Belvedere

I remember the attempt of AACA to accept "historically significant hotrods", and was NOT in favor of it then. Anyone remember what the definition was? If I recall it was a modified vehicle using major components 25 years old or more. That defined "street rod". I've seen a few "Historically Significant Hotrods" (note caps) being judged AACA, 2 examples at Hershey this past year. Seems they must have a racing pedigree to be AACA recognized. Movie cars . . . not interesting to me.

I remember a "Winnie" at Montoursville AACA Spring Meet entered in DPC during the early days of that class!

Sometimes perseverance is what makes this hobby worthwhile! But the intersting point I picked-up on was the NEW class 04B. What small cars does this entail? Should be a great addition to AACA.

While some are poking fun at an '85 Crown Vic, as a "modern antique" it sounds like a great tour car or a good "first car" car for someone to enter the antique car hobby and enjoy the fun. Not everyone can own an Auburn/Cord/Duesenberg. I hope it finds a good home.

OK, I'm not the enemy here! I love the AACA just as it is! Have been a member since the late '80's. Currently it is the ONLY collector car organization I belong to BECAUSE we appreciate original and restored to original vehicles. I traveled to KY to celebrate our 75th! One of my Plymouths is a SR car with 30 Preservations, the other HPOF. And there is no street rod in my garage. Never will be! Ol' Nellybelle started some brainstorming about creating a new class for TV cars sighting historical significance. Although I do not appreciate the modern-day street rods, I found the Hot Rods built in the early '50's included in The 3-Dog Garage feature at the AACA Museum to also be historically significant and ONLY those might find a place with us. Keep in mind it was a brainstorming idea, and not all brainstorming ideas are good ones. Obviously, this one wasn't! I'm also very disheartened by shows that are now dominated by street rods, while original cars, many owned by AACA members like myself, are staying away. The general public (spectators) will always walk by an AACA Senior car to look at the street rod or Mustang with a blower. I adamently agree we should not allow street rods or modified muscle cars on our showfield!!! I'm very sorry you missed my point and hope everyone's blood pressure can return to normal. In the future I will stick to just reading the Forum. AACA does not need to change a thing!

BTW, I try to avoid shows with street rods if I can.

STREET RODS @ AACA, HECK NO!!!!!!!! As to what classes to add or refine, I don't have any concrete answers. I think the Performance classes are a good start, but seem to be confusing to owner/members as to whether their car qualifies, and almost seems voluntary to enter. SGCV is a good idea, but I don't know why this class is display only. A friend says the info one must provide to first have your car qualify is too intense just to be certified and no awards given. Unfortunately, it hasn't been well attended to this point. If you go back a few entries, you will see photos submitted my me of Historical Hot Rods that appeared at the AACA Museum earlier. Note the info provided w/ each vehicle as to their history. Built in the early post-war period into the late '50's, they are equally as historical significant as race prepared vehicles of the same period. With certification and judging like Race Cars, I feel this would be a historically significant class. They are Historical Hot Rods, not modern mail-order street rods. I remember last year at Hershey a Ford Roadster that at first glance figured to be a street rod. What?? But upon closer inspection, found it to be a historically significant hotrod that participated in a timed event. Very interesting. STREET RODS? NEVER!

I agree and disagree with spectators and local advertising. From my experience, lately spectators have a "streetrod mentality". If it doesn't have a chopped top, abundant chrome in the engine bay, and painted a bright color, they aren't interested. Locally, a popular weekend show for over 40 years has steadily declined in spectator attendence seemingly because registrations follow AACA guidlines. Streetrods are no longer welcome, although many modified cars "slip" in. Over the last 10 years, a Rod and Custom Jamboree, held in the same location 4 weeks later has grown by leaps and bounds in registrations and spectator attendance. Sadly, a 25+ year old original or restored vehicle isn't of interest to the average car show goer. I looked at Nellybelle at Hershey, and read the info. Being 50+, I am familiar w/ Roy Rogers, but not Nellybelle. I wasn't sure how it fit into AACA class judging, being non-factory authentic, and was surprise to see it won an award. The idea that 1 or 2 25+ year ago Movie/TV cars on our showfield will draw younger spectators is questionable. How old do you have to be to remember Roy or Mannix? I feel we as a club need to add and refine classes to add and retain our membership, while maintaining the AACA mission.

Here's two more examples. One appeared at the AACA Museum, while the other appeared on the Hershey Showfield in 2008. It was a '36 Jensen Ford with custom bodywork done in the '30's I believe. It drew ALOT of attention. What do you think? Maybe this idea deserves a new thread.

Alot has been said about the institution of a TV/movie car class, thanks to Nellybelle. Earlier in this thread I mentioned the possible interest a "Vintage Hot-rod" class might create. Again, I AM NOT TALKING ABOUT STREET-RODS ON THE AACA SHOWFIELD! During the early Post-war period and throughout the '50's, customers began to create early hot-rods, some going on to grace magazine covers and appear at national custom car shows across the country. How many have survived, we may not know. Race cars were not always "factory creations" and were created by local racers are part of our automobile history. Just the same, vintage hot-rods and customs created in those early Post-war years by locals who may have gone on to be renowned customizers, are also part of that heritage. Entrance into this class would be scrutinized as in the Race Class with solid documentation. I can see as much interest in Vintage Hot-rod as Race cars. I've enclosed a few that appeared in the AACA Museum Feature in the past.

