Turn5

My 1996 Wells Cargo Auto hauler with beaver tail and ramp door is built like a tank. I have carelessly hit the bottom rear driving into and out of steep gas station driveways and it has suffered no damage. It does not happen very often because the driveway must be quite steep. The beaver tail makes loading and unloading all cars, especially low sports cars, much easier . In addition to the other excellent suggestions here, I will second the motion that it should have a driver side door to allow you to get the car door fully open. Without the driver side door, you can barely get the door of a big '50s or '60s car open. If you are lucky, you will be able to barely squeeze your way out. It should be serviced before long trips to help avoid problems on the road. Brakes, bearings, electrical connections, lights. I carry two spare tires, just in case I run through a construction zone in the middle of nowhere. A tire pressure monitor system will alert you to tire problems. Don't tow with a tow vehicle smaller than a 2500 pound pickup or suburban. I tow with a motorhome and the dual rear axle provides great stability. Equalizer bars and an anti-sway control system are musts, even on a motorhome. A maximum speed of 65 to 70 mph is a comfortable speed and about as fast as you will want to drive so long as you have loaded the trailer properly with sufficient tongue weight. If you load the trailer with low tongue weight, the rig will wander back and forth and you will scare the hell out of yourself, at which time you will stop, move the car forward and increase the tongue weight. I travel with about 1,100 pounds of tongue weight and it trailers straight and solid. The tow vehicle and trailer should be level. A CDL is not required for a 12,000 pound trailer here in Illinois or in most states that I am aware of. Hope this helps. Best regards and good luck. Ed Leed

Steve and the national staff have done a terrific job dealing with this very difficult decision. Thanks for postponing the Annual Grand Nationals.

In terms of condition, if you enter a judged class your car should be in the condition in which it left the factory in 1954. This means for it to be competitive, the condition of the paint, interior, engine compartment, undercarriage etc., must be as close to factory new condition as you can make it. If it is an original, unrestored car, you might decide to instead enter the Historic Preservation of Original Features class. As previously said, you must qualify for the GN by entering the National Meets. Good luck!

We are very disappointed to learn that the Auburn National Meet is cancelled. It is one of our favorite events. Please stay healthy and safe, Steve, Pat and the rest of the AACA staff.

This year's GN in Auburn was fantastic. Well run, great venue, great BBQ and great weather! In addition to the amazing car show on Saturday, we toured four of the museums in the area: the Auburn Cord Duesenberg, NATMUS, Ford V8 and the Hoosier Aircraft Museum. Each one was great. We will go back next year to see the ones we missed and tour again some of the ones we already visited. This was our third AACA car show in Auburn and we have enjoyed each one. Thanks Steve, Pat and the entire National staff!

I recently had my new concrete floor coated by TSR Concrete Coatings. They are located in northern Illinois, so I doubt they will be able to help you in Atlanta. They use a polyurea product that remains flexible and they warrant it for the life of the product against chipping, cracking etc. Better than epoxy which dries out with age then cracks and chips. There are a lot of companies providing concrete coating services, so check your local area.

Has the final date for the 2019 AGNM in Auburn been determined yet? Thanks, Ed Leed