Welcome to the Triangle Chapter AACA Car Club Home Page
Triangle Members: Check our planned activities and events and join your fellow members.
See the pictures and stories of our past activities. If you have comments, corrections, or stories to
add to our website please Email them to Denny at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
Visitors: The Triangle Chapter AACA is part of the National Antique Auto Club of America (AACA.org)
and the NC Region of AACA. If you have an interest in antique cars and would like to contact others
in the Raleigh, NC area about restoration help or antique car activities, we can help. Or, if you are
thinking about acquiring an antique car we may be able to give you some help or advice. You will
find information about our events, activities and contacts here on our web site. We welcome you
to join our car club and participate in our activities. For information about how to join AACA and
our Chapter Click Here. We can also provide contacts who can answer your questions about our
club and antique vehicles. Contact Denny at: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
To See Our Latest Triangle Chapter Newsletter Click- March 2025
Triangle Chapter Facebook Page
See the Triangle Chapter Facebook Page at: https://www.facebook.com/TriangleChapterAACA
Upcoming Triangle Chapter Meetings, Events and Updates
To see the Triangle Annual Calendar (Click Here)
1. Next Triangle Chapter Meeting April 27, 2025.
Location: The Local (formerly The Backyard Bistro), our traditional meeting place.
1235 Hurricane Alley Way, Raleigh, NC 27607
Event Schedule:
Arrive: 2:00 to 2:30pm
Lunch/Dinner: 2:30 to 3:45pm
Meeting and Program: 3:45 to 5:00pm
Presentation Topic: "Miracle at Beaverdam” The restoration of a GM Futurliner
In 1939, General Motors built 12 unique vehicles as a platform to share new
technologies at local fairs across the country. These technologies were not
limited to automotive but included industry wide such as microwaves cooking,
stereophonic sound, jet engines, etc. The vehicles were 33 ft long weighing
12 tons powered by the same 6-cylinder engine as in my 1929 Buick! In 1997,
Don Mayton saw one of these huge vehicles at a museum in Indiana and worked
out a deal to restore it at his house in Michigan. This 40 min video chronicles
this restoration. And it is not just a nuts-and-bolts restoration video but describes
the interesting people-side of this project. Long-time Triangle Chapter member
Dean Tryon was a part of the restoration team. Dean will introduce the video and
will be available to answer questions. Please plan to join us for this eye-opening
look into the restoration and history of the Futurliner and those involved with the
project.
2. Triangle Antique Vehicle Display at Woodland Terrace April 26, 2025.
Location: Woodland Terrace Retirement Community
300 Kildaire Woods Drive, Cary, NC 27511
Schedule: 8:30am to 9:30am - Display vehicles assembled
9:30am to 12:30pm: Residents are invited to inspect the display vehicles and
meet with the owners
Notes: - Open to original appearing vehicles 25 years or older
- 15 to 20 Vehicles desired
- Refreshments available to vehicle owners during the display
- Lunch will be provided to vehicle owners at the close of display.
- Trailer Parking is available.
- Join us for this opportunity to get your antique vehicle out for an informal club gathering
while providing a chance to exchange stories with residents as they revisit vehicles from
their Past.
Sign-up: contact Dan Fuccella at: danielfuccella@gmail.com or Tel 919-349-5911
3. POSTPONED!!! Triangle Chapter Car Show May 3, 2025.
See the next section below on this page below of for details of Posponment.
4. Pruett's Charity Summer Cruise-in Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Tom and Debbie Pruett are hosting an annual Classic Car Cruise-in at their home.
They have invited all classic cars to their event at their home in Durham County.
A $10 donation will be appreciated for all vehicles and spectators.
See the flyer for the location and more details. To see the flyer (Click Here).
5. Triangle Chapter Ice Cream Social Sunday August 3, 2025.
Tom and Debbie Pruett are hosting the Triangle Ice cream social at their home.
Details will be announced.
See the flyer for the location and more details. To see the flyer (Click Here).
Triangle Chapter Car Show May 3, 2025 Postponed!
Dear Car Show Participant,
We hope this message finds you well. It is with regret that we must inform you of an unforeseen
change regarding our upcoming May 3rd Classic Car Show. Due to circumstances beyond our
control, our original venue is no longer available, and we are unable to proceed with the event
as scheduled.
Please rest assured that this is not a cancellation of your enthusiasm or dedication! We are
actively working to secure a new venue and are optimistic about rescheduling the show
later this year. As soon as new details are finalized, we will update you immediately.
In the meantime, we will be issuing full refunds for all entry fees. If your check was deposited,
a refund check will be issued shortly. If your check has not been deposited, you will be
contacted to determine if you want your check shredded or returned. If you have any questions
or require assistance with the refund process, please do not hesitate to contact
Ken Powell, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..
