Where Do You Want an AACA National or Tour to Be Held?

[jrbartlett]

avantey -- One suggestion on next year's Glidden -- ask for help if needed, and accept it if offered. I've been on several tours where just a few people had to do all the work, and in short, they couldn't. Hopefully you've got an involved club behind you. If not, ask for outside help. Even someone like me down in Texas can help out once I'm onsite for the tour, or perhaps remotely beforehand for clerical-type tasks. 

[avantey]

thanks for the advice jrbartlett,  while I have done many tours the logistics of this one are on a different scale.  I think I am negotiating this course OK and getting help as needed. I have recruited for a few key spots already and will need more help as things get more defined.  While I prefer a small group to help this is larger than any tour I have ever hosted so help is needed.  You know the old saying....  a person makes a decision, two people have a conversation, three gets a voter situation and a committee gets nowhere after an hour.  Sat through a lot of meetings in my career that wasted a lot of hours of my life!  SO what would you like to do jr?  If   nothing else it guarantees a spot on tour!  😁

 

Bill

[Joe in Canada]

22 hours ago, avantey said:

  While I prefer a small group to help this is larger than any tour I have ever hosted so help is needed

We worked on a tour up here 4 years ago with 7 other soles for a total of 9. Half of us were not talking to each other after it was over . Lynne and I worked on the Vintage tour in Kingston this year with a very small group and things went very smoothly on making decisions. But I must say Bill I was very busy during the tour and folks stepped in to help us out.  

Edited August 13, 2019 by Joe in Canada (see edit history)

[jrbartlett]

avantey -- Contact me directly via email.

 

 

[real61ss]

Would like to see another tour in the mountains of N.C., Tn. or Kentucky 

[ChazA]

On 6/11/2019 at 2:55 PM, Mark McAlpine said:

Hello ChazA,

 

How about Saratoga Springs, NY, in 2021?  The AACA Board of Directors just approved the Saratoga Region's application to host the AACA Eastern Spring Nationals in Saratoga Springs on 17-19 June 2021.  (Thanks to the Saratoga Region for stepping forward to host the show!  My wife and I are already looking forward to it--we've never been to the area before.)

 

Syracuse is a great suggestion.  Please ask your region if they'd be interested in taking the lead for an Eastern Spring or Fall Nationals (or tour) there.  AACA HQ can provide support and, as you point out, other nearby regions could pitch in, too. The 2020 schedule is basically done (although we could possibly add a show in late July or late October/early November), but 2022 and 2023 are open.  Alternately, we have not locked in the location yet for the 2024 Grand Nationals.

 

Thanks for the suggestion!

Glad to hear.  We had a Cadillac LaSalle Club Grand National meet in Lake George a few years ago, which is very close.  Great area for a show.  It will be the closest one ever to me, 150 miles, so we'll be able to easily bring multiple cars

Sure.  Thanks!  Chuck

Edited September 10, 2019 by ChazA (see edit history)

[Guest Mark McAlpine]

19 hours ago, ChazA said:

Glad to hear.  We had a Cadillac LaSalle Club Grand National meet in Lake George a few years ago, which is very close.  Great area for a show.  It will be the closest one ever to me, 150 miles, so we'll be able to easily bring multiple cars

Sure.  Thanks!  Chuck

 

I look forward to seeing you there.  What cars do you expect to bring?

 

Also, please ask your region if they'd be interested in taking the lead for an Eastern Spring or Fall Nationals (or tour) around Syracuse in 2022 and 2023.  (A tour would be especially fun.)

[ChazA]

You too!  As of today planning on these so far:

66 Cadillac DeVille convertible.  95% done with 9 yr frame up resto with 19 yr old son

65 Cadillac Eldorado vert-my son's car he drives, survivor

67 Nova

...we need to wait until 2022 to bring our survivor low mileage '97 Caddy

OK, I will.   

 

Thanks! Chuck

Edited September 28, 2019 by ChazA (see edit history)

[hursst]

Regardless of venue, has there ever been a night-drive on one of these tours?  I would think it would be different and interesting, especially for pre-electric light vehicles, to run these cars at night, at least for one night of a tour.  Seeing gas lamps, kerosene, or pre-sealed beam headlights, wig-wam tail lights, use of spotlights, opera lights, various early colored lights would be something very unique to see.  We never see them during the daylight or in most shows, the lighting is always off.

