charlier

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Steve Moskowitz</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> AACA WILL in the future survey members to get their feelings on our system to guide us in the future.</div></div> Based on this thread it would appear to be in the best interests of the club that this survey be done in the not to distant "future" (ie. in 2008). Personally, I think gathering input and ideas from as many AACA members as possible about the scoring system is a good start. With so many members with so much experience and varied backgrounds there are bound to be other ideas out there worth considering. I would imagine that there might be other areas of the club or topics that a survey might be useful to gather input from club members. BTW, when was the last time that the members of the AACA were sent a survey to gather their opinions on the judging system, and other aspects of the club and how it operates? Having been an AACA for only a few shorts years I am somewhat curious as to how often surveys have been used in the past by the officers to gather the opinions of the club members on various topics.

Sunscreen, sunglasses, a comfortable hat, a backpack and a rain poncho are all items I never go to Hershey without.

If anyone is interested photos of most of the cars in the museum can be found at: http://www.gti16v.com/gilmore/gilmpic1.htm http://www.gti16v.com/gilmore/gilmpic2.htm

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Steve Moskowitz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">You will have to watch the Hershey Region site for the maps. Now that the paving is done the region has been busy doing the layouts so they may not be done this early as they are still "adjusting". I walked it and it has been done very nicely. </div></div> Looking forward to seeing the maps soon on the Hershey Region web site. Glad to hear the paving is done and you approve of the job that was done. It is always nice to get first hand, on site information about a location or facility for those of us who are out of the area. <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Steve Moskowitz</div><div class="ubbcode-body">It will be much better this year but the region and HERCO have their hands tied by the provisions of the township. </div></div> This event is a H-U-G-E BOOST to the local economy. Maybe the Hershey Region, HERCO and the AACA Officers needs to respectfully remind the township of that. Would it be possible for the Hershey Region to put a map of the area on the reverse side of the show car registration card? That would mean one less sheet of paper in the registration packet, a few more tress saved, no one would lose the map and fewer people would get lost after the show.

The York Heritage Trust's 5th Concours d' Elegance is being held this Saturday, July 21, 2007, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on the campus of York College of Pennsylvania, York, PA. More informatin at: http://www.yorkheritage.org/Concours/home.html

Wayne, I just uploaded some photos from the Grand National. Also have some photos from the museum which I hope to post up in the future.

It would appear that sections #6 and #7 conflict or even contradict each other. Call me old fashioned but I think section #7, as written, should be stricken from the judges manual. To me it seems wrong for the buyer of an award winning vehicle to be able to "buy the award" as well as the vehicle. What is so wrong with the new owner of the vehicle having to spend the time and make the effort to achieve awards for the vehicle they purchased?? The original owner of the vehicle had to do that. Why is the new owner exempt from going through the process? Maybe the author(s) of section #7 can chime in here and enlighten everyone as to their thoughts behind it?

I too made it back Sunday night after a LONG day of driving. Congratulations and Thank You to all the members of the West Michigan & Kalamazoo Regions for all your hard work to make this Grand National such a success. It was definitely an event to remember. The Gilmore Car museum was an fantastic location to hold this event. It was great to meet so many other AACA members and catch up with old friends. PJH, it was great to meet up with you and have dinner Thursday night in Ohio (and breakfast the next morning). My brother and I really enjoyed it and Thanks Again. I was very honored to have my '80 VW Rabbit achieve her 1st Grand National Award. Once again Thank You to everyone who worked so hard on this event.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: MCHinson</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Well I am trying to figure out how early I have to leave on the morning of the 5th. Mapquest tells me it it going to be a 15 hour drive from Wilmington NC. So, I guess I will be sort of tired when I pull in there late in the evening on the 5th. Any chance the trailer parking crew might be around later than the 7:00 pm time listed in the brochure? I really want to let the 4th of July bar crowd all get off of the road before I pull out and 4:00 am sounds sort of early to drag the family out of the house. </div></div> A few weeks ago I contacted David Lyon of the Western Michigan/Kalamazoo Region regarding trailer parking in the evening and the following was his response: "There are no set times for trailer parking and you can park at any time, however I would not attempt to do so after dark We are on the western edge of the eastern time zone and it remains light here well after 9:00 p.m." Peter, I hope to be entering the PA Turnpike at Morgantown around 6:30 am on Thursday morning. That time may vary (ie later) depending on when my brother arrives at my house.

