The CC Meet-Up in Auburn, IN, was a great success, a celebration of the CC spirit at its finest: Enjoying our companionship and love of old cars, but in the flesh and steel instead of virtually. Over twenty showed up, many having driven great distances including Michigan, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio, Toronto, Wisconsin, and even Colorado. This shot was taken at lunch by Jim Grey’s companion, and includes most of us, but not all. Thanks to the collective memories, I think we’re going to be able to name everyone, but if we stumbled, let us know; matching up faces and real names to their CC “handles” was a bit of a challenge for the aging memory banks.
Clock-wise, from the left: Doug DeGelder (“DougD”, who drove from Toronto; George Denzinger (“geozinger”, MI); Perry Shoar; yours truly; Jim Klein, who set the driving record (Colorado) in his 911; “Mr. Edward Mann”, our youngest participant came from MI; Steve (?); Jim Cavanaugh (IN); Steve (MI); Mr. Edward Mann’s dad (at the very end of the table); Rory Mulligan(“1964bler”, WI); Jim Grey, IN; Richard Bennett (MI), John Eipper (“sevair”, MI); Jason Shafer, (MO); Dan Cluley (MI); Chris (“cresys” MI )and at the head of the table, Dave, (“sipe34”, MO). Tom Klockau also attended, but is not in this shot. Did we miss someone else that’s not in the shot?
I’ve got just a few random snapshots of participants checking out a few of the cars at the ACD Museum to share. Actual write-ups of what we saw will likely be coming later.
Here’s Tom Klockau and Jason Shafer in the sacred temple of the gods Auburn, Cord and Duesenberg.
Jim Grey and his companion, who had a deep first immersion into the world of classic cars. I’m sure Jim got some great shots which we may hopefully see at a future time.
One of several exquisite Cord L-29s, America’s first production FWD car, is getting a thorough checkout by several CCers. Needless to say, there is no place else to see so many Duesenbergs, Cords and Auburns in one place, and a splendid place it is. This is the ground floor showroom of the ACD corporate offices built in 1930; the showroom was not for the public, but for dealers.
Perry checking out one of the many splendid Auburns.
John Eipper and Jim Klein ogling a blue Auburn. The variety of bold colors found on the cars of this vintage was refreshing.
Doug D. and Rory with another Auburn.
Jason, Tom, Richard Bennett and someone else. As I said, I was too immersed in cars and conversation to keep my wits about me in terms of photographing the event properly, but if others have shots to add, I’ll include them into the post too.
The winner of best CC driven to the Meet-up was undoubtedly John Eipper’s pristine 1979 Seville, with some 52k miles on the odometer. His dad bought it new, and the family heirloom is now safely in John’s hands, who drove it down from Michigan (I forgot the exact city). And of course, I was treated to ride in it, which may have been my first time in one; it only cemented my love for these fine cars further. The silver went to Rory’s (1964bler) Isuzu Pickup.
I’m sure others will add more to this thread, and we’ll likely see some of the museum pieces too eventually. But as splendid as the cars were, the companionship of our shared experience together trumped them all. Thank you all for coming and creating such a memorable day!
Awesome meet up! Now all we need to do is have an event like this on the west coast. I would suggest either the Petersen Automotive Museum in West Los Angeles, or the Don Garlits Museum in Pomona as two possible meetup spots. Or even the original Bob’s Big Boy in Burbank.
You’ve got the Southwest covered there.
I suggest the LeMay Museum in Tacoma for a Northwest meetup.
Agreed. It’s on my to-do list.
LeMay is awesome. We will come down from Vancouver for that.
Agree. Will come up from the other Vancouver for that. Great turnout.
I was at the LeMay Museum this August and enjoyed it immensely. If you’re every travelling through western Canada make sure you stop in and see they Reynolds Alberta Museum in Wetaskiwin.
The library alone is worth spending time in should need to do research.
I will do my best for that CC meet-up as well!
+1. Lemay is a great one to check out, and Id make every effort to roadtrip up to that.
Count me in!
Another possibility for the west coast would be the Nethercutt Museum in Sylmar – superb collection:
http://www.nethercuttcollection.org/Museum.aspx
Right in my back yard. You beat me to it. The Nethercutt has an amazing collection.
Great to see all of your faces. Wish I could have been there for the conversation, cars and to meet you all.
Thanks for sharing the fun.
