October Speedster 2009

Sponsors:

October 2009

Volume 13

Dear AACA Member:

Welcome to SPEEDSTER!

Just back from the Hershey meet and what a week it was! It started off gusty with a high wind advisory but most were able to secure their tents to the ground and brave the wind. By Thursday the wind had cleared out for some beautiful days to follow at Hershey. Spirits were up and engines were roaring!

Saturday turned out to be a gorgeous day for the judging. The rains cleared out early and the crowds of people filled the show field! Smiles, camaraderie and lots of great stories being shared!

Congratulations to AACA Members JIM & CRISTY SMITH of Catonsville, Md. They won themselves a new Prowler!

And many thanks to all of those who contributed and participated in the event to make it so successful!

Wrap up from the Eastern Division Meet at Hershey!

The results from the meet are up!

Check out AACA member Bill Clark's pictures from the Hershey Fall Meet HERE!

And Jay Wolf's videos from the Friday races too!

Please Read this Very Important Letter
from our President

(this will be appearing in Antique Automobile)

Knowing the difference between right and wrong is something our parents tried to instill in us long before we reached the age of reason and, always putting AACA before one's selfish interest is what has made the club so strong for the last 75 years. As you combine these elements it is a simple conclusion that some "anonymous" group of members chose to ignore both principles.

Our AACA national elections have always been held utilizing a simple straightforward method. Each candidate for office would pen a biography which would be made known to our membership through the pages of Antique Automobile. The club has always discouraged overt campaigning or politicking and has trusted the judgment of our members when it came to their selection for our directors. This year an alarming action was undertaken by an anonymous person or persons in the passing out of a biased leaflet at the Eastern Division Fall Meet in Hershey.

First of all, to in any way disturb or ruin the experience of our members at one of our premiere events is inherently distasteful. "Hershey" is special and this year's fall meet and car show was not only that but more! What an incredible array of vehicles! The leaflet had no place at such a prestigious setting. We fielded many complaints that politics were being forced upon the members at the car show.

Secondly, the attempt at removing several of our incumbent board members is evidence of some individual agenda and personal animosity. Our current board supports all of the incumbents equally and has not taken any stand to remove any sitting member of the board this year or any other year in recent history. The nominating committee presented the list of candidates to the board at our February board meeting and slate was approved unanimously. To assert that any current member of the board has not worked hard on behalf of this club or in the club's best interest is inaccurate and without basis.

As President, I am saddened that this action has taken place during an otherwise wonderful year for our club. A great deal of progress has taken place for the benefit of our members. All assurances in the world have been made to make sure that members come first and that this club is not run by a clique or for any one person's personal gain. My slogan this year has been "service beyond self" and it is something that I believe in with all my heart.

I apologize to any of you who have been drawn in to this action. Your vote has probably been cast by the time you read this but if not, I can assure you that the 2009 AACA National Board does in fact support all of the incumbents on the ballot but will enthusiastically welcome any new member to our leadership team.

The act of passing out such a biased and unsigned flyer on the show field at Hershey is unacceptable. It is my goal to make this unfortunate situation public in an effort to have future elections free of any smear campaigns. It is absolutely the American way to stomp for your favorite candidates but I think our members overwhelming subscribe to clean and fair campaigning.

It is not my desire to inflame this situation but rather to let you, our members know that we will always do our best to conduct the business of AACA in the proper manner Thank you for your indulgence and your understanding.

Michael J. Jones
National President

Can you help us?

Currently the Hershey Region is in the process of organizing their collection of dash plaques. They are missing the 1960 Hershey Region dash plaque. We are hoping some of you may be able to help out. If you have this particular dash plaque and are willing to donate it please contact us at speedster@aaca.org

Thank you for the support and your efforts!

Member Story Contribution

1965 Pontiac GTO, a Lifesaver!

By Jody Potter

1965 Pontiac GTO saved Randy Phillips' life. According to family legend, when Randy was a baby, he would crawl out onto the trunk of their 1961 Ford Thunderbird convertible when the top was down. This made for some precarious moments when Randy rode in the Thunderbird. A safer, enclosed car, in the form of a hardtop 1965 GTO, was the answer. Randy's parents, ordered a new GTO in 1964 to replace the 1961 Thunderbird. Forty-four years later, the Phillips family still owns that GTO. Randy Phillips, now 46 years old, says, "I guess you could say that the GTO was a real life saver for me!"

Lucky for Randy, his dad was cool. No station wagon for Bill Phillips. A black on black, tri-power, 4-speed, 1965 GTO was ordered at Doug Willey Pontiac in Birmingham, Alabama. The Phillips's took delivery of the Pontiac on Dec. 5, 1964. Safety was the intended benefit of buying the GTO. Randy's dad also had intentions of racing the family car should the opportunity arise. He was clued into Pontiac performance during the early years of the muscle car era. The 389-cubic inch engine produced 360 horsepower with the tri-power carburetors (three 2-barrel carbs) he ordered. The family's GTO was barebones, without options such as power steering, power brakes or air conditioning. Randy fondly remembers his dad racing on First Avenue North in Birmingham. He cheered him on from the back seat yelling 'go daddy, go!'.

