Collector Car Insurance: History of Aston Martin

Founded in 1913 by Lionel Martin and Robert Bamford as “Bamford and Martin LTD”, Aston Martin  has become one of the most successful British luxury and sports car brands in the world. The name “Aston Martin” originated in 1914 after Martin’s success in the Aston Hill Climb race which gave the automakers early recognition. The two produced their first motor vehicle in 1915, however their efforts were put on hold due to the outbreak of World War I at which time each of the founders enlisted in separate divisions of the British military.

After the war, the automakers struggled through the financial turmoil of the 1920’s while endeavoring to produce racing models. In 1922, Bamford & Martin produced two vehicles for the French Grand Prix, one of which went on to set world speed and endurance records at the world’s second professional motorsports track Brooklands. Bill Renwick and Augustus Bertelli took the helm in 1926, at which time the Aston Martin brand started to gain a foothold producing what has come to be known as the “Bertelli cars”.

New investors and new management continued to produced racing and consumer vehicles on a small scale under the Aston Martin name. At the 1933 Le Mans race Aston Martin vehicles placed first within their class leading to a large upswing in notoriety and prestige. However in 1936, Aston Martin decided to concentrate on road cars, producing an estimated 700 vehicles before the onset of World War II. During WWII production on motor vehicles halted and the company’s focus shifted to aircraft components for the military.

In 1947 the Aston Martin brand was acquired by English entrepreneur David Brown who revved up vehicle production and acquired auto manufacturers Lagonda, famous for their 2.6 liter engine designed by W. O. Bentley. Brown introduced the DB series in the 1950’s and 1960’s to huge racing success and public acclaim. In 1963 one of the most critically acclaimed and publically noted vehicles of all time went into production, the DB5. Better known as the “James Bond” car, the Aston Martin DB5 not took the automakers from noted race car producers to pop culture icons, forever changing the prestige and public perception of the brand. The DB5 lead to tremendous success for the brand and remains one of the most prized models to date.

Reprising their role as the “James Bond” car in the 1990s and 2000’s, Aston Martin became synonymous with speed, style and being on the forefront of “cool”. Despite changing ownership, the Aston Martin brand continued to produce many iconic high-powered and luxury vehicles over the last few decades and remains a world renowned producer of exotics and sports cars.

At Condon Skelly, we know how exciting collecting exotic, classic and sports cars can be. That’s why we specialize in offering complete collector car insurance.  Our team is as passionate about protecting your vehicles as you are about collecting them. We’ve been helping our customers protect their collector cars with affordable, industry-leading insurance coverage since 1967. We’re a group of collectors, enthusiasts, and professionals who specialize in insuring all types of collector vehicles. For more information, contact our antique car insurance specialists today at (866) 291-5694.

Antique Car Insurance: History of the Stutz Motor Company

In the history of American motor vehicles there have been hundreds of designers and manufacturers, but few had the ability to eternally distinguish themselves from the crowd. While some early American auto makers were focused on making vehicles widely accessible to consumer, others set out to distinguish themselves as luxurious and extravagant symbols of wealth and leisure. The Stutz Motor Company was one such brand, and the Stutz Bearcat was their claim to fame.

Throughout its lifetime, Stutz Motor Company was known as an American producer of fast cars and vehicles for the rich and famous. The Bearcat has been called the “first American sports car” by some enthusiasts because the early models were essentially a road-friendly version of their racer. Stutz has also been credited with the development of “the under-slung chassis”, which greatly enhanced the safety and cornering of motor vehicles. The technology is still being used today.

Originally produced between 1912 and 1925, the Stutz Bearcat roared through the early part of the twentieth century with enough speed and flash to embody the spirit of the Roaring Twenties. The Bearcat became nearly synonymous with extravagance and luxury at the time. In 1914 it was priced at $2000, which two to three times as much as the average American “basic” car. The Bearcat rose in popularity due largely to its luxurious and fast reputation at much more affordable prices than some of the imported European sports cars of the era.

In 1912, Stutz Bearcats won 25 of the 30 auto races in which they were entered, increasing their prestige and appeal among motor enthusiasts of the time. In 1915 a stock Bearcat was driven by Erwin “Cannon Ball” Baker to achieve the record coast-to-coast drive time of eleven days, seven hours, and fifteen minutes.  This drive was the inspiration for the Cannonball Run race and subsequent film adaptation of the events.

Stutz Motor Company struggled through the great depression and wartime era which lead to vehicle production ending in 1935. The America’s luxury auto makers produced some 35,000 during their twenty-four year run. While the brand was later revived as the Strutz Motor Car of America in 1968, it never again regained its early prominence.

