Peter Gariepy

Thanks to everyone who have provided constructive feedback on the site. Most of the requests have already been completed. I'm always receptive to more. Keep the feedback coming!

In no particular order: Classifieds: https://hcca.org/resources/classified/ I'm still in awe of how popular the classified are. Over 80% of all hcca.org traffic originates in the forum. Amazing. Not without its issues. Spam/Fraud seems rampant. I've trying a few things to mitigate it, but it's never going to be eliminated. I'm doing my best. Photo Galleries: https://hcca.org/resources/gallery/ A few more galleries added thanks to our editor Tracy Lesher. Events: https://hcca.org/resources/calendar/ A few more tweaks and updates. ==== THE BIG STUFF TO COME: The website is in the final stages of being more dynamic. I'll soon populate the site with complete member data (name, address, contact info, etc.) and vehicles. Once that's complete memberships will no long require going through the national office before being LIVE on the site, Credit card payments happening in real time. (you know, like most other sites - note sarcasm. ) Once that step is complete members will be empowered to update their profiles and vehicles LIVE without it going through Lindsey and the national office. Also, member and vehicle searches will be dynamic from that point forward as well as linking members to their cars. I hope to have the above completed by Dec 15. (hopefully sooner) I'll keep you posted.

http://www.veteranautolamps.com/Corcoran Side & Tail Lamps.htm https://www.mtfca.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?t=19927

