Who
The Venice Region of the Antique Automobile Club of America, a 501-C-3 nonprofit.
Members
Over 125 families are members of the local club, including 225 individuals.
Location
Around 70% of the regional members live in Venice; others hail from Sarasota to Port Charlotte.
Why
For the love of antique cars and to raise money for several local charities. Membership includes modest dues and a monthly meeting.
Englewood’s Dave Lanning has been a member of the Antique Automobile Club of America since 1976. Married to his wife, Babe, and retired from a career at Snap-On-Tools in Wisconsin, Dave currently owns 15 antique cars, nine that he stores under his house, and six that he keeps at the replica gas station he built next door. Over the years, he’s owned over 100 cars, including Cadillacs, Pierce-Arrows, Kissels. a Columbia, a few Hupmobiles, and a number of Hudsons.
“I have always gravitated to the odd stuff,” Dave says. “I spent 25 years looking for one car, a Railton. They only made them for five years, about 1300 of them total. Then a guy in Pennsylvania had one that was restored and brought over from England in 1950. It was owned by a wealthy playboy who wanted to race it.”
What Dave enjoys most about being a member of the AACA is the touring and the friendships.
“I enjoy the people,” Dave says. “We have about four picnics a season, and we have meet ups as well where people come from other states and we tour together for a week. I bought my first Model A in 1962 and antique cars have been a part of my life ever since.”
To join the AACA Venice Region, contact chapter president George Nubile. 941.240.2428. Venice.AACA.com.
