Old Cars Weekly Golden Quill Awards 2009
Club publications honored for excellence
Interesting changes are filtering through club publications these days, and many of them are good. That’s the conclusion of Gerald Perschbacher, chief judge for Old Cars Weekly’s annual Golden Quill Award.
It’s not unusual for Perschbacher and the editorial staff of Old Cars Weekly to receive one or two inches of mail from car clubs each daily. Most items are publications, carefully and passionately compiled for the betterment of each club and for the overall advancement of the hobby.
“Club editors are on the front line of our hobby, communicating with their members and spreading positive public relations that can strengthen memberships and attract newcomers,” Perschbacher said. “Over the past two years, there has been a shift in the manner of production and the planned outreach through layout.”
He says the hobby is fast approaching the midpoint in clubs offering their publication via e-mail, “a fine improvement on speedy delivery and less cost. On the down side, there won’t be many copies printed for future reference. And if they are, the print quality may vary depending on a member’s computer.” This holds true for local and regional clubs. “A club’s publication is its historical vehicle,” he noted.
National vintage car clubs still enjoy the privilege of printing on quality paper stock. It’s costly, but most have a financial base that is healthy enough to shoulder it. Since those publications offer historical perspectives that are hard to find elsewhere, and since they attract respected experts on the subjects, a printed copy is archival. Not so for e-mail versions. At least, not yet.
Layouts seem “to grab the reader more than before, with some outstanding covers on national and regional publications,” Perschbacher said. He explained that, instead of a 3/4 or 7/8 view of an old car, photographers are using vintage pictures, creative angles, digitally enhanced collages and close-ups. Distortion is at a minimum, and if it is used, it has purpose and adds an artistic flair that intrigues the reader at first glance. A cover should entice an individual to open up and read inside. In 2009, a host of regional clubs have caught on to the method.
A number of publications appear to have slimmed or trimmed in order to survive amid financial constraints. Hopefully, they will flourish in the future. Other publications are holding their ground, not wishing to change much in content, design and creativity. Some past winners may not have kept up with “competitors.”
For the Golden Quill Awards, publications are grouped and judged against similar publications. Criteria include the dimensions of the publication, page count, quality of paper and printing, color use (as applicable), binding and budget limits.
“There seem to be less compressed photos, and that’s probably a good thing. Readers want to see an old car the way it really appears, not squeezed or stretched merely to fit a space. For editors who haven’t discovered this basic truth, maybe 2010 will be their year of professional-grade discovery,” Perschbacher noted.
The best candidates for awards are those publications that strike a favorable balance of club members content, old cars, historical applications, new information, technical explanations, entertaining articles, event coverage and, in some cases, ads.
“The best criteria is this: The publication should serve its club at a high degree,” Perschbacher said.
“Sometimes it boils down to the chief judge and Old Cars Weekly editorial experts deciding if a publication just seems to ‘have it’ where it’s needed. Kind of like judging a good old car at a nice show.”
If you feel your club has an outstanding publication but is not listed here, perhaps it’s because your club has not sent copies for consideration. Copies are to be sent to two addresses: Gerald Perschbacher, 8868 Rock Forest Dr., St. Louis, MO 63123-1116, and to Editor, Old Cars Weekly, 700 E. State St., Iola, WI 54990. In order to maintain competitive fairness, electronic publications must be printed and mailed. Printed issues will be eligible to appear in the weekly “Club Clips” column.
NATIONAL AWARDS
Luxury Size
Air Cooled News, Pierre F. & Susan R. Lavedan, co-editors, The H.H. Franklin Club, Inc.