We deeply appreciate your understanding and support during this time. Your passion for classic
cars and this community is what makes events like this possible, and we are committed to
delivering a wonderful show experience.
Thank you for your patience, and we look forward to celebrating with you at the rescheduled
event.
Warm regards,
Glenn Ott
President, Triangle Chapter AACA
609-658-8322
Latest Triangle Chapter Meeting Notes
Thanks to Dean Tryon for taking the notes form our last meeting
To see the meeting notes (Click Here)
Other News and Updates
NC Region and Other AACA Chapter Events
(Reminder: All Triangle Chapter Members are also members of the NC Region of AACA.)
1. 2025 NC Region Calendar
See this link to the NC Region Calendar. Click Here
2. Coastal Plains Chapter Meet Washington, NC, May 3, 2025
See your NC Region Newsletter for an application form.
3. NC Region Spring Meet, New Bern, NC May 10, 2025.
You are an NC Region Member. This is great show and venue. Plan to attend.
- NC Region Spring Meet Invitation. Click Here
- NC Region Spring Meet Registration Form. Click Here
AACA National Events
- Make a plan to participate in an AACA national event this year.
- See the AACA National Event Schedule at: (https://aaca.org/events/category/aaca-national-calendar/)
- Check the AACA.org web site or your National magazine for details and Registration Forms.
Triangle Chapter Activities and Stories - 2025
(Stories and events from previous years can be seen at links below)
Triangle Members Attend AACA Southeastern Spring Nationals April 3-5
By Denny Oestreich
The Hornets Nest Region hosted the 2025 AACA Southeastern Spring Nationals at the Charlotte Motor Speedway
and the Annual Auto Fair. There were 257 vehicles entering the Spring Nationals of which 102 were from
North Carolina. Ten Triangle members’ vehicles were judged.
-Class ORG – Original - 2000 Dodge Neon ES, Mike Petersen, Raleigh, NC
-Class ORG - Repeat Senior Original - 1988 Ford Ranger, Brian C. Wingler, Apex, NC
-Class DPC - 1950 Willys-Overland Jeep, Dan Fuccella, Cary, NC
-Class 22B - Repeat Preservation 1938 Chevrolet Truck, Glen B. Andrews, Franklinton, NC
-Class 17A - First Junior 1923 Stutz Bearcat Brian White, Apex, NC
-Class 18A - First Junior 1924 Buick 35, Wilson E. Fausel, Cary, NC
-Class 22I - Second Junior 1944 Dodge WC-51 J, Courtney Johnston, Apex, NC
-Class 32 - Repeat Preservation 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Fernando Lugo, Youngsville, NC
-Class 34A - Second Junior 1966 Ford Mustang Beth Eakes, Fuquay Varina, NC
-Class 36M - Repeat Preservation 1997 Chevrolet Camaro Z28, Thomas Pruett, Durham, NC
Congratulations to all!
On Saturday April 5, the judge’s breakfast was held in the Speedway Club dining room on the
fifth Floor of the stands at the Speedway track. This was an excellent venue for the announcements,
judging awards, and acknowledgements. Many Triangle members were among the 160 judges,
including 20 new Judges, for this event. Mike Peterson was acknowledged for 400 Judging Credits.
After breakfast the Continuing Judges Education (CJE) seminars were held in various corners of
the room. I attended a CJE on Model Ts presented by Terry Bond. From the Club area there was
also an opportunity to view the track and the in-field flea market spaces from the 5th floor
clubhouse seats. On the other side of the dining room, you could view the AACA show field
and watch as the cars came onto the show field. A great venue.
The judging started at 11 AM with each team assigned about 10 cars to judge. The judges
had various experience levels with the more experienced judges “advising”. The judging was
completed within two hours. Our team judged five Corvettes and four 57 Chevy’s. After judging
it took about 30 minutes to compile the data and submit the information. I met fellow judges
and caught up with many AACA judges.
The Autofair was better attended than it had been since the Covid years. It was good to see
the vendors filling up the four fields: Orange, Blue, Red and Green. The Green field had many
more vendors than I had seen in previous years, which is a sign the event is returning. Although
I do miss the days when the car corral was all around the track, there were about 90% fewer car
corral vehicles. Most people attribute fewer car corral vehicles to online auctions and sales sites.
I sold 57 Chevy parts on Thursday and Friday in spaces shared with Jim Aldrich. I sold the most
on Friday morning. I packed my unsold items back into my pickup on Friday evening with only the
parts I thought I could use or could sell again. I noticed I had many parts I have hauled back and
forth for five years. I offered the unsold parts to a couple fellows just down the row from us which
they gladly added to their space. With a few dollars in my pocket and fewer parts to unpack when
I got home, I had a good time.
