Thursday, September 17, 2009

NECCM Announces Annual Classic Casino Night

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Northeast Classic Car Museum is holding its Classic Casino Night 2009 on Friday, October 9, 2009 from 6-10pm.

With $30,000 in "classic cash", attendees can play blackjack, Texas Hold 'Em, roulette, craps and other games of chance. Any "classic cash" won can be used for the exciting auction of local products and gifts which rounds out this evening of casual fun. Tickets for this annual fundraiser are now available for purchase at $60 per person and also include hors d'oerves, dinner, and drinks. Reservations are required by October 2, 2009 and can be made by contacting the Museum at 607-334-2886.

This evening is made possible by generous sponsorships and donations from local businesses. To become a sponsor, please contact Executive Director Doreen Bates.

Monday, August 31, 2009

History of the Automobile, Part II

The mission of the Northeast Classic Car Museum consists of educating the public on different aspects of the automobile and its history throughout the years. This is the 2nd in a series of 5, originally published in the Norwich Evening Sun in 2006.

In 1919, Sinclair Lewis wrote whimsically of his adventures in a Model T. One of the most famous books, which is now a standard text in high school and university courses on American literature in countries around the world, was F. Scott Fitzgerald’s, ‘The Great Gatsby,” which portrayed the cynicism of post-World War I by the use of Gatsby’s cream-colored Rolls-Royce. In 1962, William Faulkner wrote about human frailties against the backdrop of an early Winton Flyer automobile in his classic, “The Reivers.” Other books such as “Christine,” by Stephen King, were also centered on automobiles.

Even more than writers, composers of popular music were attracted to cars. Between 1905 and 1908, more than 120 songs were written in which the automobile was the subject. The automotive themes of these songs reflected the general culture of the automotive industry: sexual adventure, liberation from social control, and masculine power. Titles include “In My Merry Oldsmobile,” “Tumble in a Rumble Seat,” “On the Back Seat of A Henry Ford,” up to the contemporary songs such as “Mustang Sally,” “Little Deuce Coupe,” “Little Red Corvette,” and “Pink Cadillac.” Trucking songs, such as “King of the Road,” “On the Road Again,” and others too numerous to name are immensely popular. In 1929, American Paul Galvin, the head of Galvin Manufacturing Corporation, invented the first car radio. The first car radios were not available from car makers. Consumers had to purchase the radios separately. Galvin coined the name “Motorola” for the company’s new products, combining the idea of motion and radio.

The Los Angeles Music Center and Museum of Contemporary Art commissioned several playwrights to create original ten-minute scripts to be acted out in automobiles and the film industry has relied heavily on the automobile, ranging from “It’s a Mad, Mad, Mad World,” “Bonnie and Clyde,” the “Dukes of Hazzard,” “Starsky and Hutch” and hundreds of other movies with chase scenes. Television made the automobile the star of the show in “My Mother the Car,” and “Knight Rider,” in which KITT was smarter than any of the rest of the cast. The Northeast Classic Car Museum has a 1981 DeLorean that visitors remember as “the Back to the Future Car.”

Artists followed Toulouse-Lautrec’s lead from his 1896 lithograph, “The Motorist,” to take up brushes and portray the essence of the automobile. Some used their brushes in cartoon fashion to show it as a toy for the idle rich. Andy Warhol saw art in a Campbell soup can and also painted a series devoted to gruesome car wrecks. Other artists see the automobile as a graceful, flowing form of man-made beauty, an art in itself.

Cars have been named after animals, stars, heroes and mythology and ownership came to be associated with independence, freedom, and increased status. The culture in the 1950s and 1960s often catered to the automobile with motels and drive-in restaurants. Americans tend to view obtaining a driver’s license as a rite of passage and most Americans of all ages and genders expect to own and drive cars.



Article written by Audrey Robinson and Richard Ellinwood of the NECCM Education Committee. Reprinted courtesy of The Evening Sun, Norwich, NY.

