Recruiting Younger Members:

[Jay Wolf]

As I have in the past, I keep trying to get some younger members in AACA.

This is my latest attempt; I?ll let you know how if it works.

I got permission to put my 1955 Thunderbird inside the atrium of the Technology Building at Vincennes University. (See Attachments)

At the corner of the car I put a sign

?AACA is looking for Younger members? with some basic information about AACA and our Local Region with my Name, Email and both phone numbers, I included an invitation to attend one of our local meetings as my guest. You can?t walk in to the building with out noticing a Torch red 55 Thunderbird in the center of the room. About 4000 students a week attend classes in the Technology Building.

I?ll let you know how many calls I get and if I can convert any of them in to new members.

[Jay Wolf]

(second attachement)

Here is the sign.

[Guest]

Good move Jay. You are targeting an age group that is close to what many of us older members were when we started our interest in AACA. Do keep us posted on the results. Our new President joined up at just about that age.

hvs

[R W Burgess]

Way to go Jay. The Bird looks good in the hall. Hey, you might even recruit some Professors while you're at it. Wayne

[Dave@Moon]

Great idea!

I can't tell from the picture, but I hope it's clear from reading the signs that car ownership isn't a pre-requisite to membership. Also (depending on how secure the area is and if the car's locked) you might toss a few issues of <span style="font-style: italic">Antique Automobile</span> on the seat.

I hope others are able to take advantage of opportunities like this!

---------------------------------------------------------

As an aside, do all American universities share one architect?

[Janet Ricketts]

Jay,

Thanks for sharing your idea of attracting younger members. Hope more of us take your lead.

Janet

[48LCCOUPE]

O.K., I am humbled (or shamed ) into this. I too will be glad to do a similar setup here in the Orlando area.

Now, who wants to give me a cherry, beautiful 55 T'Bird so I can get started on the project?

[Jay Wolf]

My intent is to change cars every 30 or so days, Try to get a large variety if cars and motorcycles, including some HPOF vehicles. We need to open these kids eyes to something other that sport compacts. I will use all my vehicles the try to get some from other AACA members to display, getting them in the winter time isn't going to be a problem, the summer may be a little harder. The building wasn?t really designed with putting vehicles in and out but it is doable just nothing you would want to do everyday. Insurance is an issue; the University has none on your car it is up to you. Like most collectors who like to drive there cars about all I can afford is $1000 deductible so I guess a grand is all I am risking by displaying it.

[Steve Moskowitz]

Jay, outstanding effort! If ew can return the support in anyway, please feel to contact us in Hershey. No, can't send your free candy!

[Jay Wolf]

Well after 3 days of the car on display with my phone number highly visible on it have receive Zip, Zero, Nada calls about AACA. Last night I printed up some business cars with a photo of the car, my name address, phone numbers, and ?For Information on AACA? printed on top and put them in holders at the corners of the car to make it easier for interested parties to call me. We will see if this helps. I?ll check this evening to see if any of the cards are gone.

[Dave@Moon]

I wouldn't expect a ton of inquiries right away. Most people I knew in college could never see themselves as members of a fraternaty of antique car owners any time soon. We're just too wealthy for them. Give them some time to think about it and you'll start to get responses.

You might want to consider (if you've got one handy) displaying a more financially accessible car for your next display item. A nice Chevelle or Falcon which isn't as finacially intimidating might be a good second draw.

[kuhner]

Was in another forum online and I saw a reference to Hershey Antique auto show. Nice article and even a photo of my car. What I thought was interesting is it is a VW forum whose readers trend towards the younger side, majority in their 30s'. All had positive comments, so maybe with exposure like this it could help.

Here is the link

http://www.vwvortex.com/artman/publish/article_662.shtml

greg

[ex98thdrill]

A good way to recruit for the club might be to have cars displayed indoors at one of the local shopping malls. I guess what one of the problems would be to have enough people willing to supervise the display area, and a mall owner who would be willing to allow a region to bring cars into his mall without worrying about $$$ signs to where they'd want to charge the region a fortune for bringing their cars into the mall. At this time of year it might be good to get the cars out where they can be seen, generate interest in the club before the show season starts, and attract people of all ages.

....Although this isn't a proven method, and probably not feasible, this was something that I was thinking about. Who knows, maybe one of the local car dealers would sponsor it where you can mix a Model'T' pickup in with a new F-150, or an old mustang next to a new one. If you have a Chevy Dealer who would sponsor something like this, maybe you can do a display with member's Chevies, Chrsyler products, etc.