It really was a great time! I skipped my 25th college reunion for it and I made the right choice, no doubt about it. And the ACD museum was overwhelming, so many outstanding cars there were!
I believe that was George Denzinger hiding behind Richard, Paul.
I was on total sensory overload upon walking into the museum, so if I didn’t introduce myself to everyone, my apologies. I got some fine shots, but my brother Andy had a much nicer camera so I will probably be sharing some of his shots as well. He also took some video; if I can figure out how to imbed them, I’ll include those too!
Just to tide you over, here’s a Duesenberg Indy car. An absolutely wonderful day was had by all!
The racing car display is new. It wasn’t there when I explored that corner of the ACD two years ago. None of those computerized kiosks were there two years ago either. For a museum, the ACD really moves stuff around and keeps it fresh.
One of the docents told me the Indy car section was new. I loved the Duesys!
Yep, that’s me hiding behind Richard…
I feel bad in a way, by the time we got through the NATMUS, I was a little overloaded at the ACD Museum. I think my mind just wasn’t processing a whole lot more by the time we reached the upper floors. I’m not quite sure, but I think I may have been babbling a bit. But, I know I’m not the only one…
If we do this again, someone has to remember to bring name tags!
I agree, my brain was full about 2 rooms from the end at the ACD. 😉
At the ACD Museum, I was just in awe the whole way through.
Looks like a fun time but where’s the Marquis?! Very nice looking Seville John.
The ACD Museum practically ripped it out of my hands as soon as I drove up. It was sent right over to their restoration shop, and will be getting a prime spot as the best example of the Duesenberg spirit reincarnated.
Damn! I was hoping (against hope) that there just might, have been a grain of truth in that Marquis tale. Oh well, life goes on…
Sounds like a great time, I’m sure all of us would love to see more pictures. I’d hoped to stop by the ACD museum on my way to the Old Car Festival at Greenfield village last month , but didn’t have time, grrrrrr. I’ll catch it next year.
May I suggest the Lane Motor Museum in Nashville or the Gillmore in Michigan next year.
Paul, thanks for this website, it truly is a bright spot on the internet for us car guys.
I think this one was my favorite. Duesenberg Model J with Murphy coachwork. The black-over-maroon paint with maroon leather and solid mahogany door panels was just fantastic.
Great guys !
That first photo really gives me a seventies chauffeurscafé (truck stop) experience. Especially Dave at the head of the table.
Sounds like you guys had a great time. Wish I could’ve made it. Looking forward to seeing write-ups of the cars.
Looks like you had a good time. It’s pretty far from Texas. If you drop down a bit for one of these I’ll glue some horns to the front of the 4Runner and drive to meet you.
Looks like a great time was had by all. I would love to attend one of these get together events but I seem to be isolated a bit geographically.
The only reason I didn’t win is because there was no “Obscure Japanese Mini Pickup” or “Best Isuzu” categories.
Or maybe it was because John’s Seville is REALLY nice.
You were the unanimous choice for runner up. You left without picking up the fabulous gift basket of cash and prizes. You will have to see Paul about that.
I adore that Isuzu. I was personally just as delighted to see it; good choice choosing to drive it here. Glad your fuel filter replacement took care of the bucking. Hope you had a good drive home 🙂 .
Jim Klein and I were ogling it the night before, especially when you drove by in front of Mad Anthony’s.
I even snagged two pictures of it Saturday morning (the other is way dark).
Thanks guys! I have to say I’m really bulking up from a weekend of steering that thing.
Yeah, when we first met, literally the first thing we both said after introductions was “Did you see that Isuzu Hombre?”
That’s no Hombre, that’s the famous Isuzu pickup called the (wait for it) Isuzu Pickup! That one definitely needs a writeup.
Oops, you are absolutely correct! I’ll blame that one on sleep deprivation…
My bad. I’ve included it, as the Silver runner-up. I’m sorry I didn’t have the chance to take a closer look. Too many distractions.
It’s actually the perfect CC, because it’s so ordinary — and who saves ordinary but guys like us?!
What a wonderful time that was, we yakked so much going through the NAT museum in the morning Paul had to herd us out to lunch so we would have some time at the ACD in the afternoon. Then the ACD had to kick us out at closing time. Granite floors in the ACD were ideal for wiggling under cars without getting your clothes dirty.
I didn’t get to talk with everyone, but my imaginary internet friends turned out to be real people, and real interesting people at that. Would have liked to chat more with each one of you.
