Ten great ways to tour with your CCCA Full Classic

Joining the Classic Car Club of America (CCCA) opens the door to touring with others who own and share your interest in CCCA-approved Full Classics. For even more tour choices and variety, consider joining a national multi-make car club that embraces a broader range of historic vehicles. A single-marque club dedicated to your Classic’s nameplate offers additional possibilities.

Calendar still not full? Don’t despair; here are some other touring options.

Ten great ways to tour with your Full Classic

• Since 1953, CCCA CARavan tours have provided club members with unsurpassed scenic adventure, camaraderie and driving enjoyment. Especially popular with seasoned tour veterans, these premier CCCA tours—there are usually several each year — last a week or longer and may cover more than 1,000 miles. 2011 CARavans will explore New Mexico and tour Canada’s Newfoundland and Labrador provinces.

• The CCCA’s 28 Regions often host single-day and overnighter weekend tours. Popular destinations include museums of interest, grand old estates and historical sites. CCCA Regions may also co-host or participate as invited guests in activities sponsored by neighboring Regions and other clubs.

• During 2010, the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) — the nation’s largest collector car organization — introduced a multi-day “Sentimental Tour” for 1928-1958 cars. This tour will recur on even-numbered years starting in 2012. Full Classics owned by AACA members can also be entered in many other, but not all, AACA events—tours limited to cars from specific historical periods may exclude some or all Classics.

• The Veteran Motor Car Club of America (VMCCA) calls itself “The Touring Club” for good reason. It’s produced participant-pleasing tours for decades and many members love to exercise their vintage cars at every opportunity. VMCCA member-owned Classics are eligible to participate in most club tours, with certain exceptions.

• Open only to pre-1943 cars, the Revival AAA Glidden Tour is a prestigious annual event sponsored during alternating years by the VMCCA and the AACA. The Glidden Tour seeks to recreate the excitement and honor the traditions of the American Automobile Club’s famed early 20th century Glidden tours. During September 2011, the AACA’s “Queen City Region” will host The 66th Revival AAA Glidden Tour in Maryland. (The VMCCA also hosts an annual six-day “Chrome Glidden Tour” open to 1935-1948 Classics.)

• Single-marque clubs offer additional opportunities for Classic touring. Some, like the Packards International Motor Car Club, conduct annual national tours. Others arrange local-area tours to interesting sites during national or regional shows. There may even be a touring-oriented group within the single-marque club, like the Buick Club of America’s Buick Driving Enthusiasts Division.

• Few U.S. owners tour internationally with their Full Classics (other than to Canada), but global interest in vintage car tours is definitely growing. A recent CCCA survey confirmed there is member interest in international tours, and the club is exploring the addition of such activities to its events calendar. Meanwhile, the Cadillac Club-Netherlands — one of nine European nation clubs affiliated with the U.S.-based Cadillac & LaSalle Club — plans to host a “Grand European” meet and tour in 2013. (Incidentally, Hagerty’s international event attendance insurance provides coverage to protect you and your collector vehicle and allows you to drive legally on international roads.)

• Many concours include a motoring tour in their slate of ancillary events. Some concours tours are open only to invited exhibitors, while others will accept appropriate cars even if they won’t be on the show field. Special parking for club groups may be set aside by a concours or other major automotive event on show day — making the event a potential tour destination unto itself. See event websites for additional information.

• A surprising number of Full Classics can be seen among the hot rods and muscle cars that turn out for the weeklong run-up to Metro Detroit’s annual Woodward Dream Cruise. The Minnesota Street Rod Association’s yearly Back to the ’50s Weekend is also said to be Classic-friendly; the even brought nearly 12,000 cars to the spacious Minnesota State Fairgrounds in 2010. Just be sure to attend any unfamiliar mega-cruise as a spectator first to determine if the event is a good fit for you and your Classic.

• Do you have an idea for a perfect tour destination? Most clubs will welcome fresh suggestions for places to go and things to do. Volunteering to arrange and organize a local-area tour can be fun and satisfying; being part of a team that pulls off a great regional or national tour can be truly memorable. So, hold up your hand, share your tour ideas — and let’s keep those Classics rolling!

Touring successfully and safely with any vintage vehicle requires serious preparation. For helpful advice, see Hagerty’s “Touring” pamphlet. And if you’re contemplating overseas touring, an informative “Far and Away” pamphlet is also available.

Caveats: Tour participation typically requires pre-registration and activity fees. Tours may be limited to a set number of entrants. Club tours usually require driver membership in the hosting national club and possibly a region or chapter. Vehicle eligibility may vary by year of manufacture and other restrictions. Contact tour hosts for full details.