Summer 99

As I travel around the country this year, it is quite evident our Regions and Chapters remain strong and very active in this old car hobby.

We can attribute much of the success in AACA to the strength of our local clubs. Without the support of our members who volunteer many hours to provide our membership with the finest national meets and tours, we would lose a valuable part of why many of us belong to AACA.

There isn't another club worldwide that offers as many national events as AACA. My hat goes off to the many Regions and Chapters who accept the responsibility of hosting a national event.

In reading nearly 160 newsletters monthly, it gives you a good insight as to what is happening around the country. It is obvious the Regions and Chapters do so much to promote awareness and goodwill for AACA and the car hobby. It is this grassroots participation that keeps AACA strong and growing. I have enjoyed reading about all the interesting car activities that bring us together, i.e., day tours, progressive dinners, picnics, rallies, community projects, parades, shows, and cruise-ins.

Throughout the years since I have been on the national board, I am impressed to see the growing number of Regions and Chapters that are developing youth scholarship or award programs for high school students. I encourage more participation on reaching out to local high school students as a good source to spark an interest in this hobby.

I would like to challenge more Regions and Chapters to get involved with their local high schools by perhaps bringing our hobby to them. Arrange with your local high school to exhibit a vehicle for every decade, which would enhance the students' knowledge of the history and development of the automobile.

In reading the many newsletters over the past three months, I have noticed many editorials suggesting that AACA develop a class for driven vehicles in order to attract young adults into our club. Perhaps this is a concept we will see come to fruition in the near future.

As we approach the next millennium, AACA looks to the foundation of this club, the Regions and Chapters, to continue their efforts to promote this wonderful hobby.

We appreciate the continual support you display year after year to make us all proud that we are a part of the finest car club in the world.

Antique Automobile Your Magazine

Antique Automobile magazine continues to be one of the premier publications of its type in the world. But, it's your magazine. Stop for a moment and think about what interests you, and, if there is a story there worth sharing with others, don't hesitate to put pen to paper and contribute. In the last issue of The Rummage Box, our editor, John M. Hart, Jr., hinted at how easy and fun it can be to write. I know AACA members love to talk about old cars, so all you need to do is follow John's advice and tell it in writing the way you'd tell a friend.

Stories of youth involvement in the old car hobby. Is your Region or Chapter promoting our hobby to students? Are you actively recruiting junior members? Profiles of your younger members are always of interest.

Stories about vehicle restoration have always been popular and we seek articles with those wonderful before, during and after photos about your restoration project. It doesn't have to be a "grand prize" vehicle either - how about that nice driver Corvette you just finished?

Stories about vehicle "types" are always welcome. Why do '57 Chevys appeal to you? Why does it seem that everyone in your Region owns a Packard? Or a Model T?

Region and Chapter news is always welcome. Give us a report on your annual garage tour, or your swap meet, or your big annual show. Clearly identified photos are always welcome for possible publication. This might give your members a chance to get a mention in our national magazine.

Cover photos are always welcome for review and possible publication. Always include some information as to why the photo is being submitted. Sometimes we are not able to use some black and white or color photo copies. We do not get the quality we desire by using a photo copy.

Got a neat vehicle you've photographed in an interesting setting? Send it in! We always need winter shots - good old cars and snow equal a great combination for a winter issue.

Got an interesting collection of nameplates, sparkplugs, hub caps, signs, gas pumps, dealer advertising items, or how about a neat recreation of an old gas station?

Photographs are always welcome, and they don't even have to be black and white! Good clear color photos (glossy finish preferably with good contrast should reproduce nicely and can sometimes even be computer enhanced by our printer. Just be certain you clearly identify the photo (who, what, when, where, etc.) and if you want them returned, please include a note indicating your desires.

There have recently been some questions about the requirements for sending obituaries in for possible publication. The individual you wish to recognize in this way should be prominent in your Region or Chapter (a founder, past president, etc.) and should be an active member. Obituaries on important auto industry or hobby personalities are also acceptable, particularly those involved with AACA. Please prepare an original obituary that emphasizes hobby involvement. Don't just send in a photocopy of a newspaper obituary. Hobby or AACA specific involvement is not commonly included and we would like this information. Additionally, photos printed in a newspaper article cannot be subsequently reproduced in Antique Automobile. Since space in our magazine is often at a premium, it is a far better and more fitting memorial to make a contribution to the AACA Library and Research Center, or the AACA Museum in that person's honor.

We are now beginning to work on our Annual Newsletter Seminar for the Annual Meeting in Philadelphia in February 2000. If you would like to see anything special, just contact myself, or Assistant Vice President of Publications, David Zimmerman.

Policy & Procedure Manual the Bible of AACA

One of AACA's best publications, yet may be least used by some Regions and Chapters, is the official AACA Policy and Procedure Manual. Every year an updated and reprinted manual is passed out to all Region and Chapter Presidents who attend the Annual Meeting held during February in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and is mailed to presidents who were unable to attend.