My follow up event suggestion for next year is the September Vintage Racing Festival at Road America in WI.
Thanks Paul for the idea, and for lunch.
Doug, your line about granite floors reminded me of this photo I snapped on the main floor of the ACD Museum…
That contact lens has GOTTA be here somewhere… 😉
Is that the V12 Cord prototype? If I could take one car home from the museum, that would be it!
If anyone is interested in a CC meet-up in Melbourne, I’d suggest the Motorclassica show in a few weeks’ time – http://www.motorclassica.com.au/
John, no, that was a Cord L-29. Extremely amazing car, but not a prototype.
This may be the V-12 prototype you were thinking of:
That is it Tom, you can see how it is hard to tell the difference in the photo above!
Yep. I’m in.
That would be great. Do you think Saturday or Sunday would be better?
Saturday for me. I think its on Friday as well. I’m flexible on what time.
What did you guys do! Front end alignment?
I wish I were there.
A fabulous time indeed. There were so many new folks in attendance (as well as old friends) that I came away regretting the scant amount of time spent with each person. Without exception, a great group of people who made for a great day.
One of the downsides of living so close by a place like the ACD is that you can take it for granted. It was great to have so many help remind me of what a gem the place is. There are not many places where it is hard to recall just how many Dusenbergs you have seen.
I look forward to reading more.
I know that feeling. I live in a SW suburb of Cleveland yet have never been to the Crawford Auto & Aviation Museum. Gotta do something about that… someday.
Steve was from Michigan as well.
What a wonderful place to visit. Thanks for sharing the event with those of us who could not attend.
Looks like a good trip to a great museum. What a setting, even if you did deter any one else from going into the restaurant!
I’m looking forward to the associated posts, and don’t forget to visit Europe’s museums, or the California/Sacrarmento Museum?
I have to add to the chorus of hallelujahs for the choice of museum(s) and locations. It was great getting to meet all of you folks and even more stimulating to be able to speak and share information in real time.
It was like meeting a bunch of long lost relatives and then finding that we all liked exactly the same thing. Which in a way, I guess we are, and we do…
Again, a big thanks to Paul and all he does for this band of brothers… and a delicious lunch!
Maybe we should just do Auburn every year! I wouldn’t mind…
I like the idea of doing one every year, but there are soooo many museums to see! The Gilmore is one you have to see, although I would seriously recommend a whole weekend for it. I’ve never been to the Studebaker stuff in South Bend which is not that far away from Auburn.
I think when we were all in NATMUS we started mentioning all of the museums that are about a day’s drive from Auburn. We had quite a few. It’s something we need to ponder…
If we *really* want overload… The Henry Ford. I’ve spent weekends in Dearborn, and firmly believe I need a week to get through that one!
I really want to see the Studebaker Museum. We passed within 20 miles of South Bend Sunday morning, but everyone was tired and we just wanted to get home!
I WILL see that museum sometime soon, however. I must!
Looks like you guys had a great time. I’m going to the Studebaker later this month, en-route from Chicago to Columbus, IN, home of Cummins Engine and an amazing collection of modern architecture.
You won’t be disappointed if you get to the Studebaker museum. Wifey & I visited in June.
I misread that as “…do Auburn every weekend.”
Better go take my meds.
Looks like you all had a great time, would love to have joined you. My first time walking through the ACD Museum front doors left me weak in the knees! When you’re there next time, check out The Towne Tavern just up the street, great food and friendly service at reasonable prices….and you can get a draft with that. Definitely swing by the Studebaker National Museum when you’re in the area, it’s first rate. Stop at the Southside Diner and Soda Shop in Goshen, great food and homemade pies too!
And no trip to Goshen is complete without a visit to the Olympia Candy Shop across from the Courthouse.
My regrets I couldn’t make the meetup, but I had been there W/T/F and couldn’t fit in another day.
We held our company holiday party at the ACD, and did a scavenger hunt for ‘car facts’. Good times….
This was truly a memorable weekend!
It was great meeting everyone and it was terrific seeing Tom, JPC, and Paul again. Like JP, I wish I had been able to talk longer with everyone. Jim Klein and I had a great conversation with John and Rory before heading to the museum.
John’s dad bought the Seville in the town next to where my in-laws live and it was great talking to someone about Mo-Mo The Monster. It’s such a small world.
Again, it was great putting faces and personalities with the actual person. It was a true pleasure.
you’ve changed since that photo was taken, by the way.