Having trouble viewing this email? Click here to view it online. November 2023 | Volume 179   AACA National Staff CEO Steve Moskowitz Membership & Merchandise Karen White Accounting, IT & Website Pat Buckley Advertising & Marketing Speedster Editor Stacy Zimmerman Antique AutomobileMagazine Editor West Peterson Office Administration Lori Shetter - membership/merchandise Susan Eitnier - regions & chapters, insurance Jon Curtis - awards AACA Library Staff Director Jen Wolfe Cataloger & Volunteer Coordinator Matthew Hocker Reference Librarian & Outreach Coordinator Amoi Goldman QUICK LINKS: AACA Website AACA Library AACA Forums AACA Merchandise AACA Judging Guidelines AACA National Headquarters address: 800 W. Hersheypark Dr. Hershey, PA 17033   Join Our Email List What’s the 411 on Annual Convention? By Stacy Zimmerman, Speedster Editor, szimmerman@aaca.org Believe it or not, the 2024 AACA Annual Convention is just a little more than two months away. Between the full-page color advertisements we’ve been running in the last three issues of Antique Automobile magazine and the small articles here and there in Speedster, you should all know by now that the 2024 convention will be held at the Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles in Chantilly, VA, from February 8-10. The convention committee has been working silently behind the scenes to get all of the contracts signed, event schedule figured out, meals chosen, entertainment booked, and all of the other details in place to pull off what we think is going to be one of the BEST conventions we’ve ever put on. We want to make sure that everyone who wants to attend the convention has the chance to, so here’s some super important information you need to know… HOTEL: The hotel started taking reservations for our event in June and many members who know how great our convention is jumped at the idea of making their reservations early – almost half the room nights in our block have been booked already! So, if you are thinking that you might want to go to this convention, please book your room as soon as you can. Here is the reservation link or check below for more detailed hotel information. PRE-CONVENTION EXCURSION: On Thursday, February 8th, we have planned a special lunch and guided highlight tours at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center (the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum’s annex). Transportation to and from the museum will be included as well. I’ve had a chance to visit the museum twice and can tell you from first-hand experience that this activity will be amazing! You will not want to miss this!! Because of some space restrictions, we have to limit this event to 200 guests. If you definitely want to go on this excursion (and you definitely do!), I implore you to register for convention as early as you can. CASINO NIGHT: On Friday night after the dinner hosted by our Regions and Chapters, we always try to plan something fun and entertaining for all attendees. In the past, we’ve had auctions, fireside chats with famous guests, the AACA Library’s beloved pinewood derby and last year we had a comedic magician. This year, we are taking it up a notch… Vegas-style! Everyone will be able to join us for this activity, but beware… only 300 people will be able to sign up to be players at the casino. The 300 players will be able to gamble the night away with their “funny money” and even bid on prizes at the end of the evening. This event is FREE, but you need to register to play. Again, just one more reason to sign up early for convention! Finally, we are pleased to announce that convention registration will open NEXT WEEK.Keep your eyes open for a special convention email to pop up in your inbox sometime next week with more information. In the meantime, click here to take a look at our brand-new convention brochure. We are so excited to be able to put on such a wonderful event for our members! We truly hope that all of you will consider joining us in February in Virginia. Make Your Hotel Reservations Now for the 2024 AACA Annual Convention The 2024 AACA Annual Convention will be held February 8-10 in the Dulles/Washington D.C. area at the Westfields Marriott. Here is the full hotel and reservation information, so you can book early and start your planning: Just Named... Marriott’s Premium Hotel of the Year! Westfields Marriott Washington Dulles 14750 Conference Center Drive Chantilly, VA 20151 Less than 10 miles from the Washington Dulles International Airport Room Rates: $129 per night; $149 per night includes breakfast for one person; $169 per night includes breakfast for two people Reservation Link: https://book.passkey.com/e/50584547 Reservation Phone: (800) 266-9432 (mention Antique Automobile Club of America) Reservation Deadline: January 16, 2024 Do You Know Anyone Deserving of an AACA Scholarship? LAST CHANCE! Application Deadline Extended One Week to December 8 Click here to download the scholarship application. Susquehannock Region Automotive Technology Scholarship (formerly known as the AACA Student Scholarship): Cash award to a student currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning leading up to a degree in antique automotive technology and or restoration. AACA Young People’s Award: A cash award to an AACA member (student or regular) who has been accepted into an accredited institution of higher learning or is now enrolled in such institution, i.e., a four-year college leading to a bachelor’s degree or a two-year vocational education program leading to a degree. Applicant must be nominated by a Region or Chapter of AACA and must be no more than 25 years old. AACA Scholarship: A cash award to any AACA member (student or regular) who has been accepted to an accredited institution of higher learning or is now enrolled in such institution, i.e., a four-year college leading to a bachelor’s degree or a two-year vocational education program leading to a diploma. Applicant must be no more than 25 years old. Louise Bianchi Chiotti Memorial Scholarship Award: Louise (Bianchi) Chiotti was born on June 11, 1914, in San Jose, California. The family’s first automobile was a 1926 Dodge Sedan. Her two younger brothers purchased a 1939 Studebaker and took delivery in January 1939. They wanted to give it to Louise’s son Dave in 1956. His mother thought it too big of a car for a fifteen-year-old in San Francisco and talked him into buying a 1930 Ford Model A Coupe. In 1959 the little Model A was a bit slow, so Dave purchased