This publication is vital to all AACA Region and Chapters officers and directors to help navigate their clubs throughout the year.

The publication has a vast amount of information that should be shared throughout your membership. Some topics covered in the P&P Manual is how to apply for National Meets and Tours, suggestions for By-Laws. and AACA's insurance program. This manual could be viewed as a detailed road map of our club. It lists everything from national to local programs and policies.

All Region and Chapter officers are urged to read through this fantastic publication. The Policy and Procedure Manual may be the fundamental tool we have in our club.

If you like to make any comments on how to make this publication better, please drop me a note at: John L. Walker, Policy and Procedure Chairperson, 1116 Columbia St., Scranton, PA 18509.

The legislative Report

I have received many E-mails and letters concerning legislation that has been introduced which would have an affect on the antique automobile hobby.

What I thought I would do for this article is give some examples of the type of bills that get introduced into the various Senate and Houses from various states. Some of these bills have a positive effect on our ability to enjoy the hobby and other bills would have restrictive impact. These bills are not state law but only being considered for adoption by the various States elected officials.

Hawaii S.B. #1426	This bill would eliminate the requirement that antique automobiles would go under safety inspections. The bill would require vehicles that were rebuilt or restored to pass a safety inspection.
Iowa S.B. #1090	This bill would allow use of non-oxygenated gas in antique automobiles.
Kansas H.B. #2176	would exempt antique automobiles from up to $2,000.00 in sales tax.
Pennsylvania S.B. #434	This bill would require installation of a restraint system in antique vehicles for children under 12.
Texas H.B. #1103	This bill defines a "junked" vehicle as any vehicle on private property that remains inoperable for 15 consecutive days.
Nevada S.B. #269	This would make antique automobiles of 30 years or older exempt from State emissions.
Washington H.B. #2743	This bill helps define a "street rod" as any vehicle assembled or manufactured after 1949 but made to resemble a vehicle manufactured before 1949, and any vehicle whose body has been constructed from non-original materials. This particular bill died in session.
Wisconsin H.B. #27	would prohibit vehicle collectors and hobbyists from storing more than four vehicles and parts cars outside of a building on any parcel of property owned by that collector or hobbyist. This billed died in committee.

Finally, California Assembly Bill #342 automotive parts. This bill would require a license to dismantle and sell automobile parts in the state of California. The rationale behind this bill is to monitor and regulate the cottage business of selling automobile parts.

As is evident there are many legislation bills introduced every year in our various states. In the county and city level there are codes which have impact on the antique automobile which does not require state bill or assembly. It takes many open ears and eyes wide open type individuals to keep track of the number of bills that are introduced. For those of you who have sent information to AACA, I commend you.

Because there are AACA members in every state in the Union we would appreciate any information you receive about bills that could effect the antique automobile hobby and we will use the legislation committee as an overall clearing house to inform membership and at times educate the law makers.

One last note, a database is being developed of the requirements of antique automobiles in various states in terms of type and age. If a letter or note can be sent to me, I would be happy to put that in the database. You can write to me or E-mail me at rfisher@conproducts.com.

Newsletter Editors: This is YOUR newsletter

I am writing to our Regions and Chapters news editors with the hope we can have a better understanding as to the purpose of the Rummage Box. It appears that many editors view the Rummage Box as junk mail. While that statement may sound critical, it is intended to get you to understand the purpose of the Rummage Box.

National Officers have heard statements like, "Why doesn't National keep us better informed?" or, "Do you have some good

Well the Rummage Box was created just for that purpose. I just received and read the fine article by Terry Bond on suggestions for articles from the membership for the Antique Automobile magazine. Now as editor, how do you propose the membership get this information? You are correct, you have to publish it in your newsletter.

Remember these articles are not copyrighted. You may photo copy the articles from the Rummage Box or reformat them to fit your newsletter. Of course, you do not want to rewrite to change the thought or intent of the author.

Ease of writing 101: Knowing your subject matter

Time certainly has a way of flying. It seems like only yesterday I took on editorship of The Rummage Box and already I am looking at the planning of the Autumn issue.

As I mentioned in the Spring edition, there is absolutely no difference in writing a story for publication or talking to a few of your friends at a meet or at the corner coffee shop counter.

Just write what you want to write as if you were speaking the words. Just be yourself in what you want to say. You'll be amazed at how easily you'll catch on.

We in the hobby have a great advantage when it comes to authoring stories and news items since, for the most part, we are quite familiar with the subject matter of the the individuals we are writing about. I elected to share with you an article I penned on one of my region members a few years ago to illustrate the point. The story is quite interesting for antique auto fans besides being a great demonstration of how writing about someone you know can flow.

A Jordan's Jordan

The world is filled with unique individuals and many of them have unique stories to tell. This is the story about a man and his quest to make a dream come true through the restoration of an automobile which carries his name.

