Welcome to the Contraband Chapter of the Antique Automobile Club of America also known as AACA. This is one of the largest clubs in the world that is dedicated to the preservation of automotive history.
Monthly meetings are held the first Monday of each month at Walk-Ons located at 5313 Common Street in Lake Charles, La.
The AACA has its national headquarters in Hershey, PA and is divided into Divisions and Regions. Some Regions are further divided into Chapters. The AACA also maintains a Library and Research center in Hershey, PA. Your Chapter is part of the Louisiana Region and is in the Central Division. The Louisiana Region consists of 5 Chapters. They are Baton Rouge, CENLA, Contraband, Evangeline, and Lagniappe.
The aim of the AACA is preservation of the automobile and its history. To this end vehicles that are at least 25 years old and equipped as they would have been when delivered new are eligible for the various club activities. The major activities being Tours and Meets (shows) most of which are open to all members.
Starting at the Chapter level and working up activities are:
Chapter – In addition to its scheduled business meetings each chapter has local tours or shows throughout the year. These are generally 1-day events but may be longer. Each chapter hosts one Region level tour/show every other year.
Region – The Louisiana Region holds two business meetings per year. One is held in
conjunction with the Louisiana Tour held in May and the other is the annual December meeting. The Louisiana Tour is hosted on a rotating basis by the various Chapters.
Division – There are 4 geographic Divisions – Eastern, Southeastern, Central and Western. Divisional Tours and Meets are held at various locations and times during the year. Regions within the Division host these. The tours at this level are normally 3 – 5 days. These Tours and Meets are open to all AACA recognized vehicles.
National – The Annual Meeting is held in February and consists of business meetings, seminars and award presentations. The Annual Grand National Meet is held at various locations and normally held in conjunction with one of the Division Meets. This meet is open only to Senior awarded vehicles.
There are several Tours held throughout the year. Each tour location varies from
year to year as the various Regions host them. They are 4 – 6 days long and most are restricted to certain vehicle age groups.
The various Tours are:
Reliability Tour – For pre 1916 vehicles and held on even number years
Sentimental Tour – For 1928 to 1958 vehicles and held on even number years
Vintage Tour – For vehicles pre 1932 and held on odd number years
AAA Glidden Tour – For vehicles 1942 and earlier and held annually
Founders Tour – For vehicles 1932 and up and held annually
At Meets (shows) vehicles are judged in classes against a standard rather than each other. There is also a Driver Participation class that is not judged but given recognition for participating. This is just a brief overview of activities. When you become a member of Contraband Chapter, you will receive the Antique Automobile Magazine in the mail and local newsletters via email with upcoming events and dates.
The AACA website has more in-depth information on the activities, forums and all things AACA.
Our Chapter’s Founding
By Harry Kleinman, Historian
Louisiana Region, AACA
On March 9, 1964, a letter was sent to the National Headquarters of the Antique Automobile Club of America requesting assistance in the formation of an antique car club in Lake Charles, Louisiana. After receiving the requested material, interested persons met at the home of O.A. Delord. At this meeting it was unanimously agreed that the suggested organizational outline offered by the AACA be followed and that the club become affiliated with the AACA.
Another organizational meeting was held on November l, 1964, at Mr. Delord’s home. Those present were Mr. Delord, Lee Gunn, H.L. Hutchison, Ray McKeever, John Savage, Russell Carre and Dick Gines. These persons agreed that the application for a charter be made through the Louisiana Region in Baton Rouge to become a Chapter in the Antique Automobile Club of America and that this Chapter be known as the Contraband Chapter AACA.
The following officers were elected at this meeting to serve on an interim basis until the Chapter received recognition from the National Association: President, O.A. Delord, Vice President, Ray McKeever; Secretary, H.L. Hutchison; Treasurer, Lee Gunn.
The official application for a charter was made on January 12, 1965. The Chapter headquarters was to be 1917 Westwood Street, Lake Charles, Louisiana, with the aforementioned officers listed. Those AACA members who signed the application were H.L. Hutchison, Ray McKeever, Lee Gunn, John Savage and O.A. Delord.
After receiving the charter, the new Contraband Chapter AACA met again at the home of O.A. Delord. It was moved and seconded that the suggested Uniform By-Laws as recommended by the National Association be adopted for the Contraband Chapter AACA. It was moved and seconded that the officers who had previously been elected to serve on an interim basis be re-elected to serve until February l, 1966. Membership dues were set at $5.00 per year with the exception of students who would pay $3.50 per year.
Contraband Chapter of Louisiana Region AACA 