AACA Local Chapter Hosts Central National Meet
July 28, 2022
MEDIA ALERT
RE: Antique Automobile Club of America of the Mississippi Valley Region hosts Central National Meet
DATES: August 11-13, 2022 – Public viewing on Aug. 13
LOCATION: Bend XPO, 922 Mississippi Parkway, East Moline, IL
150 antique vehicles in pristine condition are arriving from across the U.S., including Massachusetts, New Jersey, and the Carolinas. The automobiles will be on display in the Quad Cities as part of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Central National Meet on August 11-13, 2022.
The public is invited to view the antique vehicles during the indoor car show & judging on Saturday, August 13, 2022, from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Bend XPO, 922 Mississippi Parkway in East Moline, Ill. It’s free admission to attend, and concessions will be available.
The AACA is the world’s largest and oldest antique car club with over 60,000 members and almost 400 local Regions and Chapters across the U.S. and 51 other countries. Each year, they host 15-20 National Meets and Tours. The local Mississippi Valley Region AACA hosts the National event in the Quad Cities. To be eligible for an AACA show, vehicles must be fully operational and 25 years old or older.
Some of the oldest vehicles on display include a 1903 Holly, 1904 Sandusky, 1910 Sears, and a 1910 Buick.
Mark Lousberg, Meet Chairman and board member of the AACA local chapter, says, “You’ll be able to see very rare and unique vehicles at this show, including several Packards and a 1934 Desoto Airflow which was a leader in innovation with a very aerodynamic design and unibody construction. The muscle car era will also be well represented at the show.”
Two of the locally-manufactured cars at the show will be a 1909 Moline and a 1920 R&V Knight. The R&V stands for the Root & Van Dervoort Engineering Company, which was located in East Moline formerly on the grounds next to the Bend XPO. In fact, a portion of the automobile test track still exists at the northwest corner of 7th Street and 12th Avenue, East Moline. Before leaving the Root & Van Dervoort factory, every vehicle was run on the test track.
In 1904, the R&V company began a new venture to manufacture automobiles. A separate division from the engine company was formed under the name Moline Automobile Company, and in their inaugural year 19 cars were produced. They continued manufacturing cars until a significant downturn in the market brought the company’s liquidation in 1924.
Other locally-manufactured vehicles to see include a Velie car and an Independent truck.
About AACA of the Mississippi Valley Region
The Antique Automobile Club of America of the Mississippi Valley Region is one of the older regions of the AACA. It was established in the 1950s by a handful of car enthusiast to promote interest and preservation of antique automobiles, family enjoyment, friendship, and to learn and share knowledge with others, but mostly just to have fun.
About Visit Quad Cities
Founded in 1990, Visit Quad Cities is the official Destination Management and Marketing Organization (DMMO) for the region. Visit Quad Cities is a private 501(c)(6) non-profit engine charged with driving economic opportunity through tourism. The Bring It QC program connects Quad Citizens with the Visit Quad Cities team to identify potential new meetings, events, conventions, and conferences that could be held in the Quad Cities regional destination. Bring It QC provides another way for Visit Quad Cities to identify new business and lead generation opportunities to have an even bigger impact on our local economy and quality of life initiatives.
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Media Contact: Mark Lousberg, AACA MVC Board Member, 309-373-2169