It's hard to believe 58 years ago the Hershey Region began their journey hosting the Eastern Fall Meet. Fortunately some of those judges are still making their way to Hershey each fall to support what they were a part of creating. Judging at Hershey can be likened to Umpiring the Super Bowl. It only happens once a year, in the fall and culminates the antique automobile hobby season ending event. It's the one thing any judge that's judged Hershey will tell you "they can't wait till next year," just as any team playing in the Super Bowl.

This year we have over 75 new potential judges eligible to judge their first Hershey Fall Meet. The Super Bowl calls them "Rookies," but at the AACA we call them Senior Judges and it's possible some may reach their Master Judge level by judging in Hershey. In any event, I want to encourage those judges that have joined our judging fraternity this year to experience for your first time the excitement and enjoyment of judging at the Hershey Fall Meet. You will become a part of a history dating back 58 years and joining the ranks of over 18,000 judges that have made the Hershey Fall Meet an annual event they never want to miss.

The Hershey Region again this year will be providing beautiful incentives commemorating the event and rewarding each judge for their service.  Baseball caps will be presented at the judge's breakfast prior to judging.  Once your judging duties are completed each judge will receive one of this year's special commemorative die cast cars (pictured above). All this, plus the beautiful cloisonn� judging chip for your service.

For those judges who have become inactive by not fulfilling the requirement of attending a judging school and judging in the past year, you can reactivate in Hershey by attending Judging School and taking the Apprentice CJE on Friday to be able to Judge on Saturday. Judging School will be held on Friday afternoon at 1:00 p.m. in the Giant Center with CJE courses directly following. Parking passes are available for Judging School Friday by emailing pbuckley@aaca.org. Judges parking for Saturday can be obtained by sending Maureen Gallo a self-addressed stamped envelope at 703 Smith Ave, Lebanon, PA 17042. I look forward to seeing our dedicated regulars and encourage you who are not to become more active in our judging program.

I want to take this opportunity to THANK every judge for their dedicated service this year. You have made the AACA judging program the most recognized and successful program in the antique automotive hobby and I am proud to have had the opportunity this year to serve and work beside you. Let's make Hershey LVIII the SWEETEST event in chocolate town.

Each $20 ticket has a chance to win a 1973 Mustang (or $15,000 cash), $2,000 cash, or $1,000 cash. Proceeds benefit the Antique Automobile Club of America, The AACA Library & Research Center, and The AACA Museum.  The drawing will take place on October 12, 2013 at the AACA Fall Meet.

Winner need not be present to win and is responsible for all taxes. Mustang Donated by George and Margaret Vitale. 

AACA Old Salem Chapter is going to be on the Big Screen!

The Old Salem Chapter is very honored to be a part of this fine film, The Ultimate Life, opening in select theaters on September 6, 2013!  Be sure to look at their website at www.theUltimateLifeMovie.com  to look at the trailer and read more interesting information.  A DVD will be released in December.

Our Old Salem Chapter AACA story begins:

In February, I was contacted by our Old Salem Chapter (OSC) member Tim White regarding a wonderful opportunity for our members.  A friend of his, DJ Hall, was involved with the local film industry and he asked Tim if our club could maybe help them out by providing some antique/classic cars for a movie that was going to be shooting locally during the month of March.  Well of course we could...how exciting!

Celebrate with fellow enthusiasts during another great Meet Week in Hershey!  Try your hand at something new this year as we introduce a Monte Carlo Night theme.  Or, study up on your car knowledge and compete against other attendees in our car trivia game show contest.  Get your tickets now for - Wednesday, October 9 from 6:00 -10:00 p.m.  Click here for more information and to order your tickets today!

Cadillac and the Great War

The early 20th Century was a period of incredible technological achievement, with automobiles and aircraft having accomplished what was once considered impossible.  Before long, these objects of wonder would become instruments of destruction throughout the duration of World War I (1914-1918).  Though the tried and true horse remained a component of armies, the Great War witnessed the birth of fighter planes, tanks and massive battleships, thereby ushering in the modern age of mechanized combat.