American Motoring, Cheryl Samuel & Mike Spangler, editors, American Motors Owners Association
Antique Automobile, West Peterson, editor in chief, Antique Automobile Club of America
The Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club Newsletter, Josh B. Malks, editor, Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club
Avanti Magazine, Lewis Schucart, editor, Avanti Owners Association
The Bulb Horn, Anne Morris, editor, The Veteran Motor Car Club of America
The Classic Car, Ron Verschoor, editor, Classic Car Club of America
The Corvette Restorer, Vennie Peters, editor, National Corvette Restorers Society
Double Clutch, Greg Matecko, editor, Antique Truck Club of America
Generator & Distributor, Dennis & Jean Fink, editors, Vintage Chevrolet Club of America
Healey Marque, Reid Trummel, editor, Austin-Healey Club of America
Horseless Carriage Gazette, John C. Meyer III, editor, Horseless Carriage Club of America
The Ignitor, John Teel, editor, The Spark Plug Collectors of America
Jaguar Journal, Michael L. Cook, editor, Jaguar Clubs of North America
LaCad Magazine, Terry & Robyn Griffin, editors, Cadillac-Lasalle Club of Australia
Lincoln And Continental Comments, Tim Howley, editor, Lincoln & Continental Owners Club
Model A News, Helen Ehrenhofer, editor, Model A Restorers Club
Model T Times, Steve Hubert, editor, The Model T Ford Club International, Inc.
The Packard Cormorant, Stuart Blond, editor, Packard Automobile Classics
Packards International Magazine, Don Hull, editor, Packards International Motor Car Club
The Plymouth Bulletin, Lanny Knutson, editor, Plymouth Owners Club
Porsche Panorama, Betty Jo Turner, editor, Porsche Club of America, Inc.
Porsche 356 Registry, Gordon Maltby, editor, Porsche 356 Registry
Quicksilver, Todd Haefer, editor, International Mercury Owners Association
Smoke Signals, Donald J. Keefe, editor in chief, Pontiac-Oakland Club International
The Star, Jim Luikens, editor, Mercedes-Benz Club of America
The Starter, Ed Hanish, Willys-Overland?-Knight Registry
Turning Wheels, Art Unger & Ann Turner, editors, The Studebaker Drivers Club
V8 Times, Jerry Windle, editor, Early Ford V-8 Club of America
The Vintage Ford, Jay Klehfoth, editor, Model T Ford Club of America
Wheels of Time, Stormy Wylie, editor, American Truck Historical Society
The White Triangle News, Sam Jackson, editor, Hudson-Essex-Terraplane Club, Inc.
Intermediate Size
Action Era Vehicle, Charles R. Smith, editor, The Contemporary Historical Vehicle Association
The Arrow, Roger J. Sherman, editor, Pierce-Arrow Society
Bulletin, Ron Verschoor, editor, Classic Car Club of America
Citroënthusiast, George Dyke & John McCulloch, editors, Citroën Club of North America
DeSoto Adventures, Judith Alta Kidder, editor, National DeSoto Club, Inc.
Enjine! Enjine!, Scott Rollins, editor, Society for the Preservation and Appreciation of Antique Motor Fire Apparatus in America
Journey With Olds, Brad Bishop, editor, The Oldsmobile Club of America
The Legend, Tom Szymczyk, editor, GTO Association of America
The News Counselor, Fred Mauck, editor, Packards International Motor Car Club
The Nomad Post, John Lee, editor, Chevrolet Nomad Association
On Solid Ground, Ken Amrick, editor, Solid Axle Corvette Club
Pur Sang, Tom Clifford, editor, American Bugatti Club
The Review, Ray Knott, editor, Riviera Owners Association
The Skyliner, Edward Albracht, Jr., editor, International Ford Retractable Club
Stutz News, William J Greer, editor, The Stutz Club, Inc.
The Way of the Zephyr, David L. Cole, editor, Lincoln-Zephyr Owners Club
Woodie Times, John Lee, editor, National Woodie Club Inc.
WPC News, Richard Bowman, editor, The WPC Club, Inc.
Compact Size
Airflow Newsletter, Jerry Allstott, editor, The Airflow Club of America, Inc.