Friday, July 24, 2009

History of the Automobile, Part I

The mission of the Northeast Classic Car Museum consists of educating the public on different aspects of the automobile and its history throughout the years. Much of what the Museum offers intertwines with the criteria that can be assimilated with the New York State Learning Standards. This is the first article in a series of 5 that was published in The Evening Sun in November 2006to celebrate National Education Week.

The automobile flashed onto the scene like a meteor, changing the entire economy and the national way-of-life. No one was prepared for it. Generations of horse-drawn road transportation had created a complex system of industries on which the automobile had a damaging effect. The continuing changes and reasons for them were not so obvious to automotive pioneers. It was, after all, a learn-as-you-go process with no precedents.

Automotive history is generally divided into a number of eras based on the major design and technology shifts. Although the exact boundaries of each era can be hazy, they can be defined as follows: Veteran era (1800-1900), Brass era (1903-1920), Vintage (1919-1929), Pre-War (1930-1948), Post-War (1949-1970) and Modern (1970-on). Corresponding historical periods were: The Development of Modern America (1865-1920); Modern American and the World Wars (1914-1945) and Contemporary America (1945 to the present).

By 1900 mass production of automobiles had begun in France and the United States. Throughout the veteran car era automobiles were seen as more of a novelty than a genuinely useful device. Breakdowns were frequent, fuel was difficult to obtain, and rapid innovation meant that a year-old car was nearly worthless. New York became the first state in the US to require automobile license plates in April of 1901. Automobile owners were charged a fee of $1.


Named for the widespread use of brass in the United States, the Brass or Edwardian era lasted from roughly 1905 through the beginning of World War I in 1914. 1905 was a signal year in the development of the automobile, marking the point when the majority of sales shifted from the hobbyist and enthusiast to the average user. Cars of the period include the Ford Model T, the most widely produced and available car of the era. There were, however, scores of other small, start-up manufacturers (often businesses that made buggies and carriages) that started making automobiles.


The vintage era lasted from the end of World War I (1919) through the stock market crash at the end of 1929. During this period, the front-engine car came to dominate, with closed bodies and standardized controls.

The pre-war part of the classic era began with the Great Depression in 1930 and ended with the recovery after World War II, commonly placed at 1948. By the 1930’s, most of the technology used in automobiles had been invented. After 1930, the number of auto manufacturers declined sharply as the industry consolidated and matured.

Throughout the 1950’s post-war era, engine power and vehicle speeds rose, designs became more integrated and artful, and cars spread across the world. The market changed somewhat in the 1960’s, as Detroit began to experience foreign competition, the European makers adopted ever-higher technology, and Japan appeared as a serious car-producing nation. In America, performance was the hot sell of the 1960’s, with pony cars and muscle cars propping up the domestic industry. Everything changed in the 1970’s as the oil crisis, automobile emissions control rules, Japanese and European imports, and stagnant innovation wreaked havoc on the American industry. Throughout the decade, small imported cars gained in customer favor and the sale of the larger, American-made automobiles began to decline.

The modern era is normally defined as the 25 years preceding the current year. However, there are some technical and design aspects that differentiate modern cars from antiques. Without considering the future of the car, the modern era has been one of increasing standardization, platform sharing, and computer-aided design. Three types of body styles have changed in the modern era. The hatchback, minivan, and sport utility vehicle, dominate today’s market yet are relatively recent concepts. Modern cars include the Ford Taurus, which dominated the American market in the late 1980s and the SUVs and Vans so popular today.

Change is in the air, and once again we’re faced with choices. We’ve become a nation dependent on a method of individual transportation, yet we’ve discovered the choices of the past haven’t always led to the clear, bright future we imagined. The early car makers were powered by a need to develop a safe, economical and drivable automobile. Early inventors could not have imagined the population – of people and cars – in the world today. Still, as uncomfortable as it can be, change is often good. New ideas are generated and explored. New technologies and fuels may prove more fantastic than we had ever dreamed. But, by being willing to imagine and change, we can drive into the future in style.

Article written by Audrey Robinson and Richard Ellinwood of the NECCM Education Committee. Reprinted courtesy of The Evening Sun, Norwich, NY.

