AUBURN Speedsters.com

Antique Automobile Club of America
Automobile Museum


Hershey, Pennsylvania

The AACA Museum created a special Buick display to celebrate Buicks 110 year Anniversary. Being as fond of the "early" Riviera as I am I enjoyed seeing these two nice examples being displayed in the Museum's lobby. The Buick exhibit ran from May 15th - October 13th 2013

Yes, this is a Stainless Steel bodied Thunderbird. Ford had been experimenting with Stainless Steel body panels as far back as 1936. At that time Ford contracted Allegheny Ludlum, one of the largest suppliers of Stainless Steel in the United States, to build six 1936 Ford Tudor Sedans. Fast forward to 1960, again Allegheny was contracted to build two 1960 Thunderbirds, both Thunderbirds survive today. Still not convinced that Stainless was not the way of the future Ford produced three Stainless Steel 1967 Lincoln Continental Convertibles that were used for promotions around the country. All three Convertibles were optioned with Blue Leather interiors. Reportedly two cars carried 1966 trim and one was dressed out as a 1967 model. The biggest issue with Stainless Steel body panels is that the material is very hard on the stamping dies. Reportedly the 1960 Thunderbird dies that had successfully stamped thousands of steel panels were worn out beyond use after stamping enough Stainless Steel panels to build the two Thunderbirds. In 1960 the bodies cost Ford $25,000 each plus a, rumored additional $5000 to buff and apply the brushed finish. One of the '36 Ford Tudor Sedans competed at Hershey in 2009. At that time it was owned by Classic Car Dealer Leo Gephart. One of the surviving Lincoln Convertibles has also been exhibited at the AACA Museum.... I remember seeing it displayed in the Museum lobby, I just can't remember when...

You can't help but to like Joe Pep and you gotta Love his Work. Joe is quite the entertainer along with being an artist. He was displaying his talents along with several other automotive artist Thursday night while we were there. Being a Cadillac Man (and Auburn Guy), I had to have one of his Cadillac prints. I went with the Cream colored '54. Elvis would be proud. Thanks Joe! You can see all of Joes work on his website, JoePep Automotive Portraits

Remember these Over the Top Customized Cadillac's from the 1970's... Pictured above are two Cadillac Eldorado's. They were part of the Museum's "Pop Culture and Cars" exhibit. These types of Cadillac Customs were popular from the late 1960's through the early 80's. The term "Fly" was new and referred to styles that were Creative, Exclusive and Expressed Individuality. These creations were so unique that they earned the moniker "Super Fly"  Super Fly type cars were popular in television shows and movies of that era including "Super Man", "The Pink Panther" and of course "Super Fly"

The two Super Fly Cadillac's displayed at the AACA Museum were created by a young Customizer by the name of  Les Dunham from the Dunham Coach Motorcar Company. I believe that both cars are now part of the Jersey City, New Jersey Pepe Show Tyme Car Collection. The Eldorado on the right (Corvorado as it is known) was used in the 1973 James Bond movie "Live and Let Die".

My parents had just purchased a New Cadillac DeVille that year and my buddy, Snowball, and I were allowed use of it one night to go and see that new 007 flick. On the way home with all four windows down and the Stereo Cranked up Paul McCarthy's "Live and Let Die" came blaring out of the ready to explode speakers in the Caddy. We thought that was so "Cool",  but then again we were Pretty Weird 17 year old kids. Unlike all of our friends who Drove or Dreamed of Driving Camaro's, Chevelle's, Mustangs, GTO's and Cuda's, we liked Cadillac's, especially the Old Ones with Fins. Snowball at the time owned a '57 Coupe DeVille. I would soon become partners with my Dad on a 1960 Cadillac Convertible. My Dad and I are still partners today with that same Cadillac

The "Floinn Cafe" is a real Diner that has been brought back to it's original Glory and is on permanent display in the lower level of the Museum. The Diner was built by the Valentine Diner Company