No matter what type of vintage, classic, antique or collector car you own, getting the right insurance to protect your prized vehicles is vital. At Condon Skelly, we know are as passionate about protecting your vehicles as you are about collecting them. We’ve been helping our customers protect their classics with affordable, industry-leading insurance coverage since 1967. We’re a group of collectors, enthusiasts, and professionals who specialize in insuring all types of collector vehicles. For more information, contact our antique car insurance specialists today at (866) 291-5694.

Vintage Motorcycle Insurance: History of Harley-Davidson

Harley-Davidson Motor Company is one of the oldest and most renowned American motorcycle manufacturers in the world. The brand has notoriety among collectors and motorcycle enthusiasts who enjoy the craftsmanship, majesty and power of these bikes. Over the years, Harley-Davidson has become a household name and symbol of American ingenuity and spirit.

Ever wonder how the legend got its start? It all started in 1903 in a 10×15 foot wooden shed, where founders William S. Harley and Arthur Davidson built their first motorcycle to sell to the public. While production was small and sales were slow at first, business began to improve in 1908 when their Endurance performance model gain notoriety at the 7th Annual Federation of American Motorcyclists Endurance and Reliability Contest. Ridden by Walter Davidson, brother of company founder William, the Harley-Davidson scored a perfect 1,000 points when ranked by the contest, and later set the fuel economy record at 188.234 miles per gallon. Word quickly spread about the durability and strength of Harley-Davidson’s motorcycle and demand rapidly increased.

Harley-Davidson also has an extensive military history which began when they were asked by the U.S. military to supply motorcycles for an expedition a few years prior to World War I. During the First World War, Harley provided about 15,000 machines to the military forces during. By 1920, Harley-Davidson was the largest motorcycle manufacturer in the world, with dealers in over 67 countries. By this time the small 10×15 shed had long been discarded in exchange for a full production operation which had cranked out nearly 30 thousand machines. Harley-Davidson struggled to survive during the Great Depression but was able to diversify their services enough to get by. During this time Harley manufactured industrial powerplants based on their motorcycle engines, and three-wheeled delivery vehicles called Servi-Cars, which could remain in production into the 1970’s.

Through the years, Harley continued supplying the American military and police forces with motorcycle vehicles. The WLA line was the most common military-specific model designed and produced by Harley Davidson during World War II and again for the Korean War. The XA model was originally commissioned for the U.S. military to compete with the foreign motorcycles being produced at the time, however the model was eclipsed by the emerging Jeep four-wheeled military vehicle and was never set into full production. There were only 1,000 Harley XA models ever produced, making them rare and prized treasures for collectors.

Over the years, Harley has dabbled in the production of small, two-stroke engine models, however they found their niche and prominence by producing both racing bikes and commercial durable and powerful motorcycles with great capacity for customization.

At Condon Skelly we love classic or vintage motorcycles as much as you do and are passionate about keeping them safe. We specialize in insuring classic, antique and vintage cars, trucks and motorcycles, because we understand their true value to their owners. We invite you to contact us today for more information or give us a call at (866) 291-5694.

Classic Car Insurance: Origin of the Hudson Motor Company

When it comes to classic cars, what does your mind first go to? Typically it will be old American muscle cars, or the Chevys and Fords of yesterday. Another car brand though that has made its impression on the classic automobile world is Hudson Motor Car Company.

Hudson Motor Car Company, founded by auto pioneers Howard Coffin, George W. Dunham, and Roy E. Chapin, was largely funded by department store owner Joseph L. Hudson, hence the name. In 1910, when America was rife with automakers, Hudson was the eleventh-largest auto company in the country, despite it only being its second year of production.

What was it about these cars that made them so attractive to buyers? Their early cars were mainly closed models, which meant they sealed out the weather unlike most other vehicles at the time. This is thought to have contributed to their popularity, just one of the signs that Hudsons were advanced for the time.

Hudson also made other innovations that weren’t seen in other automobiles; the steering wheel was put on the left and hand levers were put in the center, which are their modern positions. Hudson also adopted GM’s self-starter earlier than most automakers, an addition that made cars easier and safer to start. Hudson also had the first balanced crankshaft. This crankshaft helped to increase smooth idling and allowed the engine to rev higher.

Some Hudsons included dual brakes and mounting oil pressure and generator warning lights on the dashboard. The Hudson legacy lasted through the next couple of decades to become the third-largest automaker in the U.S. by 1929, behind only Ford and Chevrolet. Unfortunately, the Great Depression hurt the brand lost some of its popularity. Sales persevered though, until 1957 when the last Hudson rolled off the Kenosha assembly line.