Tuesday, June 2, 2009

NECCM unveils new building, exhibits!

On May 15, 2009, over 300 members, exhibitors, and invited guests attended the Grand Opening of the Northeast Classic Car Museum's (NECCM) new building. Local vendors graciously provided samples of their food specialties in the Museum's newly expanded event space.

The new exhibit space currently boasts a limited-time display of "Antique Tractors" – 16 restored workhorses dating from the turn of the century through 1967. The Museum's collection of Franklins, the largest in the world, found a new home in the building as well. Joining the air-cooled beauties already on exhibit are a 1909 Touring model, and a 1934 Airman Sedan – one of the last known Franklins ever built.

The new building, which adjoins the previous Museum buildings, was donated to NECCM by Harold Ray. Formerly the site of the Bennett-Ireland company, the building was renovated thanks to generous contributions from local corporate, foundation, and individual donors. In collaboration with the Chenango County Historical Society (CCHS), a section of the restored building has been dedicated to "A Tribute to Bennett-Ireland", which features the products and history of one of Norwich's largest manufacturers. Also provided by the CCHS is an exhibit of vintage clothing, beautifully displayed throughout the Museum.

NECCM unveiled a new "Post-War Era" exhibit, which features over 30 examples of vehicles from 1946-1967. The Museum's other exhibits also got a fresh look, thanks to the additional 30,000 square feet of exhibit space. In all, nearly 150 vehicles are displayed at the Museum, along with vintage airplane engines, informative videos, and much more!

Located in Norwich, NY, the Museum is open 9am-5pm daily, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Contact NECCM at 607-334-AUTO (2886) or at info@classiccarmuseum.org for more information.


Have you seen the new building and exhibits? Let others know what you think!

Wednesday, March 25, 2009

NECCM Announces Grand Opening

The Northeast Classic Car Museum announces the Grand Opening of its new building on Friday, May 15, 2009. This special invitation-only celebration will begin at 4pm, and will feature refreshments and a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

The Grand Opening celebrates the addition of 30,000 additional square feet of exhibit space. This expansion was made possible when, approximately two years ago, the Museum acquired a facility that adjoins the existing Museum. The renovations to the building were funded by generous donations from the community, members, and volunteers.

The building is at least 70 years old. It once housed Bennett-Ireland, a manufacturer of fire place equipment and other metal products. The building's clerestory windows and elevated center space have been restored to replicate their original beauty. The new building will be home to the Museum’s extensive Franklin collection, as well as a special limited-time exhibit of vintage tractors. Appropriately, the Museum will feature a small exhibit of Bennett-Ireland memorabilia and historical information in the new building. Other new exhibits include a collection of post-WWII vehicles. Of course, the Auburn-Cord-Duesenberg, Made In New York State and other exhibits will still have a prominent place in the Museum.

The new building and exhibits will open to the public on Saturday, May 16, 2009 at 9am. The Museum is open 9am-5pm daily, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. Admission will remain $9 for adults; $4 for students ages 6-18; under 6 are free. Please contact the Museum for more information at 607-334-2886 or
info@classiccarmuseum.org.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Great Feedback!

A professional group recently visited the Northeast Classic Car Museum for a tour and luncheon. The group had the following feedback:

"I just wanted to reiterate to you how enjoyable our time was at the museum last week. Our boss said, “It was absolutely superb. I had never been at the museum before and enjoyed it immensely. The food and entertainment were right on the money as well.”

Now that it’s on my mind, I came back in on Friday and purchased a couple of tickets for a birthday gift for my brother-in-law who is into cars. He has actually been there before, but I was able to inform him of your new room you plan to open in the Spring, so he’ll have something new to look forward to. He also has a gorgeous MG he has been restoring; maybe he’d share his little treasure at your place when he’s completed his project.

Thanks so much for you efforts in making it a fun and relaxing time for all of us; including the committee, since all we had to do is tell you what we wanted, and you delivered. Thanks!"

