You’ve now read about the Car Corral and the RM/Sotheby’s auction, both huge elements of AACA’s Fall Hershey meet (and that’s not to mention the Flea Market, which I did not tour this year). But the event’s raison d’être is the judged car show, only eligible to vehicles meeting AACA’s class categories (twenty-five years old and older, and in stock, unmodified condition). It has always been held on the show’s final day, which for decades was Saturday, until Hersheypark requested its move to Friday.
And while it’s a rain-or-shine event, wet weather keeps the cars and the spectators home. Thankfully, the last several years have been rewarded with glorious sunny and mild days. Social media reports estimate that there were over 1,000 show vehicles on the ground, and after walking the field, I have no reason to doubt that.
I’m always drawn to the rare, unique, and unusual cars at Hershey, and my photos below reflect that. What’s nice about AACA’s classes is that the cars are organized by class, so if you want to see Mustangs, they’re grouped together, as are Volkswagens, Ford Model Ts, brass-era cars, and high-performance vehicles. The field is relatively flat, making it less of an effort to hike its large expanse. I arrived at 9 a.m. this year and covered what I wanted to see in about three hours. It was a most pleasant way to end my annual visit to Hershey.
SIDEBAR: Dave and his 1955 Thunderbird (again)
Way back in 2021, at the Saratoga Springs, NY AACA Nationals, I met Dave Berkey who was there with his 1955 Thunderbird, and featured him in this blog post. A short while later, Dave found out about it, contacted me, and we have been friends ever since.
Dave and his beautiful ‘bird were again at an AACA show, this time, Hershey 2026. He delighted in bringing me up to speed with stories about his car at shows like Greenbrier and the Audrain Museum (where just a few weeks ago his car was awarded “Best American Car 1945-1960”).
To my eye, his ’55 looks at good as it did when I first saw it five years ago, a testament to the care he’s lavished on it. Among a sea of Baby Birds, which are plentiful at any AACA show, Dave’s car continues to stand out!
Entire blog post content copyright © 2026 Richard A. Reina. Text and photos may not be copied or reproduced without express written permission.
What great variety. I’m liking the blue cars, the Elan and Porsche in one photo and of course the R8 Gordini. Nice follow up on Dave and his TBird. I went back and re-read your 2021 piece. It looks like he has yet to get to the point he mentioned then: “…once this award circuit is done, I’m putting it on the road and plan to enjoy some time behind the wheel!” I hope he gets to drive it at times.
Hi Bob, and thanks as always for the comments. I must say that when I wrote the post I picked up on those same words from Dave back in 2021! I think that he has been enjoying the accolades, but again this year, he told me that he expects to start driving the car more “soon”. Best, Richard