Although America technically avoided entering the conflict until 1917, the nation's factories had been supplying the Allied forces with weaponry and vehicles since its early beginnings.  In particular, automobiles were poised to make their mark on the battlefield.  While dozens of makes were used during the war, Cadillac established itself as the vehicle of choice for foreign armies and, eventually, both the U.S. Army and Marines.  There were even tales that the Germans held their captured Caddies with high regard. 

By the end of the war, more than 2,095 had been shipped overseas to serve as staff cars, ambulances, and military transport.  The 1915 Davidson-Cadillac Armored Car, complete with Colt machine guns, proved pivotal in pioneering the development of armored fighting vehicles.  During this time, they also developed an artillery crawler tractor, a winch to lift soldiers for surveillance purposes, and played a role in the development and production of the Liberty aircraft engine.  

One of the key reasons behind Cadillac's popularity was the V8 engine, which they first introduced in their 1915 models.  While Cadillac had not invented the V8, they pushed the engine to a level of mass production previously unheard of.  The motor gave Caddies the extra boost needed to navigate the rugged terrain and was often complimented for both running quiet and aiding in speedy getaways.  Seargant John R. Bates wrote, "If I were Pershing I would decorate the Cadillac with a D.S.C. for the splendid performance it has made in transporting the greatest leaders of our armies."        

By the winter of 1918 the war was over and, within the next year, Cadillac provided General Pershing with a custom-built closed car in recognition of his leadership during dark times.  That same year, Cadillac paid tribute to employees who fought in the war and aided the home front in their seventy-eight page book, Cadillac Participation in the World War.  While the book recognized soldiers' bravery on the battlefield, its dedication page placed strong emphasis on the role of the men and women in Cadillac's factories.  "It is a matter of real and justifiable pride with them to know that the parts which they machined and tested did not break, and the bolts which they fastened did not come loose."

Along with highlighting the efforts of its workers, the book details the use of Cadillac cars during the war, along with the development of specialized military vehicles and the Liberty engine.  Of particular interest is an eight page section with excerpts from soldiers' letters singing praises for Cadillac, including stories of narrow escapes.  Without a doubt, these accounts provided the company with valuable advertising, adding to an already solid reputation for quality.

The last twenty-one pages listed the names of the factory workers and salesmen who fought in the war, the branch within which they served and, in a few cases, their rank.  Salesmen were listed by city and state, along with the names of the dealerships they worked for.  The unfortunate cost of war revealed itself in the book's list of casualties and disabled veterans, some of which included details surrounding their misfortune.  R.H. Halstead went down with the steamship Westover, sunk by a German sub, and George M. Fisher was taken in his sleep by a German shell.  Some even succumbed to the influenza pandemic, which raged throughout Europe and North America from 1918 to 1920.

To say that the war's end brought relief to Americans is an understatement.  After all, this was known as the "war to end all wars."  Though peace had finally arrived, the terms of surrender placed on Germany provided the foundation for the Second World War.  More than twenty years would pass before Cadillac was called into service once again, but that's a story for another day.

Discover More:

 Do you want to dive deeper into Cadillac Participation in the World War or have an interest in a particular Cadillac car?  The Library has an expansive collection of Cadillac sales literature from 1902 through today, as well as dealer albums, shop manuals and paint chips.  We also have over twenty reference books devoted to the subject.  Pay us a visit or drop us a line to learn more.

Interested in Doing Research with the AACA Library?

More info available on our website. Visit AACA Library or

contact our head librarian, Chris Ritter, critter@aaca.org or 717-534-2082.

http://aacalibrary.tumblr.com/

The AACA Library's eBay Store!

Looking for the perfect gift for your favorite motor head?  The Library's eBay store offers a wide variety to choose from, with everything from automobilia and photographs to books and sales literature. 

To view our available selection, be sure to click the links below!

Items Available for Auction:

Books:

    - Signed copy of Wall Smacker (1935) by Indy 500 driver Peter DePaolo!

    - My Days with the Diesel (1967) by Clessie L. Cummins

    - The Model T Ford Car (1921 Edition) by Victor Page

    - The Complete Ford Book (1970) by Petersen Publications

    - Style Auto Quarterly Review

    - And more!

Sales Literature:

    - DeLorean DMC-12

    - BMW Isetta

    - 1953 Pontiac Station Wagon

    - 1980s Corvette, Camaro, Mustang & Thunderbird

    - And more!