I will be packing my trailer and tow vehicle on Wednesday and be heading out at dawn on Thursday morning. Sure hope the Pennsylvania and Ohio Turnpikes are open and running smoothly. Would not want to run into a long closure or detour like the past few weekends on the PA Turnpike. Have to look for other AACA members at the Turnpike Service Plazas. Never know who one might run into. Hey PJH, when are you pulling out for Kalamazoo? Looking forward to this vacation and my first Grand National.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: PJH</div><div class="ubbcode-body">--Tire Covers (white colored): I affix them for any static trailer storage over 1 week to prevent U.V. and rim (rust) damage from rain and snow. </div></div> PJH: I am located just down the road from you and was wondering if you purchased your Tire Covers locally or got them mail order or over the internet?

Unfortunately, due to time constraints and a sore back I will not be able to attend Binghamton this year. Last time I was up in that city was 25+ years ago for the wedding of my college roommate. Good luck to everyone going to Binghamton and be Safe out there. Looking forward to seeing some posts and photos about the event after it concludes. Now, I just have to let my sore back get better so I can make the trip to Kalamazoo.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Charlier, If you have no objections, I'd like to include your comments to the web article. Chris </div></div> Chris, Please feel free to include my comments in the web article. If you like, I can also email you some photos of my trailer with the Reflective Conspicuity Tape on it, the removable winch set up and the back up alarm and where is it mounted along with the kill switch. Let me know if you are interested.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I just wrote an article on trailering for one of the CCCA regions and also posted it to my website. Its geared for the heavier collectible, but still useful nonetheless. Trailering Article Chris </div></div> VERY informative article on Trailering 101. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/cool.gif" alt="" /> One thing I found very useful when it comes to safety is installing a back-up alarm at the rear of the trailer. I have found that at many car events spectators do not always pay attention to their surroundings. That also holds true for people at turnpike and highway plazas. When backing up my trailer, the alarm makes people VERY aware unless they are totally deaf. I also installed a kill switch for the alarm so as not to disturb the neighbors when I get home late at night with the trailer. One other addition to trailer basics would be the placement and use of Reflective Conspicuity Tape on the outside of the trailer to improve the visability of the trailer to others on the road. Use of this tape is even more important if the trailer is a dark color. When I designed and purchased my trailer I was very fortunate to have a friend with many years of trailering experience. I was able to learn a LOT from him and benefit from some of the lessons he learned the hard way. I was also fortunate to have chosen a trailer manufacturer that was very willing to make engineering changes to accomodate my needs (raise the trailer floor and relocate the escape door more forward than normal) and not charge me an arm and a leg to do it. BTW, I too mounted a winch in my trailer. I did it a little differently than the example in the article. I mounted the winch to a piece of square steel bar and drilled holed in it to put a standard hitch pin through it. Finally I mounted a bumper hitch receiver to the frame of the trailer. This setup allows me to install and remove the winch as needed. It also gives me the flexibility to slide the winch in the receiver on my tow vehicle and use the winch to move a disabled vehicle to the trailer or pull a stuck vehicle out of a muddy situation.

Thanks for the information. I missed the deadline date and it was right there under my nose.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">the current prices keep me from going to cruise nights and local shows. </div></div> The real question will be will the higher gas prices keep people from driving long distances to AACA events like the Grand National in Michigan or Hershey, etc? Some people might not think twice about spending $500-700 just for gas for trips like this. Unfortunately, when you add the cost of tolls, lodging, food, etc. a long distance trip to an AACA event can easily run into a lot of money. Then again, some people think of these events as vacations which make the cost easier to swallow.

Where I live the commute to work can be a combination of a nascar race, drag race and demolition derby. "Old Cars" do not do well in most of those types of competitions, especially if one cares about the car. Even if the roads were not like this I still would not drive one of my old cars to work. The parking lot at the office is not the best place to park (dents, dings, flying stones from landscaper mowers). Even if the lot was safe, I would still would not drive my old cars to work because it would violate the terms of my Classic Car Insurance policy. Traffic where I live has gotten to the point where I usually take my older vehicles out for a drive EARLY on a Sunday morning. That is usually just after sunrise and before too many idiot drivers are on the road. One thing I have noticed during my Sunday morning drives is that I am not alone. It seems as time goes on there are more and more Classic and Antique vehicles on the roads at this time. I guess I am not the only person who wants to enjoy their vehicle in a less stress filled driving environment.

