Bill Clark's Content - Page 5 - Antique Automobile Club of America

Tha passing of Steve Boettger

Bill Clark posted a topic in General Discussion

It is with profound sorrow that we note the passing of Steve Boettger after a short illness. Steve was one of the four officers that signed the official documents that incorporated our local car club as the Iroquois Region of AACA. He held all the offices in our Region and was editor of our newsletter for about a decade. He was well respected on the national level for his contributions to AACA and we were proud to have him as chief judge at our national show here in Binghamton. Steve's interests did not stop with automobiles as he also had a passion for music. He was a very talented musician, and played in a number of groups ranging from the local town to more notable entertainers like Swing And Sway with Sammy Kaye. Steve was a leader, always willing to lend an extra hand to the organizations he was involved in. He took time to share his vast knowledge of antique automobiles and to provide his support to those who needed his help. Steve was a father, a son, a leader and a friend. His passing leaves a huge vacancy in the ranks of useful men. We will all miss him. The members of the Iroquois Region extend our deepest and sincere sympathy to his wife Diane, their son Brian, his mom Betty, his dad Bob and the Boettger family. Calling hours are Tuesday at the Allen Funeral Home in Endicott and the funeral is Wednesday at the Allen Funeral Home. Bill Clark Iroquois Region Newsletter Editor

Newsletter Judging

Bill Clark posted a topic in AACA - Editors & Webmasters

Is there a way to get feedback to improve my newsletter? Thanks Bill Clark Iroquois Region Newsletter Editor Newsletter Archive

Moved to Class 04B

Bill Clark replied to Bill Clark's topic in AACA - Class Judging

Are you saying my car is ugly!!!!? You must be referring to some other Fiat 500, not this stunning 51 Fiat 500C. The Vintage Microcar Club Cars List defines a micro car as having 1000cc or less. That category excludes all Mets, but is a huge list. Maybe a better definition for Class 04 would be any production vehicle after a certain year with less than 1000cc plus these listed cars. Although in another thread I was opposed to a carnival side show of BatMobiles, and Oscar Meyer Weiners, this will be an interesting class. The Fiat pictured here was parked next to a beautiful Mercedes Gull Wing one afternoon and the Gull Wing became invisible. The owner expressed his displeasure of letting cars like that into a show. Bill Clark 57 Met Class 04 60 Met Class 04 55 Studebaker Speedster Class 27A 51 Fiat 500C Class 26C It does have the big engine in it, bringing it up to a whopping 16 HP, but there is no High Performance class for a 51.

Studebaker colors

Bill Clark replied to a topic in General Discussion

The marque colors for a speedster are Hialeah Green & Sun Valley Yellow which is an outrageous combination. Mine is Chasta White, Pimlico Grey and Coraltone, a much more elegant color set and the first one in line below. I'd paint the Hawk either solid gold or solid red like the one next to mine. Bill

Roy Rogers Nellybelle Jeep Question

Bill Clark replied to Ron Green's topic in AACA - Class Judging

I guess my feelings on this come across wrong in print as none of this is worth getting excited about, although I think throwing out the historically significant hot rods was a mistake. My point is, our core is the preservation of old cars. I think our shows are interesting just by the quality of the cars displayed and we don't need a midway with a freak show. We agree that there are any number and kinds of odd vehicles that could be displayed at a show, and if there is any disagreement, its how they are displayed. I would leave the guidelines as they are and if the meet chairman wants to display Bonnie and Clydes stolen 1934 Ford Fordor Deluxe, then give it a spot off to the side and show it. Bill

