The Glidden is the most prestigious tour of its kind in the United States. It began as a way for the American Automobile Association to demonstrate that the automobile was a practical, reliable means of transportation and not just a technical toy for the rich.
The original Glidden Tours were conducted annually from 1905-1913 by the American Automobile Association. Through the years these tours penetrated nearly every area of our country, over every type of road and surmounted every difficulty. The wealthy New England industrialist, Charles J. Glidden, not only established and participated in these tours but provided the trophies and incentives for the American Automobile Association members to demonstrate the complete reliability of their cars in the well-publicized tours, which immediately took the name of their proponent â Glidden. The original Glidden Tour trophy is on display at the American Automobile Association Headquarters in Washington, DC.
So successful were these tours that the automobile in America became quite popular by 1910 and completely reliable by 1913, with their electric lights, electric starters and demountable rims. There was no longer any need to demonstrate their reliability; everyone had come to accept the automobile as the modern means of personalized transportation and the day of the horse-drawn vehicle had ended. To be eligible for the modern Glidden tour, participants must drive a vehicle from 1942 or earlier, that meets the standards for authenticity set by the AACA. It must be owned and operated by a member of the AACA or Veteran Motor Club of America (VMCCA). This year’s tour will consist of six hundred historic vehicles.
On Thursday, September 13, 2007, the tour will travel to the AACA Museum in Hershey. Cars will begin arriving at the AACA Museum at approximately 11:00 AM. Over 275 vintage vehicles will fill the Museum’s parking areas from 11 AM until approximately 1 PM. Museum Executive Director, Patrick Foltz, notes that “the Glidden Tour is, in effect, a large ‘traveling museum exhibit.’ Wherever it stops, the parking lot becomes a major car show. It’s going to be a great day to visit the Museum. There’s going to be antique cars both inside and outside.”
The AACA Museum will be a participant in the 2007 edition of the tour. Museum staff and volunteers will pilot the Museum’s 1936 Convertible Sedan on at least one of the tour days. The blue four-door ragtop has a unique history of its own. It was used as the wedding car in the movie, “The Good Shepherd.” The car was also the subject of a feature in Classic & Sports Car Magazine, a popular international automotive publication.
For further information, please go here.
On Thursday, September 13, 2007, the tour will travel to the AACA Museum in Hershey. Cars will begin arriving at the AACA Museum at approximately 11:00 AM. Over 275 vintage vehicles will fill the Museum’s parking areas from 11 AM until approximately 1 PM. Museum Executive Director, Patrick Foltz, notes that “the Glidden Tour is, in effect, a large ‘traveling museum exhibit.’ Wherever it stops, the parking lot becomes a major car show. It’s going to be a great day to visit the Museum. There’s going to be antique cars both inside and outside.”
The AACA Museum will be a participant in the 2007 edition of the tour. Museum staff and volunteers will pilot the Museum’s 1936 Convertible Sedan on at least one of the tour days. The blue four-door ragtop has a unique history of its own. It was used as the wedding car in the movie, “The Good Shepherd.” The car was also the subject of a feature in Classic & Sports Car Magazine, a popular international automotive publication.
For further information, please go here.
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