Antique Automobile Club of America

Antique Automobile Club of America
Name	Antique Automobile Club of America
Founded	1935
Founder	H. Nelson Jackson; A. O. Smith
Headquarters	Hershey, Pennsylvania

Antique Automobile Club of America The Antique Automobile Club of America is a national organization devoted to the preservation, restoration, and enjoyment of historic automobiles. It promotes standards for preservation and restoration, supports regional chapters and events, and publishes periodicals documenting automotive heritage across eras such as the Brass Era, Vintage Era, and Postwar Era.

History

The club was established in 1935 contemporaneously with automotive milestones like the Ford Model T legacy, the rise of General Motors marques, and the tail end of the Great Depression. Early leaders drew inspiration from collectors associated with institutions such as the Henry Ford Museum and enthusiasts who celebrated landmarks like the Lincoln Highway and the achievements of pioneers like Ransom E. Olds and Henry Leland. Through mid‑20th century shifts brought by companies including Chrysler, Packard, Studebaker, and Hudson Motor Car Company, the organization codified judging standards influenced by restoration philosophies practiced at the AACA Museum and private collections owned by figures comparable to Jay Leno and John D. Rockefeller III. Postwar growth paralleled the expansion of automotive scholarship exemplified by repositories like the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum and the archival efforts seen at the National Automobile Museum (Nevada). The club’s historical trajectory intersects with events such as the preservation movements following the closure of industry operations by firms like American Motors Corporation and the cultural interest fostered by media tied to the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance.

Organization and Membership

The national structure comprises regional chapters, state chapters, and special interest groups similar to organizations such as the Vintage Sports-Car Club and the Society of Automotive Historians. Governance involves a national board analogous to boards at institutions like the Smithsonian Institution and the Automobile Club de France, with committees covering judging, technical standards, and archives comparable to curatorial teams at the National Museum of American History. Membership attracts collectors of marques including Cadillac, Buick, Dodge, Pontiac, Mercedes-Benz, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, BMW, Chevrolet, Oldsmobile, GMC, Isotta Fraschini, Alfa Romeo, Fiat, Studebaker-Packard Corporation, Nash Motors, Tucker Corporation, Duesenberg, Packard Motor Car Company, Pierce-Arrow, Auburn Automobile Company, Cord Automobile, Hudson, Reo Motor Car Company, Willys-Overland Motors, Kaiser-Frazer, Plymouth, DeSoto, Mercury (automobile), LaSalle, Imperial (automobile), Lanchester (car), Lagonda, Facel Vega, Triumph Motor Company, Morris Motors, Austin (automobile), Sunbeam (car), Morgan Motor Company, Singer Motors and enthusiasts of eras tied to the Veteran Era and Edwardian era motoring.

Events and Activities

The club organizes major events including the national meets and grand nationals comparable in prominence to the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the Woodward Dream Cruise, and the Goodwood Revival. Regional activities parallel calendars from organizations such as the Classic Car Club of America and the Vintage Sports Car Club of America, featuring judged shows, driving tours on routes like the Blue Ridge Parkway, autocross competitions similar to those at SEMA gatherings, and educational seminars reminiscent of programming at the Hagerty Education Center. Activities often celebrate milestones connected to historic races like the Mille Miglia, the Targa Florio, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans through displays and guest lectures from restorers affiliated with workshops like RM Sotheby’s and Bonhams specialists. Youth outreach initiatives mirror efforts by institutions such as the Boy Scouts of America merit badge programs and collaborate with museums including the Transportation Museum network.

Publications and Media

The club issues a flagship periodical and newsletters comparable to specialty publications like Hemmings Motor News, Classic & Sports Car, Octane (magazine), and Automobile Quarterly. Editorial content covers marque histories akin to monographs from the Society of Automotive Historians, technical how‑tos paralleling guides published by restoration shops such as Jay Leno’s Garage affiliates, and auction reporting similar to analyses from RM Auctions and Gooding & Company. The organization produces multimedia including video interviews with restorers and collectors in the vein of segments from Motor Trend and documentary features like those broadcast by PBS automotive series. Archives and photo collections support research comparable to holdings at the Kimes Automotive Library and the National Automotive History Collection.

Museums and Collections

The organization supports museums and member collections in the spirit of institutions like the AACA Museum, the Simeone Foundation Automotive Museum, the Hemmings Motor News Collection, the Revs Institute, The Henry Ford, the National Corvette Museum, the Blackhawk Museum, LeMay - America’s Car Museum, and the Petersen Automotive Museum. Collections span vehicles from manufacturers such as Ford Motor Company, General Motors, Fiat S.p.A., Toyota, Honda, Willys-Overland, Studebaker Corporation, Chrysler Corporation, Daimler AG, and bespoke coachbuilders connected to houses like Carrozzeria Touring Superleggera and Pininfarina. Exhibits often feature restoration case studies by craftsmen trained in techniques taught at institutions like the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and conservation practices used by curators at the Smithsonian National Postal Museum (for cross‑discipline preservation standards).

Awards and Recognition

The club confers awards for restoration, preservation, and historical research similar in stature to honors from the Veteran Car Club of Great Britain and accolades presented at concours events such as Best of Show at Pebble Beach. Recognitions include judging trophies, lifetime achievement awards akin to those from the Society of Automotive Historians, and scholarships that parallel programs run by the SAE International and vocational institutions like the Universal Technical Institute. Award recipients have included prominent collectors, restorers, and historians whose work is acknowledged alongside peers featured in archives at the National Automotive History Collection and exhibitions at the The Henry Ford.

Category:Automobile clubs in the United States