....Just a thought, but let the poking begin

[ronbarn]

The mall idea used to work great. That's how I learned about AACA. I was driving downtown and saw a mall sign about an antique car display. I had just bought the '34 Chev and did not even know a local club existed - I went to see the cars - I was recruited - I joined and the rest is history - and, yes, I was a "younger" member at the time (sub-40).

Those were the good old days however when the malls paid us up to about $750 for a weekend display. Unfortunately, some of the malls were redesigned so there was no room and slowly stopped paying. It was a great idea in our area several years ago but those days are long gone now - in our area at least.

[Dave@Moon]

On the mall front.....

Very frequently local car dealer associations have "new car shows" inside malls. The local dealers bring in their wears for display, the mall gets some increased traffic. Win/win.

When I was working for a local charity vintage car race in Pittsburgh, the local dealer association would sometimes ask for 2 or 3 cars to fill out areas in large malls where they didn't have enough product. They may have had some tax benefits from doing so as we were a charity, but it was also very benficial in raising interest in the new car show. Helped the race immensely as well!

The association also routinely donated booth and floor display space in the annual Pittsburgh new car show at the convention center. Also very useful in raising awareness and participation, and the mall was alway grateful for the added attention.

It may be possible to have similar arrangements for a non-profit group like the AACA on a local basis. It wouldn't hurt to ask, especially if one has local business connections!

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

To recuit younger members will require a more youthful appeareance of the club. Even many of the local 'crusie-ins' keep promoting themselves as a 50's be-bop,beach party, or hoola-hoop contest type engagement. At the crusie-ins I always park with the Nip owners. BECAUSE i am looking for new ideas for my Packard. AND NO, NOT TO CUSTOMIZE it! Just to get ideas.

Drop the nostalgia crap and promote the classics as something sexy, usable, AND DIFFERENT FROM MAINSTREAM rather than collectable. This might require allowing onbard computer, graphics, cd players and so-forth into any classic car that a young person might own. Strangely, the Nip owners do not seem to show any COLLECTIVE interest in my Packard, indian, cushman or others i own. BUT, individualy they are all very impressed with my DRIVERS.

Promoting a sense of individuality to the younger set for owning an old car is the key as well as allowing their Hi-Tec mods to the cars such as computers and the lasers and so-forth which they like. The younger set want good tunes in their car (NO NOT be-pop or Big Bands), air-conditionsing, lasers, computer screens and so-forth. They want ACTIVITIES geared toward their life style and not some family pic-nic or hoola-hoop contest.

And drop that silly horse buggy with a tiller logo.

For I AM the man with a BIG V8, better known as PackardV8. And NO its NOT my fathers Packard. He drove rusty 10 year old Studebakers and Ramblers.

[R W Burgess]

"And drop that silly horse buggy with a tiller logo.".....

Whoa, I can feel the tremors from AACA Giants past! Hey Pack, you know you can't change a Club Logo overnight to get youth in the group. You might not realize this, but there are older "gentlemen" in this club that don't like change. It's up to us "younger" guys to help show them the way. Swinging a whip at them is not going to cut it. I've been to Philly 2 years straight now, and I hear new ideas every year while mingling with the crowd. I try to drop hints to different board members trying to get their feelings for these "new" ideas. They're not always susceptible, but for the most part they listen. Comments like you just wrote don't quite get it done here. Sorry!

On the other hand, some of your other ideas are good. Wayne

[Dave@Moon]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> And drop that silly horse buggy with a tiller logo. </div></div>

Let's see. 1894 Duryea is dissed by 1955 Packard owner in 2004. By my count, that means come 2054 somebody's going to want to throw out the "silly" V8-based symbol we replace it with with something more in line with the eminently more desirable and drivable hybrid-derived cars that are by then more desirable. I'll be 96.

And so on.

And so on.

I share many of PackardV8's ideas on a re-emphasis of driving and a more action-oriented club, I think this is a bit much. My interest is in preserving the legacy that these cars represent. If I don't include the part of that legacy that isn't mine, it's only a matter of time until mine is lost.

And I think most 19 year olds could figure that out as well.

Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to the bathroom to ponder watching <span style="font-style: italic">Wizard of Oz</span> on DVD (to the tunes on <span style="font-style: italic">Dark Side of the Moon</span>, of course) in my air-conditioned Maxwell. I'll try to work in the lazer show later.

Am I driving yet?

