June 2012 - Volume 45
In This Issue
Member Contribution
Library & Research
Trivia
Museum News
Speedy's Notes
Club Items
Calendar Spotlight
Join Our Mailing List!
Quick Links

Welcome to SPEEDSTER!

 

As many of you know, our website has a new format with some great new features. One being an electronic version of an issue of Antique Automobile. The latest past issue will be available to the public (link here), and the most current issue is available to members only

 

Take some time to browse around the site as we have a lot of great information and resources out there!

 

In AACA National Events news....

 Results from the most recent events can be found on our Meet Result page.

 

Also the registration for the Founders Tour must be postmarked between April 16, 2012 and July 13, 2012.

 

CORRECTION: On the carrier sheet for the May/June issue of Antique Automobile the dates listed for the Hershey Fall Meet are incorrect and should be October 10-13, 2012 

  

NEW ITEM!

Byer's Choice Figurines made exclusively for AACA. This is the second in the series from these world famous figurine makers.  Our last version completely sold out and this one is a limited edition as well. Our 50's inspired Poodle Skirt Girl and our Gas Station Attendant are sure to be a big hit and would make a great Christmas item.

Don't forget, when they are gone, they are Gone!  
$69.95 each including shipping! Tax as applicable.

 


Hershey Meet News from the Chief Judge, Maureen Gallo  

 

Well, here we are at that exciting time of year when we get to be a part of the largest and best car shows of its kind in the world - the Eastern Division National Fall Meet at Hershey.

 

Please accept this as our invitation for all of you to come and judge at Hershey on Saturday, October 13, 2012. There you will have the opportunity to judge some of the world's finest antique cars, trucks, race cars, motorcycles, and fire equipment as well as the largest HPOF and DPC classes shown anywhere.

 

Judges Breakfast will be on Saturday, October 13, 2012 at 7AM in the Giant Center where free parking is provided. The entrance for the breakfast is at the back of the Giant Center. You will need a parking pass which you can obtain by sending me a self-addressed stamped envelope. Even if you register on-line, you will still need to send me a self- addressed stamped envelope.

 

Judging School will be held on Thursday, October 11, 2012 from 10AM to 12Noon on the upper level of the Giant Center. You should enter the Giant Center using the door entrance off the Green Field and follow the Judging Signs.

 

CJE Seminars will be held immediately following Judging School.

 

We hope you plan to come and be a part of the judging experience at Hershey. We are looking forward to seeing and working with all of you as we judge the "world's finest."

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AACA Museum 1900s Oldsmobile For Sale Now!  

 

The AACA Museum has a 1900's Oldsmobile for sale now!  For more information on the vehicle please check out this listing here. You too could be eligible for London-to-Brighton!

 

 

Member Contribution

1940 LaSalle

By Member John D. Barry

   

I own a 1940 LaSalle: certainly not a best-of-show winner and most certainly not a trailer queen; it's a car I own for the enjoyment of it.  That leads me to two ways I try to pay it forward to the upcoming generations:

  • At almost any car show, you'll see "Look but don't Touch" signs virtually everywhere.  But you won't see one on my LaSalle.  Indeed, I make a point of staying nearby when families with small ones (i.e., grade school age or so) come by.  Then the doors get opened wide, and an invitation is issued for the kids to sit behind the wheel.  Inevitably, the result is wide-eyed near-disbelief followed by a huge grin-and that's the parents!  The kids love it, and I enjoy thoroughly giving them the flavor of what a car from their great-grandparents' day was like.
  • My daughter, age 30 now, couldn't wait until she turned 27: that meant she had ten years of driving experience and by rule was no longer disqualified from driving my LaSalle, providing she had the skills to do so.  She took the initiative to learn to drive a standard transmission by working with her former pastor's wife on a latter-day Volkswagen.  That at least taught the rudiments, but the first time driving the LaSalle, even in a parking lot, was a series of fits and starts-all completely expected, to be sure.  Since then, she's progressed admirably, and has gained significant experience on local roads with moderate traffic.  Naturally, she's thinking in terms of owning the car some day in the future, but I believe that day is still well off-or at least I hope so!
Member Contribution

