This year Bakersfield 16 was truly an international event. Last March, I got a call from attendee, Ian Mitchell, from Christchurch, New Zealand, wondering if he could get a ride on our tour before the Bakersfield National Swap Meet. "Sure", I said, "we'd love to have you."

     The event opened with a National Board meeting headed by our new president, Dr. Bruce Rimmer, on Wednesday, April 11th. The festivities culminated on Sunday, April 15th, with a filet mignon barbeque dinner at the fairgrounds Swap Meet.

     On Thursday morning, 167 tour participants met at Beach Park for coffee, donuts, and various tours. The oldest car touring was a 1901 Winton owned by past-President Con Fletcher. The small cars departed for a tour close to town. The Studebaker Club joined the big car tour with about a dozen cars. This large car tour went to Glennville in the local Tehachapi Mountains, covering about 90 miles round trip, and reaching a 4,000 ft. elevation. The weather was challenging, drumming up a severe crosswind followed by snow. Our destination, Glenville, seemed to be only a restaurant and a couple of buildings. Due to the restaurant size, we ate in shifts to enjoy an excellent lunch. Thankfully, the sun returned for our return to Bakersfield. The day was topped off with an open house at the hospitality room. At one point, I counted 36 members standing around the table partaking of treats including three barbequed turkeys.

     On Friday morning at 7 AM, the fairground gates swung open initiating in fierce swap meet buying and selling. Everything from antique dresses to a full-scale horse pulling buggy plus many cars were for sale. Besides the swap meet, we had a catered chicken lunch and a two hour tour to a nearby farm to visit a railroad memorabilia collection. After dinner in the club tent, we auctioned donated items for the Library Foundation generating $1,300. Our first attempt at auctioning a 1914 Model T truck with good tires, a ruxtel, and a poor homemade body produced just $1,800 because no one heard the engine run. Great buys are indeed at Bakersfield! The successful day concluded with camaraderie in the hospitality room.

     Early Sunday morning, the Boy Scouts arrived to serve breakfast. Afterwards, the swap meet frenzy continued. At 11AM, the "Featured Couple", Herb and Margaret Singe related humorous stories they experienced during 58 years of membership in HCCA. Herb described the journey of his pride and joy, a 1911 Palmer Singer from a derelict heap into an award winning show stopper. Curiously, only three Palmer Singers exist today. Garyl Turley flew in from Wichita, Kansas, to personally present the Garyl W. Turley award to Herb and Margaret Singe. This award recognized their service to the antique car hobby and the HCCA.

     Overall, Bakersfield 16 was an enormous success. The HCCA shared profit with their co-sponsor, the Kern County Model T Club which provided the labor. The HCCA netted about $8,000! More importantly, everyone attending had a great time and say they'll be back next year. The future honored couple, is Harold and Lil Coker of Coker Tires. Harold hopes to bring his 1907 Thomas Flyer which is similar to the winner of the 1908 race around the world. In addition, the field is being expanded so there will be plenty of swap meet spaces. Remember, sign up early!

Gil Klecan National Vice-President.