[John_S_in_Penna]

9 minutes ago, hursst said:

Regardless of venue, has there ever been a night-drive on one of these tours?  I would think it would be different and interesting, especially for pre-electric light vehicles, to run these cars at night... 

 

The AACA's Gettysburg Region used to have an annual Gaslight Tour

after dark.  It was a local event, of short distance, that included

a night-time parade through a small town.  One member had

a calliope mounted on a brass-era truck chassis, to provide

music.  People who didn't own brass cars would ride in the

passenger seats, and it was really a memorable event.

 

It's been several years since they held such a tour.  Here are 

a couple of pictures as people got their cars ready at sundown:

 

 

[PFindlay]

The biggest problem is that is is illegal (at least where I live) to operate with gas lights after dark.

 

Disregarding that minor detail, a few of us did a bit of evening prowling around the neighbourhood on our recent HCCA tour.  It was a lot of fun and a great sight.

 

Here's the video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz5wl5NLH_8

 

[R W Burgess]

I have been in at least 2 tours similar to this. Police escorts were used each time. The one Vintage Tour that Judy and Barker Edwards put on some years ago had us traveling back to the host hotel with escorts. Very well planned and safe. Prior commitments with the local police force makes these things work.

 

Lots of fun, but everyone might not like it.

 

Wayne

[Bloo]

43 minutes ago, PFindlay said:

The biggest problem is that is is illegal (at least where I live) to operate with gas lights after dark.

 

Disregarding that minor detail, a few of us did a bit of evening prowling around the neighbourhood on our recent HCCA tour.  It was a lot of fun and a great sight.

 

Here's the video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pz5wl5NLH_8

 

 

What state or country do you live in? It's not illegal where I live. Nobody ever does it though.

[PFindlay]

8 minutes ago, Bloo said:

 

What state or country do you live in? It's not illegal where I live. Nobody ever does it though.

British Columbia, Canada.  Maybe I need to go on tour in your state.

[Bloo]

I have not had many chances to go on brass tours at all let alone any that would involve gaslights. I am in the wrong part of Washington State for any HCCA activity.

 

There was one local "gaslight parade" in Cashmere, WA, I don't remember what year, sometime in the 80s probably, and it was the first time I saw the gaslights lit. It was scheduled in the middle of the winter, after dark, probably in December just before Christmas. Everyone around here who had a car or truck with gas or oil lights was invited to attend, and there were SUPPOSED to be oil-lit horse drawn sleighs also, but when the day arrived, there was insufficient snow. Cashmere is about a half hour drive, longer because I stuck to backroads. I did that because the car won't go very fast, not due to any deficiency in the lights. They are quite a bit better than the early electric lights that followed.

 

Edited September 28, 2019 by Bloo (see edit history)

[PFindlay]

The Skagit HCCA group is not that far away from you and they put on a terrific tour each year in September.  I attended a few weeks ago and we had three days of great touring.  And our group is just across the line - we'd be glad to have you join us on our tour in June.   Peter

[Bloo]

I would love to do it (and maybe I will!). The 1913 Studebaker needs a bit of work right now. I hope I can get it ready before then. Skagit is over a mountain pass for me, so it requires trailering, still it is much closer than the old days, when everything was in SoCal, Nevada, etc.

[Bob Giles]

I am planning next years Reliability Tour in North Central Pa. We have 3 Dinners planned at different restaurants 1 mile from the host hotel. If there is any interest in doing a gaslight Tour, I’m sure the local police would give us an escort.

[Joe in Canada]

HCCA was in Kingston 2 weeks before the Vintage Tour where they had a gas light tour one evening. The only complaint I heard was the police escort was going to slow and some of the cars were getting hot.

[lostviking]

San Diego County. We have a number of locations that hold weekly or monthly gatherings. Especially in the warmer months things can get rather large. Come on by!