The American Austin Bantam Club News, Bob & Cathy Cunningham, editors, The American Austin Bantam Club
AM Spirit, Steve Johnston, editor, Northern Ramblers Car Club of Canada
ASWOA, Tim Cleary, editor, American Station Wagon Owners Association
At the Sign of the Cat, Kamran Waheed, Cougar Club of America
The Brickline, John T. Blair, editor, Bricklin International Owners Club, Inc.
Chrysler 300 Club News, Andy Mikonis, editor, Chrysler 300 Club International, Inc.
The Cormorant News Bulletin, Craig Handley, Packard Automobile Classics
CORSA Communique, Mike McGowan, editor, Corvair Society of America (Corsa)
Crosley Quarterly, Fred Syrdal, editor, Crosley Automobile Club
Driveshaft, Doug Buhrer, editor, Lambda Car Club International
The Durant Partner, Carol Fogarazzo, editor, Durant Motors Automobile Club
The Early Bird, Lin Somsak, editor, Classic Thunderbird Club International
E-Ford Lines, Judy Berrian, editor, European Ford Owners North America
’53-54 Buick Skylark, Joanna Depeppo, editor, ‘53-’54 Buick Skylark Club
Fomoco Times, Paul Placek, editor, Crown Victoria Association
Front Wheel Driver, Mike Vogt, editor, Toronado Owners Association
Jeepster News, James J. Sommer, Editor, Willys-Overland-Jeepster Club
Kaiser Frazer Owners Club International Monthly News Bulletin, Barbara Mueller, editor, Kaiser Frazer Owners Club International
The Lincoln Owners Club News-Letter, David W. Schultz, editor, Lincoln Owners Club
The Marmon News, Ron Barnett, editor, The Marmon Club
1930 Marquette Automobile Owners International Registry, Mike Balogh, editor, 1930 Marquette Automobile Owners International Registry
Minutia, Richard Campbell, editor, The Microcar & Minicar Club, Inc.
Mitchell Motormouth, Tony Zimmerman, editor, Mitchell Club
Morris Gazette, Joe Mercer, editor, Comgo
The National Falcon News, Wendy Crosby, editor, Falcon Club of America
News-Flite, Andy Mikonis, editor, Chrysler 300 Club International, Inc.
The Nomad Post, John Lee, editor, Chevrolet Nomad Association
North American Singer Owners Club News, Phillip Avis, editor, North American Singer Owners Club
The Professional Car, Walter McCall, publications chairman, The Professional Car Society
REO Echo, Butch Pream & Martin Moody, editors, The Reo Club of America
Rotunda Times, Steve Rohde, editor, Ford & Mercury Restorer’s Club of America
Runabouts To Rockets, Wendy Crosby, editor, National Antique Oldsmobile Club
The Self-Starter, Steve Stewart, editor, The Cadillac-Lasalle Club, Inc.
SPAAMFAA Silver Trumpet, Roger Birchfield, editor, SPAAMFAA
Supercharger, Harold Loutzenheiser, editor, Graham Owners Club
300 Starletter, Jim Luikens, editor, Gull Wing Group International
Talegate, Chuck Snyder, editor, The International Station Wagon Club
TC America Newsletter, B. Karleen Tarola, president, TC America, Inc.
Thunder & Lightning, Nathan Olson, editor, Hurst/Olds Club of America
Thunderbird Script, Kathy Holton, editor, International Thunderbird Club
Thunderbird Scoop, Terri McNeill, editor, Vintage Thunderbird Club International
The Vintage Triumph, Mike Cook, editor, The Vintage Triumph Register
Tucker Topics, Pat Fortin & Bill Pommering, editors, The Tucker Automobile Club of America, Inc.
Viva Carrera!, Bill Culver, editor, The Road Race Lincoln Register
VSA, Jim Bates, editor, Volvo Sports America/1800 Register, Inc.
Wheels-N-Waves, Keith Mathiowetz, editor, International Amphicar Owners Club
WPC News, Richard Bowman, editor, The WPC Club, Inc.
