[K8096]

The last "true supercars" of the Classic Era built in America were the 1940 V 16 Cadillac, the 1939 Packard Twelve, and the 1939 Lincoln K. The 1940's cars, while very nice, are basically mass produced assembly line cars with no unique character. Take the 1939 Lincoln K for instance. Save for a couple factory sedan body styles available, almost all of them were semi customs. The coupes & convertibles were by LeBaron, while the sedans were by Willoughby & Judkins. You loose that in the 1940's factory cars. Anyone who thinks a 62 series Cadillac or a 160 Packard body had the same care & craftmanship put into it and one by Willoughby or Judkins is sadly mistaken. I was at the meeting at Hershey & heard what was said. I joined the CCCA in 1990 when I was 16 years old, with the original intent of becoming a life member when I was 26. Certain actions by the CCCA board in the past have made it so I didn't want to splurge on the life membership. Now with the talk of letting more post war cars in, I'm about ready to give up. I know at this point I will never pay to be a life member, and it will be only a matter of time before the original standards of the CCCA will have sunk so low that I will say "the hell with it" and not renew my membership.

[West Peterson]

Originally Posted by Trunk Rack

WES IS SO RIGHT. HIS REASONING IS FLAWLESS. THAT IS WHY I CANT WAIT TILL MY TOYOTA RAV IS TWENTY FIVE YEARS OLD & AND THEN IT WILL BE A CLASSIC ANTIQUE TOO. AFTER ALL, IT IS SO MUCH SMOOTHER, FASTER, AND BETTER RIDING THAN SOME OLD BUICK.

TR
I'm not sure why you're jabbing me, as I'm on the side of the fence where postwar cars shouldn't be part of the CCCA at all. Either you weren't understanding what I said, or I'm not understanding your point. All I was doing was comparing a postwar Buick to a postwar Cadillac, and the Buick clearly came out on top.

[alsancle]

I'm 100% traditionalist and consider it a travesty that the post war cars were deemed "Classics". However, I'm not sure how I feel about letting in certain very high dollars cars from the 50s in their own class not called "Classic". It could be something like "noted post-war vehicle" and for display only at the shows and perhaps not allowed on the Caravans. Personally, I feel tradition is good and from what I've seen "Change" seems to be a code word for screwing up, but like I said I'm slightly open to the notion of post war "noted vehicles" for display only.

[K8096]

Isn't that what the Milestone club was for? Why did that club fall apart? If you let them on the field, it's only a matter of time before they're judged & on tours. Maybe there should be 2 Classic Car Clubs. One for 1939 & earlier (including 1940 V 16 Caddy's), and one for 1940 & up. We could have some seperate meets & tours and some joint meets & tours.

[West Peterson]

While I understand your thoughts on where to draw the line, no matter where you draw the line it won't make much sense. There's virtually no difference between a 1939 Packard Super Eight and a 1940, for instance. I think it's just easier to call the Classic Era 1925-1942.

[West Peterson]

Al
How about calling the noted cars, "Full Non-Classics"?

[Trunk Rack]

Recently, a MAJOR Region of the CCCA was denied the use of one of its "traditional" event-meeting places for one of our regional events.

The reason ? There was a sale of the property, and the new owners, ( not familiar with the "REAL" CCCA and what we USED to stand for) didn't want a bunch of pick-up trucks and/or lo-riders and/or hot-rods tearing around on the lawn of their beautiful golf course.

I have on my desk two of the most popular monthly magazines utilized by used car folk to "unload" old cars. One is HEMMINGS MOTOR NEWS, and the other is AUTO TRADER CLASSICS. It is pretty clear what the average person thinks a "classic car" is. The word "classic car" is now engrained in the public's vocabulary.

It has taken a lot of work over the course of many years to change the concept of "classic car".

Hard work, lobbying, and just "talking it up" by used car dealers has been successful in changing the use of the word "classic" to something quite a bit different than when the CCCA was in its "glory days".

From its use to celebrate the largest, most powerful, most luxurious, most elegant "TOP OF THE LINE" cars from the 20's thru the end of the 30's, the word "classic" REALLY means today nice old used car I'd really like to "un-load"...!

For that reason, I think it is useless to worry about the expression "classic car" and "antique car" any further. Just talking about it these days makes people who are trying to sell "classic" cars mad.

That is why I think we should start with my earlier suggestion (see earlier post in this thread). Again, how about a NON-CLASSIC CAR CLUB OF AMERICA!

This new NON CLASSIC CAR CLUB OF AMERICA would be just for those of us who dont want our big, elegant "super cars" from the 20's and 30's confused with all those "classic" used pick-up trucks, "classic" Chevrolets and "classic" Fords, "classic" hot rods, "classic" lo riders, etc., of various eras and descriptions.

Again, I think a great list of acceptable cars, for this new NON CLASSIC CAR CLUB OF AMERICA would be the "acceptable list" of the Classic Car Club of America, before they changed their list to include 40's cars!

[K8096]

Originally Posted by West Peterson

I think it's just easier to call the Classic Era 1925-1942.

I understand, but then you have a 1946 & 47 Cadillac almost identical to a 1942 save for a few trim pieces. The Packard Clipper design that came out right before the war carried over to 1946 & 47 as well. And we all know what happened to the beautiful 1940 - 1941 Lincon Continental starting in 1942. So you're basically back to the original list then. The model 75 Cadillac body is almost the same from 1938 - 1949. 1939 Packard Super Eights are an odd lot as it was the first year for the smaller body, yet it retained the old style engine for a decade earlier. As you know, 1940 was the first year for the 356. I've never lumped 1939's & 40's together because of the engine difference. You know, originally only Packard 180's were in the club, then later 160's were allowed in, which opened the door for the Cadillac Sixty Special, and we've been sliding down the slippery slope ever since. I heard the New England Region sent a letter in to National officially protesting the recent addition. Maybe I should join that region instead of the one I'm in now.

[Dave Fields]

Gary 1942, no , but you are in luck. I am in EL Paso TX, and it is your turn to buy lunch. Seriously, what cars do you have?

[Dave Fields]

West: Trunk Rack don't know nuttin about Classic Cars. He thinks fire trucks are classics. ;-) OK, pierce arrow powered fire truck asside, I can think of 12 reason's why I like Pete's Packard.