[Guest Mark McAlpine]

On 9/5/2019 at 11:54 PM, real61ss said:

Would like to see another tour in the mountains of N.C., Tn. or Kentucky 

Hello Tommy,

 

    Sorry for the badly delayed response--didn't see your post and don't recall receiving an notification about it.

 

    The KYANA Region is hosting the 2022 Reliability Tour in Kentucky.  I realize the cars eligible for that tour are considerably earlier vintage than most of yours, but maybe you could get a high-performance Brass Era speedster.  Plus, I'm still working on locking in other tours for 2021-2022, so maybe a region/chapter will step forward to host a Sentimental or Founders Tour in KY, NC, or TN.  (If a region hosted a Vintage Tour, you could bring your Model A.)

[Guest Mark McAlpine]

On 2/17/2020 at 2:03 PM, lostviking said:

San Diego County. We have a number of locations that hold weekly or monthly gatherings. Especially in the warmer months things can get rather large. Come on by!

Maybe the San Diego Region or Fallbrook Vintage Car Club Region could host a future national tour.  I'm still looking for a region to host the 2021 Western Divisional Tour.

[real61ss]

2 hours ago, Mark McAlpine said:

Hello Tommy,

 

    Sorry for the badly delayed response--didn't see your post and don't recall receiving an notification about it.

 

    The KYANA Region is hosting the 2022 Reliability Tour in Kentucky.  I realize the cars eligible for that tour are considerably earlier vintage than most of yours, but maybe you could get a high-performance Brass Era speedster.  Plus, I'm still working on locking in other tours for 2021-2022, so maybe a region/chapter will step forward to host a Sentimental or Founders Tour in KY, NC, or TN.  (If a region hosted a Vintage Tour, you could bring your Model A.)

We don't have the Model A anymore, just wasn't my cup of tea. Was hoping to go on the West Virginia tour but they cut the years off at 58, 59 is the oldest thing we have.  

[Guest Mark McAlpine]

On 2/19/2020 at 6:36 PM, real61ss said:

We don't have the Model A anymore, just wasn't my cup of tea. Was hoping to go on the West Virginia tour but they cut the years off at 58, 59 is the oldest thing we have.  

Talk to the Tour Chairperson (Franklin Gage) and ask if he'd allow a 1959.  The worst he can do is say no.

[real61ss]

I already talked to him

 

[Marty Roth]

As I recall, Earl established the Sentimental Tour as his Legacy, and set the years as 1928 through 1958.

That is the way it is defined, and to the best of my understanding, is not at the discretion of the Tour Chairperson.

Some other clubs such as VMCCA allow variance at the discretion of their tour chair if, and when the maximum numbers are not reached.

[Dynaflash8]

On 3/17/2020 at 10:09 PM, Marty Roth said:

As I recall, Earl established the Sentimental Tour as his Legacy, and set the years as 1928 through 1958.

That is the way it is defined, and to the best of my understanding, is not at the discretion of the Tour Chairperson.

Some other clubs such as VMCCA allow variance at the discretion of their tour chair if, and when the maximum numbers are not reached.

Doesn't anybody read the Policy & Procedure Manual anymore.  The tours are years of manufacture defined, except for the Divisional Tours.  It takes a vote by the full board to change that. The Sentimental Tour is strictly defined as 1928-1958 and for good reason.  Model A's are popular and 1957-58 Chevrolet's are popular, plus that was the WWII and Post-WWII era. All of the five day tours are basically defined by an era.  The Sentimental Tour was developed to give the 1936-1955 six-volt cars a place in the sun, where over the years some of them have been neglected and most people have chosen the easier road of 12-volts with a/c, automatic transmissions, power steering, power brakes, am/fm, stereo tape, etc.  The Glidden Tour has been moved up to 1942, but when the Sentimental Tour was developed that Tour stopped at 1935.  In closing let me say, the Sentimental Tour WAS NOT developed as my Legacy.  I was merely the developer of a sorely needed tour to save those cars from obscurity, which they are becoming now at shows as well as tours.  They were important historically and carried the U.S. citizens through WWII and the startup years that followed.  They were part of our "Greatest Generation".  Some do call me the "Father" of the tour, because I developed it, wrote the rules for it, and, as it turns out, have sold every one of the tours except possibly one in North Carolina.  I did that because I cared about the tour continuing as long as possible.  I did it for the cars and the people who love them, remember them and the movies they appeared in......NOT FOR ME.

