A Course in Classic Cars

NEA Today, Apr 2004 by Zakim, Tamara

If you ask Pennsylvania member Fran Shore about her dream car, she'll tell you that it's already sitting in her driveway.

"BRANDY," AS SHORE AFFECTIONATELY calls her 1936 Buick Century convertible, is one of the half-dozen antique cars she and her husband, John, have restored over the past 30 years.

"I call her Brandy because she's a beautiful wine-colored car, but she also drinks gasoline like alcohol," explains Shore. Only 717 such cars were made in 1936, and Brandy is one of five remaining today. In addition to the Buick, the Shores have restored a 1929 Model A Ford, a 1922 Durant Touring car, a 1931 Willis Ford roadster, a 1962 Corvette, a 1978 Indy Racecar Corvette, and a 1946 Cushjnan motor scooter, all of which have been named national winners by the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA).

Since Shore's retirement in 1993, the couple has served as master judges for the AACA, driving their cars across the country to participate and judge as many as 12 shows a year. Shore has also been deeply committed to increasing youth interest in the antique car hobby. She's been the AACA National Youth Chair for seven years.

"As part of an educational program, I was taking a young group of children around the floor to look at the cars and all their parts," describes Shore. "A little boy tugged on my pant leg, looked up at me, and said, ? really like you/ And that's the message right there-no matter what your hobby is, you're always a teacher."

-TAMARA ZAKIM

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