The Society of Automotive Historians (SAH) encourages research, preservation, recording, compilation and publication of historical facts concerning the development of the automobile and related items throughout the world. The society was founded in 1969 and now has nearly 1,000 members in 44 of the United States and in 25 countries. They range from those who write about automotive history to those who simply enjoy reading it. The Society’s membership also includes corporations, museums and other institutions that support the recording and preservation of automotive history.

The society publishes two periodicals devoted to automotive history. The bimonthly SAH Journal carries news of the society and other newsworthy happenings in automotive history, book reviews, classified advertisements from members and short feature articles. Current editor is Tom Jakups (tjakups@comcast.net). Automotive History Review is an occasional magazine that publishes in-depth articles on automotive history. Current editor is Taylor Vinson (ztv@comcast.net).

The society recognizes excellence in automotive history through its annual awards program. The Nicholas-Joseph Cugnot Award honors the best book in the field of automotive history published each year, with separate awards for works in the English language and in languages other than English. The Carl Benz Award is presented to the best periodical article or series in the same period. The Richard and Grace Brigham Award recognizes the periodical judged to have given the best overall treatment of automotive history over all issues in the preceding year. The E.P. Ingersoll Award is conferred for the best presentation of automotive history in other than print media. Student Paper Awards are presented to undergraduate and graduate-level students for papers on automotive history topics. The James J. Bradley Distinguished Service Award is presented to deserving archives and libraries for exemplary efforts in preserving motor vehicle resource materials. In addition, an individual who has made a particular personal contribution to automotive history may be named a Friend of Automotive History.

Current officers of the society are Joseph Freeman, president; Michael Berger, vice president; Darwyn Lumley, secretary; and Christopher Foster, treasurer.

SAH holds its annual meeting each October in conjunction with the premier old-car event in the world, the Antique Automobile Club of America’s National Fall Meet in Hershey, Pennsylvania. A European meeting is held annually in Paris at the time of the Rétromobile show in February. The society also has several regional chapters that hold local meetings.

2004 Student Paper Award

The SAH invites submissions (postmarked by June 1, 2004) for its annual competition for the best student paper on auto history. Upper-class undergraduate or graduate level students (at the time of submission) are eligible to compete. This competition is international in scope, but papers must be in English. Papers already published or scheduled for publication will not be accepted.

Manuscripts should not exceed 10,000 words, and should be double-spaced. An abstract is requested. Submissions should emphasize in-depth research, with adequate citations of the sources utilized. Originality of ideas is important. An original and four copies must be submitted.

A cover letter should be included stating the student’s address, school, program, adviser, and stage in studies. The student should indicate how the paper submitted will relate to his or her professional future. The award will consist of a plaque and a cash prize of $500 and the winning paper will be published in the society’s journal, Automotive History Review.

Submissions should be sent to Sinclair Powell, Chair, Student Paper Award Committee, SAH, 8 Ruthven Place, Ann Arbor, MI 48104-2612. Fax: 734-769-2858. E-mail: sinclairp@msn.com.

For details about the competition and the society, visit the SAH web site at http://www.autohistory.org.