Hershey, Pennsylvania – The Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) has selected a 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge as its 2025 Zenith Award winner. The AACA Zenith Award is the ultimate recognition that is bestowed by AACA for outstanding and critically authentic automotive restoration.

The 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge is owned by Debra Powell and Gil Powell of Denver, North Carolina. Debra’s father, Gil, was service manager at Thomas Pontiac in Parkersburg, West Virginia, when this Polar White GTO Judge arrived on December 2, 1969. He was the first to drive it, taking it to his inspection bay and putting his initials under the hood. Although his friend first bought it, Gil went on to assume ownership in 1974.

He used it for the next four years and even drag raced it a bit. The Pontiac was also pressed into service to pull a pop-up camper behind it. In 1978, the GTO was parked with 65,000 miles on the odometer with a long-term dream to be restored. Gil’s health, however, wouldn’t allow it so Deb took on the project in 2021. Although she commissioned a full restoration, Deb was careful to ensure that Gil’s initials from 1969 remained under the hood.

The Pontiac GTO Judge option package originated in 1969 in response to the Plymouth Road Runner, according to the MotorCities National Heritage Area, and would be available for the next three years. It was considered the best-spec’d muscle car on the market. The Powell’s Judge package includes a L74 400cid/366hp Ram Air III (with driver control) V8 engine and an HD 3-speed manual transmission with Hurst T-handle shifter, along with 3.55 rear gears, black grille, grille surrounds, hood-scoop trim, tri-color eyebrow stripes and more… such as Rally II wheels sans trim rings, G70 x 14 blackwall tires and appropriate option package callouts to ensure that everyone knows… “Here Comes The Judge.”

Just 162 Judge Convertibles were built in 1970, with a factory price of $3,492. The Powell’s GTO was restored by Brunker’s Vintage Garage and Barnes Classic Restoration.

This unparalleled AACA Award recognizes the very best automobile restoration for its overall quality, authenticity, and rarity. The 18 already award-winning antiques that competed for this year’s Zenith Award, held in late July at the 2025 AACA Grand Nationals in Dayton, Ohio, were selected from each of the AACA National shows in 2024. Only one vehicle can be crowned “Restoration of the Year,” and this stunningly restored 1970 Pontiac GTO Judge clearly earned the honor. 

“Authenticity is of critical concern when it comes to annual Zenith Award recognition, as is craftsmanship and exacting attention to detail. The Zenith Award represents the best-of-the-best in the eyes of the Antique Automobile Club of America. But more importantly, the Zenith Award evokes the true spirit of the complete AACA experience,” according to Tom Cox, former AACA President and the founder of the Zenith Award program. 

Congratulations also go to the runner-up, a 1938 Packard Twelve 1608 owned by Bob and Judy Tiffin of Red Bay, Alabama. Click here to view the 2025 AACA Zenith Award program listing all the cars in the competition.

About AACA: Founded in 1935, AACA is dedicated to the authentic antique automobile experience and recognizes any and all vehicles 25-years-old-or-older. It’s known as the most inclusive antique car club in the world. It honors cars, trucks and motorcycles produced in America and throughout the world. With more than 45,000 members, it is also one of the largest clubs of its kind. For more details about the AACA, please visit www.aaca.org.

If you like stories like these and other classic car features, check out Old Cars magazine. CLICK HERE to subscribe.

Want a taste of Old Cars magazine first? Sign up for our weekly e-newsletter and get a FREE complimentary digital issue download of our print magazine.

The post 2025 AACA Zenith Award winner crowned appeared first on Old Cars Weekly.

It’s been reported that only 10 percent of the population is into old iron. Not so for the other 90 percent. To the latter, old cars and trucks are just a piece of metal. For the former, such as Greg Rich, Jr., old cars and trucks represent nostalgia and are worth holding onto.

One of those old vehicles that Rich finds loaded with nostalgia is a 1951 Ford tow truck. The Indiana, Pa., resident remembered the tow truck going back to when he was 5 years old in 1954 while living in Kane, Pa. The wrecker was based upon a 1951 Ford F-3 bought new by Zook Motors, a Ford dealership in Kane. Rich’s father, Greg Rich, Sr., began working as Zook Motors’ sales manager in 1954. Sometimes, the senior Rich would drive home cars that needed to be towed back to the dealership.

“Cars were not as reliable as they are today,” recounts the younger Rich.

In addition to its towing abilities, the young lad was impressed with the tow truck’s rigging that lifted the front of the cars it was towing.

When he grew older, Rich documented the workhorse’s history. Zook Motors ordered the 1951 Ford F-3 on Oct. 10, 1951. It was assembled at the Ford plant in Buffalo, N.Y., then the Maday Body and Equipment Co. of the same city outfitted it as a tow truck with a wrecker crane. The truck came with a 239-cid V-8 generating 100 hp. The price for this four-wheeled business card was $3,423.55 while a 1951 Ford automobile ranged in price from $1,424 to $2,253, making the wrecker a significant investment.

