library update

keep the hobby going

Since my only child just made the leap, turning 16 last September, I have had a while to think about how to keep youth interested in the hobby I’ve enjoyed so much.  We’ve been in those awkward years where he is too old to play with toy cars on the floor with imaginary roads, but not old enough nor doesn’t have enough money and attention span to start and complete a restoration.

The number one thing necessary to pass our hobby down to offspring is time.  You have to spend time with them for them to appreciate your interests.

There are a multitude of peripheral hobbies which the too young and under funded can participate in which will slide right in or become a part of your car hobby.  Some activities which either Nathan or myself have participated in include:
 
Gas station memorabilia (called petrobilia) — A collection of signage or oil company advertising, cans or old equipment can really compliment your garage décor.
 
License plates collecting — Do you have corresponding plates for your state for the year of each of your collector cars? Or, how about the same year plates for each state you have visited with your collector car?  Might be a fun thing to look for?  Or, how bout a plate for each the birth years of your children and yourself ?

Literature and advertising — This doesn’t have to be old.   Free literature is as close as your local car dealership.  And hang on to it.  It will get old.  I have pieces that I collected when I was a small child, which can document show cars now.
 
Photography — Son Nathan has been particularly involved with this one.  He has shown some of his car photos as 4-H projects at the local county and state fairs, or they would also work in an open class at county fairs if you are not connected with 4-H.

Model cars — I have enjoyed model cars since I was 5, and now as one who no longer even qualifies as a young adult even by AACA standards, I still like them.   

My particular favorites are those models made between 1958 and the mid 1970’s.  I particularly like the “annuals,” those models that were made for only one year to correspond with the new models of real cars. Models are a good way of learning what various parts of a car are and how a real car is constructed. And they can be great to learn how to distinguish various eras, brands and models of real cars.

With a little patience, the looking for models or any other peripheral hobbies  at rummage/garage sales, swap meets, flea markets, antique shops and of course Ebay can compliment the quest to find items for your real car project.  And, it provides a diversion to have your young one have something to look for while you are searching for some part for your project.
 

Left— Vintage Gas Pumps of Days Gone By

Right-Collecting Automotive Signs is a Fun Part of Petrobilia

What does the class judging committee do?

BY Randy D. Rutherford, Sr.
Vice President, Class Judging

The Class Judging Committee is made up of the VP Class Judging, Asst. VP Class Judging, Chairman Judges Training, VP Technical Matters, members at large appointed by the President and several other Chairmen. With a collective knowledge of many different vehicles, this group of unpaid volunteers does a great job of keeping the AACA Judging System the best it can be.

Some of their duties include: periodic review of vehicle classification, review applications for inclusion in the list of specified Classic, Prestige, Limited Production, and Prototype vehicles, determine when items for deduction should be added or deleted on the judging forms ( most recent example, electric fuel pumps on pre-WWII vehicles). All of these items must pass a vote of the CJC and then be presented to the National Board of Directors for their approval or rejection.

The Committee also makes recommendations for the improvement of all judging forms, reviews all applications for national meet chief judges prior to their finial approval, and has input on the updating of the Judging Manual.

Some of you may not realize that the CJC Committee also has a Judges Proficiency Team that will review the conduct and proficiency of any member of the AACA judging system.

AACA Museum

Your AACA Museum is a world class facility. If you have not taken the time to visit this facility you should. The Museum Board of Directors have worked very hard to ensure that your visit will be a pleasant experience.

The exhibits are rotated every few months, from the timeless beauty and classic elegance of Model T’s, Thunderbirds, and motorcycles, visitors are transported through uniquely themed displays to be sure there is something of interest for everyone. In 2006 we had the Muscle Car exhibit, which proved to be very popular and it was followed by the Brass Cars. These beautiful cars give us a look at the early days of motor cars.

The Museum is also the home of the Museum of Bus Transportation. Come and see buses from the very earliest to more modern means of conveyance.

The Museum has become an affiliate of the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, DC, which will give us the ability to exchange exhibits and articles of interest between the two entities.

Special event space is available for weddings, banquets, trade shows, and more.

The Board of Directors is constantly working to give you, the members, a Museum you can be proud of. Please visit and take advantage of your Museum.

The Museum is located just off Route 39, one mile west of Hersheypark Drive in Hershey, Pennsylvania.  Regular admission $9, seniors age 61 and older $8, juniors age 4-12 $7, children age 3 and under are FREE.  The Museum is open daily from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM.  For further information, please call 717-566-7100 or visit on the web at www.aacamuseum.org.