The on-line registration for a meet says that: "Remember you have the ability to change this information until the cut off date if you have not printed your receipt." Can someone refresh my memory as to where the cut off date information can be found for the various meets? Specifically, I am interested in knowing the cut off date for registration for the GN in Kalamazoo, MI.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Harumph! Next thing you know, someone will try and bring a VW Rabbit to Hershey... </div></div> Actually, The next thing you know, someone might try and bring a VW Rabbit to an AACA Grand National Event. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> What's wrong with a Rabbit? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> </div></div> Nothing. Just ask the 100s and 100s of people that stopped to talk with the owner of the VW Rabbit at the 2005 and 2006 Fall Hershey events.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">"Collectibility," desirability, etc., is in the eye of the beholder--my opinion anyway.</div></div> Steve, rest assured that others share you opinion on this. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The dream house I've designed for our future construction includes a medium-sized room just off the main living room. That area features a set of very wide opening patio doors and a hard surface floor area (tile or slate or something) the size of a large automobile. My wife thinks it's some kind of garden room, and I'm not telling her any differently... <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> </div></div> When some friends of mine built their house about 10 years ago they designed just such a room. They usually keep one of their antique cars in this room. During the holidays they pull the car out and use this room for parties and gatherings. FYI, if you do ever build a house with such a room be sure you are VERY CAREFUL what you tell the local building codes people. In some areas it can be a violation of building/fire codes or laws to store a car in room of a house that is not a garage. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

1. True, the companies are separate. HERCO is owned entirely by the Hershey Trust. The Hershey Trust also owns the majority of the stock of Hershey Foods. Since both companies share the "Hershey" name I would think that the public does not understand they are separate but are owned/controlled by the same owner (ie the Hershey Trust). 2. Glad to hear it. Too bad the project has changed from "next year" (said back in 2006) to "eventually" (this year). At least it is still a "long term" project and has not been scrapped entirely. 3. Glad to hear signage will be improved. If one turns left when leaving the show field doesn't that road come out to a traffic light on Hersheypark Drive? No doubt Hershey Region and the Township Police will look at this and other options to improve traffic flow when leaving the show field. 4. No question the 2006 show on grass was a change from blacktop (BTW, my car was on the show field). I was also on the blacktop show field in 2005 in all the rain. Had the rain that occurred in 2005 happened in 2006 (on a grass field) my car would have stayed in the trailer. No queston that the majority of show cars did not come out in the rain in 2005 (~400 IIRC). One was to wonder if even half the 400 cars that came out in 2005 would come out to a soggy wet/muddy show field. There is no question that it requires a large amount of work to put on Fall Hershey. The Hershey Region deserves a lot of credit and praise for their efforts. With no better alternatives at this point, the car show will have to take it's chances with wet weather like so many other car events do. Personally, I have not been coming to Hershey long enough to appreciate the mud from years past. My Hershey experience has consisted of the car show on blacktop for a number of years then moving to grass. Some people may call that progress while other people may not. Depends on one's point of view I suppose.

Hopefully one improvement that HERCO will be making will be widening the road that passes the show field. One has to wonder if the township will ever approve the paving project where the show field is. Then again with Hershey's recent cost cutting decisions one has to wonder just how much money HERCO will be spending on major projects lke this. With the Hershey Company's recent announcement of 600 job layoffs at two Hershey, PA. plants, relations between the community and Hershey Foods are not likely to improve anytime soon. Hopefully, Hershey Region will take a Long, Hard look at traffic flow into/out of the show field and make some changed for 2007. Having so many AACA members getting lost leaving the show field last year is something Hershey Region needs to deal with. Oh well, AACA members will have to make do with the facilities we have for Fall Hershey. If that means a muddy show field with empty spaces and show cars not leaving their trailers then that is the way it will be I suppose.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">The car show is planned at this time for the same location. The Orange Field area is undergoing a multi-million dollar paving and landscaping project and will be ready for the Fall Meet. There are several options being worked on to improve the car corral location and hopefully they can be announced in the near future. </div></div> Just wondering, will the paving project include the show car field in 2007? If it is still on grass I sure hope Hershey's luck holds out as far as dry weather goes.

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Just to bring you up to date, the Cape Canaveral Region, AACA, is hosting the National Meet and the Grand National Meet 13-15 March 2008 in Melbourne FL. For info, you can contact the Meet Chairman, Art Griffen at artgriffin@yahoo.com Hopefully our weather will cooperate. Ray </div></div> Just wondering what logic was involved in the decision on the March date for the 2008 GN? As this past week has proven without any doubt, New England, the Northeast and many Great Lake states can and do get severe winter storms in Mid-March. Unlike rain, snow and ice tend to keep antique cars off of the roads be they driven or trailered. Where there logistical or other issues with an April or May date for this event? Also, was any thought given to the fact that people that have to work for a living may have a difficult time getting or taking vacation time so early in the year in March? I realize that GN events do not attract the large numbers of show cars that say a Hershey event does. Wouldn't that be even more reason to not to take the weather risk a March event poses for areas of the USA where a LOT of AACA members live?