The Ford truck was dramatically restyled in 1948 as a modern postwar vehicle. For 1951, the truck’s silhouette was familiar, being similar to the 1948 truck, but a new grille updated the mildly refined 1951 model. That model year, there was a cavity up front that housed a new horizontal grille bar with three small vertical bars. At each end of the horizontal bar was a headlamp.

Rich notes that the cabin of the F-3 tow truck was called a “5-Star Extra Cab.” During the beginning of the second half of the 20th Century, the 5-Star Extra Cab package was considered opulent for a truck. It included a dome lamp with door switches, and instead of rubber around the windshield and backlight, there was a bright molding. There was foam rubber seat padding and two-tone upholstery with vinyl and mohair. Dual horns and dual wipers were standard, along with extra insulation and a cigar lighter. Brothers John and Bruce Zook, owners of Zook Motors, also ordered the truck with a four-speed manual transmission, radio and under-dash heating unit.

In 1965, at age 16, Rich followed his father’s footsteps and began working for Zook Motors, but instead of working in sales, Rich worked as a mechanics’ helper. He continued to admire the tow truck that did a lot of service during the Elvis and Beatles era. By this time, though, the truck was looking a bit shop-worn and rough around the edges. However, it remained in service and John or Bruce Zook would have Rich use it on occasion.

“At such a young age, I had a difficult time getting used to shifting gears, and consequently did a lot of grinding away with each shift,” Rich confesses.

In 1968, Rich joined the U.S. Army and completed a three-year stint. When he returned, he went back to work at Zook Motors for a year. Beginning in 1973, Rich started as a mechanic in the oil and gas industry in which he’d work for the next 30 years.

Meanwhile, in 1969, the Zook Motors wrecker was parked in an abandoned body shop along with other relics from the Ford dealership. Over the next 40 years, Rich continued to think about that old Ford tow truck and the memories it had provided him during his youth. When he was preparing to retire, he began looking for something to restore. From 2008 to 2012, Rich would visit John Zook, who was now the only remaining member from the original Zook team. When Rich decided to pull the trigger and restore a vehicle, he approached John about purchasing a vehicle that the Zooks had squirreled away so long ago. Rich thought Zook would sell him a Model A. Instead, Zook said that the ’51 F-3 would be better.

“John knew the history and was smart enough to know what would be better,” Rich recalled. “So, I ended up getting this.”

Father Time and Mother Nature were not kind to the old wrecker. Poor cosmetics and mechanical issues made for a challenging rejuvenation. The body was ventilated with corrosive metal. The engine was stuck and needed internal surgery. The interior was dried and its fabrics rotten. The rubber flooring had disintegrated from age. The paint was dull, chalking and chipped.

As Rich tells it, Ford F-3 body parts are not reproduced, and parts are rarely a phone call away. Regardless, Rich was able to complete an extensive restoration that including rebuilding, replacing and refurbishing all of its components. Even the boom and winch were rebuilt.

“I found body parts in Colorado, such as front and rear fenders, running boards and bed sides,” Rich said.

Rich’s good friend, Bill Bertres, is a master restorer. He encouraged Rich to buy the tow truck, provided advice and even painted the truck.

“Without him, the project would never begin nor been finished,” Rich said.

Rich’s wife, Mary, provided much moral support. “She kept me focused,” he says.

Overcome by frustration, Rich sometimes felt like giving up. He says Mary kept telling him that he gone so far, he could not stop.

Rich did 90 percent of the physical restoration work, and “Bill gave me the confidence that I could do it.”

Rich eventually brought the pickup back to its former glory and it has since been restored to concours standards without being over-restored. Greg and Mary received their first AACA award at Gettysburg, Pa., and in Auburn, Ind., the truck attained a Senior Award. At an AACA meet in Minnesota, the truck received a Grand National Award. In addition, the wrecker received the Postwar Ford Award, and was a finalist for the AACA’s annual Zenith Award, which recognizes the best restoration in the club (The tow truck was one of only 18 vehicles nominated for the award in 2021).

“This truck earned a perfect score, without a single point taken off for the slightest imperfection or unfaithfulness to assembly line standards,” Rich says.

Better yet, the tow truck is as good or better than Rich remembers it when he first saw it nearly 70 years ago.

SHOW US YOUR WHEELS!

If you’ve got an old car you love, we want to hear about it. Email us at oldcars@aimmedia.com

*As an Amazon Associate, Old Cars earns from qualifying purchases.

The post Car of the Week: 1951 Ford F-3 Wrecker appeared first on Old Cars Weekly.

WHAT:Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) Annual Grand Nationals Car Show

What will you see on the show field? More than 380 of the finest antique cars from a 1903 Ford Model A Runabout to a 1994 Nissan 300ZX Coupe, and everything in between! Only the best-of-the-best can compete in this show – every car you will see has been shown at multiple AACA Nationals and won multiple awards including their Senior Award. The Rolls-Royce Owners Club (RROC) will be joining AACA in Auburn as the clubs host their first-ever joint national show. This show will have such a huge variety of cars, trucks and motorcycles – there will be something for everyone’s taste.

Don’t miss viewing the 16 special hand-picked cars that are vying for the coveted Zenith Award for restoration of the year! Judges for this year’s competition include editors from Hemmings, Old Cars Weekly and Autoweek! Also, RM Auctions will be hosting its Spring Auction with more than 100 cars and a HUGE selection of automobilia over their four-day auction. They will host a car corral and flea market as well.

