PA 17033

Email: [email protected]
Phone: 717-534-1910



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