a 1959 Ford convertible. As Dave sat on the running board of the Ford waiting for the new owner to arrive his mom came and sat next to him. “You really don’t want to sell it do you?” she asked. “NO, I don’t” was my reply.” “Then don’t,” mom said. Dave and Marilyn Chiotti still own the Model A; it is a Senior and First Place Grand National Award Winner. The 1939 Studebaker came to the Chiottis after spending 40 years under a walnut tree. It is now a Senior and First Place Grand National Award Winner. The 1926 Dodge was cut into a truck for ranch use in the 1940s. Dave brought it home in 1976 and built a Woodie. In 2000, they donated it to Luther Burbank Home & Gardens in Santa Rosa. After Dave and Marilyn’s uncle’s passing, they acquired their 1968 Cadillac El Dorado. It now lives in the AACA Museum in Hershey, PA. This $1,500 scholarship is based upon the same rules as the AACA Automotive Technology Award and is awarded as funds are available. It was instituted and funded by Dave and Marilyn Chiotti as a way to honor Louise and a way to continue to support youth in the hobby. AACA John & Janet Ricketts Leadership Scholarship: A cash award to any AACA member, child or grandchild of an active AACA member in good standing for a least 5 years, who has been accepted to an institute of higher learning or is now enrolled in such institution. The award is granted by the family of John and Janet Ricketts in recognition of their love of AACA and their belief in service to the club. It is also in recognition of our first female National President Janet Ricketts in 1999. Hershey Region AACA Automotive Restoration Scholarship: Cash award to an AACA member currently enrolled in an institution of higher learning leading up to a degree in antique automotive restoration. Only One Month Left to Renew Your AACA Membership! By Karen White, AACA Membership Department, kwhite@aaca.org As most of you know, your AACA membership runs for a calendar year – January 1 through December 31. If you have already renewed your membership for 2024, thank you!! If you haven't already renewed your membership for 2024, you only have one month left to do so. A renewal form was included with your November/December issue of Antique Automobile magazine. Simply fill out the form and send it back to the office with a check or credit card information. You can also use our new and improved online renewal on our website. Renewing online is quick and easy! Just log in with your membership number and PIN, review the information currently listed on your membership record and make changes if necessary. Review your information one more time and choose your payment type. Payment options include Visa, MasterCard, Discover or PayPal. Your payment will automatically record to your membership record, and you will receive an email confirmation. Your membership number and PIN can be found on your membership card. You can also call National Headquarters at 717-534-1910 or email kwhite@aaca.org to get your numbers. Please DON’T try to pay your dues by using the JOIN AACA tab. This WILL NOT renew your membership – instead, it will create a new one. REMINDER: Your 2024 membership dues MUST be paid before you can receive registration information for any 2024 National Shows or Tours, including the Annual Convention. Membership Corner: A Gift of Membership By Paula Lynn Ruby, AACA National VP Membership, paulaspackard@hotmail.com As the end of 2023 quickly approaches and the outdoor car show season is coming to a conclusion for another year, we now move our thinking to colder months spent indoors and the upcoming holidays. As you work on your holiday gift list for family and friends, let’s not forget about the gift of membership to AACA. Think outside of the box and remove the stress of picking the perfect shirt in the correct size and color or simply settling for another hat or tie. Instead, choose the lasting gift of an AACA membership. You can purchase this gift from the comfort of your lounge chair and without having to go outside in the cold or to a crazy busy mall. It is as simple as going to our website and signing someone up for a new membership for 2024. Complete the membership application entering the information for the person(s) receiving the gift. Your name and address should be entered as the billing address on the final payment screen. Do you want the new member to know the AACA membership is a gift from you? Please add a note in the comment box stating that it is a Gift Membership from “your name.”(The comment box is located at the bottom of the first page of the application form.) A phone number and email address for the new member is required to complete the online application. If you don’t have this information, give us a call at AACA National Headquarters, 717-534-1910, and we will be happy to take the new member information over the phone. Not only can you start a new membership for a friend or an acquaintance, but you can also treat a family member or friend by paying their 2024 membership dues. To login to renew the membership, you need to know their AACA member number and PIN. If you don’t know the member number and PIN, you can call AACA National Headquarters at 717-534-1910. We will be happy to give you the information or take the payment over the phone. Let’s not forget about our children and grandchildren! You can give them the gift of a new student membership or renew their current student membership, both of which only cost $12! There is no time like the present to get them involved in the best antique automobile club around. So, I challenge each of you to put on your thinking caps and give the gift of an AACA membership to the family member or friend who you think would enjoy it the most. Happy holidays, everyone! Bringing a Positive End to 2023 By Steve Moskowitz, AACA National CEO, aaca1@aaca.org 2023 is about to come to a close, and while it was certainly better than the pandemic days it has been anything but an easy year for non-profits. AACA did not get away unscathed either. This year brought many challenges due to the economy, inflation, gas prices, supply chain issues and all the turmoil in the world. As you consider your year-end taxes and philanthropy, hopefully you will consider making a special tax-deductible gift to your club. We hope that those who are required to take a mandatory distribution from their retirement accounts will consider AACA as part of your tax savings plans. Please discuss this with your accountant. Many of you have