Sweet Rides Can Always be Found at Hershey

Posted by Bubba Harmon on Feb 7, 2010 in Shows & Events | 1 comment

The Antique Automobile Club of America or AACA museum is a perfect place to spend a couple of hours while avoiding the chill of an East Coast winter.

So, on a recent trip to Hershey, PA the wife and I thought we would try and do just that. The museum is an awesome facility with a great variety of vehicles. For just $10 you can relive the great history of transportation in the 20^th century. A very knowledgeable staff is always available to answer your questions as well as entertain you. You can even hold a wedding here with the museum offering many different choices of locations for your reception. How cool would that be!?

The Antique Automobile Club of America’s Museum opened its doors to the public back on June 26, 2003. Since then, it has been the home to many rare and historic cars. The museum is constantly rotating its inventory to keep things interesting so you never know what you might see.

Currently on exhibit, through the beginning of April, are the Camaros and Firebirds presented by Freysinger Pontiac GMC Buick. Over 20 vehicles are on display in this exhibit including a 1967 big block convertible Camaro, an all original unrestored 1969 ZL1 Camaro, a 1969 COPO Camaro, and a 1978 Firebird Trans-Am that was originally driven by Burt Reynolds.

The Museum also shares space with the Museum of Bus Transportation and the Antique Motorcycle Club of America. Both of their collections can be found on the lower level.

Parked outside the AACA Museum and waiting to greet us was the Hershey’s Kissmobile. The Hershey’s Kissmobile Cruiser is a 12-foot tall, 26-foot long custom-made vehicle resembling three Hershey’s Kisses. Created in 1997, it has traveled more than 250,000 miles while raising donations for the Children’s Miracle Network.

While wondering around the lower level I found an early 70’s Eagle Model 05 Bus. It brought on one of those “I remember when” moments as I reminisced about riding a bus very similar to this one to visit my great-grandfather when I was a munchkin. I had to stop and tell my wife the entire story of getting a windup toy of the bus during a trip and my great-grandfather’s cool shop; he was a gunsmith. I still have some of his tools in my shop.

Seeing as I am the owner of a 1963 Cadillac Hearse, I am drawn to all forms of funeral coaches. This 1924 REO Funeral Hearse had me circling it for what must have seemed like forever to my wife.

If you like motorcycle race bikes, head to the lower level for the AMCA exhibit. Here you will find 50 great race bikes including this 1911 Indian Isle of Man replica racer.

Check out these and a few more photos over in the MyRideisMe Picture Gallery.

So, do you have a favorite memory of riding in an old family car or maybe even on a bus? Do you have a strange fascination with an unusual vehicle such as my love affair with hearses? Have you ever been to the AACA museum? Share your stories here.