Whether you own a classic Hudson or any other type of classic or antique car, it’s important to protect it financially with the right type of insurance coverage. At Condon Skelly, we know how exciting it can be to start a classic car collection. We’ve been helping our customers protect their classics with affordable, industry-leading insurance coverage since 1967. We’re a group of collectors, enthusiasts, and professionals who specialize in insuring all types of collector vehicles. For more information, please contact us today at (866) 291-5694.

Classic Car Insurance: A Look at the Model T

Who doesn’t appreciate the Model T? Also known as the “Tin Lizzie,” this automobile changes the way that Americans lived, worked, and traveled.  According to History.com, he Model T was the first car to be affordable to a majority of Americans due to Henry Ford’s groundbreaking advancements in assembly-line automobile manufacturing.

The Ford Motor Company built the Model T from 1908 until 1927. The vehicle was conceived as affordable, yet practical, transportation for the common man. Henry Ford’s creation soon gained a reputation for being inexpensive, durable, versatile, and easy to maintain. Ford’s assembly-line production methods eventually allowed the price of the touring car version to be brought down from its original $850 in 1908 to less than $300 in 1925. Due to these extremely low prices, Model T could comprise of as much as 40% of all cars sold in the United States during the years they were in production.

All bodies of the Model T (there were several different kinds) were mounted on a uniform 100-inch-wheelbase chassis. The types of body styles included a five-seat touring car, a two-seat runabout, and a seven-seat town car. From 1913 to 1925, the Model T was mass-produced in only one color- black- despite it originally being available in a variety of colors.

Model Ts were used for many different purposes than just a convenience vehicle; they were used as snowmobiles, to power farm machinery, sausage grinders, and newspaper presses. The immediate appeal of this vehicle was based on its sturdiness, power, and value for the money.

At Condon Skelly, we know how exciting it can be to start a classic car collection. We’ve been helping our customers protect their classics with affordable, industry-leading insurance coverage since 1967. We’re a group of collectors, enthusiasts, and professionals who specialize in insuring all types of collector vehicles. For more information, please contact us today at (866) 291-5694.

Classic Cars: How the Mazda Came to Be

Earlier this summer, we looked at the rising value of Japanese classic cars, stating that their value has skyrocketed in recent years. While not as popular as perhaps the Datsun or classic Toyotas, Mazda has definitely made its mark in the world of classic cars. Mazda has become well known for its affordable, quality-performance vehicles; namely the Miata, “the world’s best-selling two-seat roadster,” according to an article from History.com. So, how did the Mazda legend begin?

The Mazda brand originally started as a machine manufacturing company called the Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd. Founded by Jujiro Matsuda in 1920 in Hiroshima, the company had to be saved from bankruptcy almost a decade from its start, and went on to produce its first automobile. Eventually, the company’s name was changed to Mazda.

1931 saw the brand releasing the Mazda-Go. This was a three-wheeled vehicle that resembled a motorcycle, but with a cargo-carrier at the back. The company went on to develop more cars, however this was halted during World War II and the bombing of Hiroshima. They started developing small, four-wheel trucks in the 1950’s and launched their first passenger car in 1960 in Japan. This vehicle was called the R360 Coupe.

Mazda debuted their first rotary engine car, the Cosmo Sport 110S, seven years after the development of the Coupe. It wasn’t until 1970 until the Mazda entered the American Market, with the R100 coupe. This was the first mass-produced, rotary-powered car in the U.S. 8 years later, the Mazda RX-7 debuted. At the time, this was an affordable, “peak-performing” sports car.

The latest development as far as classic Mazdas go is the MX-5 Miata, a two-door sports car revealed in 1989 that had a starting price tag of $13,800. According to Mazda, the concept for the car was “affordable to buy and use, lightweight, had good handling, and classic roadster looks.”

Mazda continues to be a relevant and affordable brand today, with sales of their MX-5 Miata reaching their 25^th year, topping 900,000 sold vehicles. Whether you own a classic Mazda or any other type of classic or antique car, it’s important to protect it financially with the right type of insurance coverage.

At Condon Skelly, we know how exciting it can be to start a classic car collection. We’ve been helping our customers protect their classics with affordable, industry-leading insurance coverage since 1967. We’re a group of collectors, enthusiasts, and professionals who specialize in insuring all types of collector vehicles. For more information, please contact us today at (866) 291-5694.