-C. W., Organizing Committee Chair

Monday, February 23, 2009

Waverley Electric Car at Northeast Classic Car Museum

In 1910, many things were happening. Haley’s Comet was visible, the Boy Scouts were created, King Edward II passed away, and Ford sold almost 10,000 gasoline-powered motor vehicles. In comparison to the gasoline standard, electric cars were gaining attention, due to their lack of a hand crank and gear shifter. The design of the electric car made things much easier for the average woman of the time, making them an ideal target for advertisement.

One model of electric car that was popular in 1910 was the Waverley Coupe. The 1910 Waverley Coupe was a luxury car that combined quality, value, efficiency, and convenience, making it one of the premier electric cars of the early 1900’s. It seated 4, and was quite easy to customize, allowing for different colors, tops, batteries, and even tires. On top of this, it was relatively affordable, selling at $2,250 - almost $300 less than the popular Detroit Electric.



The Waverley Company, formed from a merger of the American Electric and Indiana Bicycle Companies, boasted quality and convenience in comparison to its price. For example, the silence of the Coupe was one of the company’s main points for advertisement, along with its appearance. The Waverley Company prided itself on using premium materials and brilliant designs to make a ride that rode as smooth as it looked.

The manufacturers of the Coupe showed a great attention to detail, not only by employing multiple inspectors, but by taking each vehicle through a twelve week, twenty-eight step operation for the paint job which used sixteen coats of paint. That’s detail!

In addition to its look, the Waverley Coupe was known for the quality of the ride. The ride of the vehicle was lower,and added drop sills enabled easier access to the vehicle. The vehicle’s body was made primarily from aluminum, providing a weight that would put less wear on the tires than conventional bodies. Dust-proof casings were used to ensure the longevity of parts, while broad windows allowed for complete visibility while driving. On top of this, the Waverley had a patented controller, for the purpose of driver safety. Thanks to this, the vehicle could only be started if it was not moving. For convenience, the reverse speed lever was placed behind the forward lever, and prohibited from being used until the forward speed lever was off.

Despite sales to wealthy individuals such as Thomas Edison, Emile Berliner (inventor of the disk gramophone), and William E. Horlick (creator of malted milk), the company soon went out of business, competing with newer, greater technologies, and the lack of facilities to charge batteries. The Waverley Company closed in 1916.

The Coupe contained a battery that held a charge that could last 50 miles. Today, car companies are researching ways to extend that range, and increase the speed of the electric car. Currently, the Tesla Roadster boasts a range of 220 miles per charge and a top speed of 125 miles per hour. Chevrolet plans to introduce the Volt in 2010, designed for drivers who travel fewer than 40 miles per day. Numerous other automakers are using new technology to jump on the electric car bandwagon. They owe it all to one of the first – the Waverley Electric Coupe.

The 1910 Waverley Electric Coupe shown above can currently be seen at the Northeast Classic Car Museum, Norwich, NY. www.classiccarmuseum.org

Article by Adam Munio

Monday, February 9, 2009

Valentine's Day Special at the Northeast Classic Car Museum

On February 14 & 15, 2009, bring your Valentine to the Museum and receive a carnation.

Experience the romance of a bygone era for the first time or relive special memories with your special someone.

Carnation offer limited to one per adult admission.

Friday, February 6, 2009

Flat Stanley Visits the Northeast Classic Car Museum

Flat Stanley, a character in a book by Jeff Brown, was recently sent to visit the Northeast Classic Car Museum by Ms. Bushey's second grade class at Van Corlaer Elementary School in Schenectady, NY.



Flat Stanley enjoyed looking at the large collection of classic automobiles on display, and was very excited to see a 1924 Stanley Steamer in the exhibit!








Stanley also sat in our 1965 Mustang Convertible Raffle Car, and met one of our terrific volunteers.


Flat Stanley is now on his way to other exciting locations. We are so glad he came to see us, and thank Ms. Bushey's class for letting him visit the Northeast Classic Car Museum.