REGIONS AND CHAPTERS
Full-Size
The Arrow Driver, Greg Loftness, editor, Midwest Region, Pierce-Arrow Society
The Bird’s Nest, Don Seymour, president/magazine editor, New England’s Vintage Thunderbirds
Caddie Chronicle, Vince Taliano, editor, Potomac Region, Cadillac-Lasalle Club
Cormorant Flier, Karl Henry, editor, Wisconsin Packard Club
The Dashboard, Donald Wright, editor, Greater Illinois Region, Classic Car Club of America
Driven Living the Legend, Anna Lewellen, editor, Shelby American Automobile Club of Northern California
Excitement, Bill Wolf, editor, South Jersey Pontiac Chapter, Pontiac-Oakland Club International
Fiero Focus, Michelle & Scott Savage, editors, Northern Illinois Fiero Enthusiasts
The Hood Release, Jana Freedman, editor, Oregon Region, Classic Car Club of America
The Hub Cap, Joyce Edfors, editor, Wisconsin Region, Classic Car Club of America
Keystone Keynotes, Sidney Kertzel, editor, Keystone Region Chapter, Studebaker Drivers Club
Linechaser, Sandy Felde, editor, Minnesota Street Rod Association
Members’ Parade, Brooke Davis, editor, Hornets Nest Region, Antique Automobile Club of America
Metropolitan Skyline, Grace Gluck, editor, Metro Region, Classic Car Club of America
Northern Lights, Donna & Bill Dirnberger, editors, Minnesota Region, Antique Automobile Club of America
Northern Lights, Bob Porter, editor, Ohio Region, Classic Car Club of America
Oregon Clipper, David Charvet, editor, Oregon Region, Packards International Motorcar Club
Prix Views, Dee Schaudek, editor, Grand Prix Chapter, Pontiac-Oakland Club International
Professional Car Collector, Louis C. Farah, editor, Professional Car International
Road Chatter, Ken & Carolyn Bounds, editors, Northern Illinois Regional Group #8, Early Ford V-8 Club
Royal Goat Tales, Tom Somerville, editor, GTO Association of America
The Superior Times, Brady D. Smith, editor, Mid-Michigan Chapter, Professional Car Society
Torque, Tom Goad, editor, Michigan Region, Classic Car Club of America
Compacts
Blue Smoke, Karl Henry, editor, Central Chapter, Lincoln-Zephyr Owners Club
BOOMtimes, William Anderson, editor, Buick Owners of Maryland
The Brass Lamp, Bill Devore, editor, Genesee Valley Antique Car Society, Antique Automobile Club of America
Cadillac Past, Chris Milici, editor, New England Region, Cadillac-LaSalle Club
Carolina Roadmaster, Rob Grindstaf, editor, Carolina Chapter, Buick Club of America
Connector, Ed & Chris Gray, editors, Pacific Northwest Region, Lincoln & Continental Owners Club
Hexagon, Jon Hatfield, editor, Mid-Atlantic Packards
The Lord Nuffield Crier, Bob & Lynne Mendelsohn, editors, Ohio Chapter, New England MG “T” Register
Mid-Atlantic Mayflower, David Young, editor, Mid-Atlantic Region, Plymouth Owners Club
The Oakland Digest, Tim Dye, editor, All American Oakland Chapter, Pontiac-Oakland Club International
On Call, Bee Hamlin, editor, Mid-Atlantic Chapter, Professional Car Society
Pan Siftings, Ray Maier, editor, St. Cloud Antique Auto Club
Portland Gas Leak, Keith Townsend, president, Portland Regional Group, Horseless Carriage Club of America
Snic Braaapp, Bob Streepy, editor, Illinois Sports Owners Association
The Standard, Katie Robbins, Motor City Region, Cadillac-LaSalle Club
Wheeling The “A,” Sue Quam, editor, Wisconsin Chapter Model “A” Ford Club of America
Sub Compacts
Asphalt Angels, Beth Bandy, editor, Asphalt Angels Car Club of Maryland
Autograf, Jim & Kay Scott, editors, Mississippi Valley Region, Antique Automobile Club of America
Birds-Eye View, Bob Depaola, editor, Chapter 78, Classic Thunderbird Club International