Roy Rogers Nellybelle Jeep Question

Bill Clark replied to Ron Green's topic in AACA - Class Judging

The aim of the AACA is the perpetuation of the pioneer days of automobiling by furthering interest in and preservation of antique automobiles and by promoting sportsmanship and of good fellowship among all AACA members. The AACA uses the term "automobile" in a comprehensive sense to include all self-propelled vehicles intended for passenger use (cars, race vehicles, trucks, fire vehicles, motorcycles, powered bicycles, etc.). Firetrucks are specifically called out in the AACA bylaws as an "automobile" and have a judging class. The question was should we have a judging class for Movie cars. I voted no. We already had this discussion relative to hot rods and the membership's opinion was no. If we agreed not to admit the 32 Ford as a Hot Rod, I would have to say no to display of the 32 Ford as a movie car. If the question was should we have a display class for movie cars, I would vote no again. The Future Liner and the rig in front of the Hershey Center last fall were both interesting and historically significant vehicles that deserve to be displayed at the discression of the host region and AACA. Almost every successful display of old cars has some wierd vehicle that draws a crowd and they certainly help people enjoy the show. Other than HPOF, SGCV and Driver Participation I am not aware of specific guidelines that govern the display of interesting vehicles. I would expect that if someone wanted to display the Weinermobile, 32 Ford from American Graffiti, or Jake and Elwood's 74 Dodge Monaco at a National show then its display would be at the discression of the Meet Chairman. Bill

Roy Rogers Nellybelle Jeep Question

Bill Clark replied to Ron Green's topic in AACA - Class Judging

No problem showing a 97 Prowler in Class 22V in 2022 but the car that inspired it, the 32 Ford from American Graffiti, is still out. And you want a class to include the Oscar Meyer Weiner? People are spending the winter scraping the undercoating off of their GTO to keep it like the factory delivered it yet you want to include the Batmobile in a movie class? The rules are clear "evaluate an antique vehicle which has been restored to the same state as when the dealer received the vehicle from the factory". Put me down for no. Bill

Moved to Class 04B

Bill Clark posted a topic in AACA - Class Judging

Other than the paint, I did everything for my 57 Metropolitan in my driveway. I did my best, had some friends critique it a bit, and I showed it at Hershey in 1997. This was the first time I had shown a car at Hershey and after parking my trailer and unloading, I was able to find my place in the show at class 27B, Production Vehicles, 56 and 57, except Chevy. Those were the days of pavement parking spots with no room to open the doors or walk around the car. Because I was on a bit of a slope, I pulled my parking brake lever back from its usual spot up under the dash, something I almost never do. Being my first show, I did not take much time to look around but rather kept at my car, doing my best to clean it up from the ride on my open trailer and make it presentable. The judges came around and looked at the car, pointed at things and then joked about something and looked at each other’s clipboards. As they were walking away, one of the judges whimsically commented, “The least you could have done was paint your emergency brake button.” The light had changed and the sun now lit up the crusty plastic that was the brake release button, hidden until then up under the dash. I went for a walk, looked at some cars, loaded back onto my trailer and went home to wait for about two weeks for the results to be available. They had given awards on Saturday night, but they could not tell me for two weeks. Finally, I got the word, they gave my car a First Junior. I did not appreciate where I was parked that day. The next stop was Salisbury where I noticed that people were not bringing show cars on open trailers. As I was unloading, the fellow next to me commented that when I was done I could use the sink in the front of his car trailer to clean up. As I walked around, I noticed that some of these cars were pretty nice. No Senior tab for me at this show. In 98 I got my Senior tab in Buffalo. My first try at a First Grand National was Montoursville in 2000. It was raining a little and I helped the guy next to me with the plastic drop cloth he was using to keep the rain off the new top of his Chrysler. It’s a bit of a blur to me now, but I think this car took the trophy for best car shown at an AACA meet in 2000. And there it was, right next to me in 27B. No trophy for me. I was starting to understand. It was about 1000 miles to Moline. Still up on an open trailer, we got lost stopping to see friends on the way out and ended up on a dirt road with rocks and dust. My friend helped clean it up a bit and we went on to a great show. The boat tour was fun and the tractors were green and my second Second Place plaque is still on my trophy wall. It’s been said that once you are beaten by a car in AACA, you usually do not compete with it again. Right, but these guys kept bringing back new cars. And what beauties they were. It was here that I noticed the big car carrier unloading all those trailer queens with Montana plates. The Grand National Show in New Bern in 2002 was nice. So were the cars. I think it was here that I asked the nice man in the straw hat if he had one of every 56 model ever made. He calmly replied, “No, only the convertibles.” My third Second Place trophy has a picture with it of pink and white 56 Chrysler that was with us that day. What a car! In this one class, 27B, there’s a guy with one of each, someone that brings a best of show car every year, one person bringing a trailer load of perfect cars and the 57 Met done in the shade of my driveway. After three Second Place trophies, I got a First Grand National in Buffalo in 2004. In 2007 it went to Kalamazoo and brought home a Grand National Senior trophy. With the judging phase of this car over, I enjoy going to the shows, taking my spot in 27B and just admiring the other cars. In class 27D, my 60 Met convertible cruised through the judging and got it’s Grand National Senior in about five shows. Today I got a letter telling me that my Mets have been reclassified as Class 04B, a new class for small cars. There been times I did not think I belonged in class 27B but I enjoyed the competition and never once felt cheated when I did not get the prize I was competing for. I look forward to being able to take a closer look at a different set of cars, but I will be sure to walk over to class 27B to see the prettiest cars shown at an AACA meet. Bill

