RichardR

I was at Hershey all day on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, and didn't even SEE these alleged "hot rods". Where were they? Those of you complaining about the death of AACA standards are entitled to your opinions, but they are not based on facts. In my Region, I would guesstimate that the average member's age is between 75-80 (half a generation older than I am). MANY of these guys had hot rods as teenagers and young adults. I'm certain that they were sneered at by the adult generation of the time as "punks", "weirdos", and "hoodlums". But those hot rods were what they could afford, and it was what they wanted. As they grew up, matured, and gained some disposable income, they were able to obtain nicer and nicer cars. What 21-year-old, whether we're talking about 1953 or 2023, was/is able to afford an AACA-quality show car? The automotive 'bug' has to start somewhere. I know plenty of young people today, in their 20s and 30s, who have as much passion for automobiles as I do. One young woman is a Subaru fanatic, and drives a modified Forester. Another young man whom I know well loves Fox-body Mustangs. He's married and has an infant daughter. His Mustang has a non-original motor, a torn convertible top, and rusty rear quarters. But he loves that car and works at improving it as time and money allow. They would LOVE to have a beautiful classic, but it's not within reach right now. Like it or not, they are the future of the hobby. You all can gripe until the cows come home, but the question remains: how do we attract new blood into the hobby? A number of years ago, our Region began to allow modified cars and "new exotics" (think C8 Corvettes) into our annual car show. Doing so has not diluted our AACA standards or our outstanding field of AACA-show-winning cars one bit! Don't be afraid to embrace change; it's inevitable.

There has been so much discussion, especially within the NJ Region to which I belong, about dwindling membership and the "greying of the hobby". I own 2 HPOF vehicles and I fully support AACA's goals. HOWEVER, allowing non-AACA cars onto the show field, as long as there are rules and restrictions attached, can only help the hobby in the long term. It will introduce these owners to AACA and what it stands for, and as others have pointed out, could result in a larger audience for flea market and car corral sales. Think about it! So many of the old-timers in my Region, guys who are now in their 80s and 90s, had hot rods in their youth. Let's not be so quick to criticize what the Hershey Region is trying to do, which is expand the potential audience for the AACA.

1984 Riviera on Hemmings Auctions Doesn't look like anyone has posted this one. It's on Hemmings Auctions, and it closes today. Bidding is at $6,000 as I write this, and reserve is not met: https://www.hemmings.com/auction/1984-buick-riviera-730878?itm_source=homepage&itm_medium=Auctions&itm_campaign=Recirculation

I was walking the flea market at Hershey on Thursday, at a somewhat slow pace, when a few guys in front of me stopped. I turned left to walk around them when a man on a golf cart hit me, literally ran into me. I wasn't injured, but certainly momentarily shocked. I stared at him, and he had the audacity to say to me "you got in my way". I said "excuse me?" I'm somewhat ashamed to admit that the conversation became heated. He continually tried to blame me for the collision, stating over and over "you walked in front of my cart" (never mind that his cart was behind me) and I repeatedly reminded him that "you ran into ME". Eventually I walked away. This was not the first time that a motorized cart has hit me at Hershey. A few years ago, one ran over my foot. Steve, while I acknowledge that there are those with a genuine need for such devices, I see too many people riding them and hopping off, walking in a way that certainly suggests there is no handicap. It has become a real problem, mainly based on 1. the speed at which they drive; and 2. the utter lack of courtesy which is shown for pedestrians. I would strongly suggest that a speed limit needs to be imposed on those on carts. I only see this becoming more and more of a problem as the years go on.

Thank you gentlemen for these insights, it is appreciated.

1965 Riviera GS on Hemmings: https://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/dealer/buick/riviera/2469018.html I am somewhat new to the Riviera world, and am actually looking for a '63-'64, but this one is interesting. It appears to be a a color change (Sahara Mist) and lacks A/C, both of which are deal breakers for me. My question to the more knowledgeable among you is: how can one tell if this is a true Gran Sport? And what do you make of the asking price if it's a real GS?

Hello all, Please see my ad under "Parts for Sale" for this Fiat 124 sedan bucket seat:

FOR SALE: front bucket seat, black vinyl. Previous owner stated that seat is from Fiat 124 sedan. Vinyl is in very good shape, no rips, tears, or seam separations. Very small burn mark at rear of headrest (see photo). Headrest tilts, backrest reclines. Includes seat rails. Asking $60. Local pickup only. Located in central NJ. Call/text 908-894-3267 or email r_reina@msn.com.

My 1967 Alfa Romeo GT Junior has left-handed threads for the left wheel nuts, and right-handed threads on the right side. I'm used to that, as I've had other (domestic) cars which were manufactured that way. But this Alfa is the first car I've owned with the left-side front spindle threads and nut also left-handed. My repair manuals said nothing about it, and as I've learned from working on cars my whole life, when what you're doing isn't working, try something else! Somehow I had the idea to try to loosen it by turning it to the right, and it worked.

Hello! You sound "young" so let me first say how wonderful it is to have some younger blood come into the hobby. I also wholeheartedly agree with the suggestion to join/attend a local AACA meeting/show.You don't say what part of the country you're in, but presuming that you are in the U.S., there are cruise nights and car shows just about every weekend during the summer, in almost every part of the country. If VWs are where your interest lies, join the VW club! I work with many people in the 20s and 30s who are into VWs in a big way, and while most of them like the water-cooled cars, I do think that the air-cooled cars have many young and old fans too. Good luck!