History of the ACCCC

If you're interested in Classic cars, the A4C provides a welcoming community for all.

Our Beginings

The Antique and Classic Car Club of Canada (A.C.C.C.C.) began in 1956.    The A.C.C.C.C. name was adopted in 1958, and the Club was incorporated on May 15, 1963.   The A.C.C.C.C. is organized as 13 regional clubs located throughout Ontario operating under the stewardship of a national executive and board of directors.  National and Regional events take place throughout the year.  The former include the Tour to Yesteryear (a week-long tour) and an Annual General Meeting in the Fall.  National also publishes "The Reflector" the clubs magazine three times per year.   Regions organize garage tours, day and weekend driving tours, picnics, cruises, car shows, flea markets and winter indoor gatherings.   Each region publishes its own newsletter.    A membership roster, updated annually is free to club members..  The A.C.C.C.C. is a member of the Specialty Vehicle Association of Ontario.

How it all came to be by J. Ralph A. Turner
Our Club began in 1956 when long-time collector, Aubrey Marshall, obtained a Charter for an Ontario Region of AACA. He served as Director (President) of the Region, followed by Neil Kennedy and Herman Smith. James L. Allward was the first ACCCC President, displaying great organizational ability and enthusiasm in suggesting ideas for Club events. The first Club event was a gathering at Castle Loma; out of this grew the idea for an Annual Judging Event, later held at the Queen Elizabeth Motel in Oakville in 1958. Eventually the Concours d’Elegance was relocated to the Inn on the Park where it became an elegant fixture for about twenty years until the hotel closed. The first London to Brighton Tour, since replaced by the annual Tour to Yesteryear, took place in 1957. Club activities were covered by the first newsletter Editor, ‘Dickery Doc’, the late G. C. Collison.
At the Annual Meeting in 1960, surrendering the AACA Charter and changing the name to the Antique & Classic Car Club of Canada was approved. The late Brian Brady became Club President and worked very hard to get good attendance at our Concours d’Elegance from both Canadian and American enthusiasts. I followed him as President in 1961, often calling upon his interest, knowledge and experience for advice. A terrible void was left in the Club after his death in an air crash in 1963. An interesting early development was the idea of forming Regions, the first one organized by Don Robins and continuing actively as the Chemical Valley Region. Next was Upper Canada Region, spearheaded by Merrill Weekes and still a vibrant, active organization. Many more Regions formed as the years went by and it is a tribute to the early executive that this process prospered so well. A complicated application was once required to obtain an Order in Council for permission to import a vintage motor vehicle.
The Club’s application in February 1960 to the Deputy Minister of National Revenue eventually resulted in abolishing the need for this. In addition, as a result of further representations to the Government, irritating heavy import taxes were reduced, a great benefit to those seeking to import Vintage cars. ACCCC has grown very considerably over the years and local events all over Ontario have been a mainstay of the Club’s activities. All of us should work hard to make sure that our precious old cars are appreciated by those coming after us and that they will have good homes and be kept on the road!
We currently have members from Port Elgin, Chattsworth, Owen Sound, Markdale, Meaford, Oakville, Burlington, Mississauga, Guelph, Etobicoke, Toronto, Barrie, Brampton, Sarnia, Wattford, Pickering, Oshawa, Ajax, Whitby, Bowmanville, Newcastle, London, Coburg, Colbourne, Grafton, Port Hope, Gore's Landing, Lindsay, Janetville, Fenlon Falls, Lakefield, Kirkfield, Minden, Buckhorn, Peterborough, Chattam, Thamesville, St. Catherines, Niagara Falls, Fenwick, Burlington, Niagara on the Lake, Welland, Collingwood, Stayner, Wasaga Beach, Smith Falls, Brockville, Nepean, Perth, Napanee, Ottawa, Willowdale, North York, East York, Markham, Don Mills, Picton, Odessa, Kingston, Belleville to name a few.