Northeast Classic Car Museum featured in Norwich Evening Sun

The Northeast Classic Car Museum was featured in the Norwich Evening Sun's annual Progress Chenango 2009. Written by staff writer Tyler Murphy, this article takes a concise look at the Museum's past, present, and future:

"One of the country's premier exhibition spaces for antique automobiles is parked in the heart of Chenango County, on Rexford Street in Norwich. For the past 11 years, the Northeast Classic Car Museum has continued to grow year after year and now boasts one of the largest collections along the east coast..."

Read the full article on The Evening Sun's website, http://www.evesun.com/.

Monday, January 19, 2009

SuperBowl Sunday Special at the Northeast Classic Car Museum!

Superbowl Sunday Celebration!

Sunday, February 1, 2009

Adult Admission - BUY 1, GET 1 FREE!

Purchase one adult admission, a second adult will be admitted for FREE.

Offer applies to same day, regular adult admission only. Cannot be combined with other offers.

Wednesday, January 14, 2009

Norwich's Northeast Classic Car Museum to Expand

The Northeast Classic Car Museum announced its plans to grow by nearly 50% by Spring 2009. Expansion was made possible when, approximately two years ago, the Museum acquired a facility of nearly 30,000 square feet that adjoins the existing Museum. According to Sewain Conklin, President of the Board of Trustees, "The Museum has put a new roof on the facility and has made some improvements to common areas since acquiring the property." Over the past year, Museum Trustees evaluated Museum expansion and have recently concluded that expansion was feasible and would further elevate NECCM as a significant automotive museum and tourist attraction.

This is the second major expansion in the Museum's 11 years of existence. The Museum is currently conducting a Capital and Endowment Campaign effort to fund the expansion/renovation and provide for the Museum's future. More than half of the $1.1 million has been committed by Mr. George Staley and by a donation from NBT Bank. Martin A. Dietrich, CEO of NBT Bank, stated that “The Northeast Classic Car Museum is one of the area's great success stories and NBT is pleased to be an early contributor as the Museum takes another step forward in its phenomenal growth.”

Currently, renovations are underway at the facility. The building being renovated is at least 70 years old. It once housed Bennett-Ireland, a manufacturer of fire place equipment. The Museum plans to take advantage of the building's clerestory windows and elevated center space to complement exhibits. No decisions have been made about exhibits that will occupy the space but the Exhibit Committee will begin to evaluate possibilities in the near future.

At the conclusion of the project, the building will be completely renovated to include new exterior wall covering to be consistent with the rest of the Museum's buildings, new windows, insulation, electrical, and HVAC.

Currently the Museum has on exhibit approximately 120 automobiles and is open 9a.m.-5p.m. daily, with the exception of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day.


Contact Person: Doreen Bates, Executive Director (607)334-2886

Wednesday, January 7, 2009

Classic Cars Honor the Nifty Fifties

The 1950s, a decade of history that took place 50 years before the present decade, is usually thought of as a discrete, homogeneous period. The music of the ‘50s? Why, rock-n-roll, of course. The attire? Peg pants and poodle skirts, naturally. And the cars? Well, everyone knows they all had fins and bright colors, right? Actually, all of those trends were representative of the latter part of the decade only. The reality is that, for many cultural parameters, including the automobile, the early years of the decade of the 1950s were quite different from the later years.

Anyone who graduated from high school in 1955 knows that the records played at those dances after the basketball games did not include rock-n-roll, but were ballads such as You Belong to Me by JoStafford, Too Young by Nat King Cole, If by Perry Como, Please Mr. Sun by Johnnie Ray, Wish You Were Here by Eddie Fisher, Wheel of Fortune by Kay Starr, and Why Don’t You Believe Me? by Joni James. The saccharine lamentations of the crooners were relieved only by some novelty songs such as Come On-a My House by Rosemary Clooney and Doggie in the Window by Patti Page.