[29 Chandler]

Time for my two cents worth. I'm 36 and have been in the AACA for three years now, joined after we got our Chandler. There is no club that is very close to us, I really joined to get the magazine so I could learn more about the cars and the club. I went to Hershey for the 1st time last year.

Younger people, teens to 20's, are more interested to newer cars they can drive and park without worry. My first car was a 1968 Mustang which served me very well as a daily driver for many years. (It gets driven for fun now.) Though I admired the older cars I could never afford one then, besides I rarely saw one on the road anyway. The old cars were always locked up in a museum or shoved on and off trailers at shows. Unless the younger generation have an older car in the family they will get very little exposure to our cars. How many of your kid's are active in the club? If we had all the kids and grandkids active we would out number the senior members.

Showing them in a mall is nice, but most of the people I would consider candidates for the club never set foot in mall. We have better thigs to do, besides shopping. The point is we need to be driving our cars more. Get them out in the public eye. Nothing more impressive then an old Packard sailing down the road with the engine just above idle. Saw a wonderfull Model-T p/u crusing at 60 mph on the freeway today, looked great. I'll admit I have not had the opportunity to drive the Chandler yet, but when it is ready you will see it on the road alot.

Keep the logo, but give it more exposure on the road.

[Guest]

I am only 19, and I got interested in the old car hobby when I first saw my fathers '72 Chevelle that he later passed to me that was in one of our garages. Then on May 10, 1995 when my mother purchased the beautiful '75 LeSabre Custom I currently own, I fell hard for this hobby, and hope I can one day pass these cars to my children. Probably by then our old gas guzzlers will be outlawed, but thats besides my point. What drew my in to this wonderfull world of antiques, was the history behind them. Every car has a unique story (or stories) behind it, and my wish is to one day tell my kids, and if I'm lucky enough their kids, about when I crushed the front end of a Neon, or prom night 2002, or May 10, 1995, when it all began for me, and hopefully, they will fall hard for it, just like I did. Just some thoughts.

[1937hd45]

Sure, I'm going to waste my time looking for future members of AACA! There are too many 25 year old wrecks and '50's cars as it is! Oh, and aren't their owners just wonderful. Pass me the Saws-All at least Street Rodding is FUN!

[Jay Wolf]

We do the Mall thing once a year; this will be our fourth year.

Photos of lasts years at

http://beaver.vinu.edu/03-30-2003%20AACA%20Mall%20show/index.html

This year?s display is March at Washington Square Mall in Evansville IN.

They don?t pay us and they have a lot of rules and we have to provide insurance for the weekend so the club does has some expense in it. It is held at the old declining mall as the new mall has so many kiosks there wouldn?t be room for any cars other than the few spots they rent to local car dealers. We haven?t had any real luck recruiting member partly because most people shop at the new mall. This year we are printing a flyer with our 2004 schedule on it to pass out.

[Dave@Moon]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Sure, I'm going to waste my time looking for future members of AACA! There are too many 25 year old wrecks and '50's cars as it is! Oh, and aren't their owners just wonderful. Pass me the Saws-All at least Street Rodding is FUN! </div></div>

<span style="font-weight: bold">Response A:</span> Tryin' to make some more friends there Bob, eh?

<span style="font-weight: bold">Response B:</span> I guess some people are anxious to trash the automotive legacy of others (and/or their own) just a <span style="font-style: italic">little</span> bit faster than others!

It suprises me how little discussion this topic gets here (especially as compared to the first year or so of the forum), given how it is so often amply demonstrated to be such a serious issue. Getting children (5-15 year olds) involved with the hobby is a good thing, but the "younger members" that we need are the 25-35 year olds. They can do us more damage.

[1937hd45]

For the clueless '50's and later car owners: The reason the Duryea is the car on the AACA logo is because it was the first production car made in America. It also won the FIRST automobile race in America,it went to England and won FIRST place in the Original London to Brighton run. FIRST car, FIRST Race Car, FIRST Hot Rod!

