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Spring has FINALLY Sprung!
Here at Headquarters, we've got a spring in our step as we look forward to some great meets in Charlotte, Auburn, and Buffalo! We hope that you'll join us in celebrating the weather, the hobby, and as always, the awesome automobiles! A special thanks to those who came to soak up the sunshine at our Winter Meet in Florida, and congratulations to the award winners!
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The Newest edition of The Judge is now available! This packed edition has registration information for Eastern Spring (Buffalo, NY), Grand National (Lebanon, TN), Southeastern Fall Meet (Lebanon, TN), Central Spring Meet (Lincoln, NE) and Central Fall Meet (Oconomowoc, WI). For the PDF version, click here.
Judges can also sign up for meets by logging into members.aaca.org.
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Eastern Spring Meet - Deadline April 30!
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May 30 - 31, 2014 � Buffalo, NY
Don't miss out on enjoying all that the Buffalo region has to offer - including great cars, great sites, and great food! In addition to the meet, attendees can enjoy a welcome party, tour to Fort Niagara & Niagara Falls, tour of the Buffalo Transportation Museum & Canalside (Buffalo's Waterfront), and eat some famous Buffalo fare. Click here for more information.
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Grand National / Southeastern Fall Dual Meet
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June 12 - 14, 2014 � Lebanon, TN
 Join the Middle Tennessee Region for the Annual Grand National and the Southeastern Division Fall Meet. The Grand National will take place on Friday, June 13 and feature the "Best of the Best" cars in competition. To participate in the Grand National, your vehicle must have received a Senior Award prior to 2014. The Southeastern Fall Meet will take place Saturday, June 14. As a special gift to people who register their car for this Dual Meet we will be offering a free souvenir photograph of their car taken in front of a vintage service station. Click here for more information.
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May 8 - 10, 2014 � Auburn, IN
 The AACA is excited to present the Special Meet in Auburn, Indiana this year. Hosted on the grounds at the Auburn Auction Park, this meet is going to have a ton of awesome automotive activities. Auctions America will be conducting their Spring Sale, and you'll be their guest for free! There are event special discounts for AACA members at several fascinating automotive, truck, and military museums in the area. Just be sure to show your AACA Membership card to take advantage of the savings! Click here for more information.
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Mr. & Mrs. Buick prepare for Fallbrook
California's 49th Annual Vintage Car Show
Submitted by: Chuck Tillotson
 Wayne and Ann Yonce, otherwise known as Mr. & Mrs. Buick to vintage car aficionados, are the second oldest active members of the Fallbrook Vintage Car Club having joined it in 1980. They first learned of Fallbrook when, in 1976, their newly restored 1938 Buick Special convertible won it's National 1st place award at the only AACA National meet ever to be held in Fallbrook. Impressed with the area, they purchased a 4-acre parcel of raw brush land and three years later they built their hillside home over a 5 car garage and planted an avocado grove on the remaining acreage.
Wayne and Ann recognize that they're getting on in years so for this year's show they have begun preparations early. By getting one of their four Buicks ready each month, they figure they'll be able to enter their entire collection in this year's Vintage Car Show to be held May 25.
The restorations are all done by Wayne (including the paint jobs inside his garage) with consulting, guidance, and a little elbow grease provided by Ann. Today, they own a '38 Buick Special convertible, '62 Buick Wildcat, '79 Buick Riviera-S Type and a big long yellow '68 Buick Electra 225 convertible.
 They have entered literally hundreds of car shows over the years. This wouldn't be so unusual for a car collector, but what is so unique about the Yonce's entries is that they have never transported their show cars on a trailer. Instead, without concern for possible damages or breakdowns, they've driven them from their home in Fallbrook to enter in shows and tours as far as Virginia, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Iowa and Arizona and of course, California. Wayne and Ann have had a lot of fun meeting fellow vintage car hobbyists and other people they've encountered while touring to and from the shows. Although each of their Buicks have won many awards, including the AACA's Grand National Senior award and the equally coveted Buick Club senior award, the memories of their "on the road" adventures have meant much more to them than any trophy ever received. The 49th Annual Fallbrook Vintage Car Show will be held over the Memorial Day weekend on May 25th at Potter Junior High School, 1743 Reche Road. On display will be more than 300 superb vintage vehicles, food concessions, swap meet and other vendor booths. The show is free to the public. For more information on the car show visit www.fallbrookvintagecarclub.org. Hopefully included in the show will be all four of Mr.and Mrs. Buick's outstanding vintage collection.