WHO: The AACA is the world’s largest and oldest antique car club with over 55,000 members and 350 local Regions and Chapters across the U.S. and 51 other countries. Each year, 15-20 National Activities (car shows and tours) are hosted by the nonprofit.

WHY: AACA prides itself on being the premier club and resource for the collectible vehicle community. Car shows, like this one, are the best way to share this wonderful hobby with everyone. AACA members and their love of these cars are the foundation of this hobby, and the club strives to inspire a younger generation.

WHEN: Wednesday May 29; Thursday May 30; 10:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.: RM Automobilia Auction
Friday, May 31; 10 a.m. – 5 p.m.: Zenith Competition, Flea Market, Car Corral, RM Auction

Saturday, June 1; 10 a.m. – 3 p.m.: Car Show, Zenith Display, Flea Market, Car Corral, RM Auction, Youth Program

WHERE:Auburn Auction Park, 5536 Co Rd 11A, Auburn, IN 46706

EVENT INFO:
http://www.aaca.org/images/meet_brochures/2019_Auburn_GN_Brochure.pdf,https://rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/as19

For more information on AACA, judging guidelines, National Awards or National Activities, visit www.aaca.org. Club membership is only $40 a year and includes our award-winning magazine, Antique Automobile. First-time members can try AACA out right now for the rest of the year for only $20! Just call 717-534-1910 today.

The post AACA Annual Grand Nationals Car Show in Auburn May 30 – June 1 appeared first on Old Cars Weekly.

HERSHEY, PA – The Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) conducts competitions all across the USA for its members, and in 2017 more than 3,500 cars, trucks and motorcycles were shown. The task of choosing just one of these to represent the best car in the club for the past year was daunting.

Two nominations from each AACA national show were brought forward by the national awards judging team from the 8 shows held in 2017, and thusly 16 cars and trucks arrived this year in Greensburg, PA, for the second year of this award competition. AACA’s Western PA Region hosted the 2018 Annual Grand National Meet, the most prestigious show of the year, and also hosted the Zenith competition in an indoor setting.

A team of AACA Senior Master Judges along with three guest judges spent a day evaluating all the vehicles. The three extra judges were brought into the mix to provide a greater spectrum of thought and included Mark Lizewskie, Executive Director of the Rolls-Royce Owner’s Club; Jeff Broadus of Grundy Insurance and former publisher of Car Collector magazine; and Graham Kozak, Autoweek magazine Features Editor.

After almost six hours of evaluation, the 1935 Packard 1204 Super 8 owned by Greg and Cheri Haack, Freeport, Illinois, was chosen as the recipient of the AACA Zenith Award and the Haack’s received a massive custom one-of-a-kind crystal trophy signifying their accomplishment. Greg began the restoration in 2008 along with his 87-year old friend! After 11,000 hours and some help with paint and chrome, the car was finished. The paint is very unique as it appears black, but it’s actually a great shade of dark purple. Many of the participants agreed with the choice and were congratulatory to the winners. The runner–up was a 1953 Nash Healey owned by Ed and Rita Koch from Flemington, NJ, which was also restored to the nth degree of correctness.

“Wow, was my first thought when I entered the building to see the Zenith cars. First to catch my eye was the obvious quality of the vehicles and then I noticed the variety of the vehicles we were to judge. A challenging task, but one that was thoroughly enjoyable. It was a very competitive group, but the winner was just one of those cars that spoke to you and surely would be top dog in any show,” stated Jeff Broadus. 

AACA has a comprehensive awards program for its members with regional national competitions each year. Members vie for numerous awards and AACA annually has national awards recognizing the most outstanding vehicles of the year in a black-tie affair in Philadelphia every February. This new award augments the club’s offerings to its members and is bound to be a sought-after award each year.

Click here to view the AACA Zenith Award program listing all of the cars in the competition. For more information on AACA, judging guidelines, National Awards or National Meets, visit www.aaca.org. 

The post 2018 AACA Zenith Award winner appeared first on Old Cars Weekly.

The 20 Zenith Award nominees will be placed in a unique indoor display. A special team of judges comprised of members of the AACA National Awards team and guest judges who have judged at some of the world’s most prestigious events will make the difficult decision.

Old Cars Weekly’s own Angelo Van Bogart will be one of the guest judges at the Independence Grand National Meet.

The AGNM is held once each year and requires all vehicles to have reached the Senior status in judging in prior years. The field is comprised of the best-of-the-best, judging standards increase in difficulty and the awards are extremely coveted. More than 250 vehicles are expected and will be shown this Saturday. The event is free to the public and will be held at the Independence Events Center.

America’s oldest and largest antique car club has numerous award levels that could culminate in receiving a National Award at the end of each judging season. Winners are selected to attend the AACA Annual Meeting in February each year for an event which is the club’s version of the Oscars.

For more information on AACA, judging guidelines, National Awards or National Meets, visit www.aaca.org. 

The post AACA’s first Zenith award to be chosen this weekend appeared first on Old Cars Weekly.