[R W Burgess]

I'm glad Bob hasn't given up on "class 37"! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> I'm just standing on the side listening to all of this and wondering how soon we'll be in rants and raves with this subject. I don't think the Duryea logo is going anywhere anytime soon, Bob. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Wayne

[Dynaflash8]

Jay, thanks for taking this proactive step. Even if you don't get any phone calls and emails right away, you'll start some people thinking. More of us need to find ways to be more proactive. Befriend a younger collector today in fact. We have even now in AACA a group of active younger members discussing ideas on how better to attract more people like themselves; and maybe later this year we'll have some new ideas to think about. I felt to appoint such a group to really think this out during this year would be something proactive that I could do on this very important subject. I'm sure some of those people are reading your comments here, and will mention your comments to some of the others of that "think tank" group. Thanks again Jay. Remember, it's the next generation, the one behind mine that will take AACA on to the generation behind them. I may have white hair, but I was here in AACA at 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50 too. We had our issues like the younger people have their issues today. Some of those issues have only recently been addressed in fact. It takes forebearance sometimes. Thanks again Jay, and thanks to all of you out there who realize the importance of finding new ways to attract younger members to AACA. The AACA President

[ex98thdrill]

Chris,

Being from New York, a lot of us get cabin fever. By bringing out the cars to the malls, you get the car out of storage, get it cleaned up, and be given the chance to see and visit with the other cars and owners. The last I knew, most of the girls like to go to the mall to buy the latest outfits. Remember, where the teenage girls go, the guys will follow.... That's nothing more than simple chemistry. With that in mind along with some of the older folks who often like to walk the malls for exercise, the mall display gives the cars and the club exposure. Granted you are probably right about kids having no interest in a Model 'T' but you also have to remember that the club allows for cars as new as 1979. If you get a Camaro, Barracuda, Mustang, Cutlass, Corvette, etc. mixed in, those cars do generate interest.

I'll be the first to admit, if I had a choice between owning a Packard or '70 Chevelle at a reasonable price, I'd take the Packard, sell if for the big money and go buy a Chevelle (that's what I grew up around). You have to understand that most people are interested in cars that their parents had as a kid, or in the cars that they wanted but couldn't afford back when they bought their first car. The hobby, the club, it's members, and the interests will continue to change as the generations change. I'm sure that several of our current elder members of the club were looked at differently by the older members when the current elder members first joined.

I'd have to agree with Dave when he talks about changing the Logo. Today the Duryea logo is outdated, but tomorrow the Packard would be too. Rather than offend someone by using a Ford, GM or Chysler product on the new logo, the Duryea keeps with tradition as well as shows impartiality because it is neither a Ford, GM or Chrysler product. I would hate to see the logo change to having a Ford on it when there is a chance that the guys with GM's and Mopars get mad and quit the club or not join thinking that the club is geared for Fords. The same issue would apply with any brand of the big three.

[Jay Wolf]

From I have been learning the last few months, I think even you are missing the boat on the High school and college age youth. They don?t care about 70 Chevelles or Camaros.

Right now in our Auto Body Program Senior Lab we have being painted

A 69 Corvette roadster, 85 Corvette Coupe, 69 Camaro, 62 Nova drag car, 70 442,

Late 60?s Maverick Grabber, 3 SUVs , 2 pick-ups and a several assorted Sport Compacts having body kits added. What gets all the attention the 3-5 year old Sport Compacts. When High School kids tour they head right for the Hondas and such. Most of these older cars are being done for the kid?s fathers who have the money to put in to them. I know it is hard to believe but the 70 Camaros are the cars of these kid?s fathers not their own. If you remember wanting to buying a new 1970 you are real close if not over 50 years old. Unfortunately at 50 you no longer qualify as youth. Get out talk to some youth, the show they like on TV is ?High Rev Tuners?, not ?American Muscle Car?. True AACA may need to recruit the 35- 45 year olds too, but the younger ones are a greater challenge.

A 70 Camaro on the logo is not the answer, exposing, educating and creating and interest in automotive history and old cars is the solution. I find if I can get to talk to them one on one, I can spark their interest. Kids are amazed that 4 valves per cylinder weren?t first used by Olds in the 90?s, that the GNX wasn?t the first turbo charged car on the streets .they think NOS is new I show them articles about NOS being banned from racing as far back as the teens. I found almost everything they think is new was tried a long time ago.

This is not going to make them join the bandwagon but it starts a interest that can develop as they get older in to a full blown passion. It may not even develop till the cars of their youth the late 90?s are eligible for AACA. After that hopefully they will develop an appreciation for the really old stuff like we did.