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Meet the Newest AACA Region
Ottawa Capital Region
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We would like to welcome the newest Region to AACA. The Ottawa Capital Region was formed in February 2014 with Rheal Larose serving as its first President and organizer. Vice President is Michael Gosselin, Secretary/Treasurer is Pauline Gosselin. The members live throughout the area of Ottawa Capital Region. Ottawa is the National Capital of Canada and is known for its green spaces, outstanding museums, historic buildings and the longest skating rink in the world. Ottawa has a strong government influence and has a full slate of embassies and a great multi/cultural aspect. Ottawa is the home of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police and its suburbs have a population hovering around one million people. The Ottawa area is situated in the Provence of Ontario, but sits on the Ottawa River which separates Ontario from the Provence of Quebec.
Currently the Region has 31 members with more expected. The next Region meeting will be a dinner meeting on March 19th, but they are looking at possibly doing a spring tour in April. They are also in contact with the St. Lawrence/Adirondack Region in New York State. They are trying to have a Meet and Greet outing with their sister Region this spring.
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Member Benefit of the Month - Mileage Award Program
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 With so many awesome benefits of being an AACA member, we wanted to give you a refresher to help you maximize your membership. Each month we'll highlight an exclusive member benefit for you to take advantage of, if you don't already!
If you enjoy driving your antique vehicle, start your engine and get recognized for driving your AACA-approved vehicles throughout the calendar year with the Mileage Award Program (MAP). Participation is voluntary and tracking mileage is your responsibility. Once you sign up, you will receive a badge and awards at 2,000, 5,000, and each 5,000 mile increment thereafter. The cost to become a MAP member is a one-time fee of $25. Click here for a Mileage Award Program Application.
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Automotive Museum Partnership Pilot Program
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The Canton Classic Car Museum
An Entertaining Stroll Down Memory Lane
By: Casey Hanna
 What was once the largest Ford dealership in the United States is now the happy home of a collection that showcases over 40 beautiful antique and classic cars which are frequently referred to as rolling sculptures. The museum is also home to a variety of antique motorcycles, bicycles, antique toys, fashions of the period, and early 1900s nostalgia. The museum was established by the late Marshall Belden Sr. in 1978 when he needed a place to house his impressive collection.
There is a bit of interesting history behind the collection and the building in which it is displayed. In 1914, when the Lincoln Highway, the first coast to coast highway, was being constructed, two men named George Monnot and Joseph Sacher ran a bicycle business out of the building that would later be turned into the Canton Classic Car Museum. This business was located very close to the Lincoln Highway and George Monnot saw this as a great way to diversify his business. He began to operate an automotive repair garage and eventually even ended up assembling Ford Model Ts from parts sent to him directly from Henry Ford himself!
Antique Automobile Club of America members can come see this fantastic compilation of antique transportation at a discounted admission price thanks to the recently established Automotive Partnership Pilot Program! Group rates are also available and the museum is also handicap accessible. The museum is open 7 days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. If you are in the area, go check it out!
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Enter to Win a 2014 Camaro 2LS Coupe!
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Drawing will take place on October 11, 2014
Each $20 ticket will give you a chance to win the grand prize - a brand new 2014 Camaro (or $17,000 cash)! Second place will win $3,000 cash and third place will take home $1,000 cash. Proceeds from this charity raffle will benefit the AACA, The AACA Library and Research Center, and The AACA Museum. Winner need not be present to win and is responsible for all taxes. Click here to order a raffle ticket today.
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Library & Research Center
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All aboard the Nite Coach
By: Matthew Hocker
 Although the AACA Library is known for its wealth of information on cars and trucks, it is also a great place to visit for bus enthusiasts. One of the special collections housed here is owned by the Museum of Bus Transportation (MOBT), which also happens to have a few of its buses on display at the AACA Museum. The MOBT collection at the library consists of several hard to find items, including vintage factory photographs of buses, sales literature, shop manuals, and even bus schedules.
While going through the Greyhound photographs, I stumbled upon an unusual looking streamlined double-decker bus from 1928 called the Pickwick Nite Coach. After some investigation, I discovered the vehicle was built by Pickwick Motor Coach Works of California. It was a branch of the larger Pickwick Corporation, which was involved in a wide range of business activities; it operated bus routes, owned hotels, published a monthly magazine, and even operated a radio station. Greyhound took note of the company's success and merged its transportation network with that of the Pickwick Corporation in 1929 to form Pickwick-Greyhound.
