AACA Members to Tour the Rick Hendrick Private Museum!

 

The 75th AACA Annual Meeting at the Center City Sheraton in Philadelphia, February 10-12, 2011, is approaching quickly. If you have not registered yet, you still have time. The deadline for AACA Annual Meeting registration is January 28, 2011. Registration form available here. As you make your plans for the trip to Philadelphia, take a look at the preliminary seminar schedule, now available online.

We lived in Memphis, Tennessee and my dad was a truck driver. One Friday night in 1972, he came home and told my mom that she and he had to make a road trip the next day. He wouldn't tell me why. They got up early on Saturday and late that afternoon, they came back, with my mom driving our 'normal' car and dad was driving...well...what was that? It turned out to be a 1950 Ford Crestliner that he found in Gordo, Alabama. His first words about it were, "You need to fix the brakes". This was my first car.

The drivetrain had been replaced with 1964 Falcon Sprint components, a 260ci V8, a four speed trans and an 8 inch rear. The vinyl top had been sprayed on and the Coronation Red metallic had some funky green painted over it...but it was MINE!

Over the next few months I learned to arc weld because I had to constantly change out the exhaust system. I would go through city inspection with a normal muffler and get home and swap it out for a thrush glasspack.

The speedometer didn't work, so there is no telling how many miles I racked up on that car over the next 6-7 years. I joined the Navy in '73 and took the car to Virginia and back, several times. Then we transferred to Florida and drove it down there...breaking the rearend gear when we hit the state line.

We went through 5 different paint jobs over the next 33 years, one engine overhaul, a fresh rearend and many, many gallons of gas. In 1980, I swapped in a 1965, 396ci Chevy motor with a powerglide. While the 'Ford guy' in me wanted to keep it all Ford, that 396 dropped in so sweetly that it would have been a crime not to put it in.

When I remarried in 2003, I still had my Crestliner- still in primer, didn't run, no interior...a true 'project car'. My new, lovely wife, decided she had seen enough of the primer and she wanted to go cruising, so we had the car done right by The Hot Rod Shop in Corinth, MS.

Yes, I still have the car and the parts list reads like a who's who of automotive goodies: 1965 Chevy 396, 700r4 trans, Fatman spindles, power windows, killer stereo system, front disc brakes, 2003 Mustang Laser Red and '73 GMC Sliver paint, 2003 Chrysler Sebring convertible front seats and whitewall radials.

This is our cruiser and there is no telling where we might show up...not too bad for a 60 year old car that I have owned for 38 years...  

Military vehicle enthusiasts must certainly be happy about the recent introduction of judging class 22I.  The class, specifically for military vehicles through 1986, will group all of the military vehicles together on the show field.  If you own, or enjoy learning about these vehicles don't forget that your AACA Library may have helpful information for you. 

The library owns four binders of information on the American Motors Mighty Mite M-422 and M-422 A1 off-road vehicles.  The Mighty Mite, built specifically for the Marine Corps, featured aluminum bodies, differential-mounted brakes, a 52 HP engine, and a transmission that could be shifted from 4X2 to 4X4 on the fly.  The vehicle was capable of 65mph and could carry a maximum of six men.  As quickly as it was introduced, the Mighty Mite became obsolete thanks to the increased capabilities of the era's helicopters. 

Within the library's Mighty Mite collection we have operator's manuals, parts lists, maintenance manuals, military photos, information on winterization kits, and more.  As always, research is just a mouse click away.  Fill out our Research Request Form and tell us how we can help you today. 

Featured Exhibit...

Rare 1922 Dixie Flyer Firefly Speedster

When the automobile was in its infancy nearly every city and large town in America boasted at least one enterprise engaged in the manufacture of cars. Most of these companies and their vehicles are lost to history. The AACA Museum is pleased to present a survivor from this era that has travelled half way around the world to return to its home. On temporary exhibition is a 1922 Dixie Flyer Firefly Speedster, which was manufactured in Louisville, Kentucky, exported to Australia, saved from the junkyard, restored and finally purchased by Kentucky Trailer, the company that originally built the car! The Speedster will be on display at the museum until the spring of 2011.  

Upcoming Exhibit...

Shelby Retrospective

February 11 - April 24 2011

From his first project that combined the British built two-seat AC Bristol with a Ford V8 to create the "Cobra," to his current partnership with Ford, Shelby has always had his sights set on building the ultimate American sports car. Along the way he has created a long line of popular and extremely successful street and race vehicles bearing the names Cobra, Daytona Coupe, GT40, GT350 and GT500 Mustangs and the Chrysler Omni GLHS.

Beginning on February 11th this compelling story will be told at the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Museum through the special exhibition, Shelby: A Retrospective. The exhibition will feature approximately 18 cars representing the manufacturers and body styles that chronicle Shelby's history as a sports car manufacturer and performance tuner. The exhibition will include cars from all phases of Shelby's career.

 To see the full listing of current and upcoming exhibits and events visit the Museum website.

www.aacamuseum.org

February