[Guest imported_oldmitchell]

Jay, I must respectfully disagree. I teach high school auto shop in metro Atlanta, Ga. My students, who I will readily admit are not a representative cross section because they are car people, all love old cars. Yes, many of the young kids are into ricers and 4 wheel drive, but at least here there is a huge interest in old cars. Most of these kids grew up on the Dukes of Hazzard and lust after chargers, camaros and mustangs. My cars range in age from 1914 to 1971 and when I go to cruise ins I have many teens stop to look at the cars. On a personal note-of our 4 children all view cars as more than mere transportation, and 2 are car crazy. My 22 year old is currently restoring a 67 GTO for serious show and my 17 year old has a 66 Plymouth Belvedere II done in a pro street/nascar style that is his daily driver. He also owns a 68 Charger R/T which he will restore some day and is currently on the board of directors of our local aaca region. I think the key to getting young people interested is to drive the cars. When we go out to a DQ and I see a family with kids looking at my 15 T (almost show condition but driven), I go out and let them climb in and honk the horn. Will they remember it? I like to think so; I know I remember similar events from my childhood. We have got to get off our collective duffs and get out cars out. I don't want my cars damaged, but I also don't want them to be unwanted when I am ready to pass them on to the next generation. Take a chance, the life you enrich could be your own.

[R W Burgess]

To Everyone!

I'd like to relate something I heard at Hershey this year. While bench racing about antique cars I heard a young fellow say he had more fun on a tour last(?) year than he's ever had. He was "riding" along with another gentleman while on the tour which featured very early cars. These cars were so early that a couple of them had to be "backed" up some of the hills they encountered because of lack of power or gearing. The funny thing was hearing the excitement in the "kids" voice while talking about the tour. Oh, did I say kid? No, I meant a prominent restorer who had finally experienced something new in life, just like any youngster would on his first trip in an old car. Share the experience, you'd be surprised how the "infection" will spread. Wayne

[Guest imported_Dwight V.]

I may be wrong, but it seems like a lot of you are making the assumption that new members can be 'made'. I personally think you're either born a car geek or you're not. A lot of the kids into the Blingwagons do it because it's the 'cool' flavor of the month, not because they are inherently interested in cars.

At 39, my interest in my parent's cars should be 60's/70's cars (they actually were staunch Corvair owners). Yet I'd much prefer a 1950s Packard, Nash or other oddity for myself. Wouldn't mind a pre-war car either. Yet I currently have stuff that can be driven easily and is not difficult to get parts for or repair. As I gain experience I hope to increase the level of difficulty. Some of these 'perceived' hurdles are a lot to ask the younger people to overcome.

And, no matter how you look at it, the word "antique" in the club's name means "old".

[1937hd45]

Finally someone shares the same outlook as I do! Thank you Dwight! I got hooked on antique cars in 1961 when I was ten years old, yes, TEN. I learned right then that an antique was 1915 or older, Classics were REAL CLASSICS. Production cars were 1916 to 1942. Everything else was a used car, unless it was less than 12 months old. How many older AACA members are being booted out of events by this never ending "got to get younger members" campain?

[R W Burgess]

Dwight and Bob. I'm saying the young people don't know what they like until they see, hear, and feel it. Every car has it's own personality. It's our job to point out the good points of these personalities. I've never ridden in a "classic", but hearing that Duesenberg come into the Trade Center Hall in Philly got my attention. See, I'm into sounds and the looks of a car. Other people or youngsters might like a special ride, or what have you. If we as antiquers, don't point out these interesting aspects, how will the young even know about them? Of course you can't ram it down their throats, but you can bring it to their attention.

Don't for a minute think you can't change a young person's mind. All my son would talk about was hot rods and street rods, since they were the the majority of the type shows we used to go to, before I became heavily involved with you guys(blame it on Earl). Now, through our Region's Newsletter, he has been exposed to more antique cars and more antiquers. He stood up in front of about 30 people in Philly and told everyone he "now" wants a '63 Corvette. No, I don't have a '63, go figure! That's my 5 cents worth. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" /> Wayne

[Dave@Moon]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">And, no matter how you look at it, the word "antique" in the club's name means "old". </div></div>

<span style="font-weight: bold">So What!</span>

If you ask my 12 year old what his favorite car is, he will immediately say "Allard!". I don't own one. I don't even want one myself. He's seen them at British car shows and vintage races that he's attended with me. He picked those cars as an interest himself.

I've yet to meet another 12 year old who could even tell you that "Allard" was a brand of automobile, let alone who knows one to see one. (And with a 12 year old in your house, you meet a lot of 12 year olds!)

One wonders how many "car geeks" will never get the chance to be "car geeks" because the cars that appeal to them simply never appear in their lives.

[RoadsterRich]

My now 6 year old grandson picked the car he wanted (an Alvis) two years ago. He still says thats the car he wants, and he is always very disappointed when he goes to local shows with us and it is not present. He does like other cars, including muscle cars, prewars cars, and yes hotrods and the cars the 'Tuners' (?) tinker with too. I expect he'll be in to drifting next. None the less, despite the things he has an interest in, his favorite car remains the Alvis.