Eastern Spring Meet Review

By Member Barbara Koch

   

After almost two years of planning, the car show week arrived on Monday, May 14. Lester and his team began assembling the trophies on Monday. They also started laying out the show field. Dan Boyer was also busy laying out the trailer parking spots on the VF and Expo parking lots. Glenn Danenhower seemed to be everywhere this week- making sure that the setup plans went smoothly.


On Wednesday morning, about 15-20 members gathered at the Crown Plaza Hotel and assembled the "goody bags". It felt at times like we were doing the "bump" as we circled the table filling the bags. Meanwhile Nancy and Karen were busy setting up the hospitality room with lots of treats, cookies, chips, pretzels, and beverages. They even moved the hospitality room to a larger room on Thursday night. 


On Thursday, the car owners started to arrive at the Crown Plaza to register for the show and pick up their packets. Don Baer and his team had a steady stream of car owners at the registration table. Minnie's Chinese auction and Leroy's shirts and cap sales were also busy. The tour bus left at 12 noon with about 30 guests to attend the Boyertown Car Museum. Jack and Linda were the tour guides and said the tour was enjoyed by the guests.


On Friday, there were many more car people registering and getting their packets. We were all busy at the Chinese auction, the trailer parking lots, and the hospitality room. At 9 AM the tour bus left for the Lancaster Amish day long tour. Friday evening the ice cream social was held and about 325 people enjoyed themselves under the stars on the hotel patio.


Saturday (the BIG day) dawned sunny and beautiful. The cars started arriving on the show field at 7AM and they kept coming and coming. The cars were all exceptional. Everyone seemed to enjoy showing their cars and visiting with old friends. I'm sure we all had our personal favorites! The members were busy at registration, parking cars, answering questions, giving out water, etc. At 12:30 Jack and Phil had a painting demonstration for about 15 young people. The boys and girls seemed to enjoy spray painting a car with water. Jack also had a tour to several show cars to explain some car history and encourage them to become "car crazy". The Chinese auction numbers were called at 2 PM and the beautiful baskets disappeared rapidly. At 3PM the beautiful cars went home and the lot emptied fast. Many car owners commented "that our club put on a great show". Sat. night the awards dinner was held in the Crown Plaza ballroom and attended by about 260 people. Nancy and her team did a great job with the setup and the hotel provided a delicious meal. I personally think we had a magnificent show. Many members participated all week and worked together as a great team. I hope I didn't miss any team that helped. Thanks for all your help!!


P.S. Sunday morning the "goody bag lady" was observed napping in a car at the Expo center. I'm sure the rest of the club wanted to take a well deserved rest that day!


 


Young Enthusiasts in the Hobby

By Thomas H. (Tobey) Ross    

Hannah Ross, 13, from Wayne, PA knew from an early age that her father drove a real car (well a Jeep) for the first time at age 11. There are even old home movies to prove it. Not wanting to diminish the family reputation, she insisted on taking the wheel of her parent's RAV4 while she too was 11, and she handled it beautifully. But that was not her first experience with driving. The family owns four Auto Red Bug electric cars, and houses a fifth belonging to good friends, so Hannah was driving for several years before the real car lesson. Needless to say, for a young enthusiast the jump from Red Bug to small SUV was effortless for her, and she will undoubtedly be the most experienced driver in her class when she finally gets a license in three more years. Meanwhile Hannah will be honing her skills at every opportunity. One of the biggest car days of the year in the Ross household is Memorial Day when the town of Wayne holds its annual parade that includes antique cars. It has become a tradition for the family to field three Auto Red Bugs, and of course Hannah chooses the one she will drive and invites a different friend to come along for the ride each year. This is a unique opportunity for a 13 year old to be able to drive on a major public road and be admired for it!