Bill Haley and the Comets introduced the rock-n-roll era in 1956 with Rock Around the Clock, in a movie by the same name. Also in 1956, Elvis Presley captured the ratings with four huge hits: Heartbreak Hotel, Don’t Be Cruel, Hound Dog, and Love Me Tender. Examples of other hits that followed were Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis in 1958 and Stagger Lee by Lloyd Price in1959. The latter years of the 1950s thus became the beginning of the rock-n-roll era. (The Beatles didn’t appear on the Ed Sullivan Show until 1964.) This is the music that is commonly associated with the 1950s, even though in reality it represents only the latter half of the decade.

The same is true of other elements of 50s culture, including the automobile. Cars of the early part of the decade were quite different from those of the later years.To understand the changes that occurred throughout the automobile industry, it is necessary to go back to 1946, when the post-war production took up where pre-war styles had left off in 1941. Generally speaking, fenders were separately defined, transmissions were standard shift, batteries were 6 volt, and colors were dull. These styles continued until 1949, when the first “shoebox”Fords led the way to a more streamlined appearance. All the car companies, and there were several more American brands than there are today, changed the side view of their cars to a straight line that extended from the headlights to the taillights, making “fender” a term that merely identifiedthe four corners of the car. Automatic transmissions became more common, but the colors remained on the dull side, with a preponderance of black, gray, dark blue and dark green. These changes, considered radical when they were introduced in 1949, continued through the early 1950s, with minor style changes making each year easily identifiable.

The next major change in style occurred in 1955, proving the point that the decade saw two distinct types of cars. In addition to a further streamlining that was influenced by the jet airplane and the rocket, the cars of the late 50s appeared in bright colors, sometimes two or three in combination, and began to grow…..fins! As everyone knows, the fins grew in size and prominence, reaching their spectacular peak in 1959. The changes in appearance from year to year became more pronounced, and the interest in each September’s introduction of the new styles was intense for most young men. The new models were closely shielded from the public’s eye until the announced date, when searchlights lit up the sky to publicize the grand event.

The difference between the cars of the early 50s and those of the late 50s is evident in almost every aspect of the automobile. In addition to the colors and styles of the exterior, engines became more powerful, interiors were prettier in both color and material, and cars became bigger.

Station wagons represented a greater proportion of cars sold.

The Nifty Fifties exhibit contrasts cars from both ends of the decade, as well as shows some of the automobiles from companies which are no longer with us.

Jim Dunne, Chairman Exhibits Committee

“Doctor’s Coupe” – Precursor to the Ambulance


You can’t always find a doctor at the Museum, but you can always find a doctor’s coupe. Presently on exhibit there are two—a 1924 Ford owned by Museum board member Bill Ballard and his wife Sandy, and George Staley’s 1926 Franklin.

The term “doctor’s coupe” is really a misnomer. Most major car manufacturers made a model called a business coupe. These cars had two doors, one seat for two or three people, and no rumble seat in the back.

The “no frills” interior was perfect for traveling salesmen who used the space behind the front seat to store paperwork, samples, and items for sale. Rural mail carriers found it the perfect car to carry the sorted mail to be delivered, the mail they would pick up from their customers, and for the stamps, postcards, and other supplies that they had to have on hand for the convenience of their customers.

n a time before ambulance service, the doctor was, in many cases, the person who transported his patient to the hospital. For a doctor, the interior of the business coupe was more specialized. As shown in the inset, besides the driver’s seat and a bench seat in the back, there is a folding “jump-seat.” Folded, this seat allowed more leg room for the patient, but for a more seriously-ill patient, it allowed for someone to care for the patient while being transported.

In the back seat, directly behind the driver’s seat, there is a platform to hold the doctor’s bag. Black finish was the only color available from the factory. The tan/brown upholstery is the authentic color for the period, changing to gray/black in 1926. Base price for this car was $525.

Museum board member Warren Nash owns a Franklin doctor’s coupe identical to the one in the Museum’s Franklin Exhibit. If you’re in Norwich on a summer night, don’t be too surprised if you see him “putting around the City streets.”

The car was passed down to Warren from his father.This car was purchased in 1960 and carefully restored to its original condition. The wheels have painted wooden spokes.