A TV car class did cross my mind after looking at Nellybell. But what about all those clones like General Lee and Starsky and Hutch? It would really be tough to document. To "open a can of worms", a few AACA Museum Features back, several 30's Ford custom roadsters were displayed by Mr. Meyers (I believe). Reportedly customized in the '50's by some well-known customizers of the day, I remember most being in original condition (much like HPOF). Mr Meyers displayed 2 Ford coupes from this same period in the Race Car Class this year at Hershey. I thought what an interesting class this would make, documented custom vehicles that appeared in national custom car shows around the country. NO, I'M NOT SUGGESTING A STREETROD CLASS!! These documented customized vehicles are part of our motoring heritage, especially those done in the 1950's and early '60's. Documentation would need to be as strict as those in the Race Car class. And an era of customization need to be set (ex. Postwar to 1959). Class could be judged as per Race Cars, or certified as SGCV.

That must have been an awesome sight, to see all 3 remaining in one place. You never know what to expect at an AACA Meet.

It was at the AACA Central Fall Meet in Moline, where Class 35B listed 2 1985 Pontiacs (no model indicated) and 1 1984 Pontiac Fiero as Award Winners. I assumed the 2 1985 Pontiacs were also Fieros, prompting my inquiry. Maybe someone who attended Moline remembers what model Pontiacs they were, if not PPG Fieros.

I remember seeing the PPG Fiero at Hershey last year, but didn't know exactly what I was seeing. Thanks for the info. I do look forward to seeing Shelby Dodges on the AACA showfield soon. They are an interesting part of Chrysler History.

I've heard many say they use Marvel Mystery Oil as a gas additive, and it was suggested I do the same for my '60's Plymouths to prevent carb gunk build-up and other issues in the tank. Why should I do this? And how much each time? After a carb rebuild, my mechanic says I need to add nothing to my gas. Pros/Cons please

I've noticed in recent AACA Meet Results, several Pontiac Fieros listed in Class 35-B. Having no attended this particular Meet, I can't say as to whether they are indeed regular production Fieros, but assume they are. What is the criteria for placing them in 35-B, rather than Sports Cars or even the appropriate Class 27? While attending a local show yesterday and admiring a very nice original Dodge Shelby Lancer, the question was raised in my mind, "What about Shelby-Dodge models?" The first Shelby Charger appeared in mid-1983, and was the start of many Shelby-prepared Dodge models including Omnis, Shadows, Lancers and even Dakota pick-ups. Carroll Shelby had a hand in their development, and I believe most (if not all) were sent from the Chrysler assembly line to Shelby Motors for their completion. All were low production. Does this qualify Dodge Shelby models for Class 35-B as well?

I, as I'm sure everyone does, appreciate the hard work that goes into producing a National Meet. I understand the dilema of the first time guy who has no idea what AACA class his or her vehicle belongs in and the Registrar assuming the vehicle's placement. Corrections can hopefully be made the day of the Meet. My initial query concerned the "Grandfathered" vehicle and whether there is a process for the owner to have his or her vehicle properly re-classed. The process does exist. Now it is up to the owner! Let's get the word out.

It seems what like 1937 is saying is that time is flying, and he can't imagine the VW Golf is 25 years old already. It is difficult for many of us to believe any 1985 vehicle is an antique. Seems like just yesterday I purchased a 1985 Citation from the showroom floor. Well, I couldn't wait to get rid of it, but kinda wish I had it now. (But that's another story). Back in 1980, it was shocking to see '55 Chevies on the Hershey showfield. I, personally appreciate the newer antiques just reaching the 25 year milestone, and anticipate seeing what our hobbyists find interesting. Will it be luxo barges or econoboxes? But hasten to add, they should be in show quality original or restored condition. Anything else is just a "clunker". Locally, I see several of these "clunkers" being driven on a daily basis with an Antique Vehicle or Classic Car tag attached to the back. The driver appropriately "thumbing his nose" at the true collectors.

I understand the need for AACA to add new judging classes, and redefine existing ones, and applaud the effort. The addition of High Performance classes a few years back and further defining eligible vehicles was definitely a plus. My issue here is those vehicles whose awards won in earlier appropriate classes are "grandfathered", but not reassigned to the new appropriate judging class when shown today. (Hypothetical Example: 1966 Hemi car awarded Preservation in 27-G, not reassigned to the appropriate class 36). The same can be said for the Sport Ute class and Prototype class. This is confusing to AACA members, and non-members, alike. Why wouldn't a car owner want his car to be placed in the most correct on today's showfield? Is there a process for his car to be reassigned? Also related to AACA Classes, I feel a separate Camaro (incl. Firebird) class is long overdue. Camaros are currently popular, and unfortunately, many owners are going the non-stock route. I feel a new class would encourage more of this model to be authentically restored.