Classic Car Insurance: The Elusive 1983 Corvette

Most classic car enthusiasts by now have heard of the sinkhole that occurred in early February 2014 and damaged 8 of the classic and antique Corvettes on display at the National Corvette Museum in Kentucky. Fortunately, no people were present at the time that the sinkhole happened. Luckier still, the official insurance agent for the museum says there is no coverage concerns regarding the incident. Michelle Montgomery, director of quality control, said that they had tailored coverage to fit the needs the museum, adding that the value of the vehicles are based on appraisals the museum obtains regularly and insured to an agreed amount in the policy.

Although the vehicles affected will be restored to their full monetary value, car enthusiasts and museum employees are glad the situation wasn’t any worse, given the unique and rare cars they have on hand. In fact, client services manager and claims manager Phyllis Milliner says that some of the most valuable cars they have were spared from the sinkhole, even though they were only feet away. One of these vehicles that seems to be particularly fortunate is the 1983 Corvette.

If you are asking yourself, “What 1983 Corvette?” you aren’t alone. There has been a general consensus amongst those who know the Corvette’s history that there was no 1983 model. This model year Corvette was never actually released to the public, as it featured so many advances that it would have taken too much time to validate and go through the government-approval process. Over 40 1983 Corvettes were actually made, however they were all either destroyed, or repurposed for the 1984 model year; all except for the one in the National Corvette Museum.

The museum’s communications coordinator Bob Bubnis speculates that it would have been catastrophic had the only existing 1983 Corvette been lost in the sinkhole. He said that after the sinkhole, the vehicle was safely removed from the area as soon as people were able to safely get into the Skydome. People are calling this unique vehicle a “legend” that will keep living on as the years go by.

Whether you own a classic Corvette or any other type of classic or antique car, it’s important to protect it financially with the right type of Classic Car 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.

A Brief History of the Norton Motorcycle Company

Norton Motorcycle Company, formerly known as Norton Motors, Ltd., is a British motorcycle marque, originally from Birmingham, UK. The company was founded in 1898 by James Lansdowne Norton. His business was started in order to produce bicycle chains, but a short four years later they began manufacturing motorcycles with imported engines. In 1907, a Norton won the first International Isle of Man Tourist Trophy Race (TT), which is a motorcycle racing event, held on the Isle of Man.

For many years, this was the most prestigious motorcycle race in the world, and it remains statistically the most dangerous race in the world. By 1910, there were eight models of Norton motorcycles, two with Norton-built engines. JL Norton was arguably a better engineer though than business administrator, and by 1913 his company was on the verge of insolvency. Fortunately, it was saves by one of its creditors, forming Norton Motors Limited, which secured a government contract to supply the Russian army with engines during the First World War.The famous Norton logo appeared around this time.

Although James Norton passed away in 1925, the Norton brand lived on. During the 1930s, the company cemented its place in racing history, winning seven of the nine TT races between 1931 and 1939, when the factory started to produce the 100,000 bikes it built for the war effort.

In 1949, Norton introduced the Dominator model and continued to race successfully, but got into financial trouble again in 1953, and was sold to Associated Motorcycles. Production was then shifted to London. 13 years later, the company was bought by Manganese Bronze Holdings and re-launched as Norton-Villiers. An injection of new capital resulted in the development of the first Commando. In 1972, Norton-Villiers merged with the BSA-Triumph Group. However, the industrial unrest and reductions in Government subsidies led the company into receivership in 1974.

Norton was re-launched yet again in 1988 with production in Lichfield, but did not make as much of an impact as they did previously. During the mid-90s there were attempts to consolidate Norton and start producing bikes in the U.S. This eventually happened when the company was bought by Stuart Garner in 2007.

Whether you own a classic Norton motorcycle or any other type of antique bike, it’s imperative that you protect your investment with the appropriate Antique Vehicle Insurance policy. At Condon Skelly, our goal is to keep your insurance costs low so that you can spend more time on the road. Our policies cost about 60% less than standard auto insurance companies, and they’re designed specifically for unique needs of classic and collector cars and motorcycles. