November 2013 - Volume 60 |
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This is the time a year where everyone counts their blessings and gives thanks for the most important things in their lives. Here at the AACA, we would like to extend our biggest thanks to you. Your passion and enthusiasm for this great hobby is what drives us to make sure we are the premiere resource for the collectible vehicle community. Your membership and participation makes all of this possible.
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AACA Annual Meeting 2014 Activity Request
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The 78th AACA Annual Meeting will be taking place on February 6-8, 2014 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. If you're interested in attending or would like more information about the Annual Meeting, please fill out the Activity Request card that was included with your November/December edition of Antique Automobile. Once received, we'll send you a registration form or you can click here for the Annual Meeting Registration Form. Please note that in order to receive this information, your 2014 membership dues must be paid.
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February 20-22, 2014 · Port St. Lucie, Florida
Join the Treasure Coast Vintage Car Club for the first meet of 2014 in beautiful Port St. Lucie, Florida. Great care has been taken to make sure this is a meet you won't want to miss. This meet promises to be filled with automotive excitement so register today! The deadline to register for the Winter Meet is January 20, 2014.
Click here for the Winter Meet brochure.
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AACA Scholarship Deadlines
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The AACA is currently accepting applications for our three scholarships - the AACA Automotive Technology Scholarship, the AACA Young People's Award Scholarship, and the AACA Scholarship. Please submit applications for the AACA Automotive Technology Scholarship by December 1, 2013. Applications for the AACA Young People's Award Scholarship and the AACA Scholarship are due by December 31, 2013. Click here to view requirements and download application forms.
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Share Your Stories in Speedster!
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We want to hear from you! Send us your stories and photos. We are always looking for more articles about accounts of tours and shows you have attended, restoration projects, unique vehicle stories and history, and any other items you may want to share. Send your photos and stories to Mary Clayton at mclayton@aaca.org today!
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Hobby Holidays!
Make the AACA Your Holiday Headquarters
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The Holidays are right around the bend! Don't let your favorite automobile enthusiast down this holiday season, buy him or her some of our great AACA merchandise! We have something for everyone - Men, Ladies, and even the Kids! Visit our Online Merchandise Store to put the happy in your holiday!
What can you find in our store?
* Hats - many colors and styles
Don't Forget Your Christmas Cards!
These beautiful 5x7" cards feature artwork from renowned artist Ken Eberts, whose paintings have graced Antique Automobile Magazine covers. "The Best Present of All" cards feature a 1937 GM Yellow Cab (Chevy) and the "A Christmas Pony" cards feature a 1966 Ford Mustang GT Convertible. It's never too early to start stocking up on Christmas Cheer! Click here to order today.
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An Austin Healey Story: Then and Now
Submitted by: Frank Rotunda
Back in the day, Fall of 1964, Bob Pense and I met as fraternity brothers at Rutgers University (NJ). Some time later, Bob introduced me to his passion - British sports cars and more specifically, big Healeys. He had a beautiful red 1958 that we rode back and forth between our homes on Long Island, NY and school. In the late sixties, there were plenty of Healeys around in various states of grandeur or disrepair. Bob would somehow always find project cars to buy and this led to many adventures, as we would try to get them back home to work on them. One such adventure took us to the home of a fellow Rutgers student in 1967. The Healey was a blue, 1957 100-6 (Longbridge model) that needed work. We were told that it had a cracked block and that the clutch was 'shot.' He had planned to "junk the car", but thought he might get lucky and sell it for a few bucks. Bob thought he'd take a chance and bought it for $75.00. We made arrangements to pick it up and set a date when we could tow it to his home.