59 Chevy or 57 Ford for Museum

Bill Clark posted a topic in General Discussion

The Northeast Classic Car Museum in Norwich, NY is looking for a museum quality 59 Chevy or a 57 Ford to display in their collection for a year or so. If you have a car you would like to loan them please, contact the museum at the Contact Us link on the website below. http://www.classiccarmuseum.org/ Thanks Bill

November 23, 2010

Basket-Case Restoration Project Photos

Bill Clark replied to a topic in General Discussion

Its not as bad as the 29 Studebaker, but the 55 Studebaker or the 60 Met or the 49 JD Crawler shown in these pictures should all have been cubed. I did all three. I got a First GN this summer with the Studebaker in New Bern and the Met is a GN Senior. Gallery Bill

Hershey 2010 Feedback

Bill Clark posted a topic in AACA - Shows and Tours

This year I dragged along a friend for a few of days of Hershey. Although he's been going to shows all over the east for years he had never made the pilgrimage to Hershey. He commented that he had never seen a show as big as this that was as well organized and so entertaining. I have to agree. This was a great show from every angle. Last year I had a little problem with a U turn and made a suggestion that would fix the problem. I'm sure others had the same idea. I noticed Saturday that an improvement had been made and cars could easily get from the Chocolate field to the show. We got there late enough Thursday that we had to park our trailers up the street in a bit of a mud hole. When I went back, there was a tractor posted on the field in the event that someone got bogged down. I went back later with my show car to drop junk off in the trailer and one of the volunteers gave me a ride in his golf cart so I did not have to take my car into the mud. One of the great marks of an organization is recognizing problems and promptly making improvements. Awesome show. The people of the Hershey Region should be very proud. Bill

Any pix from Hershey?

Bill Clark replied to Dave 38's topic in General Discussion

What a great weekend! Lots of rust, lots of shiny things, lots of cars, plenty of food and great fellowship. Here's a few snapshots of the show. Slideshow of pictures, photos, and videos, from webshots Enjoy! Bill

Showfield Etiquette ?

Bill Clark replied to a topic in General Discussion

This thread has taken on a number of lives. Sorry if it should not be in Judging. It is not clear to me from the guidelines what the deduction is for a wrong color top. Incorrect Material is mandatory 10 points but condition defects and material defects are only 5 points each. Although incorrect color is specifically called out for a hard top as a 10 point mandatory deduction, I did not see color mentioned in the soft top category. Bill

Showfield Etiquette ?