 

Edited March 19, 2020 by Dynaflash8 (see edit history)

[Dynaflash8]

Thanks Wayne, you were there in the beginning.

 

[Steve Moskowitz]

Given the tragic time we are living in my answer to the question posed by Mark is :  ANYWHERE!!  Just hope we can somehow get back to a sense of normalcy yet in 2020.  Best to everyone!

[Guest Mark McAlpine]

Hello Earl and Marty.  I know what the eligibility dates are for the AACA national tours.  As Earl pointed out, they're specified in the AACA Policy & Procedure Manual.  They're also in the listing for the tours in the AACA calendar on the AACA website.

 

I suggested Tommy contact Franklin Gage because, if there the tour wasn't filled, Tommy & Debbie might be able to register for and participate in the tour.  (Their car might or might not be an "official" participant and it might even have to be at the end of the tour progression.)  This would not be unprecedented.  As you know, in rare occasions someone will register a vehicle for a tour and then the vehicle may have a problem that can't be repaired in time for the vehicle to participate in the tour.  In that case, the Tour Chairman may allow the participant to bring a different antique vehicle rather than having to cancel out of the tour.  (Of course, in this situation, the vehicle should be close to the years of eligibility for the tour.  It wouldn't be appropriate to drive a 1970 muscle car on the Reliability Tour.)  This happened last year on the Vintage Tour when a participant planned to drive a 1932 Dodge, but it broke and the Tour Chairperson allowed the owner to drive their 1933 Dodge.  Tommy Nolen's situation, while not exactly the same, is similar.  (In the scheme of life, most observers are not going to be able to tell the difference in a vehicle 1-2 years newer than the tour's eligibility years.)

 

Our bigger concern now is when our country can beat the coronavirus into submission and we can get back to "normal," including being able to gather with our fellow club members and enjoy our antique vehicles on any AACA tour or show.  Let's hope it happens soon.

 

Be safe and stay healthy!

Edited March 26, 2020 by Mark McAlpine
Corrected misspelled words in first and last paragraphs. (see edit history)

[Joe in Canada]

On 9/27/2019 at 9:13 PM, hursst said:

Regardless of venue, has there ever been a night-drive on one of these tours? 

HCCA had a night light tour in Kingston last year leaving Fort Henry to the same hotel we used for the Vintage tour.  They had a police escort but the big problem was the cars were going to slow and some ran hot I was told. Would be nice to see but many do not want to run there cars after dark in today's traffic.

[real61ss]

A show or tour would be nice, ANYWHERE !!!

[Guest Mark McAlpine]

12 hours ago, real61ss said:

A show or tour would be nice, ANYWHERE !!!

 

I hear you, Tommy.  I can't believe that the last car show Marion & I have been to--AACA or otherwise--was the AACA Winter Nationals.  It was a fantastic show with a lot of fun activities, but it seems so long ago now.  I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Southeastern Spring Nationals in Concord, NC, and the Eastern Spring Nationals in Beckley, WV, happen, let alone the Grand Nationals in Allentown, PA.  

 

Be safe and stay healthy.  Marion & I look forward to seeing you and Debbie at the next AACA activity--whenever it is.  Let's just hope it's soon.

[Dynaflash8]

Fredericksburg, VA center with day trips to Westmoreland and Culpeper counties and Richmond city and areas in between.  That is a tour that includes parts of other tours we've had, but none have been to the Civil War battlefields in Culpeper Co.

[R W Burgess]

3 hours ago, Dynaflash8 said:

Fredericksburg, VA center with day trips to Westmoreland and Culpeper counties and Richmond city and areas in between.  That is a tour that includes parts of other tours we've had, but none have been to the Civil War battlefields in Culpeper Co.

 

I agree with Earl. Lots and lots of things to see in that area. If a local region could not handle it, go to the Buzzard's Breath Region. Lots of hotels in the Fredericksburg area. Easy access to all back roads. Wish I had a little more energy I would push this harder!

