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Join the Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association

If you are residing in the Midwest and you are a vintage car racing enthusiast, you should consider joining the Vintage Sports Car Drivers Association, or VSCDA. This club provides excellent opportunities for you to test your driving skills regularly, as well as meet with other racing enthusiasts to share your passion and exchange racing tips.

The VSCDA was established in 1978 by an ardent vintage car racing enthusiast called John Kleen. Over the years, it has organized numerous races and social events, and it has trained close to 800 amateur drivers. Presently, it has a total membership of about 600. The VSCDA holds wheel-to-wheel competition races at major race tracks in Michigan, Illinois, and Wisconsin during the weekends. By joining these races, you will get ample opportunity to take part in practice and qualifying sessions, friendly sprint races, enduros, and handicap run. The association focuses on building good camaraderie among drivers both on and off the track to give amateurs an encouraging environment to improve their racing skills.

As a VSCDA member, you will also get the chance to participate in a number of major vintage car racing events in the Midwest, including the Gingerman Spring Brake Drivers’ School and Races, Blackhawk Vintage Classic, Continental Grand Prix, Vintage Grand Prix Au Grattan, and Elkhardt Lake Vintage Festival.

The National Packard Museum

Packard had played a major role in the advancement of auto manufacturing in the United States during the early 20th century. In fact, it was the manufacturer of the earliest known American production car. The best way to learn about the illustrious history of Packard is to pay a visit to the National Packard Museum. This museum is situated in Warren, Ohio, which is the birthplace of Packard automobiles, and it is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and displaying historic automobiles, as well as artifacts and documents that are related to the Packard company.

The National Packard Museum is home to more than 25 immaculately preserved Packard vehicles, which collectively provide a comprehensive account of the company’s achievements from 1900 to 1956. Some of the notable vintage cars that you will find in the museum include the 1900 Model B, which is the earliest known production automobile in the US; 1927 Sterling Knight, the last automobile that was produced in Warren; 1941 One-Eighty Touring Limo, which was originally owned by wife of J. W. Packard; upgraded 1951 Pan American, an Alvin McCauley car; and a 1956 Packard Caribbean Convertible. The museum also displays a wide range of interesting artifacts, photographs, documents, and special items.

The National Packard Museum is open from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Sunday. General public admission rates are $8.00 for adults and $5.00 for seniors and children aged 7 to 12.

2010 Corvettes at Carlisle

If you are a Corvette owner or enthusiast, you will have the time of your life at the Corvettes at Carlisle. This event is known as grandest Corvette event in the world, and it is entirely dedicated to the celebration of the iconic American sports car. It will be held from at the Fairgrounds in Carlisle, Pennsylvania from the 27th to 29th of August, 2010, and it features a wide range of exciting shows and activities for people of all ages.

More than 4,000 Corvettes will be participating in the event, and they represent all year models from 1953 to present. Some of the highlights of the event include an autocross, a parade in downtown Carlisle, dyno testing, and burnouts. This year’s featured car is the American Flag 158-Corvette that appeared in the famous movie “Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me”. Other than car shows and races, you can also buy or sell Corvettes and Corvette parts at the swap meet, car corral, and the Manufacturers Midway.

Gates at the Carlisle Fairgrounds will be open from 7:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from Thursday to Saturday and 7:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. One-day tickets for the Corvettes at Carlisle are priced at $14.00 for adults, and 4-day passes cost $40.00. Children aged 8 and below will be admitted free of charge.

Great Tips for Buying Classic Cars Long Distance (Part 2)

3) Get the Car Inspected: Since you cannot do your own inspection when you are buying a classic car long distance, it is necessary to get the car inspected by an auto inspection company. A proper inspection will give you a clear idea of the true value of the car. There are a number of reliable auto inspection companies that can conduct inspections anywhere in the US, and you can find them on the Internet.

4) Make the Seller Sign a Contract: It is not easy to tell the difference between an honest man and a con man these days. Don’t believe everything the seller tells you. Prepare a contract that shows all the terms and conditions of the deal and get the seller to sign it.

5) Choose a Reputable Auto Transportation Company: Although it is much cheaper to get a back-street broker to arrange the transportation of the car, it is not a safe option. Also, do not let the car seller handle the transportation. You should employ the service of an established transportation company that has its own trucks.

6) Don’t Pay until Car is Removed from Seller’s Property: It is risky to wire money to the car seller directly. After you make payment for the car, it belongs to you, and the seller’s insurance will not protect your property if something unfortunate happens.

7) Get the Car Insured: Once you have released payment for the seller, you have to get insurance for the car immediately. If you are properly insured, you will get adequate financial compensation if the classic car sustains damage or is stolen.

Great Tips for Buying Classic Cars Long-Distance (Part 1)

If you are planning to buy a classic car from another state or country, you have to take certain precautions to ensure that you are getting good value for your investment. Since the car is not located in your locality, you may not get the chance to view and inspect it. Also, there are many scammers out there who are offering unbelievably good deals to make some quick money, and you may become a victim of a classic car scam if you are not careful. Here are a number of helpful tips for buying classic cars long-distance.

1) Do Thorough Research on Car and Seller: Before you decide to purchase a certain classic car, you should try to get as much information about it as possible. Two cars of the same make and year model may not have the same market value, because one car may be better conditioned than the other. Get the car dealer or owner to send you lots of photos of the car and ask for the VIN, body tag, engine number, service maintenance and ownership history, and other information. Also, do some research to find out about the seller’s credibility.

2) Follow your Instinct: When you are looking for a classic car, you may also meet with a dealer or owner who is uncooperative. If the seller refuses to give you straightforward answers or provide the documents that you requested, it is best that you do not buy from him or her.