That in itself is pretty unique when you think of it. Just when was the last time you said hello to a Mr. Cadillac or Mr. Chrysler?

Tom Jordan, an Olyphant (PA) native and resident of Scranton, whose vocation is an elementary school principal at Robert Morris School in the city's Green Ridge section, has a fascination with the past. Like all of us he knows that the past holds so much to be admired.

He appreciates how craftsmen took pride in what their hands produced and how more time was spent on detail than production output.

From the time of his childhood in Olyphant ,when he first took to the streets on his Columbia two-tone bicycle, Tom was hooked on wheels. As a matter of fact, that very bicycle sits today in Tom's personal museum Ð restored to perfection.

The bicycle sits next to the sleigh carriage his parents would push him in as a baby Ð also restored.

And all of these reminders of his past proudly sit in a building which once housed the Jordan Confectionery Company in Olyphant. Tom has been restoring the building for two or three years now and the fruits of his labor are evident, from the shining hardwood floors and woodwork to the beautifully detailed period lighting fixtures which cast a soft glow on three of his seven antique automobiles, all of which were painstakingly repaired by hand by Jordan.

By now you should get the picture of what makes Tom Jordan so unique. Wife Barbara puts it best when she opined recently, "If you stand still for five minutes, Tom will start restoring you."

Like many of us, Tom is quite proud of his roots and looks back on his rich life with fond memories. But, unlike most of us, he can touch those memories due to his ability in restoration.

Take the Jordan , for instance. More than most, this automobile, built in 1924, is his crowning achievement. Not only does it carry the family name, and bring back memories of his father's automobile, and give Tom the joy of sharing it with sons Thomas Jr. and Peter, but as of last week, brought him the most coveted award in the antique automobile hobby Ð a national senior award and the beautiful pewter Duryea trophy that accompanies the honor.

Tom's quest for the Duryea trophy is actually 17 years in the making. Best we let this part of the story be told by a man named Jordan:

"This restoration is dedicated to a Jordan man (my dad) who loved fine cars and had many . . . one of which was a 1923 Jordan MX Sedan, acquired from my mother's uncle, Tim Moran, a prominent Scranton plumber from the Bellevue Section of the city.

"During World War II, when the automobile industry retooled for the war effort, the loss to Americans of new cars meant continued use of what was available. My dad, who was employed as a salesman, drove his Jordan throughout Lackawanna County, creating many comments and conversations about "Mr. Jordan in his Jordan.'

"Although quite young at the time, I remember our Jordan Ð the wool upholstery, the push-out windshield and the neat red thermometer on the round motometer of the radiator.

"In 1948 and the purchase of a new family vehicle, the old 23 Jordan was scrapped and cut up for junk. Dad later regretted junking the Jordan because he realized he had a son who liked fine cars and would have loved the Jordan.

"Determined to find another Jordan, I began a search that ended in 1981 with the purchase of this Model K in Vineland, N.J. Pretty much intact, the car was in need of total restoration which I first believed would take a year or two.

"Today, with much support from family and friends, and after 14 years of untold labor, another Jordan, (me) who likes fine cars is attracting interesting comments and conversation throughout the Lackawanna Valley."

Well, there's no doubt there have been interesting comments and conversations throughout the Lackawanna Valley and far beyond. Last year in Sailsbury, MD, Tom picked up his First Junior and in the fall his Senior at the Special Meet in Amherst, NY. From there it was the Fountain Elms Invitational Concours D'Elegance in Utica, NY, for a crystal trophy and most recently the Marywood Cup President's Choice Trophy at his home region's show at Marywood University

And the comments and conversations will continue as "Mr. Jordan and his Jordan" travels the highways and byways of America.

(Editor's Note: Tom and wife Barbara would love to hear more comments. You can reach them at 1938 N. Washington Ave., Scranton, PA 18509)

Annual meeting - Why Philadelphia?

With several hundreds of new members joining AACA each year, we frequently are asked the question by new and old members "Why is the Annual Meeting always held in Philadelphia?' That's a legitimate query and one that we want to answer in a format that is quite popular today. Here are the Top Ten Reasons:

So there you have it, the top ten reasons why we host the Annual Meeting in the City of Brotherly Love, where our Club was founded in November 1935! If you never have attended this annual function, do plan to come next year for a weekend of fun and learning experiences about our hobby.

AACA Museum Storage Facility

The new AACA Museum storage building is scheduled to be finished prior to the Eastern Division National Fall Meet in October.

If everything goes according to schedule, the building will be open from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., October 4-5, 1999. The Museum is located on Rt. 39, 1 1/4 miles west of Hershey Park Drive.

We thank all of the Regions and Chapters who have given so much support to the Museum.

The Rummage Box - Summer 1999

Regions and chapters serve as foundation of AACA