Stylistically speaking, there was nothing else on the road that looked quite like the twenty-six passenger Pickwick Nite Coach. It was designed to be the motor industry's answer to the Pullman railroad car with all the amenities necessary for long-distance trips. The interior was complete with a bathroom, a small kitchen and thirteen private compartments, all of which were outfitted with a sink, drawers and thermos for personal use. Each compartment had enough room for two people and could be converted into sleeping quarters for overnight travel. In addition to providing a comfortable environment, the needs of travelers were met by the bus' staff, which included two drivers, a chef and a steward.
 Another stand-out feature was the driver's seat, which was elevated above the engine compartment; this afforded him a clearer view of the road. A ramp and winch system helped the engine compartment slide out, thereby simplifying replacement and repairs. In his book, Motorcoach Milestones, Robert L. Smith stated the entire process required no more than twenty minutes to complete.
What made the bus all the more impressive was that its designer, Dwight E. Austin, only had an eighth grade education. However, learning did not end with formal schooling, as he picked up the tools of the trade while working for his family's auto repair business. In particular, he honed his woodworking skills and eventually branched out into coachbuilding.
Pickwick knew they had a unique vehicle on their hands, so they went out of their way to promote it. Its first public appearance was at the 1928 Pacific Southwest Exposition in Long Beach, California. The inauguration of the bus was similar to that of a ship's sendoff. For example, there was a christening ceremony in which Hollywood actress Clara Bow smashed a bottle of ginger ale against the thirty-four foot long behemoth as if it were a ship ready to set sail. Also like a boat, each vehicle was given a unique name. Gladys and Alsacia were named after the daughters of Pickwick Motorcoach's owner, Charles F. Wren. Another was known as Morpheus, appropriately named after the Greek god of dreams.
Despite the company's innovative nature, Pickwick was not immune to the ill effects of the Great Depression. In 1932, it went into bankruptcy and gradually faded from the public consciousness. Fortunately, organizations like the Museum of Bus Transportation are around to help the Nite Coach's memory live on.
Discover More:
Interested in learning more about the Nite Coach or your other favorite bus? Here at the AACA Library, the MOBT collection and our collection of books on buses help bring the history of the bus industry to life. If you are interested in using these materials for research, be sure to contact the library or pay us a visit. We'd love to hear from you!
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The AACA Library's eBay Store!
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New Items in 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.
We will also be holding our monthly eBay auction, with fifty unique listings!
The auction began on Sunday, March 23rd at 7:30 PM EST and will end on Sunday, March 30th at 7:30 PM.
To view our available selection, be sure to click the links below!
 Items Available for Auction (3/23/2014 - 3/30/2014)
* Books & Periodicals:
- Unsafe at Any Speed by Ralph Nader (1966)
- S.A.E Transactions from 1927 to 1956 by the Society of
Automotive Engineers
- Jack of All Trades signed by actor, Jack Warner (1975)
- Rickenbacker signed by Eddie Rickenbacker (1976)
- Dyke's Automotive Encyclopedia (1918 and 1930)
- Horseless Carriage Days by Hiram Percy Maxim (1937)
- Petroleum Motor-Cars by Louis Lockert (1899)
- Rudolf Caracciola by Ernst Rosemann (1935)
- March 1932 issue of The Studebaker Wheel
- And more!
* Sales Literature:
- 1981 DeLorean
- 1930s Nash
- 1950s & 1960s Volkswagen
- 1939 Ford
- And more!
* Manuals & Guides:
- Repair Manual for 1932 through 1947 Ford cars
- Reed Service Manual (covers model years 1912 - 1920)
- National Service Manual (covers model years 1929 - 1937)
- Bound copies of Delco System instruction books (1914 - 1922)
- And more!
Items Available for General Sale:
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Reproduction Factory Photos:
* Books:
- Pre-War
- Racing
- Biographies & In-Depth Histories
- Car & Truck Reference Books
- Manuals & Guides
- And much more!
* Sales Literature
* Shop Manuals
Check back often, as we will continue to add new items!
For more information, contact our Library Assistant,
Matthew Hocker, mhocker@aacalibrary.org or 717-534-2082.
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Who invented the first car radio?
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 An Evening with The Tuckers
Friday, April 25, 2014
Time: 6:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.
