Shawn and Erin Achtel of Schwenksville, Pennsylvania, are our 2025 HCCA Art Twohy Service Award winners. Shawn is a second- generation HCCA member. His father Alan joined in 1991, and Shawn joined individually after graduating from college in 2003. He is currently the President of the Old Time Touring Club Regional Group (OTTC) and has served that club in this position as well as membership chairperson for over five years. Erin serves as OTTC Treasurer.
In addition to leading the club, Shawn has helped organize and lay out their region’s annual Dust-Off Tours and Fall Frosty Tours. These events are always well attended, and Shawn opens them to the surrounding regional groups and chapters, including North Jersey, Susquehanna Valley, and Central Maryland.
Shawn has been co-chairperson of the 2023 National Oneand Two-Cylinder Cars, Cows, and Combines Tour in Mount Joy and the Inaugural 2024 ABC Tour in Strasburg (both in Pennsylvania). Shawn and Erin stepped up this past September and offered to host the second annual ABC Tour out of Limerick, Pennsylvania, after they learned the originally planned event for Michigan could not be finalized in time for 2025. Together Shawn and Erin have also helped with route planning and route proofing for numerous Hershey Hangover Tours. As a Boy Scout pack leader, Shawn has access to a pinewood derby track. Shawn, with help from Erin coordinated the Hershey Hangover Pinewood Derby Race held during the tour which has raised over $1,500 for the Museum of the Horseless Carriage.
Shawn and Erin have included their two young sons Jacob and Alex in the hobby. Jacob planned the region’s 2024 Fall Frosty, helped his father with Model T engine rebuilding, and performed White engine maintenance.
They have several Brass Era Automobiles. Their collection includes a 1904 Curved Dash Olds, a two-cylinder Buick, an unrestored REO, a 1909 White, 1911 Hudson, 1912 Overland, 1913 Oldsmobile, an unrestored 1911 White Truck, a Model T Fire Truck, and others. They are not afraid to drive their cars (Erin included), you will see their Brass Era autos on local and national tours throughout the year.
We believe Shawn and Erin truly exemplify the spirit of the Art Twohy Service Award. (Photo by Tracy Lesher)