[Twunk Rack]

here's the "bottom line". Times are changing. Language changes. The folks who ran the Classic Car Club Of America in its earlier days are dying off or becoming inactive.

In the 1960's, when the Club put out its "Club Policy Surveys", yes - 99.9% of the membership were very clear they didn't want "dillution". But that was when the membership numbered about 2,000.

The answer to those who wanted more cars called "classics" was obvious - get more members. That has been done. The Club membership is, and has been for some years, approaching 6,000. Most of these newer members couldn't care less what is left of the "old gang" wants or believes.

In the meantime, people in the used car business, and car buffs with cars that did not conform to the Club's membership original understanding of what a "classic" is, have worked VERY hard down thru the years to change the public's perception of what a "classic" car is.

Those of you who still dont know what today's "classics" are, really owe it to yourselves to get up-to-date. There are so many auto-related publications out there that will explain it to you. I have on my desk three current-issue publicatons - HEMMINGS MOTOR NEWS, OLD CARS WEEKLY & Auto Trader Classic's publication CLASSIC CARS.

It is getting harder and harder to find ANY car, pick-up truck, farm tractor, food, service, or product that is not a "classic". Everybody LIKES the word "classic-antique". People feel VERY strongly about this. You go try and tell someone their boat, camper, pick-up truck, plumbing supply house, or any other device, is NOT a "classic", and you are not going to make friends.

My recommendation is you should enjoy the old car movement, join all the clubs you can, participate, and have fun. The "old gang" in the Classic Car Club Of America is suffering the fate of time.

At a recent Classic Car Club regiional event I attended, there were about 18 cars showing up. 17 of them were 1941 Cadillacs, NONE of which would have been "accepted" 30 years ago. Relax, and be patient.

[Buicksplus]

Dynaflash:

I was in the CCCA for 25 years or so, mainly because I had a Buick 90. Thank you for your efforts classifying the 90 30 years ago.

I went to a few CCCA events and never detected much sentiment that the Buick 90's were not "Classic" enough for the CCCA. There was not much reason for anyone to complain. The 90's are very rare and shared many components with long wheelbase Cadillac Classics and they fit right in. I never saw too many at CCCA events, but there were quite a few 90's listed in the club roster.

There have also been custom bodied Buicks of all series classified too, I have seen some of them at events here and there.

Those big Buick Phaetons of the late 30's are fabulous cars, they are really more impressive and as rare as the 90 series limos and sedans. But they will never be classified. I don't think CCCA has classified a single production car since the Model 62 Cadillac, save a few obscure makes with very limited production -- and the recent classification of the T or C.

If the Buick Roadmaster phaeton had a special name (like Continental or T or C) it might have been classified, but Buick didn't do that. Such are the oddities of the CCCA classification system