Looks like a great time …I really wish I could of made it.
A wonderful weekend for me as well, great to be able to actually talk in real life with many of you! Some may have the impression that the contributors know each other but I had never actually spoken to any of the others besides via email and was very excited to meet Paul, Perry, Jason, JPC, Jim, Doug, Nigel, and of course Tom. And those that comment (but WILL contribute one day soon, yes, you will!) were wonderful to speak with also, the conversations in real life were just as witty, interesting, and respectful as they are in the comments section even though all of us hail from different walks of life and areas of the country.
Just as good were the great museums, excellent food and drink at Mad Anthony’s Brewhouse (4 locations in Indiana!), and fun cars to look at on the street, some supplied by us, and some just living there in Auburn. Even two ladies attended, one of which became smitten by the various Crosley’s on display, I hope the group of us car freaks didn’t bore you both to tears. I certainly hope to do it again, if only to ride in more excellent CC’s (Thanks John for the multiple rides in the Seville!). I’m currently sitting in a hotel in the middle of Nebraska and will finally arrive home tomorrow sometime, it was a great chance and excuse to give the old girl “a bit of the Welly” on the interstates. Thanks to all of you!
Good point. Previously, I had met Paul and JP once; Tom three times. I also met Ed Stembridge in Iowa last year. Beyond that it has always been email contact.
If the seats in John’s Seville were any better, a person would need a prescription to sit in them. They were the most comfortable car seats I’ve experienced in about 20 years.
Jason, Jason, Jason, while John’s seats were extremely comfortable (and red!), now that you’ve finally crossed over to “the dark side” with your first import ownership, we need to get you into a few Volvos and Saabs so that you can experience truly exceptional seating and replace the rest of your fleet one at a time. They all are available with turbo’s as well so you’ll be set. 🙂
Well, I did drive Tom’s Volvo wagon and found it quite savory. And I did drive an import to Auburn. Scary!
The Seville is flattered–even though I suspect it knows Paul was too gracious to give the award to his own Marquis! Still, the ‘Ville ran much better on the homeward trip Sunday than on the outbound journey Friday. Let’s call it the confidence factor. Or perhaps it was the pride it felt from so many CCer butts enjoying the leather.
My thanks to you all for taking this CC “lurker” into the fold. It was an unforgettable weekend. I promise I’ll write the full Seville COAL story soon. First I have to scare up some old photos.
cheers to all, John (SeVair)
Here I thought the Ville just ran better on Hoosier gas. 🙂
You’ve put your finger on it, JPC! Hoosier gas–it’s cheaper than the swill we get in Michigan, too. Only $55 to fill up the thirsty ‘Ville. Last time in MI it was over $70.
On the homeward trip I averaged in the high 13s! (That’s MPG, not quarter-mile times.)
Hoosier gas is $0.07 a gallon cheaper than Michigan Swill. It all adds up!
It’s $.50 cheaper in Indiana than in Oregon. We’re still over $3.50.
I was there a year ago, and had a blast. Wish I could have gone again this year. I vote for a weekend at the Gilmore! I was there probably 20 years ago and loved it. And it’s close to my parent’s house, which would make them happy if they got to see me.
I want to thank CC for such a great meet-up. I really enjoyed meeting and talking to everyone. The museums were great and the company was even better. I hope we can do it again!
From Dave, the fellow at the front of the table in the picture. (St. Louis, MO)
Aha! Now I know who you are! 🙂
Apologies, I know you introduced yourself, but I have a cochlear implant and it was a loud restaurant.
I *don’t* have a cochlear implant and I could barely hear. Can’t separate signal from noise in loud places.
Getting to meet all of you was definitely one of the highlights of the year for me!
These days my work over at The Brougham Society prevents me from doing more here, but there is still no place like home, as Paul was the one to give me my chance at writing and showed me how to run a site with class and integrity.
Spending the day with all of you gave me a much needed boost and inspired me to keep on keeping on in the world of sharing automotive history, so for that I say, thank you!
If any if you would like to see more pictures, head on over to Facebook and visit us at The Brougham Society, as I shared all mine there.
What a cool gathering! Better yet, what a classy venue for the meet up!
The Gilmore would be great, after the rest of the country has had it’s turn for a meetup.
The place has grown a lot. New Ford Model A gallery opened last year. Lincoln and Cadillac galleries this year. Enough to keep us occupied all day. It is close to the middle of nowhere, though there must be a couple places in Richland to grab lunch. There are a couple eats places, including a vintage diner, on the Gilmore grounds.