Bill Clark replied to a topic in General Discussion

That's not my experience. In the 10 or 15 or so times I've had a car judged, I was there when the judges came, said hello, then stood back or was very politely ushered away from my car. I think I was asked about a feature on my car once. They finish, we often have a chance to exchange pleasantries and it is over. I have had a judge return after judging, but it is rare for a judge to show much curiosity about a Met. And I don't blame them. They have a couple hours after their thankless job is done and they are not going to spend it reviewing Mets when they could be looking at wheels a bit higher up the food chain. Bill

Showfield Etiquette ?

Bill Clark replied to a topic in General Discussion

re: "the AACA doesn't judge on originality." I'm the one that told Bob that and I'll stand by it with a few examples. Before I do however, let me say that AACA is a vital part of keeping the old car hobby alive, especially the small group that is doing its best to preserve old cars and their history. I am a member of AACA and try to bring a car to at least one show a year. I have not been a judge although I have attended and made what I hope were constructive comments at judging school. I try to thank the team captain at each meet for taking the time to judge my car. I consider it a well thought out program, but you have to understand the rules, what the car is being judged on and the knowledge base of the judges. As one more point of reference, both of my Mets have Gold Medals from the Met club (MOCNA) judging and both have AACA Grand National Senior Tabs. First some comments on the rules. The intent of AACA is the "preserving of antique automobiles". Two AACA awards are given, HPOF to recognize unmolested, unrestored cars and the AACA judged awards. The objective of the judged awards is to "evaluate an antique vehicle which has been restored to the same state as when the dealer received the vehicle from the factory." My statement, "Does not judge on originality" means that since the AACA judges can not be expected to be experts in all cars, it is not surprising that they would judge more on workmanship and the use of period correct hardware and may unknowingly overlook inaccuracies in the restoration. If you look at the cars at an AACA Grand National Meet, you can tell that the owners have been encouraged to restore their cars to be as close to perfect as possible. These are very pretty cars and for the most part are cars that the owners, using pride and knowledge, have brought back to as close to original as possible. It could be argued, that there is some onus on the owners to be sure the car is original. On the other hand, the marque judges are expected to know all about correct bends in dipsticks and which wheels should be riveted and which welded and tend to judge 50% on authenticity and 50% on condition. MOCNA Gold cars are not necessarily pretty, in fact an original car rich with patina could win a MOCNA gold. MOCNA and AACA are two different types of judging. I have never seen a restored aluminum kick plate, that plate that goes on top of the rocker panel, under the door. If someone can tell me how to straighten and repair one to look like new, please send me instructions. I can clean one up and make it look pretty good, but of the 15 or 20 old ones I have, the best one cleaned up the best I could do would probably result in 1 or 2 of the maximum 3 points each deduction. Not able to clean them up to be perfect, I bought new ones and put them on my car. Later at a MOCNA event, a judge explained how the bead did not run around three sides and they were wrong. I think the $400 repops look the best and leave them on the car. (so I can slam my seat belt in the door and dent them). As I was working my Mets through the system, I could never understand where I was losing points for my bumpers until I attended a judging school and learned about matching bumper bolts. 1 point each. I returned to a school later, armed with factory parts book drawings showing that the correct rear Met bumper bolts have carriage bolt heads on the outside edges and hex head bolts toward the center. They do not match and I hope the judging on them is now correct. There are a lot of other things like carpet, seat fabric, paint break lines, door panel colors, differential paint, under body paint and color, plug wires, and engine colors that will generate a lot of discussion. I would doubt that many AACA judges understand which features of these items are correct, making it hard for them to judge on authenticity. In some cases like engine color, there is no universal agreement even with the MOCNA judges. There is another category of authenticity like date codes that is just not reviewed in AACA and is understood but not seriously reviewed by MOCNA. So there are things like kick plates that are not original but you can make them nice enough to be overlooked, there are things that are right like missmatched bumper bolts and you can educate judges to get the judging correct and there is a third category of things you can chose to do your way and take your lumps. Mine is one of the cars you saw with a wrong color top. I think a red and white Met with a black top is ugly. This is one of those black and white deals and trust me, I have thought of putting this car in a crusher, but after some thought its good enough to keep. Not perfect, but good enough. re: Why would I want to display a badge on my car if it's not judged on originality??? I display my grill badges with pride, knowing that I put a car together that was judged by my peers, human beings working to the best of their ability, to fairly represent what a brand new Met might have looked like. As a driver having a car judged in AACA, it is your responsibility to do the best you can to understand AACA. Read the judging manual, have your car judged by a couple of friends that are AACA judges, and do your best to have your car "restored to the same state as when the dealer received the vehicle". In the case of your car, just load it on the trailer and bring it to Hershey this fall or to Stowe next spring. You'll do ok, even if your kick plates are not original. Bill

