CHIRS SUMMER'S ARTICLE IN THE NEWSLETTER

Sounds like the ACD legacy will be in good hands.

Here is the full text of my "Letter to the Editor." Needless to say, it was written before Pat became Past President.

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Over the last few months, many of you have read appeals in these pages from many people, most notably Club President Pat Leahy, to record your stories, rememberances, and facts about ACD cars for future generations. This can be done through oral and written histories, as well as by supplying information to the ongoing Restoration Manual project.

This is another of those appeals. However, it is also very different than the others, because I am not writing as ?just another member.? I am writing as the 19-year-old that I am, one of, if not the youngest current full-fledged members of our Club.

I am writing as someone who has not yet been lucky enough to own an A, C, or D, but hopes to do so someday. I am writing as someone whose experience with these cars has come through the kindness and goodness of those who have shared their archives, photographs, memories, and (occasionally) automobiles with me.

I am writing as your grandson, who will one day want to remember not just the ride he had in Grandpa and Grandma?s car, but what that car was?the story behind it, the people who owned it, and where it will go, so that someday, when he is older, he may be able to find it and enjoy it as you once did.

I am writing as the kid down the block who has always taken the time to stop and talk with you about your car, or who always stops to tell you how beautiful it is at the local cruise-in on Friday night.

I am writing as the person who will someday be in their 70s, and may own that car that is currently sitting in your garage. You will want me to keep it running, and drive it and enjoy it and treasure it, just as you have. But in order to do that, I will need to know how to keep it running?what battery to use, what the wiring harness should look like, or what type of screw holds this piece to that piece, and for that matter what those pieces are called in the first place.

The sad fact, that we always avoid but cannot totally ignore, is that no one lives to enjoy their car forever. The most you can do, and your responsibility as an owner or a restorer or an enthusiast, no matter what your age, is to record your memories and your technical knowledge, so that when you are gone future generations will be able to enjoy them and pick up the same love for these cars that you once had.

The Club is making this as easy as we can for you. An Archival Committee has been formed to computer-database Certification records, with the immense help of Paul Bryant, so that they will be easily accessible for judging. Regional groups are forming to record oral and written histories of our more experienced members.

But please do not wait for us. Write, type, or record your memories now.

Right now, you can become a FREE member of the ACD Club Online Forum (join at phpstack-1081784-3880776.cloudwaysapps.com ) and help with the Restoration Manual process. Bill Hummel has provided a space to share accurate information about these cars that will ensure that correct materials, parts, and techniques are used in the restoration process. Once enough information has compiled, it will be published in binders and made available at the Auburn Fall meet. However, very little has been compiled thus far. We need your help.

If you do not own a computer, they are available for free at your local library. If you do not know how to use a computer, then chances are the library is also holding free computer literacy classes. If they do not, they can probably tell you where to find such a class.

Is a child or grandchild (18 and under) interested in these cars? Make them a Junior Member. It is FREE, and Joe and Michelle Leahy turn out great, colorful, and fun newsletters. Take the time to teach the child or grandchild what they know.

You should do this for yourselves, the modern generation of collectors and enthusiasts, but more importantly, you should do it for the sake of those who follow in your footsteps, loving and preserving these great cars.

We, the next generation, are depending on you.

YIKES, I feel like a tool...The little icon never lit up to show this had been posted...Two weeks ago. <!-- s:oops: --><img src="{SMILIES_PATH}/icon_redface.gif" alt=":oops:" title="Embarassed" /><!-- s:oops: -->

Thanks for the kind words. I'll repost it here tonight.

As I've said before, I'm pretty protective of these cars, and I see it as my duty to ensure that someone of this generation remembers them and cares for them. It's just me doing my little part.

To Chris Summers,

I saw your article in this month's ACD Club Newsletter. Very nicely written and it was a good pitch for the Club Elders to pitch in and pass down some knowledge to the Next Generation. We need folks to contribute to the Restoration Guide Project.

If you have the original text, why not post it in this forum under a new thread. It will find it's way all over the Internet once the search engines scan it.

Good job!