Continue reading the story here -->

Library & Research

By Chris Ritter

The AACA Library & Research Center had its busiest Fall Meet to date in 2009. In addition to extended hours for visitors, the library held its 15th literature auction on Monday, October 5th at the Hershey Region headquarters. Auctioneer Dave Berg was just about out of gas as the 897th and final lot sold. This year's auction earned over $46,000 for the Library & Research Center. While our next literature auction will be held in 2011, we will occasionally sell items on EBAY. When these items are listed they will be announced in Speedster.

During the extended library hours, staff answered 141 questions and welcomed 180 guests during the week. Research requests ranged from paint chip & sales literature copies to mystery car identification and help understanding AACA's Judging Manual. The Lincoln Motor Car Foundation held its annual meeting at the library on Wednesday evening, and many library friends stopped in to say hello throughout the week.

The library staff truly appreciates all the support that we received from members during Fall Meet week. If you volunteered at the auction or helped spread the word about what the library can do for you, we thank you.

Remember, as AACA members in good standing, you are eligible to receive 1.5 hours of free research each calendar year. Those research hours can not be carried over into the new year so use them now!

You can find the library's Research Request Form here.

How much do you know!?!

Automotive Trivia

1. In 1939, air-conditioning was first introduced in this automobile.

2. When was the 100-millionth passenger car produced in the US?

3. This rock band, that was popular in the 1970s and 80s, derived its name from a 1910 delivery truck.

4. Name this fin

Scroll down for the answers!

Member Spotlight - Headquarters Starting Grid

Meet Ann Kulp!

An opportunity to "marry work with a passion"... not often enough do the two go hand in hand, but for Ann Kulp the dream came true when she joined the team in June 2008. It was a big job, but she had all the ambition and potential to take it head on. Ann was joining the AACA team in a brand new position to bring all our advertising and marketing accounts in house.

"Cars have always been a part of my life" she says. Her earliest memories include sitting on blankets at racing events, with the sound of engines roaring in the background. Ann's father, Howard Tolley, was the first president of the Washington DC Region MG Car Club, to whom much of the credit can be given which helped develop Ann's love and passion for cars at a very early age. As a child, Ann, her father, mother Margaret, and brother Mark, would spend time each summer traveling to various automotive events; a family affair and shared passion for the hobby!

Continue reading about Ann here -->

___________________________________________

Things you didn't know about Ann..

In what car did you pass your drivers license test? 1970 BMW 2500 ... big wooden steering wheel, certainly made it a challenge to parallel park, but I am proud to say that I passed on the first try!

If you could live in any home on a television series, what would it be? Magnum PI ... Hawaii, a Ferrari and two Dobermans called "the lads" (I am a dog-lover as well as a car-lover). We have rescued several Shar Peis over the years. Our most current is an energetic 8½-year-old female named Butterscotch.

What car would you be? My little 1965 MGB, she has a good life ...traveled to vintage races at Watkins Glen International, Virginia International Raceway, Summit Point Raceway; Indy Car and American Le Mans races at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course; and of course, countless car shows and events!

Where would you take your owner? 24 hours of Le Mans

What is your favorite movie? The Sound of Music.

What do you think the greatest invention is in your lifetime? Personal computers

What is your motto in life? Never postpone joy! Drive your own race!

What is the longest you have ever waited in line and why? With my husband, Greg, in New York City for almost six hours when he tried out for the American Gladiators show.

What is your favorite spectator sport? Sports Car Racing (Vintage, SCCA, ALMS), Formula 1 and Indy Car

What is your favorite way to spend your weekends? With family and friends! Aside from car-related events, Greg and I enjoy the "out-of-doors", particularly cycling and kayaking. Also, a good book is always welcome.

Speedy's Notes 75 AACA Logo

75th Anniversary Celebration!

Don't miss out on the anniversary celebration June 30 - July 3 in Louisville Kentucky! Over 500 rooms have already been booked so make your reservation soon! To make a reservation call The Crown Plaza Hotel in Louisville, KY at

1-800-626-2708 and request the 'Antique Automobile Club Room Block'.

Also, here at the headquarters we just got word that they are letting us out for those dates and shutting down headquarters so we can be there with you all for the celebration! We are looking forward to meeting you all and joining in on the fun!

For more info visit www.aaca75.org

Hobbyists

Check out this dedicated hobbyist's latest project where he is making the world's smallest running engine, a 1/6th scale Chevrolet V8. Check out the video too!

AACA Book Worms

Check out our featured products on Old Cars Weekly online bookstore!

Spread the word!

Help us spread the word by sponsoring a new member!

Click here for AACA MEMBERSHIP benefits and details including a MEMBERSHIP Application or call us at 717-534-1910.

Join in the Discussion

Check out our topics on the AACA Forum

SPEEDSTER
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Calendar Spotlight!

October 26-30 - Vintage Tour, Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina. Brass-Nickel Touring Region

November 5-7 -

Western Fall Meet, LaQuinta, California (Palm Springs area)

March 4-6 - Winter Meet, South Florida

March 21-26 2010 - The AACA Sentimental Tour takes you on A Springtime Adventure in the Texas Hill Country

This five-day tour showcases the picturesque hill country a few miles west of Austin and San Antonio where the wild flowers should be in bloom. See breathtaking scenic views and drink in the flavor of cowboy lifestyle.