2010 Eastern Division Spring Meet

Bill Clark replied to ex98thdrill's topic in AACA - Shows and Tours

Great Show! I posted a few of my snapshots of the show at this link. Photo Gallery - 2010 Spring Meet Canandaigua Enjoy Bill

2012 Annual Grand National

Bill Clark replied to a topic in AACA - Shows and Tours

re: and Saturday I hope to drive the hardtop 100 miles to show it at Canandaigua Nice try. I'm a bit behind schedule due to a rotted closed clutch slave cylinder hose. The girls are going too, so I'm wimping out and chucking the little wreck in the trailer for the 99.6 mile ride from my house to Canandaigua. It will be a lovely ride up through the lakes. Bill

2012 Annual Grand National

Bill Clark replied to a topic in AACA - Shows and Tours

I competed with two Mets from 1997 until 2007 finally getting my Grand National Senior on both. During that time I drove both cars very little and did not put the new top on the convertible down for at least three nice summers. After they both got their Senior tabs in 2006 and 2007, I started driving them. This last weekend I drove the rag top to the Norwich show 50 miles away, I've driven both in gas mileage economy runs and Saturday I hope to drive the hardtop 100 miles to show it at Canandaigua. I don't worry about every nick and scratch, but I do my best to keep them presentable. Its surprising how little work it is if you clean them up after each run. Last weekend at Norwich, another national winner looked at my Met sitting there with the top down and with the Sponge Bob floor mat in it and commented, "I see you got you Grand National Senior. Its also good to see that you are driving it now" All that said, my advice on waiting for at least two years to compete again would be to climb in the Mustang this weekend and drive it. Bill

Message to E-BAY CEO

Bill Clark replied to R Walling's topic in General Discussion

Here's what I do. If you search for "Metropolitan", you will get 695 items, half of it nonsense. If you search for metropolitan -glass -mazda -shirt -cover -honda -belt -muffler -antenna -filter -dog -top -ruckus -vacuum all the honda ruckus, antennas and other junk is filtered out and you get 308 items, almost all Metropolitan related. I save the search in a text file to my desk top and when I want to do a search I just copy and past it into the search bar. Works great for me. Bill

New Bern

Bill Clark replied to Bill Clark's topic in AACA - Shows and Tours

Well I'm excited. I pulled my Studebaker out of the Northeast Classic Car Museum where it has been staying and tried to clean it up for the show. I did my best, but understand that many cars in a museum are not good enough for your average Grand National Show. The judges did their thing and I got to wander a bit, visiting with old friends and making new ones and thanking God and Duryea that I no longer have to compete in Class 27B. Wow! We were loaded up and truckin' by 3:30 in the afternoon and drove North not knowing how the Stude had faired. Home at 3:30 Sunday morning, I was too tired to worry about it. I put the car back in the display this morning, still wondering what happened and kept checking for results. Finally. I'm excited! When can I register for Moline? Bill Gallery - Category: 1955 Studebaker Speedster Restoration