already given, some have not. Our sincerest THANK YOU to everyone who has continued to support this club with your time and donations! We hate to ask again as we truly realize there are many deserving charities you can choose from for your charitable donations. However, the club is continuing its quest to become stronger each year and your generosity helps us to maintain and grow our member services. So, we are asking you to please seriously consider making a tax-deductible contribution before the end of the year – it will make all the difference for the future of this club. You can make a general donation to the club, or you can specify your donation to go to the library endowment or the building fund endowment. You can make your donation one of three ways: Click here to donate online – easy and fast! Call us at 717-534-1910 and we will take a donation via credit card over the phone. Mail a check off to us right away. Send to: AACA, 800 W. Hersheypark Drive, Hershey, PA 17033 Remember, you do not have to itemize to take this deduction and any donation amount is appreciated! We will send you an acknowledgement letter for your records. More Than Just Pie By Jen Wolfe, AACA Library Director,jwolfe@aaca.org Thanksgiving has always been my favorite holiday. It’s some of the best food of the year in my opinion, but more than that it’s traditionally been the one holiday that every member of my family attends. It’s an all-day event, showcasing the incredible cooking talents that every single one of us seems to possess, a brusque walk in between dinner and dessert, and in the earlier years a foot race involving my father and three uncles, which almost always resulted in an injury (and subsequent trip to the hospital). It’s a day of being together, being ourselves, and remembering how lucky we are to be a part of the family. Also, I don’t mind saying…I love pie. This is a time of year that we all tend to spend in reflection, and although we try to be thankful for the things we have all year long, it’s a day to recognize our blessings just a bit more than usual. Thanksgiving will have passed by the time Speedster is sent out this month, but despite that I thought it would be a good use of our column to give a little extra thanks from the library to just a few of the things and people that might not have gotten enough recognition earlier in the year. We are thankful for the Headquarters and Library facility. Those of us who work here every day now often come into the building forgetting to be awed by the showroom, or stopping to admire the national trophies, and walk right up the impressive staircase without even thinking about it. But there are still days we arrive on a foggy fall morning and stare out our windows at a beautiful Hershey landscape or watch as a car is wheeled into the showroom or see the surprise and wonder on visitors’ faces as they see the facility for the first time – and we remember how lucky we are to be here, in this building and in this part of town…and we are thankful. We are grateful to work with such amazing, talented, and thoughtful people.This building is full of individuals who are passionate about what they do, generous with their time and talents, and patient beyond all reason. They take a personal interest, they go above and beyond, they remember what’s going on in your life, and they are always there. This club boasts an exceptional staff, volunteer corps, and board of directors…and we are grateful. We are very proud of the collection that’s been built by the hands of so many in the old car community. Donors recognize us as one of the best facilities to bequest their prized possessions, and because of that this library represents the most diverse, comprehensive, and dynamic vehicle-related collection in the world. To be one of the people charged with growing, sharing, using, and protecting that collection is an enormous privilege for all of us…and we are proud to do this work. We are so gratified to claim the amount of regions and chapters that have developed within this national organization. This building is home to 10 or so people who manage the day-to-day business of the club, but the regions and chapters are how we bring the hobby to the hometowns of our members. It’s difficult to overstate the impact that these groups have on membership, event and car show support, utilization of the library, and the preservation of a hobby that persists against all odds. Boots on the ground…that’s our regions and chapters …and we are so gratified to have them. We are happy to be in the presence of the cars. Yes, they sometimes don’t start when you’re trying to get them to an event (looking at you, Bookmobile), and cost us a lot of money to restore, and sometimes have a weird smell…but, by God, the machine…isn’t it amazing? It goes without saying that libraries are used to working with books, literature, artifacts, memorabilia, and digital collections. But there are not many in our field who can say they work with old cars. Over the course of the year, I have continually changed the way I answer the question, “So, what do you do for a living?” from “I’m a research librarian,” to “I work in a research library that specializes in antique cars and automotive history,” to finally “I’m an automotive librarian – I work with antique cars.” Admittedly, that may be exaggerating a bit the idea that I’m actually working on the cars themselves, but it illustrates how proud I feel to be doing this job, how amazingly cool it is, and how I want others to see the work we do here. We have a job like no other in our field…and we are so happy to be here. If I had unlimited space in this column, I could go on and on. Suffice it to say, Thanksgiving is a good opportunity to take a step back, pause, look at life with wider vision, and remember that we have a lot to be grateful for. Things that are simple to overlook, people who are easy to take for granted, and work that doesn’t hardly feel like work some days – these are just a few of the reasons that I love Thanksgiving. Also…as you now know…I love pie. Happy (belated) Thanksgiving, everyone! Interested in becoming a volunteer with the AACA Library? Contact our Volunteer Coordinator, Matthew Hocker, at mhocker@aaca.org or 717-534-2082. Interested in doing research with the AACA Library? More information is available on our website. Visit AACA Library or contact our Reference Librarian, Amoi Goldman, at agoldman@aaca.org or 717-534-2082. Visit our Booth at Black Swan Antiquities

