Newbie asking about AACA Recognized Criteria

[Guest Lovethe countryboy]

I am a new member and looking to buy a car that would be eligible for future tours.  I know the tours are for different years of manufacture, but some (all?)  say "AACA Recognized...cars".  What is the criteria for being AACA Recognized?  I assume no customs, retro-mods, hot-rods, etc., but does it need to 100% stock to be recognized?  What is the criteria or where can I find it.  Thanks, Carl

Edited May 19, 2016 by Lovethe countryboy
Typos (see edit history)

[MCHinson]

Lovethecountryboy,

Welcome to the AACA Discussion Forum. That term would refer to a car that would be eligible to compete in an AACA Meet. That would include any car at least 25 years of age and basically non-modified. There are plenty of modifications that you could make to a car that would still allow the car to remain eligible for Driver Participation Class judging. Any of those modifications would be fine for a car for an AACA Tour. You can review the list of modifications allowed in DPC in the Judging Guidelines available from the home page at http://www.aaca.org/ .  The direct link is at http://www.aaca.org/images/meet_brochures/AACA_2016_Judging_Guidelines.pdf .

 

[John_S_in_Penna]

And Carl, welcome to AACA!

You'll have your enjoyment of old cars magnified many times over

if you participate as you plan.  It sounds as if you joined the

national AACA:  You'll receive the excellent magazine, and be

eligible to take your old car (25 years old or older) to national

meets (shows) and national tours.  You'll have a lot of fun!

 

For even more enjoyment, I'd strongly recommend joining an

AACA "region" (local group) if there is one near you.  It's the

best way to meet old car fans near you.  They will have local

shows, local tours, and local social events.  If you participate

actively (rather than just being a name on a roster), you'll know car fans

in your area, know sources for parts and mechanical work when

you need them, and make many friends.  Any national AACA

member is welcome to join a region (or regions) of his choice,

and they will be glad to have you.

 

Here is the list of regions and chapters, which you can

reach from the AACA home page:  http://www.aaca.org/Community/regions-a-chapters.html

 

[John_S_in_Penna]

46 minutes ago, MCHinson said:

...There are plenty of modifications that you could make to a car that would still allow the car to remain eligible for Driver Participation Class judging. Any of those modifications would be fine for a car for an AACA Tour.... 

 

Matt, could you tell him on which page (of the Judging

Manual's 123 pages) the information could be found?

I was looking for it but could not locate it.

 

And Carl, I'd keep the modifications to a bare minimum.

Quite a few people add seat belts;  every once in a while,

someone will add air conditioning but hide it so the dashboard

looks authentic.  But your car will be appreciated (and ogled!)

even at local AACA events if you avoid things like custom wheels

and Edelbrock under the hood.  And if you want a modern 

radio and CD player, mount it inconspicuously UNDER 

the dashboard--not in place of the original radio.  Most people

don't change the radio.

 

We're all about preserving history while we enjoy our cars!

Edited May 19, 2016 by John_S_in_Penna (see edit history)

[MCHinson]

2 hours ago, John_S_in_Penna said:

 

Matt, could you tell him on which page (of the Judging

Manual's 123 pages) the information could be found?

I was looking for it but could not locate it.

 

Page 4-5

And the specific text is:

"The following are exceptions that will not disqualify the vehicle: seat belts, seat coverings, turn signals, stop lights, sealed beam/halogen headlights, radial tires, alloy wheels of the same era and/ or same vehicle manufacturer, radio upgrades, electrical upgrades, brake upgrades (bolt on), steering upgrades (bolt on), air conditioning, overdrive system and altered exhausts."