Fernando Lugo Glen Andrews 1938 Chev PU
Jim and Becky Aldrich, Wilson Fausal (Back) Cheryl and Ted Brooks, Beth Eakes (Center)
Triangle Chapter Tour to the Bentonville Battlefield March 1, 2025
By Glenn Ott
The weather was great for a road tour in our classics, and modern vehicles. With a few
adjustments in the parking lot, we were ready to depart for the Bentonville Battleground
Historic Site. The route followed Route 50 south through McGee Crossroads and Benson
to Harper House Road, and on to the battlefield. After about an hour and fifteen minutes of
driving, we arrived and had plenty of space to park. The meeting location, route, length of
travel and road conditions made a nice, comfortable drive successfully completed by all the
members on the tour, classic and modern. During the day, park visitors stopped by to
admire and talk with us about our cars.
Once we arrived at the battlefield, the program was interesting and educational. It began
with a movie in the Visitor Center. Then Courtney started his presentation with detailed
descriptions of the uniforms, personal items, equipment, and food, and how it all fit together
in a soldier's life during the battle. He kept all of us (and a few park visitors) engrossed
in the conversation and his demonstration. The best part was his rifle demonstration
showing he could fire at a rate of about 30 seconds per round, like the soldiers on the battlefield.
Our picnic lunch gave us an opportunity have conversations about our trip and what we had
seen, in the shade of the huge trees behind the visitor's center. Before we headed out to view
the battlefield, Courtney gave us a tour of Harper House which was used as a hospital during
the battle.
The battlefield driving tour tested our classic vehicle batteries and starters, but highlighted
the breadth of that battle. At the Cole Plantation site, in the afternoon of the first day’s battle,
Courtney described how the entrenched Confederates met the advancing Federal troops,
and pushed them back. One of the leaders of that assault on the Union troops was
Courtney’s Great-Great-Great Uncle General George D. Johnston.
Everyone in their classic, or modern, vehicle enjoyed the ride, the demonstrations, the picnic,
and the tour. We are planning to have additional road tours later this year, so consider coming
along for the ride. Let us know if you have a suggestion for nice drive or place to go.
Input from Dan Fuccella
Participating on the tour were Glenn and Caryl Ott (1963 Corvette), Ray Bader (1978 Avanti),
The Gerkens, Brenda, Victoria, Holley, John Jr. and John III (1960 Ford Sunliner, Dan and
Jean Fuccella (1950 Willeys) and Brian Wingler (1988 Ford Ranger). Ken Powell, Catie Johnston,
and Barbara and George Senich drove modern vehicles.
Courtney provided this tour and presentation in preparation for the March 15-16, 2025, Bentonville
Battlefield hosting of the 160th Anniversary of North Carolina’s largest Civil War battle, featuring
thousands of living historians from across the country. Be sure to attend if you can.
Triangle on Tour Bentonville Parking
Courtney's Demonstration
Triangle Cars on Tour
Triangle Chapter Members at the AACA Annual Convention in Concord, NC
By: Denny Oestreich
On February 6-7, 2025, I attended the AACA Convention held at the Embassy Suites Convention
center in Concord, NC. This was an opportunity to attend an Annual AACA convention closer to Raleigh.
There were over 300 AACA members from across the country in attendance, including 17 Triangle Chapter
members. Triangle members attending included; Jim and Becky Aldrich, Dean and Les Tryon, Ted and Cheryl
Brooks, Riley Reiner, Brian Wringler, Glenn Ott, Dan Fuccella, Jim Gill, Fred Harley, Courtney Johnston,
Tom and Debbie Pruett, and Denny Oestreich. We were urged to have a good showing of NC Region
members to influence the decision to hold future conventions in rotation at a North Carolina venue.
With the good weather and turnout, I think we did that.
There were many activities planned at the convention. On Thursday members could choose a guided
tour of the Hendrick Car Collection and Heritage Museum on the Hendrick campus. The Hendrick
campus includes seven large buildings housing the Hendrick race car museum, the pit crew training
center, the engine and race car shop, the race team facilities, and Mr. Hendricks personal car collection.
The car collection includes about 140 cars arranged in venues of early businesses, a drive in theater,
hot rod shops, etc. The collection included mostly Chevrolet including 1967 427 Corvettes in every
manufactured color. Other vehicles in the collection included very expensive Ferraris, Porches, and
Mercedes. In an upstairs loft area was a seating and display area filled with Mr. Hendrick’s collection
of guitars and other musical instruments autographed by celebrities. On the same campus was a
museum of the Historic Hendrick NASCAR teams race cars. The collection included many of the
actual race cars driven by the famous drivers. These were very interesting collections.