Besides, I had a Gilmore membership this year, caught 6 or 7 events, so I’m Gilmored out for a while.
That was a great day. I Very much enjoyed meeting everyone, and the two museums were very different, but equally interesting.
One small correction, in the Lunch picture you have Chris (who is also from MI) and myself switched.
If we are voting on locations for next year, my thought would be either the Studebaker museum in South Bend, or the Gilmore outside Kalamazoo MI.
That’s how I originally wrote it (and remembered it), but then in an e-mail from someone else, the two of you were supposedly switched. It’s back to the original again.
One additional minor correction, Paul: my handle is “cresys”, you have “cresis” currently. Thanks so much for posting the picture with names noted, it’s hard to remember so many new names in such a short period of time! And thanks again for organizing it, I know it’s not an easy task.
A truly great outing, no better way to appreciate a group of amazing, one of a kind cars (and buildings!) than with a likewise amazing group of like-minded folks! I echo John E (SeVair)’s sentiment in that even those of us who don’t comment often were warmly welcomed. I also agree with Richard Bennett’s idea to see some of the museums in SE MI, since there were quite a number of us from there.
Chris
Thanks; fixed.
After dinner, before heading home, I went back and got a few more shots at the ACD Museum.
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Well I am throwing in the suggestion of coming to SE Michigan, so I and some of the others, can lead the tour of the Henry Ford, and a few other automotive gems here 🙂
I’ll offer my services to co-host with Richard “Brougham” Bennett a possible CC meet-up in MoTown. Besides the Henry Ford, there is the small but charming Ypsilanti Automotive Heritage Museum. Even better–I’m thinking out loud–would be to tie a CC reunion in with the Orphan Car Show, which takes place in Ypsilanti each September.
cheers, John (the Seville enjoys a well-deserved rest in my driveway, 30 feet from where I sit)
If it’s agreed to happen here, I would totally be on board to work to make it not only happen, but be a truly “epic” event! 🙂
Well, if one was planned for Greenfield Village, it would *need* to be on Motor Muster weekend. Pick a day. Saturday highlights cars from 1933 through the 50s and Sunday highlights models from the 60s and early 70s. For an extra charge you can take the tour of the F-150 plant at the Rouge.
The museum in Ypsi is small, but if you like Kaisers and Hudsons, it needs to be on your list.
I missed the orphan car show this year. Combination of dodgy weather and a long previous day at the Renfaire.
At least the Village has plenty of eats places, so you can hang all day, or until you overload on four wheeled goodness, and significant others can tour the buildings, ride in a Model T, the train and carousel.
For those who have never been, some other guy named Steve’s video of last year’s Motor Muster
Wow, what a great time – thanks for sharing!
Hey! You guys really exist!
Well, I’m not real. But I sure fooled everybody all weekend.
Jim, my lips are sealed – I won’t tell them if you don’t.
I wish I could have been there. I’m only six hours or so away but just returned from an extensive vacation the previous weekend and could not deal with another trip. The ACD appears to still be a great place in which to waste the afternoon. I was last there in 2000 (still have my Auburn 2000 t-shirt) and it looks like many things are the same. My favorite car might be the light gray with orange trim Auburn; I actually remember seeing it when I was there in 2000.
The Old Spaghetti Factory isn’t all that far from the LeMay Museum in Tacoma….
Looks like a great time and I wish I could have made it, but that’s a heck of a drive from Virginia. Maybe it should rotate between the middle of the country and the coasts, yearly?
(Yes, i was aware of Paul’s brief appearance in Baltimore as a possible East Coast mini-meet, but I had previous travel plans that weekend…)
Some great photos and I’d absolutely love to see the ACD museum someday, both for the cars and for the gorgeous Art Deco structure. Eventually I’ll come up with an excuse to go to Indiana…
For that one meal, there would not have been better car conversation over a table in the rest of the whole universe.
Great minds Don, I just logged in to say something along those lines. John H mentioned the Melbourne show above, I can’t do it, but we Australasians CCers must have a CC Meet-up at your country or ours sometime!
Looks like everyone had a great time! I hope that we can have an East Coast meet-up some day…perhaps at the AACA Museum outside of Hershey, Pa.?
Man I’m jealous, sitting oceans across, thousands of miles away. I guess I’ll just have to make do with the pictures.