The day came around and we located the car in front of the owner's apartment. We hooked her up to a tow-bar that attached to the Healey using the original front bumper bolts. But since the car didn't track well, I was elected to sit in the "beast" and keep things pointed in the right direction. Off we went on our 60-mile trek. All went well until we got off the highway and, as we crested the top of the exit ramp, to my great astonishment, off went Bob as the bumper bolts went one way and I the other. Jacked up with a sudden gush of adrenaline, I found the brake pedal and hoped they worked. They did and I came to an abrupt halt a few yards down the ramp. Bob figured out what happened and circled back where we both had a big laugh. No harm - no foul! We were about five miles from his house and towing was not an option as the bolts were nowhere in site. What to do? Bob had some water in his trunk and a little gas so we thought we might just see if it would fire up. He jumped in, pumped up the weak clutch pedal, I gave it a push down the ramp and ... bump, bump, bump - off he goes! I climbed in his car and gave chase. After some investigation, the block was found to have popped a freeze-out plug and the clutch needed a cylinder rebuild. Total repair cost to bring her back to running condition: $5.00. Bob sold it sometime later for $525.00, a healthy profit back then. But the story doesn't end there. One of Bob's friends, John Moore, called him one day this year (2012) and told him that his son had found a Healey that was for sale on Craig's list. It was located in Babylon, NY about forty miles east of Bob's old home. He asked for Bob's advise, being the local Healey guru, and showed him pictures. When Bob saw the racing stripes and Swedish decal on the trunk lid, Bob said: "That's my car!" The same blue Healey of our great towing adventure had been located some 44 years later in much the same condition as the day we towed it home. It had been driven for a year then parked for 43 years in an old barn. John bought the car and it came back to Jersey. It was stuck in gear but the engine turned when the drive wheels were moved, so the engine seemed OK. Two weeks later, after some WD-40 down the cylinders, some fresh plugs, points and gas, she fired right up. John is working on getting it roadworthy and a restoration is in its future. This numbers matching car must be some lucky ride, and Bob must be its guardian angel, having rescued it for the second time!
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My 1964 T-Bird
Submitted by: Bud Elliott
My wife, Dona, and I purchased this beautiful 1964 Thunderbird Convertible in May of 2011. It is a numbers matching, all original car with only 60,700 miles. It has had a repaint with the original Samoan Coral color, which was only available in 1964. It has wire wheels and a tonneau cover, which were features on the 1963 Roadster model that was discontinued in August 1963. There were 50 covers remaining and those could be purchased as an option on the 1964 convertibles.
The previous owners liked the 1966 tail lights and attempted to install them, but they failed to work properly. The first thing we did was the replacement of this assembly with the 1964 originals.
We love attending car shows, cruise-ins, and parades. Last year we received an invitation to show the T-Bird as a supporting marquee to the Lincoln at the Winter Park, FL Concours d'Elegance. This was a great honor and we were proud to show it at this prestigious event.
The car resides in a climate controlled garage in Ormond Beach, FL.
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Top 5 Reasons Antique Automobile Magazine Can Jump Start Your Sales
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1. ATTENTION - Reach more than 40,000 passionate hobbyists - Antique Automobile magazine is received bi-monthly by every AACA Member across the nation.
2. SUPPORT - Promote an upcoming event - Increase awareness, participation, and attendance at your next automotive event.
3. MARKETING - Drive new business - Since Antique Automobile is received by AACA members, your business advertising will be seen by a relevant and targeted audience.
4. EXCELLENCE - High-Quality - You have high quality services, products, and events - promote them in a high-quality magazine.
5. VALUE - Get twice the advertising for one low price - Your advertisement will also be available to members in a beautiful, page-turn publication at no additional cost
If you or someone you know could benefit from commercial advertising in Antique Automobile magazine, click here to view the Antique Automobile Media Kit or contact Mary Clayton at mclayton@aaca.org for more information.
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Library & Research Center
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Buy-A-Jeep, Win the War!
By: Matthew Hocker
World War II witnessed the birth of several technological innovations. One of these was the Jeep, which was designed to be the ultimate reconnaissance vehicle. The history behind its development has been well documented; that American Bantam was credited with creating the Jeep and lost out on high-volume government contracts to larger companies like Ford and Willys-Overland has been recounted time and time again. Though nearly faded from public memory today, one of the most exciting tales from Jeep's past came straight from the home front during World War II. In what was known as the buy-a-jeep campaign, students throughout the country rallied together to buy Jeeps for the Army.
Today's schools are certainly no strangers to fundraising. However, children during the war sold bonds and stamps rather than sandwiches and magazine subscriptions. These activities were the result of government sponsored War Loan Drives, which encouraged students to take part in supporting the nation's armed forces.
By 1943, the Second War Loan Drive introduced the buy-a-jeep campaign, in which bonds and stamps were sold to purchase Jeeps for the Army. Schools were informed each Jeep would cost $900 and, with that number in mind, schools pledged the number of vehicles they aimed to buy. In addition to providing students with a clear and measurable objective, the program inadvertently tapped into their competitive spirit.
By any standards, the campaign was an overwhelming success, and schools often exceeded their original goals. For example, Morningside School in Western Pennsylvania had pledged one Jeep, but students and faculty sold enough bonds and stamps to purchase nearly seven. According to Willys-Overland, the first buy-a-jeep campaign generated enough money to buy nearly 50,000 Jeeps.