 

Wayne

[Dynaflash8]

8 minutes ago, R W Burgess said:

 

I agree with Earl. Lots and lots of things to see in that area. If a local region could not handle it, go to the Buzzard's Breath Region. Lots of hotels in the Fredericksburg area. Easy access to all back roads. Wish I had a little more energy I would push this harder!

 

Wayne

I never knew a guy who could match your energy when you really wanted to do something.

[Terry Bond]

There is as lot of enthusiasm in that area and some great members in that region.  They do a great annual show downtown and I think they could pull-off a great tour in that area too.  It's close enough to a large number of members that I'm sure it would be very well attended and a big success.

Terry

[Dynaflash8]

On 2/23/2020 at 5:04 PM, Mark McAlpine said:

Talk to the Tour Chairperson (Franklin Gage) and ask if he'd allow a 1959.  The worst he can do is say no.

The Tour is the Tour, period.  Franklin would not be authorized to change it.  There is and was a reason for the years of that tour and it was to keep the older cars that are disappearing active and useful.  Would  you change the years of the Vintage tour?

 

[Guest Mark McAlpine]

On 4/29/2020 at 7:50 AM, Dynaflash8 said:

Fredericksburg, VA center with day trips to Westmoreland and Culpeper counties and Richmond city and areas in between.  That is a tour that includes parts of other tours we've had, but none have been to the Civil War battlefields in Culpeper Co.

 

Hello Earl.  I agree--Fredericksburg would be a great place for a tour.  There are lots of interesting and historic things to see in the area, and, as you know, it's a beautiful area.  We just need to keep the antique vehicles off of I-95--driving it in a modern vehicle is exciting enough.

 

[Dynaflash8]

2 hours ago, Mark McAlpine said:

 

Hello Earl.  I agree--Fredericksburg would be a great place for a tour.  There are lots of interesting and historic things to see in the area, and, as you know, it's a beautiful area.  We just need to keep the antique vehicles off of I-95--driving it in a modern vehicle is exciting enough.

 

There is absolutely no reason for any antique vehicles to go on I-95 other that to get to Fredericksburg, once there you can go east west and south on country roads. Fredericksburg does have some history too, but mostly it would serve only for viable hotels and restaurants.  As with all tours, it is a little difficult getting from the hotel to the roads out of town.  I know the area well. My wife's family lived west out Rt. 17 to Rto 29 and and then west.  Other times drive Rte 3 toward Montross to visit the boyhood home of Robert E. Lee and the birthplace of George Washington.  From there you can continue to Tappahannock and west on Route 17 back to Fredericksburg or head a little further south on Rte 17 and get over toward Richmond and the homes of Past President's on Route 5.  Or, you can stay on the Northern Neck and head down to White Stone and across the Rappahannock River Bridge to Urbanna and other areas on the Middle Peninsula, but never to Williamsburg because of traffic.  The Northern Neck is the most historical area in the United States I do believe, dating back to before the American Revolution.  There is Madison west of Fredericksburg and also Culpepper and Warrenton, where Civil War history was made.  Appamattox may even be within driving distance.  You stay off of Rte 301 and I-95, making it a star drive out of Fredericksburg.  I don't remember all of the little towns and routes in the area tonight, but Wayne Burgess knows the area as well as I do.  You just have to stay away from the main roads and there is a wealth of places to see.  Remember, I ran the first Sentimental Tour all around just the Northern Neck for three days, visiting Reedville, richest town in America in 1900, taking the boat ride over to Tangier Island, going to Urbanna and Mathews.  That was 2001, I don't know if everything still exists; things like the Model A Collection in Mathews.  What you need, only, is somebody to do it.  If I still lived in Virginia full time, I'd offer to Chair a tour there (easy to say, huh?  I'm in the middle of nowhere in Florida now, where there is zero antique auto activity.  Anybody offer to help me move and pay to move my stuff back?  Ha.  Frankly and seriously, I can't think of many better places to visit than the area east and west of Fredericksburg. 

Edited May 7, 2020 by Dynaflash8 (see edit history)