BMW1939

I believe the Fiat was located in row RBW (Red Field). The actual space it occupied was somewhere between number 3 and 12 or so. Hope this helps.

Photo appears to have been taken along the east front of the U.S. Capitol. Not sure yet about the event or folks.

The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History has a Balzer (most likely this one) in its collections. It is on display in the museum's America on the Move exhibit. You can find an interesting write up on the vehicle and its history if you do a search for Smithsonian Balzer.

What a great photo. I don't believe the fender is bent. The fender framework retains its proper shape and it is the patent leather covering that has given out and hangs down. The dash appears to be leather as well. I don't think this was a "Kodak Moment". Whoever took the photo went to some effort. I say this because it appears that the camera which was used captured the image on a glass plate negative. Those tripod mounted cameras were a bit more involved than aim and shoot. If you look at the edges of the print you can see slight crazing and even some loss of the image. These are problems found in some older glass negatives. As the photographic emulsion ages and if the plate has not been stored carefully, it (the emulsion) tends to shrink (which causes the crazing) and flake off. So, it seems to me the real story lies in why the effort was made to photograph this wonderful little electric which was so outdated.

Hello, I've got a 1917 touring in running shape that might be of interest. Car came from Virginia and I'm in Maryland. Loads of parts come with it. You can email me for particulars if interested.

Red Bug #4613 was deliver by Automotive Standards Inc. to its new owner on 22 December 1927. It's pure speculation as to exactly how many vehicles were assembled each year. However, as these two are only 366 vehicles apart, your's may very well be a 1927 model as well.

I redid the wood in a 1923 roadster using a kit. Very few pieces of the new wood fit. Each T body seemed to be unique dimension wise, despite an overall appearance of being identical. It comes down to the kit being a good starting point. The best approach is to use the original wood (where you can) as a pattern (you know it fit) and either glue on or cut away wood from the pieces in the kit until it matches. I found no other way to do it. Eventually it turned out quite nicely, but it was a long and unpleasant process. Don't want to discourage you, but that was my experience. Another thing you might consider is replacing all the old fasteners with stainless nuts, bolts, and screws. Good luck!

Thanks. The shuttle is a good idea--as long as it operates when the show is winding down. The shuttle at Hershey worked fine in the morning, but it seemed to disappear in the afternoon when everyone was trying to get back to the trailer parking area.

Let me see if I have this correct. If I unload my motorcycle at the show field, I then drive my car and trailer six miles to the trailer parking area. I then get to walk the six miles back to the show field and my bike. Is this the plan? A number of bike exhibitors will face this scenario. Perhaps you might consider this at your next planning meeting. Thanks

I believe Dick's question referred to the location of motorcycle trailer parking in particular. I have a similar concern. Will it be possible to park trailers for 1928 and newer motorcycles next to the show field? Thanks

Restorer, you are certainly right when you suggest that a vehicle can win a First and have incorrect plating. Within perhaps the last five years two motorcycles from the teens have won their First and Senior Awards and gone on to receive National Awards and both have chrome brightwork. I understand very well how the AACA judging system works, but it still seems odd that plating can matter in one situation and not another....

A good place to begin your visit is right in the heart of Washington, DC. The Smithsonian Institution's National Museum of American History exhibit "America on the Move" presents a good cross section of the vehicle collection. You can reach the museum by public transportation from any point in the city. Bonne chance!

Not sure about brake or break, but it is Smithsonian Institution. Oooops

Thanks! We will join your daily sessions--long distance!

Does anyone know the condition of the field for antique car trailer parking (intersection of Rt 39 & Canal Road)?

Wow! I believe the chap from Washington, DC, who bought the car was the late William Mackey. My family knew him well. Bill began working for Franklin during the 1920s and continued with them until the company closed. He lived in the Capitol Hill section of the city where the interior of city blocks are crisscrossed with alleys and filled with garages, and Bill must have owned or rented most of the garages in his block. They were packed with Franklin automobiles and Franklin parts. Because my grandmother's backyard faced his backyard, I had many wonderful opportunities to visit Bill and his cars--including this one. As I recall, this car was sold to another local AACA member before it left the area. It's Bill I have to thank for introducing me to the AACA nearly 50 years ago and I'm sure glad he did!

Pat and Steve, thanks very much for your answers. Steve, I especially appreciate you taking the time to address each of my questions. I understand that the Awards Committee has no easy task, but what a car show it is treated to when it sees photos of nothing but the very best vehicles!

Kind thanks for pointing out the Policy and Procedure Manual. Yes, indeed it does give a fine description of the awards. However, I suppose what I am after is a description of the mechanics of the process.

An interesting topic. I've been a member of the AACA for over 45 years and the National Awards process remains a mystery to me. I don't recall ever hearing of or reading a formal or written set of guidelines for competing for a National Award. Perhaps there are no guidelines and it is a fluid proces that changes from year to year. I have heard more than once, including at a seminar some years ago at the annual Meeting In Philadelphia, that the more times a vehicle is shown in a given year the better your chances are. Is this true? Does the quality of the photos really matter and does the committee look at all four views of every nominated vehicle? The only other thing I've heard about the process is that it is in the hands of our most experienced judges. Are board members the only judges? How many judges are there?Are there different judges for each award and do all judges get to vote in all categories? What are the judges looking for and is there anything an owner can do to prepare a vehicle for this competition? To say "try again next year" rings hollow if a nominee doesn't know what the judges are after and there really isn't anything he or she can do. From what I read in this thread, it sounds as if a National Award just happens--or doesn't. Please help this confused old member!

Indianfour, My father and I had a similar experience with the same gentleman in the mid-60s. He was located at New Oxford which is not far from Gettysburg. We went to look at a very early Chrysler coupe--he didn't show. As I recall it had a serial number in the low 400s. Some years later we went by the area and there was no trace of the vehicles. Good memories of fun times, however!

Does anyone know why the fire extinguisher rules were changed?

Will you be posting the names of all the award winners?