A second campaign was launched in the fall of 1943 with a target goal of 20,000 Jeeps by December 7, 1943 (the second anniversary of the bombing of Pearl Harbor). This particular program was known as the "Triple Threat" campaign in reference to the three different types of Jeep vehicles bonds would purchase, including the standard Jeep and an amphibious model. The third vehicle in question was a small plane called the Piper Cub L-F, alternatively known as the "Grasshopper." Though technically not a Jeep, it was nicknamed the "Flying Jeep" because of its size. It is also likely the phrase, "buy-a-jeep-and-plane," wouldn't have been nearly as catchy.
Children were rewarded for their efforts in several different ways. Citations signed by the Secretary of the Treasury were awarded to participating institutions, and Jeeps toured schools throughout the country and offered rides. Schools were also granted the option of having a special plaque installed in the dashboard of each Jeep they helped purchase. These plaques featured the name of the school and were used to periodically receive news regarding their sponsored Jeeps.
To commemorate the success of the initial campaign, Willys-Overland published Willy Jeep in 1943 and dedicated it "...to all the young people who unselfishly [were] aiding the war effort." This short book revolves around the heroic adventures of the anthropomorphic character of Willy Jeep and his fellow Jeep companions. Tales of near misses and overtaking the enemy against all odds, along with the promise for a better tomorrow served to boost morale.
With Japan's surrender on August 15, 1945 the war had ended, but not before the lives of more than 400,000 American soldiers were lost. They, along with those who returned home became known as the Greatest Generation. Equally important, were the contributions of those on the home front, including the legions of little "soldiers" whose Jeeps helped win the war.
Discover More: Interested in learning more about the illustrious history of the Jeep? The library has Jeep advertisements and sales literature from 1940 onward, along with plenty of period articles in our trade publications. We also have an original copy of Willy Jeep! To see this material, feel free to contact the library or pay us a visit.
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.
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The AACA Library's eBay Store!
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Looking for the perfect gift for your favorite motor head this holiday season? The Library's eBay store offers a wide variety to choose from, with everything from automobilia and photographs to books and sales literature.
We will also be holding our monthly eBay auction, with over fifty lots of automotive catalogs and brochures. The auction will begin on Tuesday, November 26th at 8:30 p.m. and end on Tuesday, December 3rd at 8:30 p.m. EST.
To view our available selection, be sure to click the links below!
Items Available for Auction (Starts 11/26/2013):
Sales Literature:
- 1940s, 50s &60s MG
- 1940s Bentley & Rolls-Royce
- 1958 BMW Isetta
- 1956 BMW 507 & 503
- 1940s Ford Anglia
- 1940s Delage & Delahaye
- 1949 Lea Francis
- And more!
* Automobilia
- Dash plaques
* Reproduction Factory Photos
* Books:
- And much more!
Check back often, as we will continue to add new items throughout the year!
For more information, contact our Library Assistant,
Matthew Hocker, mhocker@aacalibrary.org or 717-534-2082.
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Which President of the United States urged Congress to create the interstate highway system?
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Cars & Christmas
November 15, 2013 - January 5, 2014
Santa's Elves are busy transforming the galleries of the AACA Museum for a spectacular holiday wonderland featuring Christmas trees adorned with themed decorations setting off a wide variety of special exhibits from November 15, 2013- January 5, 2014
Enjoy
- Snowmobiles, Sleds &
- MINI Snowmobile "Monster Machine"
- Trains, Trains & More Trains
- Celebrity Cars
- Advanced Lego Technic Super Cars
- Car-Toon Truck & Art Display
- Mr. Beep, the Talking Car
- Sammy the Snow Plow
- Great Grinch Escape
The holiday cheer doesn't stop there! The Museum is teaming up with Carry the Light Ministries of Mechanicsburg for the annual Food and Toy "Drive". Help us help local families by "filling up the truck" located in our Lobby with donations of any non-perishable food items, toiletries and toys through December 23rd. For more information, please visit aacamuseum.org.
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Which President of the United States urged Congress to create the interstate highway system?
Dwight Eisenhower
Source: Automotive Milestones, Trivia of a Most Unique Machine, Edited by Clark Cassell and Charles Merritt, Braddock Publications.
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Calendar Spotlight
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February 6 - 8, 2014
February 20 - 22, 2014
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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.
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