An incredible evening centered around Tucker - the automobile and the family.
On view will be the original "Tin Goose" prototype courtesy of the Swigart Museum located in Huntingdon, PA.
Preston Tucker's family including grandson John Jr. and great-grandsons Mike and Sean Tucker will reminisce about amusing antidotes and host a question and answer session.
Steve Tremulis, the nephew of famed designer Alex Tremulis will explore designs for the '48 and other stories.
Rob & Bob Ida will be on hand to examine the design features and construction of the Tucker along with information on the New Tucker '48 currently on display at the AACA Museum created by the Idas.
Proceeds from this event will go toward the permanent Cammack Tucker Exhibit Gallery. Click here for more information.
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Library Hosts Automotive Students
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 In mid-March the AACA Library & Research Center happily greeted more than twenty auto body restoration students from Penn State's College of Technology in Williamsport. The visit started with a brief talk from author Bill Jackson who explained his research process while working on his book Rolling Sculpture.
Afterwards, Head Librarian Chris Ritter discussed in detail the library's history, holdings and services offered followed by a tour of the facility. Students were then free to browse the library's collection of more than 1,000,000 individual items including books, sales literature, brochures, company documents, owner's booklets, periodicals, service manuals and many more items all relating to the automotive industry and hobby.
 This group's visit was especially rewarding for library staff. On several occasions we overheard students proclaim things like "This is awesome!" or "Wow, look at this!" Even though the library gets happy customers on a regular basis; it is rare to come into contact with a group of students. We look forward to their next visit.
One thing is certain with this group of young adults - the old car hobby is alive and well!!!
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Who invented the first car radio?
Paul Gavin in 1929
Source: Automotive Milestones, Trivia of a Most Unique Machine, edited by Clark Cassell and Charles Merritt, Braddock Publications.
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AACA Official Custom Car Signs
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Show off your car and your AACA pride with the only AACA approved Car Show Sign! AACA Car Show Signs are approximately 16.5" high by 12" wide and display your customized information alongside of the AACA Logo. A great accessory for all members! The cost is $30 plus shipping. To order, send your 200-word description in a word document to mclayton@aaca.org today.
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Bob Lutz Scheduled to Attend the 2014 Elegance At Hershey
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 Many car enthusiasts recognize the name Bob Lutz. His credentials include high rankings from the Big 3, GM, Ford and Chrysler. His career in the automobile world does not stop there. Also holding the title of executive vice president of global sales and marketing at BMW. Lutz has and still is living a life in and around the automotive world. Mr. Lutz started his automotive career in 1963 at GM. He has had his hand in some of the most influential concept cars and production cars over the past 50+ years. At 81 years Bob's most recent venture is a partnership with Gilbert Villarreal. They formed VL Automotive for the creation of the Destino project. The VL Destino will be powered by a LT1V8 or an LS9 V8 courtesy of Chevrolet. The cabin is furnished through Katzkin. Undergoing some changes from the initial concept the Destino is still alive and moving forward. Making an appearance at the 2014 Detroit automotive show, fingers are crossed that perhaps the car will travel to Hershey.
Bob's history and life experiences are expansive. He served as a jet-attack aviator in the United States Marine Corps. He is recognized for numerous publications, the most recent is Icons and Idiots: Straight Talk On Leadership. He is a contributor to CNBC, Forbes and Road & Track.
A serious car enthusiast, his stable of cars range from Cunningham coupes to a Monteverdi. Of course as a retired jet fighter pilot, fighter jets are part of his collection.
The Elegance is privileged to name Bob Lutz as Honorary Chairman. He will be present on Saturday at the Grand Ascent, the Saturday evening celebration and the Sunday automotive garden party.
Event details at a glance:
- Friday Grand Ascent Hill Climb 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday Elegance Challenge 5K 7:45 a.m. registration opens
- Saturday Grand Ascent Hill Climb 10:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
- Saturday evening celebration dinner and silent auction 6:00 p.m. - 10:00 p.m. ($200/seat - must be reserved in advance)
- Sunday The Elegance Automotive Garden party on the lawn of The Hotel Hershey� 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
New sponsors joining the Elegance: Ruozzi Brothers Collection; Librandi's Plating; Algar Ferrari of Philadelphia
Click here to purchase your tickets online
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Calendar Spotlight
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April 3 - 5, 2014
May 8 - 10, 2014
June 12 - 14, 2014
June 26 - 28, 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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