 

Hannah's father, Tobey Ross, is an AACA member and a Director of the Radnor Hunt Concours held each September in the beautiful farm country outside Philadelphia. So Hannah has also been a regular attendee at that and other vintage and classic car shows in the Philadelphia area. She has served as a Haggerty Junior judge and loves selecting cars for awards that appeal to her sense of style and beauty, which don't always coincide with the opinions of her grey haired father.

 

Between major car shows, Hannah has also been found in the garage handling wrenches and learning about carburetor adjusting, drum brake maintenance, or just polishing paint. Other interests like dance and softball beckon, but hopefully a childhood spent surrounded by the old car hobby will translate into being a member of the next AACA generation.  

 
Members Attention 

As a member newsletter we need to hear from YOU!

Send us your stories and photos about your vehicles and adventures so we may showcase your articles here on SPEEDSTER!

 

Email us at [email protected]

AACA Library

A Car Worthy of its Name

 

Here's a riddle for you; what do the Indianapolis 500, First World War and selling automobiles all have in common?  Give up yet?  The answer is that World War I fighter pilot Eddie Rickenbacker involved himself in all three.  Ultimately, his experience on the racetrack and self-reflection following the War would coalesce into what became the car that bore his name.  Just as incredible as the car itself and the man behind it is the story of the how the Rickenbacker Motor Co. came into being, industry standards it had set and its unfortunate collapse into bankruptcy.

 

Without a doubt, the best place to begin the story is with the cars namesake, Eddie Rickenbacker.  Enamored with automobiles since first laying eyes on one, he set out to learn everything he could about them, enrolling in a mechanical engineering course through the International Correspondance School in 1905.  That same year, Rickenbacker kicked off his automotive career by working for the Oscar Lear Automobile Company.  In 1907, he moved on to the Columbus Buggy Company, where he worked his way up to regional sales manager for the Midwest.

 

Gradually, Rickenbacker shifted gears from selling cars to racing them, going on to race for his company in the very first Indianapolis 500 in 1911 and again in 1912.  Because he found himself at home on the track, Rickenbacker eventually left his job to race professionally, going on to drive for Maxwell Motor Co. in 1915.  Later, in 1917 he had a brief stint as a driver for British auto manufacturer, Sunbeam.

Upon America's 1917 entry into World War I, Rickenbacker exchanged the life of a driver for that of a pilot, becoming an ace in aerial combat.  He flew for the famed 94th Aero Pursuit squadron, aptly nicknamed "Hat-in-the-Ring" after their insignia.  In fact, this iconic emblem would eventually serve as the badge for Rickenbacker cars.

 

Following the war, Rickenbacker was a national celebrity with product endorsement opportunities thrown at him left and right.  However, he preferred to stray away from such offers, going so far as to turn down a $100,000 movie deal with Universal Studios.  Instead, he elected to follow his dreams, and his heart was set on creating an automobile.

 

By the end of 1919, Rickenbacker's dream was one step closer to reality with the formation of the Rickenbacker Motor Co.  Standing by as the company's president, he served primarily as an advisor, while the founders of the then defunct E-M-F Company played a pivotal role in the car's design.  Still, it was Rickenbacker who set high standards for what would be according to the company's slogan, "a car worthy of its name."

Before announcing the car, it underwent months of rigorous testing, which eventually became a hallmark of their advertising campaign.  According to a 1922 advertisement, "the original chassis and body traveled over 80,000 miles!  Was ever a car so exhaustively and so expensively tested?  No-but Captain Rickenbacker laid down the rules and his rules ruled!" 

 

With the Rickenbacker having proven itself on the road, it was finally unveiled at the 1922 New York Auto Show.  Three models were available; a touring car ($1,485), coupe ($1,885), and sedan ($1,995).  By comparison, Ford Model T's ranged in price from $269 to $725.  Clearly, the car's target audience was America's emerging middle class.

