real61ss

Shoprat, You may have misunderstood my remarks, I wasn't complaining about the judges at all. I appreciate what the judges do, without them, we'd be in deep trouble. I didn't realize that AACA had relaxed the rules on the headlights. I think the headlights should be correct for the make and model auto. There's no reason not to have the T-3 headlights, they are being reproduced. Tommy

Joe, A 63 Impala SS with bumper guards front and rear is 17'3" long, give or take an inch. (The bumper guards add a few inches) That's as close as I can get, it was a one man measuring job!!!!!

{what's sad is the AACA will take off for that, but you can put non-correct BRAND headlights in your car and be fine] I don't know about that statement, I've seen judges check for the T-3 in the headlights on my GM cars. I've actually heard some discussions by judges about which year models had the fine lines inside the triangle in the center of the sealed beam and which didn't

John, I'm not an AACA judge and I'm sure you'll hear from one but, here's my thoughts. Yes, it will receive a point deduction (I don't know how many points, maybe just one) because AACA judges cars as compared to the way they left the factory, not the way they left the dealership and the dealer would have installed this tag. However, I would probably install it anyway. I know the origin of one of my 61 Chevrolets, if I could find one of those tags from that dealership, I would put it on the car. The car that I am referring too is already a Sr. Grand National, I probably wouldn't have put it on until after I won the Sr GN though. Just my thoughts Tommy Nolen

Chris, I'm bett'n your car won it's Sr. Award at Hershey in 2003. There was a 65 GTO that looked just like the pictures you posted that was parked beside me in the show that year. If I remember correctly the owner talked to me about the possiblity of selling the car. Seems like he was from York Pa. Nice car

Peter, I'll be over at the muscle car classes mostly because I have a car going for a Sr. but I also have a scooter in 5E so I'll certainly try to be there at 1 pm. Look forward to it. Tommy

Think .... weather good !!!!!!! Tommy

I'll be there, class 36b, maroon 63 Chevrolet. stop by, say hello

Wayne, Nope, you lose, it's 'roon. Actually. I only have one black car. The others are white.

Wayne, I've been busy this weekend getting ready for the upcoming show at AACA meet at Asheboro, N.C. I've got a 63 Impala SS 409 that I'll been showing for the first time. Hoping for a 1st. Jr. but just glad to be in a country that I'm free to do this type of thing. I hope all of our friends in Fla. made through the storm. I saw Mr. Prez's post, sounds like it was rough but he made it. Look forward to seeing everyone in Asheboro Tommy

I agree with Bob and Dave, please, do not combine the HPOF or the DPC cars with the restored cars. The HPOF cars are in a class by themselves, they deserve the special recognition that they receive by being parked together but in their own special area. I always visit that area because there is a wealth of knowledge to be gained by looking closely at these cars. I understand and most of the others on this forum understand the difference in these cars and the restored show cars, but I'm afraid that most of the spectators that visit our national events would only see them as "old cars of lesser quality" when placed beside the show cars. Nothing could be further from the truth, these are the backbone of our club and provide the knowledge we as restorers need to return our show cars to their original factory condition. Now, as for the Driver Participation Class, these cars and their owners also, in my opinion deserve a special place on the field and it's not setting beside a finely restored show car that will make them looked down upon because, again most people are not going to take the time to see that it is a driven car. Just my thoughts. Tommy

My hats off to the Lake Erie Region. The Grand National meet was one of the best National Meets that I have attended. The show field was excellent, and everything about the event seemed to go perfectly. My wife and I had never been to that part of the country so we planned our vacation around the meet. We arrived in town a week early, spent the week at the host hotel and toured the area each day during the week leading up to the show. I must say, we helped the economy up there and had a great time doing it. What a beautiful area, we went over to see the Falls, both sides, and to Niagara-On-The-Lake and other places. We also traveled through the New York wine country. I must say that having been born, raised and still live in the south, I've never heard a lot of good stuff about them "Yankees". I looked for a snooty Yankee all week and never found even one. Everyone was as nice a bunch of people as I ever met and I don't mean just the Lake Erie Region members. Every person that we encountered from the waitresses at the restaurants to the guy standing on the street corner would go out of their way to assist you. Again, great job!!!!!! Tommy Nolen

I have a set of Diamondback redlines, very pleased with them. Not only did they put the redline on, they removed all other markings from the front side of the tire which gives them a nice clean look. I think my tires are Dayton's. Good thing about their whitewalls is, they can give you about whatever width you want on whatever size tires you want. Good bunch of guys to work with. Tommy

Hey Earl, I was also about to wish you a happy birthday when I realized it was last Oct that you made that post. Missed seeing you in Ormond Beach this year. See you at Philly Tommy

Mike, Email me your mailing address and I'll send you the AACA Winners book, it explains each award, what it's given for and also lists the previous winners of each award. By reading this you can figure out which award you might be eligible for and you'll see why this is a difficult question to answer. And yes, Howard is right, you gotta keep the trophy polished, my first one was an oval silver platter with handles, the second was a round silver platter, they have your name, name of the award and make of car engraved. My email is: 1real61ss@comcast.net Tommy

Mike, Maybe someone from the National Awards Committee would address that. Each of the awards are explained in the AACA Winners book that is compiled by the National Awards Committe and is available from the AACA. To explain the significance and history of each of the awards would take all night for me to type. Again, Congratulations to all those who have been nominated this year. By all means, go to Philly and enjoy the weekend!!!! Tommy

Greg, My '61 Chevrolet Impala SS won the Bomgardner Award in 2000. My '61 Chevrolet Impala won the Lewis Chevrolet Award in 2002. Pictures of the cars are on the AACA forum. Yes, I attended the banquet and I hope you plan to also. Believe me, they roll out the red carpet for the award winners. It was an experence that I never dreamed of happening once, much less twice!!! I'll be coming back to Philly again this year, not as a award winner but to cheer you guys. Maybe we'll meet. Congratulations and Good luck to you and Mike, Tommy

Guys, I have fortunate enough to win two National Awards, each time the notice came on Christmas Eve, what a Christmas present!!!!!! Tommy

I had a great time!!!! I've only been showing a car at Hershey since the early 90's but this past weekend was by far the best. Great weather and in my opinion, the show field is by far the best it has ever been. The trailer parking could be better but I bet the Hershey Region is working on that. Hats off to the Hershey Region and all it's workers. I'll be back next year!! Tommy Nolen <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> Richmond region

I'll be showing a 61 Chevrolet in the Hornets Nest AACA show on Saturday. Actually, I like the fall show better than the spring. The spring show has gotten so big that there's no way you can see it all. Tommy <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" />