Hershey Show

[Jeff Wilk]

I am an AACA club member as well but never entered a car in the Bershey show. What has the experience been like for CLC members in comparison to our own GN's? 

I am thinking about entering our "Touring disqualified" 59 Fleetwood but am not sure what to expect......

[Dan LeBlanc]

It was interesting to say the least.  That's about all I can say here.

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

What to expect at Fall Hershey?

Lots of walking, talking, acres of everything car-related imaginable and...RAIN! 

You will have such a great time there you will not even care whether your car places or not.

Seriously, your car has ZERO chance of being disqualified there as Hershey has completely different criteria than the CLC. (Not intended to be critical in any way to either Club)

[Jeff Wilk]

Just to be clear, I am not being critical of the GN experience at all as I learned a lot. Ive been to Hershey several times and have walked the fields multiple times and know that part well.  Ive also been to the show as a spectator several times but never entered a car. Thats what I am curious about..... The judging experience for our Cadillacs when there are so many makes and models there.....

[Eric DeVirgilis CLC# 8621]

Needless to say there will be some pretty stiff competition in your class.

I think the deadline may be up - but if not, have you considered the HPOF class since your car has a high degree of originality?

[Dan LeBlanc]

My experience with AACA judging is this - what will lose you points at a Grand National may score you points at AACA (i.e.  glossy paint where the car would've had dull paint, such as inner fenders).  If you read the descriptions for the awards for class judging, the first two words of every description are "outstanding restoration."  It is very hard to win with an original car in class judging.  Trust me, I know.

HPOF is getting better.  They have multiple levels you can advance through like class judging now.  You start off with HPOF, then it goes HPOF original (where the car has to achieve a certain percent of originality), and then there's another level above that I believe.

As for this year, the deadline passed on August 15th and they are incredibly strict on that, so it is too late for this year.

[Chuck Swanson]

I am a recent AACA judge and have had cars judged in both, and in multiple classes, in AACA and CLC. (Have AACA Jr/SR and a HPOF and a CLC Past Pres Award). I've only started entering cars in National meets in 2011, so fairly new and still learning.  I am the youngest in my local AACA club, so maybe others that have attended many more of both can give more insight.  The judging process in AACA has many similarities.  The main differences in CLC is the mechanicals are checked, and you can enter a car in the Primary class AND Preservation at the same time. 

You can get disqualified in AACA, just like CLC.  Please see the AACA judges handbook here http://www.aaca.org/Meets/judging-guidelines.html Also to clarify, the paint/ glossy or not could also be an issue in both, but you need to read both manuals for details.  I think both clubs have done a great job on judging, and I agree that in both clubs they are living documents and always open to improving.   Feel free to send a PM as happy to discuss on phone if easier.  Yes, you missed the deadline this year for entering a car.   

Chuck

[KD]

whats the HPOF??
KD CLC#26801

[Chuck Swanson]

The AACA award HPOF =Historical Preservation Original Features

[Barry M Wheeler #2189]

You may wish to PM Richard Sills. He has had a lot of experience with the AACA.