gettysburgregion

The AACA held its 83rd Annual Meeting in Philadelphia from February 7th  through the 9th. These meetings are great ways for members to socialize, make new connections, learn something new, and find out what’s going on at the national level or in other regions. This year’s meeting did not disappoint and even held some new surprises for attendees.

This year’s theme was “Women in Automotive History” and showcased a special series of speakers and seminars focusing on women drivers and innovators who helped shape the automotive industry and hobby. Speakers included Constance Smith, author of Damsels in Design: Women Pioneers in the Automotive Industry, 1939-1959. Constance, a former designer for General Motors, presented at the First Lady’s Breakfast and was also available for book signings. Other speakers included: Terry Bond who hosted seminars on the racing career of Joan Newton Cuneo as well as women’s roles in automotive art and advertising,; Chuck Crane who discussed many female innovators who made significant contributions to automotive history; and Sally Barnett whose seminar explored the stories of women drivers such as Blanche Stuart Scott and the ambulance drivers of WWI. The series received very positive feedback and shed some much needed light on an area of our hobby that is often overlooked.

Another major focus of this year’s meeting was the new National Headquarters building. Designs for our new HQ were proudly on display. The first floor will be dedicated to offices and will include an area to display cars, while the second floor will hold the library. On a personal note, this is perhaps the most exciting as new features of the library are to include cold storage, a media studio, and a digitization lab. Also, the library’s fast growing collections will now be housed in a glass enclosed closed stacks. None of this would be possible without the support of AACA’s members. Apart from making a previous sizeable donation to the building fund, President Annette Yost also presented a check on behalf of the Gettysburg Region to the library at the President’s Dinner on Friday night. Many other regions did the same. Every little bit will help give our club the HQ it deserves. After all, this is our nerve center.

Attendees also got to enjoy the trade show, hospitality room sponsored by J.C. Taylor, and the awards banquet on Saturday night. It was great to see old friends (several people from our region made an appearance) and make some new ones. I highly recommend going to at least one Annual Meeting if you’ve never been. There’s so much to do, and if you get some down time, Philly is a wonderful city to explore.

Hope to see you next year!

~Angelica Yost, GRAACA Webmaster & Newsletter Editor

–Saturday, September 8th

After having to cancel our annual shopping trip to the Gettysburg Outlets due to rain and flooding, Annette Yost, event host and Gettysburg Region President decided to reschedule. And then cam more rain. And more flooding. June. July. August. Hot weather and a bit of sun finally showed up and it looked as though we might get a lovely day. Alas it was not to be, and it rained once again.

However, some of us, who had perhaps been feeling a bit of cabin fever, were undeterred. With umbrellas in one hand and coupons in the other we arrived determined to shop!

In a bit of a strange twist, everyone who showed up (three cars in total) brought along their convertible—Dottie Shultz; Roxanne Vandermark Hess and Mike Hess; Annette and Dan Yost, Angelica Yost, and Howard King. We were a small crew, but Annette made sure to bring a tent, hot drinks and donuts, and Roxanne won the “door Prize”—a beautiful autumn mum.

For anyone that signed up back in May and received their  complimentary tote bag with coupon brochure, your coupons are still good until the end of 2018, so you can shop on a sunny day.

Many thanks go to Annette Yost for her organization and optimism, and to the Gettysburg Outlets for their hospitality and lovely giveaways.

–By John E. Sayler, Jr.

Gettysburg Region tours often bring special opportunities, and the club’s Summer Tour on August 24 was no exception.  On one of the month’s most pleasant days, approximately 40 people in 20 cars embarked on scenic roads for Allentown, where they were the guests of The NB Center for American Automotive Heritage, the private collection of Nicola Bulgari.

At the collection, members were treated to a 3½-hour guided tour by curator Keith Flickinger and other center employees.  The explanations given—stories behind some of the cars, tours of the restoration work in progress, instruction on how high-quality upholstery differs from lesser methods, etc.—were invaluable.  And over 150 interesting cars were on display.

Mr. Bulgari, having a special love for American cars of the 1930’s and 1940’s, lavishes expense and care on average models which might otherwise go unrestored.  He was not on site at the time, but he was sure to request a photo of members’ old cars lined up in the driveway, so he could see the Gettysburg Region cars as well.

More photos can be viewed on our Facebook page