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From all of us here at the AACA to our passionate Club members... we would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy Holiday Season!
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New AACA promo video here! This new video will serve a multitude of purposes as it can be used at meetings, visits to other organizations such as Rotary, Lions Club, etc. as well as part of recruitment efforts for new members. The video was done at no expense to the Club thanks to the efforts of many people but Brenda Shore Kaiser, Steve Rinaldo, Bob Parrish, Bob Stein and Patty Buckley deserve special thanks. We hope you will enjoy it and most importantly use it! Auburn Indian Meet Special Note. On Thursday, May 8, 2013, Auctions America will have a memorabilia auction. If you are interested in consigning significant memorabilia contact Keith Kosak at 248-927-9799.
Visit our website for information and updates on National meets and tours, judging info, our events calendar, and more! |

There is still time for Holiday Savings! Visit the AACA merchandise site and browse our selection of gift items and more:
- 75th Anniversary Book - Now $30.00 plus $7.95 shipping
- Christmas Ornaments (Mustangs and Corvettes) - Now $2.00 each plus shipping
- AACA Pocket Knife $8.00 plus shipping
- New "Classical Gas" T-shirts
- Limited Edition Byer's Choice Figurines Made exclusively for the AACA $69.95 each plus shipping
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ATTENTION LAKELAND, FLORIDA JUDGES
The Host Hotel information was incorrect on the December Judges Newsletter. The correct contact info is: Hampton Inn & Suites, 3630 Lakeside Village Blvd., Lakeland, FL, 33803. Phone: 863-603-7600
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Survived by a 1952 Hudson Hornet Convertible
By Member Martin Yespy
Our cousin, Eugene Smith, a member of AACA for decades, died recently after being disabled by a stroke 11 years ago. Gene, who had an encyclopedic knowledge of all cars from the 40s and 50s, was also an avid supporter of the museum and had planned to become a volunteer after his retirement.
In his obituary in the local paper Gene's family listed among his survivors a 1952 Hudson Hornet convertible. Gene and the Hudson traveled far and wide together, including several round trips from his home in Pennsylvania to Texas where he was stationed while in the Air Force. Gene loved that car and his number one topic during all the years of his illness was the Hudson - even if it remained in pieces and in boxes, crammed into his one car garage since 1972. As the story goes the Hudson ran perfectly well but during the historic central Pennsylvania flood of 1972 Gene opened his home to a flood victim friend. Well the two of them got to sitting around talking about the Hudson and impulsively decided to begin its restoration. So in a matter of days it was down to the frame, each piece meticulously labeled and catalogued. Gene planned on working on the car in his spare time but that didn't work out because Gene, who was the local postmaster, often worked 7 days a week. So as the years went by Gene always said he would do it when he retired. Then the stroke.