Don’t miss seeing them if you have an opportunity.
The other tour choice on Thursday was a tour of the NC Transportation Museum Shops at
Spencer, NC. This tour of the shops included viewing the train and airplane exhibits. The auto
exhibit and the new garage exhibit were open for viewing. The garage exhibit provided an
opportunity to see a restoration in progress. This tour included a train ride with lunch in a dining
car as the train travelled across the campus. After the tour members could see more of the
museum exhibits and view the NC Region Awards Displays. Several of the award plaques featured
Triangle Chapter member vehicles and contributions to the NC Region. 
Jim Gill and Fred Harley, All Aboard Becky Aldrich with Jim and Fred
New Cell Phone works on an old train 
Jim and Becky Aldrich on the Dining Car
Triangle Members on the
Herb Payne Trophy
Fred Harley 2010, Fred Harley 2017,
Keith Townsend 2023, Jim Aldrich 2024
On Thursday evening the AACA Board members hosted a pasta dinner for the members. This
was a chance to meet and greet other AACA members from around the country that you only
see at AACA car shows.
On Friday February 7 the convention provided opportunities to attend 20 different seminars.
Dean Tryon and Ted Brooks provided two well attended seminars on carburetion, 103 and 104.
I was only there for the morning sessions and took advantage of the seminars on Collector
Car Insurance, the Changing Classic Car Auctions, and Truck Bed Judging. The presenters were
well prepared and ready to answer the questions from the audience. I enjoyed the convention
activities.
Thanks to Jim Aldrich for providing pictures.
Triangle Chapter Members at the NC REGION Annual Meet Jan 10-11, 2025
By: Denny Oestreich
Sixteen Triangle members attended the NC Region Annual Meeting which was held at the
Double Tree Inn in Raleigh, NC on January 10 and 11, 2025. Triangle Members attending were:
Jim Aldrich, Becky Aldrich, Helen DiPietro, John DiPietro, Bob Gahr, Brian Wingler, Dan Fuccella,
Tom Pruett, Glenn Ott, Jim Gill, Don Aikin, Riley Reiner, Courtney Johnston, Mike Petersen,
and Dean Tryon. On Friday afternoon there were three training classes for National Judges.
An AACA National Judging School annual event required for judges was presented by Dain King.
Two Continuing Judges Education (CJE) presentations were presented. Mike Petersen presented
the CJE on Judging Interiors. Dain King provided a CJE on DPC Original vehicle certification which
will in the future be known as Original Class vehicles. On Saturday morning there was a Meet
and Greet for members while the Board of Directors meeting was held. Mike Petersen provided
a program on the history of traveling Route 66 history and stories from his several trips over the
route in earlier years. After lunch there was a General Membership meeting. Triangle Chapter
members were acknowledged for 2025 NC Region Vehicle awards including the Herb Payne Award
to Jim Aldrich 1925 HES Stutz and the Marshal Van Winkle Award to Courtney Johnston 1937 Buick.
Triangle members had an opportunity to meet and renew friendships with other NC Region members.
NC Region Fall Show Award NC Region Annual Meeting Members
Herb Payne Award - Jim Aldrich Marshal Van Winkel Award - Courtney Johnston
Triangle Chapter Previous Year's Activities and Pictures
See Triangle Chapter Past Events in 2024 at: 2024 Triangle Chapter Activities and Pictures
See Triangle Chapter Past Events in 2023 at: 2023 Triangle Chapter Activities and Pictures
See Triangle Chapter Past Events in 2022 at: 2022 Triangle Chapter Activities and Pictures
See Triangle Chapter Past Events in 2021 at: 2021 Past Activities and Pictures
See Triangle Chapter Past Events in 2020 at: 2020 Past Events
See Triangle Chapter Past Events in 2019 at: 2019 Past Events
Triangle Events from Past Years: Picture Archive
Triangle Chapter Web Site Pages
Click on the titles below to link to our other pages
- About The Triangle Chapter- Information and background about the Triangle Chapter.
- Triangle Contacts - A list of the Triangle Chapter Officers, Board members, and other contacts.
- Calendar - List of events that the Triangle Chapter members plan to attend or participate.
- Newsletters - Link to our newsletters on-line. The on-line newsletter pictures are in color. The newsletters can be downloaded and printed in color on your printer.
- Picture Archive - This is the link to interesting pictures taken at Triangle Chapter and other events.
- Member Pride - Latest pictures of Triangle Chapter members vehicles.
- Join Us - Link here to read about membership.
- 2010 Watch a video of our Take-A-Part T Demo