Not meant to be funny. Yes. You picked the shops. No doubt hopeful at their ability to do the job. But you also left the vehicle at the shop for years. 6 years by your own admission in one case. The shops may have been bad, but your lack of holding them accountable played into it as well. Take some responsibility. I stand by my comment: Your post and topic are both hyperbolic and anecdotal. Not all shops are bad, and your experience is NOT representative of most restoration shops.

just curious... why ask a question about fordforums.com here? Did you not try THEIR contact us page? https://www.fordforums.com/help/contact/

no

https://forums.aaca.org/terms/ "You agree, through your use of this private forum, that you will posts only topics and responses directly related to the mission of the Antique Automobile Club of America and automotive hobby, and that you will not post any material which is knowingly false and/or defamatory, inaccurate, abusive or provoking tone, containing vulgar or profane language, containing partisan politics, threatening, harassing, hateful, sexually oriented, or containing personal attacks, or that are considered offensive of otherwise inappropriate by the moderators will be deleted. Certain conduct could result in revocation of AACA membership as outlined in the AACA By-Laws. Forum users unwilling to comply with the requests of the moderators or who ignore these guidelines will be banned. Moderators reserve the right to limit the time that a thread may be run. You agree not to post any copyrighted material unless the copyright is owned by you or by this forum."

Pesky democracy, voting, and that darn constitution sure gets in the way, don’t it?

Sure its called voting

NO POLITICS READ THE FORUM RULES

Your post and topic are both hyperbolic and anecdotal. Lots of good shops out there. You're a new forum user here and your opening topic was to strike a negative tone. Maybe you should consider you're part of your own problem.

I wish there was a simple solution. Unfortunately fraudulent buys and sellers are hard to filter.

It will remain indefinitely as-is. Merging it into the AACA forums unfortunately isn't possible.

Before dec 1.

Be careful driving out there. The road hazards are unpredicatable!

You do realize that posting items in this topic unrelated to the topic title is a massive waste of your time and those who choose to read this topic?

For those that dont know: OBD stands for onboard diagnostics. An OBD reader (also called a diagnostic scanner or scan tool) is a vehicle diagnostic device that can be used to read the error memory and data that is recorded on your vehicle systems.

FYI: The search box is EMPTY for ALL. Only your computer would preemptively enter search words like "Studebaker, Erskine and Avanti". Think about it, why would those terms apply to almost anyone else automatically?

Thinking of you and your family my friend.

I'll require the price be included.

https://forums.aaca.org/forum/24-hcca-general-discussion/

your computer fills in the text. Not the forum. The forum box defaults to empty and you have to type something in.