Belvedere

Oh my! I live just 30 minutes east of Reading, Pa. and remember seeing this Rajah Temple car in parades as a kid. Is this a recent photo and does this car still survive? Flxible converted this era of Buicks into ambulances and hearses. Do you think this was indeed an original flower car, or a later modification by the Shriners into this "member transporter"? Perkiomen Valley Bus Co. near me also repurposed one of those original ambulance conversions into a small group "bus" in the early sixties, painted the black/creme company colors. I also remember it as a kid. Photos of that "Perkie" bus can also be found on the internet.

Have the Repeat Preservation tabs been mailed out? Still waiting. They usually come really quick.

Well, thanks to Google and AACA I learned something. I can see why this particular IS special and was entered into Class 35. I never knew these existed.

Thanks, I know Class 35 is for that type of vehicles. I was just curious what could be special about this particular LeSabre. Now on to Google.

Thanks for posting. I see a 1986 Buick LeSabre belonging to Mr. Oldfield won a Senior Award in Class 35A. I'm curious as to what makes this Buick unique to qualify for this specialty class. Does anyone who attended remember seeing this car? Anyone take a photo?

Well, I made the 140 mile road trip to the AACA Headquarters today to see the Spohn in person. I was happy to view the car while discussing it with Steve. Thank you for your time. it was worth the trip. My impression is that for a 1957 custom-built vehicle with countless late '50's American styling cues, it doesn't hide the 1940's architecture. In short, it looks very dated (old) by comparison to contemporary American cars. In many ways it better reflects the less extravagant European automobiles of the period more familiar to this German coachbuilder. The Spohn is an interesting choice for display. Go see it if you can.

If the Spohn is accepted into Class 35 as it should be, and the owner displays it on the showfield at the Hershey Fall Meet, I expect it will draw a crowd all-day-long! It will certainly be one of the show's highlights.

Steve, I don't want to agree or disagree with you on this topic. Certainly didn't want to ruffle feathers. I was merely expanding on 31Nash's question in that some may not understand the difference between coachbuilder and customizer. It can become fuzzy for me as well. The end result is different and each has their place. I prefer coachbuilt over a chopped and channeled "custom". Maybe that's the difference between a custom coachbuilt body and a coachbuilt "custom", the end result. I agree with Alsuncle that 99% of the time it is easy to distinguish coachbuilt vs. custom. I'm Googling Gene Winfield now.

Steve, the differentiation between Spohn and Barris (not familiar with Winfield) is indeed a very slippery slope, splitting hairs if you will. Is it because Spohn was a German coachbuilder, and Barris an American "customizer", but still a coachbuilder of sorts? Each took a chassis and powertrain of possibly earlier vintage, and built a custom body to a client's specifications. Some may argue this 1957 Spohn is not as tasteful as a Barris creation, that is for the beholder to decide. I refer you to the Monkeymobile. And each was built for a different type of client. I'm not sure if being a movie car should have any bearing on the acceptance by AACA. I do understand the mission of AACA and agree we should stay in our lane. But to say this Spohn is different from an authentically restored, or unrestored Barris, is indeed splitting hairs. I am planning a road trip to the Headquarters to see this creation.

Maybe if you lowered the suspension a bit instead of maintaining the Ford truck ride height. Maybe it would look more like the LeSabre it was emulating. Has anyone determined what AACA class this will be in for judging? Just asking.

Recently I read an AACA FaceBook post concerning indignant owners when asked to see the fire extinguisher on the showfield. The topic evolved into a discussion about which is better, ABC or just BC. A while back, AACA updated the BC required extinguisher to ABC, with regards to wood-bodied vehicles throughout the showfield. Later, I think it was reverted back to the required BC, not sure. I still carry the 1A10BC in my vehicles. The judging sheets only state a UL approved extinguisher is required. So what is AACA's current requirement? Also, can we have a discussion here as to which is better? The FB poster (one of our forum members) went on to say that the ABC extinguisher contains acid, and will destroy a car (if the fire doesn't). It has led me to question my choice of extinguisher.

Paul, is that an AACA award grille badge on that Ford?

Are spectators welcome to view the Buicks on Friday's show field? I don't own a Buick, but like them, and I live locally to Morgantown. I'd really like to see cars.

My father did. I've got the invoice for the purchase of his 1968 Plymouth Satellite on October 16, 1967. Yes it was a very early car delivered to Bermont Motors in Gilbertsville, PA maybe 1 week after the 1968 new car showing. He also kept the cancelled check he wrote for the purchase. I've got that too. And by the way, I've also got the car! You may have seen it at Hershey.

I know Class 35 is by application on the part of the owner. My thought now is why would an owner whose vehicle is eligible for 35 go to all the trouble of submitting an application to the VP of Class Judging when he can just "drop" into a production class? Could the owner of an SGVC just slot into a production class rather than applying for SGCV acceptance, then Class 35? There should be a process whereby owners, especially those new to AACA or of vehicles shown for the first time be "professionally" instructed as to the appropriate class for their vehicle the next time shown. Any awards would be retained. With the level of judging done by AACA, vehicles should be in the most correct class. Volkswagons and 1958 Chevrolets for example, have been moved into correct classes as they evolved. Anyway, it was just a thought as I looked at the Gemballa. Thanks Dave for your response.