Gene's dream to ride in that car again never dimmed and in fact everyone agreed that the car kept his spirit alive. All those years he would go in his wheelchair out to the garage and regale anyone who would listen to his plan for finishing the car's restoration. Recently Gene was given a set of new wheel bearings and just the sight of them gave him hours of pure joy. To be fair there was some work done on the Hudson over the years, but today it still sits awaiting reassembly.
On a sunny day in May Gene was buried with a picture of his beloved Hudson. For good measure, his son-in-law threw a rear wheel bearing into Gene's grave before it was filled in.
There are lessons to be learned here, but we prefer to imagine Gene cruising in style on the other side of eternity in his '52, top down, an arm resting on the door. Arriving at the pearly gates we are sure he was waved right through and given a thumbs up to boot.
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AACA Original HPOF Class Returning to its Roots in Florida
The headlines read, AACA announces establishment of Class for Original Cars.
(January-February issue 1988) by Tom Reese.
Introducing the new Class for Original cars then and now former President Al Edmond commented "We hope that this action will encourage persons to bring out and show those historically interesting cars that previously had no real place to be, except in the "Do Not Judge" category. In some cases we do a disservice to history when we restore untouched machines that retain so many original features that no restoration can truly recreate."
February 17-20, 1988 at the Winter National Meet in Fort Lauderdale, FL marked the beginning. Anticipation ran high, waiting to see what the new Class would draw. Much to everyone's surprise five beautiful original vehicles dawned the field. Ben Caskey's 1931 Lincoln, Alex Castora's 1941 Plymouth, John Fitzgerald's 1932 Pontiac, Donald Spiering's 1936 Packard and Edson Williams 1940 Lincoln. The original class became a popular hit with the owners who had preserved the originality of their vehicles and those possessing some significant original features. The growth of the AACA Original HPOF Class is proof, we have 1122 AACA Original HPOF Class vehicles registered in our database having been show and certified in its first 25 years.
AACA being the first to recognize the significant impact the original vehicles could have on the antique hobby soon caught the attention of other clubs and they too have followed AACA's lead.
Some contend that the guidelines have changed but the article by Tom Reese suggests not. The original criteria set forth in his article reads, "AACA recognizes the importance of preserving those features of collector cars that fairly represent the original quality, color, styling, finish, material, documentation, and operating features of the cars as they were driven from the dealer's showroom." Today's guidelines recognize and follow the same intent.
The AACA Original HPOF Class will celebrate 25 years of successful recognition in Lakeland, FL at the Winter National Meet February 21-23, 2013. All vehicles registered in the AACA Original HPOF Class will be recognized with a special 25th anniversary certificate in addition to any award earned, commemorating this extraordinary event.
Eligible vehicles include 2-Wheelers, 3-Wheelers, High Wheelers, Electric, and Steam, Trucks and Productions vehicles 25 years old and older thru 1988.
This event, you won't want to miss. Make plans now to attend. Tell your friends, neighbors and anyone you know owning a potential AACA Original HPOF certifiable candidate to get them out sharing them and their fabulous history. Lakeland, FL is the place to be!
I feel I speak for the entire membership when I acknowledge our appreciation to those directors/committee members responsible in 1988 for establishing the AACA Original HPOF Class; Stanley Stratton, Lloyd Riggs, Tom Reese, Howard Scotland, Bill Smith and former President Al Edmond, THANK YOU!
Contact Hershey Headquarters 717-534-1910 for registration information or on-line registration at www.aaca.org.
For more information contact:
Hulon McCraw, VP Class Judging & Chief Judge of the Winter Meet, 828-891-9776 or hcmccraw@morrisbb.net.
Don Allen, Registration Chairperson 863-324-4055 or mrboti55@aol.com
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Library & Research Center |
 There's a Ford in your Future
While the holidays are often recognized as a time of happiness, for most Americans in 1941 the season carried with it the grim reality of sacrifice on all fronts. After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7th the U.S. finally entered World War II. For soldiers and the families they left behind an uncertain and uneasy future lay ahead. Elsewhere on the home front, automobile manufacturers like Ford were forced to cease production of civilian vehicles and manufacture weapons, aircraft and vehicles for the military.
Even before Pearl Harbor, the nation had been preparing itself for the possibility of entering the war. Three days prior to the attack, the Office of Price Administration ordered the auto industry to stick with 1942 model year designs for the foreseeable future, all in the name of conserving resources. In an ad ran in November Ford assured consumers the company was doing its part for national defense by using plastics instead of metal for interior trim.
Under government orders, February 10th, 1942 marked the official end of civilian car production. Under these circumstances, Ford utilized advertising to keep their brand name in the hearts and minds of Americans. These ads doubled as propaganda, reminding citizens of the company's role in the war effort.
As the war dragged on, Americans on the home-front required a morale boost, often finding solace in anything harkening back to life before the war. In 1944, Ford produced a series of ads which highlighted events in automotive history. Along with serving as reminders of happier times, the stories featured situations in which tremendous obstacles were overcome. One piece featured Edison encouraging a young Henry Ford to continue working on his gas engine. "Young man, that's the thing - you have it. Keep at it." The ads sought to inspire perseverance against all odds, while at the same time reminding Americans light lay ahead in a tunnel darkened by the clouds of war.
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Our eBay Store:
Looking for the perfect gift for your favorite automotive enthusiast? Be sure to visit our eBay store. eBay store link here.
We have:
- Reproduction factory photographs
- Books
- AACA Memorabilia
Check back often, as we will be expanding our inventory of photographs and books in the coming months. For a full list of available photographs be sure to view our master list. Master list of photos here.
More info available on our website. Visit AACA Library or contact our head librarian, Chris Ritter, critter@aaca.org or 717-534-2082.
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1. In 1952, this auto company celebrated its 100th anniversary.
2. Which three auto builders merged to form the first auto conglomerate, General Motors, under the leadership of William Durant, in 1908?
3. These three automobile companies were the original "Big 3" of Japan.
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It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas! Trains, Trees, Toys & Tons of Holiday Fun! Now- January 6, 2013
New this year the Museum has trees decorated by local school children (vote for your favorite!), The Car-Toon Truck featuring all comic book characters from 1896 - present, Herbie the Love Bug, more Trains with a new display, more Themed Trees - Pez, Teddy Bear, Santa, Hershey's, snowman, Grinch & more, new Coca-Cola theme area. Many of your favorites are back again - Ernie's Taxi from "It's A Wonderful Life", Sammy the Snow Plow and The Great Grinch Escape. Lots of new and exciting things for this season!
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We want to hear from you! Tell us about your vehicle, a restoration project, an event recap or tour account! Send a short story and photos about your love of the antique auto hobby so we can share it with the rest of our members here on Speedster.
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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.

AACA Headquarters
501 W. Governor Road Hershey, PA 17033
Phone: 717-534-1910
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