 

Rickenbacker designed and built the engine themselves, the first of which was a 58 hp six cylinder model of 218 CID.  While this point was raised in their advertising, greater emphasis had been placed on the car's tandem flywheels, which were two wheels attached to both ends of the crankshaft.  This in turn created a harmonic balancer, allowing the engine to run much smoother than most of the competition.  A brochure mentioned the engine's lack of vibration at 60 mph, "of no other car can this statement be made - regardless of price!"

One year later, the company made the head-turning announcement that four wheel brakes would become standard equipment in all of their cars.  While four wheel brakes appeared in Europe as early as 1909, they had yet to really take off in the U.S.  Therefore, Rickenbacker's decision proved all the more revolutionary. 

Regarding four wheel brakes, one Rickenbacker brochure claimed they were, "the greatest improvement in automobile engineering since the inception of the self-starter."  Not wanting to be left in the dust, Studebaker poured over $250,000 into an advertising campaign warning of the dangers of four wheel brakes.  Such efforts did little to sway public opinion because, by 1924, half of all American automobile manufacturers offered four wheel brakes as an option.

 

Having built a strong reputation for credibility and quality cars, Rickenbacker saw its sales soar between 1923 and 1925.  In 1925 production was at its highest, and the Rickenbacker had even been chosen as the official pace car for the Indianapolis 500.  At the time, it seemed like there was nowhere else to go but up.

However, a recession that same year marked the beginning of the decline of the Rickenbacker Motor Co.  With sales reduced to a trickle, the company lowered its retail prices to sell off its surplus.  Wholesale pricing remained the same, cutting into dealers' profits and leaving several of them less inclined to sell Rickenbackers.  By 1926, stock sales were suspended and Eddie Rickenbacker resigned.  Even without the company's namesake at the helm, the company remained in operation until finally succumbing to bankruptcy in February 1927. 

 

Although the Rickenbacker Motor Co. ultimately fizzled out, it left an indelible mark on the American automobile industry by setting high standards and popularizing four wheel brakes.  In fact, the Library has a wealth of information on this unique marque, including sales literature, factory photographs and Rickenbacker's autobiography.  We even have reference books with information on "Fast Eddie's" illustrious racing career.  For more information, be sure to check out our website or stop by for a visit!

 

 

Our eBay and AbeBooks Stores:

We are continually adding factory photographs to our eBay store.  eBay store link here.  Only a small sampling of photographs are in our eBay store, so be sure to check out the complete list of photographs we have online. Master list of photos here.  In addition to eBay, all of our photographs can be purchased by email or phone.

 

We also have a small assortment of books and fantastic AACA memorabilia in our eBay Store, including an AACA Library Winross truck!  We also have several books for sale on abeBooks, including a number of rare pieces. If you're looking for the perfect gift for an antique auto enthusiast, we just might have something for you.

 

More info available on our website. Visit AACA Library or

contact our head librarian, Chris Ritter, [email protected] or 717-534-2082. 

Trivia

 

1.  The first official road race in America was held on Thanksgiving Day, 1895, and was sponsored by the Chicago Times-Herald. The event sparked an interest in racing and the movement quickly gathered steam. Who won that first race?

 

2.  Of what profession were many of the earliest automobile racers?

 

AACA Museum

October 10, 2012 - Save the Date!

 

Celebrate with other enthusiasts for a fun filled night of friends and fellowship at the AACA Museum as we jump start another great meet week in Hershey!

  

This year's event will again be casual.  Stroll through the museum with your friends as you enjoy an extensive selection of car themed comfort foods and cocktails scattered throughout all levels of the Museum.  Other aspects of the evening will include live entertainment, a silent auction of unique items along with the Museum's current featured exhibits "100 Years of Chevrolet" and "Dusty Jewels:  Off Road Motorcycles of the 1970s"!

