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.

I approached this vehicle in class 27Q with many questions (and doubts) on this year's Hershey show field. What is it? Looks like it doesn't belong here. Nice vehicle, by the way. It's owned by Mr. Hyatt, a young guy. I believe in another post he says he is new to the AACA. That's great! In that same post he states his car left the judges "scratching their heads". I see it was awarded a First Junior in 27Q. Congratulations! So upon arriving home, I Googled Gemballa. From what I gathered, Gemballa purchases bodies in white and modifies them in a German factory in very limited quantities. Whether it be a Porsche or, as in this case a BMW, it is then sold as a Gemballa. It is a car manufacturing company registered with German Motor Vehicles Authority since 1985. So it appears it is to be welcomed on the AACA show field, but not as a production vehicle equal to those in class 27Q. It's just not the same as Ford or Chevy coming down the assembly line. Rather, in my opinion it fits into one of Class 35 divisions for limited production vehicles. Did anyone else look at this vehicle? Do you agree it should be relocated to a more appropriate class? Retaining its First Junior status, of course.

What is the registration deadline date?

Steve, this is good news! Any idea of a timeline for availability of additional info and registration materials. What about registration deadline, the usual August 15th(?) is fast approaching.

I sent my registration early-on, and to date my check has not been cashed. Also my stamped envelope has not been returned with registration confirmation. Is this due to headquarters shut-down?

Oh no, no Burb? Why?

Steve, there is no doubt the Chesapeake Region put a great deal of effort and finances to put on this exceptional Meet. I applaud them. The venue and cars were simply outstanding! Unfortunately, I was only able to attend the show, missing any tours and gatherings. The magnet-plaque was just a surprise to me, but it will join all of the other AACA Spring Meet plaques in my large frame representing one of the finest I've attended over the past 25 years.

I agree, great show. This complex has become popular with many car club events and is a great venue. The cars were indeed at a high level of quality. One question though, when did it become acceptable for AACA Meet dash plaques to be cheap refrigerator magnets? Is this to be the new norm?

I felt the HPOF class was better with the 35 year cut-off imposed several years ago. Prior to that it was initially 45 years old. A survivor of 35 or 45 years in remarkable condition is, well, more remarkable than one of 25 years. But that ship has sailed. Having said that, there were some original 25 to 30 year old vehicles displayed at Hershey in HPOF that were very remarkable indeed. The S-10 pick-up that is the initial subject of this thread being one of them and very deserving of the HPOF badge it received. And that is as it should be. My "rub" shall we say, are the late model antiques from the '80's and early '90's that are displayed with barely a shred of dignity. Highlights include shredded upholstery on the driver's seat and the top of the back seat from baking in the sun, duct tape across the top of the windshield to stop a leak, foil tape covering a rusted rear bumper, and so much surface rust on the paint you couldn't polish it if you wanted to. Sometimes the best thing on these cars is the HPOF badge itself! I feel this type of HPOF rewarded vehicle shines a bad light on AACA. On the other hand, a vehicle approaching 100 years with the same maladies is a different story indeed, and deserves the award. If granny's '91 Olds still looks showroom new because she only took it out of the garage on Sundays, then I'm impressed. If it's a clunker that always sat on the street and looks like it was pulled from the junk yard, then NO! Presently, my HPOF car will stay home because of the direction this class has taken in some cases.

I was under the impression Class 39 was display only. The lone entrant is listed as receiving a First Junior.

Looks like no shortage of stunning vehicles at the show! Thanks for the photos.