Just brought home a behemoth that had not seen the outside of it's barn in about 25 years. Prior owner passed away 25 yrs ago after beginning mechanical restoration and had car in primer. Sadly, I had to evict an extended family of mice,have now cleaned out their residue and am airing the car out. The car is complete and absolutely solid - always stored inside. Last license plate is 1938 - shows 34,000 miles. Am in research process now and will start frame off restoration in about 12-15 months. What are rules on registering car with CCCA? Does restoration need to occur first, or may I send in it's vitals now? Is there a preference? May I, and if so how may I, access the CCCA library via the internet to research the car for correct accessories, guages, colors, etc?

Well , first off - what kind of behemoth do you have? And can you supply any pictures?

.................Steve

A restored car is not a requirment, but it does have to be Classic to be entered into any CCCA event or to be registered with the club. Register it at any time. I would suggest contacting Kim Miller at the AACA Library in regards to original literature that is available (KMiller@aacalibrary.org).
As Steve asked, though, we'd love to see pictures. We could also tell you if it's on the list of CCCA Classics, as not all old cars are Classic as defined by the Classic Car Club of America.

The car's owners manual lists it at 5,600# W/O accessories, has a wheelbase of 137" (shorter of the two models) and is a 1929 Stearns-Knight Model H-8-90. Straight 8 sleeve valve motor, dual eccentrics (replace cams) 5" stroke X 3.5" bore for 385 CID. Car is dual side mount w/ buffalo wire wheels. Factory guaranteed the car would do over 100 mph when new. Believed to be fastest production car prior to J Dusenberg. Very few of these left. When I got home with car and parts I had to put new, heavier axles under my trailer. Flattened the springs and bent an axle. Now have a pair of 7,000 axles.

It's definately Classic. There is an expert on these cars in Willoughby, Ohio, married to a Stearns grandaughter (or daughter, I forget). In fact, this gentleman donated several of his Stearns Knights to the AACA Museum in Hershey, Pa. He has his Stearns restored by another Stearns restoration expert in California.
If you're a member of the CCCA, look in your club handbook to find the Willoughby, Ohio man. His name begins with B.

Finally figured out how to make my pictures small enough in KB size for the web site to accept them!

Engine Picture

The man who is the Stearns expert is Patterson Barnes.

This is how I found my car. I hope that you keep this thing, Has a great story to go with it to. See they are still out there you guys. This is the only way I could get one for now, I had to be real crusty. Some day it will be on the road I hope, your car that is. Good luck with that old thing and help stamp out new cars!!!!

Since CCCA already has given your car "Full Classic" status, you don't need to do anything to register your car, but the Club would like to know of its whereabouts. That's easy to do. When your dues renewal comes in the mail, just register it in the space provided. By doing this, it will be listed in the next edition of the Membership Roster, which usually is in your mail box about March of every year.

This directory is one of the very handy things the Club provides for its membership. You'll not only find out what other Club members live in your neighborhood, but you will be able to discover what cars they have as well. That can be very handy, especially if you are in the process of restoring a car. Right now, the Roster shows that there are eleven other Stearns Knights in the Club. As you know, they are unusual cars. There just aren’t a lot of them and you're lucky to own one. You will probably be able to learn a lot from the other owners of these cars, and membership in the Club is a great way to meet them.

I'll look forward to seeing your car at a future Grand Classic. By the way the car does not have to be restored to participate in any CCCA event. In fact, if you drag it to an even “barn fresh” it is likely to be the hit of the show.

Patterson Barnes was just at the AACA Grand National at Hickory corners with his '27 Stearns-Knight. Much of his restoration and maintenance work is done by his caretaker Ed who lives on the Barnes estate in Waite Hill. Anne Barnes is a granddaughter of Frank B. Stearns.... very nice people.