The Criterion, Gregg Merksamer, editor, Northeast Chapter, The Professional Car Society
The Bow Tie Bulletin, Ron Panicucci, editor, Jersey Lakeland Region, Vintage Chevrolet Club of America
The Dagmar, Dave Leger, editor, Rocky Mountain Region, Cadillac-LaSalle Club
Great Lakes Archer, Bill Morris, editor, Great Lakes Region, Pierce-Arrow Society
Hawkeye Hexagon, Dick Boswell, editor, Iowa Hawkeye Packards Region, Packard Automobile Classics
The Mobile Director, Joel Klassen, editor, Sunday Afternoon Car Klub
The Nuts and Bolts, Anita Kirk, editor, Antique Automobile Club of Cape Canaveral
Planetary News, Mike Zahorik, editor, Milwaukee Model T Club
Porthole, Marge Dahl, editor, Gopher State Chapter, Buick Club of America
Rocket Review Quarterly, Scott Phillips, editor, Capitol City Rockets, Oldsmobile Club of America
Sidemount, Eugene Shild, editor, Packards of Chicagoland
Velie, Chuck Hoaglund, editor, Velie Registry Newsletter, Horseless Carriage Club of America
Wide Tracking, Greg Sereico, editor, GTO Association of Pennsylvania
HONORABLE MENTION
Airhorn, Charley Biddle, Chicagoland Enthusiasts
Arc & Spark, John Mclellan, Kalamazoo Antique Auto Restorers Club
Autoluxe, Dave Bishop,Editor,Lcci Nutmeg Chapter
The Avanti Arrow, Thomas Gipe, Editor, St. Louis Gateway Chapter , Avanti Owners Association International
Badger Bullet – N, Ernie Loga, Editor, Badger Wheels Studebaker Drivers Club
Badger Chatter, Keith Baker, Editor, Badger State Chapter Poci
Bird – News, Bert Eisenhour, Editor, Classic Thunderbird Club Of Chicagoland – Ctci Chapter 9
1915 – 1918 Buick & Mclaughlin Owners Newsletter Group, Dean Tryon, Editor, 1915 – 1918 Buick & Mclaughlin Owners
Cadillac Lasalle Club St. Louis Region, George Bergen, Editor, Cadillac Lasalle Club St. Louis Region
Classic Vibrations, Greg, Stachura, Editor, Michigan Region – Classic Car Club Of America
Clutch Chatter, June Whitmer, Editor, Tri-County Aaca
Coastal Rambler, Lynne Pinto, Editor, First Coast Amc Of Florida
Cole Bulletin, Leroy Cole, Editor Cole Motor Car Club Of America
Christian Rod & Customs, Jerry Spear, President,United Christina Street Rods, Christian Rod & Customs
Data Plate, Carol Hoyle, Editor, Mid-Atlantic Packards – A Region Of Packard Automobile Classics
Dairyland Digest, Ken Bartz, Editor, The Plymouth Owners Club
The Dipstick, Ronald Struewing, Editor, The Tidewater Mg Classics Car Club
Exhaust Notes, The Shadow, Editor, Volkswagen Club Of Sheboygan
The Exhaust Whistle, Robert Hinds, Editor, Aaaca Dixie Region
’54 Ford Club Of America, Tom Hoskins, President, ’54 Ford Club Of America
52nd Street News, Mike Spangler, Editor, South East Wisconsin Chapter Of Amo
Ford Words, Phil Vinson, President, Early Ford V8 Club Of America East Tennessee Regional Group
Ford Script News, George Ball, Editor, St. Louis Regional Group # 124, The Early Ford V-8 Club Of Americfrom
The Corral, Bill Krieger, Editor, Northern Mustang Corral
Flyer, Marty Hanson, Editor, The Freewheelers Car Club San Francisco Historical Automobile Society
Futurliner News, Dean Tyron, Editor, Gm Futurliner Restoration Project
The Gaslite Gaze-Atte, Bob Trueax, Editor, Mid Valley Historical Auto Club – The Antique Automobile Club Of America
The Golden Fin Society Letter, Jack Lewis, Editor, The Golden Fin Society
The Gearbox Chatter, Rosebud, Editor, West Michigan Regional Group Horseless Carriage Club Of America
The Herald, Tony Karsnia, Editor, Cadillac & Lasalle Club Northstar Region
Hexagon, Jon Hatfield, Editor, Mid-Atlantic Packards, Inc.