New Bern

Bill Clark posted a topic in AACA - Shows and Tours

Great Show! Thanks to the hard working people that put on just a splendid show. Great location, great weather, great cars and great people. A few of my snapshots are at the link below. Bill <link rel="File-List" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CBill%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_filelist.xml"><link rel="themeData" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CBill%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_themedata.thmx"><link rel="colorSchemeMapping" href="file:///C:%5CUsers%5CBill%5CAppData%5CLocal%5CTemp%5Cmsohtmlclip1%5C01%5Cclip_colorschememapping.xml"><style>  </style> Photo Gallery - New Bern 2010 Grand National

Photo without caption - 4/21/2010

Bill Clark replied to Peter Gariepy's topic in General Discussion

The car in the picture is a ZAZ-968, also called a ZAZ Zaporozhets or a Zapor. The ZAZ was intended to be the lowest end of the Russian cars, equivalent to the East German Trabant. The first ZAZ, the 965 was made in 1960 in the Ukraine and was probably a Russian copy of a Fiat 600. The 968 shown in the picture was built from 1972 to 1980 and copied the styling from an NSU Prinz. The ears on the side of the car are the air intake for the rear mounted 1.2 liter V4 air cooled engine. The sign over the door is for auto insurance. I don't know anything about the horse. According to the Wikipedia, the same plant that made the Zaporozhets started to make televisions. The Russians said the TVS are fine but their screens are in the back. Bill Gallery

Seek Schematic for 47 Olds Radio

Bill Clark posted a topic in Oldsmobile - General

I'm looking for a schematic for the radio from a 47 Olds Model 68L Thanks Bill Clark

April 12, 2010

Antique vehicles and snow photos

Bill Clark replied to Shop Rat's topic in General Discussion

Snow Met Bill

Which classic cars?

Bill Clark replied to a topic in General Discussion

re: want to get a classic car to toy with Its impossible to pick a car without knowing what you want to do with it. I suggest you start with a list of reason to have an old car and then ask the group. Just to start the discussion, here are some reasons people have old cars. You were given Grandpas car and want to drive it. You were given Grandpas car and want to fix it up. You want a car for a father son project. Your folks had a 53 Chevy when you were little and you always wanted one like it. You want to restore cars for a living (get a station wagon so you have a place to live in when you go broke) You expect to have some free time and want to tinker with something You enjoy seeing people and want a car you can show at the weekend cruise in and the local shows. Do you want to have a car to sit in the garage and fix, or do you want a driver? Do you want to buy a car all done? Is it your first old car? What kind of skills do you have? How much room do you have? Do you want a parade car? Do you enjoy the thrill of searching for parts? (I'll sell you a 51 Fiat) Do you want a car with a big support group. (Can't get much better than a post war Studebaker) . . . . There are also plusses and minuses to consider. A Model T is the most fun car you can have at a car show. Its close to terror on a big open road. If your only old car is up on blocks in the garage for months at a time, you will lose interest. You need at least one old car to be able to get in and drive. Theres my big hint for a first car. Look at the crowds at the bigger shows where the Marques gather, like Macungie on Sunday Each group has a different personality. Pick a group you feel comfortable in. After some reflection on these questions, you should be better able to make a decision on what you want. In any case you should join a group like AACA and the marque group for your car of choice. Find a local mentor that can help. Best of luck on your search and we all hope to see you at a cruise in. Bill

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Everything posted by Bill Clark

Tha passing of Steve Boettger

Newsletter Judging

Moved to Class 04B

Studebaker colors

Roy Rogers Nellybelle Jeep Question

Roy Rogers Nellybelle Jeep Question

Roy Rogers Nellybelle Jeep Question

Moved to Class 04B

59 Chevy or 57 Ford for Museum

Basket-Case Restoration Project Photos

Hershey 2010 Feedback

Any pix from Hershey?

Showfield Etiquette ?

Showfield Etiquette ?

Showfield Etiquette ?

2010 Eastern Division Spring Meet

2012 Annual Grand National

2012 Annual Grand National

Message to E-BAY CEO

New Bern

New Bern

Photo without caption - 4/21/2010

Seek Schematic for 47 Olds Radio

Antique vehicles and snow photos

Which classic cars?

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