 

So, spend a relaxed evening at the Museum mingling with old friends and new.   Availability is limited, advance reservations are required at $125.00 per person and are available by calling Courtney at 717-566-7100 ext. 101 or via the website at www.NightAtTheMuseum.org.  Remember this event benefits the entire AACA Family!

  

 For a full listing of exhibits and events at the AACA Museum visit www.AACAMuseum.org

 

Trivia Answers

 

1.  The first official road race in America was held on Thanksgiving Day, 1895, and was sponsored by the Chicago Times-Herald. The event sparked an interest in racing and the movement quickly gathered steam. Who won that first race? J. Frank Duryea won, driving a Duryea Motor Wagon over the 55-mile course at an average speed of 7.5 mph. Of the five other contestants, only one finished. He was driving a Mercedes-Benz

 

2.  Of what profession were many of the earliest automobile racers? Automobile manufactures! The Entrepreneurs quickly recognized the value of racing, especially winning, as auto competition caught on like wild fire in the final years of the nineteenth century. J. Frank Duryea won worldwide fame by winning the London-to-Brighton race in 1895 and Alexander Winton made a name for himself by racing the first cars he built in 1898-99.

 

Realizing the PR potential, Henry Ford challenged Winton to a dual in Detroit in 1901 and beat him. The win enabled him to get some badly needed capital. Ransom Olds raced to a draw against Winton at Daytona Beach in 1902. 

 

 

Speedy's Notes

New Website Features

We recently updated the website! Same url www.aaca.org but New and Improved features including now being able to view a past issue of Antique Automobile online ! Enjoy!

 

Introducing the AACA Credit Card!

 Members can now apply to receive an AACA Visa Card!

- No annual fee.

- $50 donation by the bank when you first use your card.

- Ongoing contributions made when you continue using the card.

- Low introductory APR on purchases and no balance transfer fees for 6 months.

- Enhance Visa Platinum benefits, including 24/7 Emergency Customer Service.

- Earn point at hundreds of participating online retailers.

- Choose one of the four created cards or upload your own vehicle.

- Show off your very own car on the front of card.

 

Visit the website to apply and learn more about the AACA Credit Card.

 

 

AACA Official Custom Car Signs

The only approved AACA Car Show sign! Promote AACA while letting everyone know more about your car.

You fill in the blank portion of the sign (as seen below in the center photo). Sign can be staked in the grass or put your fire extinguisher on the lip. Size is approx. 16.5 high by 12 wide.

*Intended to be used for AACA National Meets.

 

To order, send your text exactly how you want it to appear on the sign in a Word document to [email protected] or for information call Adriana Bruno at AACA headquarters 717-534-1910

Cost is $25.00 plus shipping.

 

 
AACA Merchandise and Gifts
New items are on the way! We have lots of unique Merchandise and gift ideas available on our online catalog. Plenty to choose from for the whole family and friends. Visit the merchandise website and start shopping! 
  
AACA Facebook
Visit the Official Antique Automobile Club of America page on Facebook!  Become a fan and stay connected to the AACA family!  Visit our AACA Library and Museum facebook pages too.  
Find us on Facebook  

AACA Forum
Join in the discussions and check out our topics on the AACA Forum  
  
SPEEDSTER Archives

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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.
 

Judges Newsletter
March issue available online here.
 
Calendar Spotlight! 

 

August 1-5, 2012 AACA Central Division Tour hosted by the Nebraska Region.
 
August 13-17, 2012 Founders Tour
 
August 27-31, 2012 Reliability Tour
 
September 13-15, 2012 Central Fall Meet in Canyon, Texas
 
October 10-13, 2012 Eastern Fall Meet in Hershey, PA
    
Visit the Calendar on our website for more information and a complete listing of AACA national events and more! 
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.
  
Contact Information for Speedster Newsletter:
AACA Headquarters
501 W. Governor Road
Hershey, PA 17033

Phone: 717-534-1910
Website: www.aaca.org