Rich

[1937hd45]

Dave,Rich, This is great news both kids have picked great dream cars. Who knows someday they may own one. Next step is up to you, buy them books about these cars. Dave, you can find a copy of Zora at Barnes & Noble that has a nice section on Allards. Before he became Mr. Corvette he (Zora Arkus Duntov) designed and built the Ardun overhead conversin for the Ford Flathead and raced it in an Allard. This car is restored and races in VSCCA events today. Rich try to find a copy of Automobile Quarterly Vol 16 Number 4, that has a nice feature on Alvis cars.

[Dave@Moon]

Bob, There used to be a huge car cruise at a Chevy dealer in McKees Rocks, PA (outside Pittsburgh) every August. The last one was probably 4000+ cars, about 90% street rods/modifieds with the rest mainly nice muscle cars. Eventually it was shut down by the city because it was literally taking over an hour to drive the 2 miles through town. It was a (truly) real fire hazard.

The last time I was there there was a '46 Mercury with Ardun heads there. I spent at least 10 minutes looking it over. Outside of a raced Allard (or maybe it was a Kurtis) I'd never seen another set on a running car before. My son was with me.

I was at that show for hours (it was almost impossible to leave). As far as I know nobody else even paused when walking past that car. It was a shame.

[Guest]

I should put my two cents in if anyone cares. I have to agree with both sides on this peticular situation. Yes, a youngster can't become interested in the hobby if they are not exposed to it, and no, you can't make them like the hobby (unless its one of those parents who makes their children do what they never got to do as children). I remember when I got interested when I was 11. Now when its my time to go, I hope my kids will want my cars, but I can't force them to. Just my thoughts like always...

[Jay Wolf]

I don?t disagree to anything that has been said we can?t make as young person like old cars, but we need to do a better job of exposing the hobby to them. Our kids are exposed and are not the problem, but, 50% of the kids to come from a home with no father or male present in the house hold. In most single parent homes the provider is totally occupied make a living and don?t participate is as many hobby as traditional families do. With that said there are a lot of youth out there that their only exposures to cars is for transportation or the sport compact owned by the older kid down the street. AACA and it?s members need to work on exposing these kids. The old saying ?You can lead a horse to water but you can?t make him drink? is still true. But I am trying to lead as many as possible to the water anyway some will drink.

As I have does many time get a kid behind the wheel of giving rides or even letting them hand crank (with proper instruction). The suggestions of taking our old cars to cruise-ins it great. These great old cars sitting our garages isn?t going the peak anybodies interest.

With our next AACA Region meeting only 2.5 weeks away I have stepped up my campaign. I put flyers in all the dorms and campus buildings inviting student, faculty and staff to attend our next meeting as my guest and get a free tour of John and Sue Smith?s Museum. Our next meeting will be held and John and Sue Smith?s Car and Motorcycle Museum about 60 miles away. The Smith have an eclectic collection of about 40+ cars, trucks, motorcycles ranging to 00?s to the 80?s and tons of memorabilia. On the Flyer I include ad couple of pictures from the Smith?s museum. I know a lot of you know John and Sue and two nicer people you can not find and if their attitude toward cars doesn?t promote the hobby I don?t know what will.

Our meeting is on the 17th, I?ll let everybody know how it goes.

My 12 year old daughter is a junior member and as she gets older I hope she will want to stay a member. If you have and older child who is in AACA, next Christmas think about giving them a life membership to AACA, can anyone think of a better gift that keep giving to their entire lifetime?

I am still trying to get AACA to allow junior members to enter vehicles in national meets in their own name but that is another issue. Nothing thrills 12 year old like a trophy with their own name on it. In our small (25 member) region we have two junior members who would like to show mini bikes in class 5A. They currently do we just have to register the bikes in our names and the trophy and presentation is in our name. But they do all the work and cleaning as well a are present for the judging. 5a is a great class to start kids in on.

[R W Burgess]

A big PAT on the back Jay. Great ideas you have there. By all means let us know how the regional meeting turns out. The only thing in your message that pops out to me is spending $600.00(Life Membership) for a youth. The membership itself will not guarantee they'll want to continue with "us" in the future. As a for-instance, I know of a family who had their daughter very interested in the AACA years ago. The girl was even a judge, but her life's interests changed and now she has no interest in antique cars. With my "chinchy" attitude, I could never spend that kind of money without guaranteed results. Wayne