Hexagon News, Bob Zimmerman, Editor, Packards International Midwest Region
Hoosier Ramblings, Joseph & Debi Fougerousse, Editors, Hoosier Amc Club
Hudsonews, Richard Low, Editor, Dixie Chapter Hudson Essex – Terraplane Club
The Iowa Corvair Connection, Jon Crisman, Editor, Iowa Corvair Enthusiasts Chapter # 526, Of The Corvair Society Of America – Corsa
Jetsetter, Sarah Young, Editor, Jetset Hudson Enthusiasts
Mid-South Chapter Triangle, Nell Owen, Editor, Mid-South Chapter Of The Hudson Essex Terraplane Club, Inc
Mountain West Street News, Bob & Louise Eames, Editors
Oily Rag, John Bishop, Editor, Rods-N-Relics Car Club, Ltd.
Pcn, Chris Dubuque, Editor, Citroen Car Club – Northwest Citroen Owner’s Club – Citroen Autoclub Canada
Pegasus Pages, Wayne Hudson, Editor, Minnesoto Fieros Forever
Peregrin Press, Philip Barber, Editor, The Mason Dixon Chapter, Falcon Club Of America
Phantoms News, Ron Bystrom, President, Phantoms Motor/Model Club
The Pious Pelican, Bud Juneau, Editor, Northern California Packards, A Region Of The Packard Club, Packard Automobile Classics, Inc.
The Polishing Rag, Forrest Honebrink & Francis Kalvoda, Editors, Willmar Car Club
Pony Xpress, Mike, Deliberto, Editor, Garden State Region Mustang Club
The Popper, Leone Junck, Editor, Tall Corn Region Aaca
The Professional Car Collector, Louis Farah, Editor, Professional Cars International
Puget Sounds, Ray & Sherry Bunn, Editors, The Early Ford V-8 Club Puget Shound Regional Group
Redline Times, George Boeckel, President, The Goat Herd Gto Club Of Oregon
The River Cities Running Board, Al Lugo, Editor, River Cities Model “ A” Ford Club
Sidelights, Sylvia Lauridsen, Editor, Illinois Region, Aaca
Silver Dome Gazette, Norm Frey, Editor, California Chrylser Product Club
The Solenoid, Michael Berckart, Editor, Great Autos Of Yesteryear
The Steering Wheel, Ed Meyer, Editor, Mo/Il Gateway Chapter Studebaker Drivers Club
Studebaker Spokesman, Claude Chmielewski, Editor, Wisconsin Region Studebaker Drivers Club
The Sun Visor, Kevin Lathrop, Editor, Orange Blossom Chapter Hudson – Essex & Terraplane Club
Tailfin, Mike & Nancy Book, Editors, Central Ohio Region Cadillac Lasalle Club
Three Pedal Press, Dave Deyoung, Editor, The Wisconsin Capital Model T Ford Club
Tough Americans, Jack Jocewicz, Editor, National American Motors Drivers & Racers Association
Twin Ports Mustang & Ford Times, Judy Aunet & Kim Culp, Editors, Twin Ports Mustang & Ford Club Mustang Club Of America
The Voice, Dave Bajumpaa, Editor, Connecticut Council Of Car Clubs
Wow, Rudy & Ruth Ann Domke, Editors, Western Regional Chapter W.O.K.R.
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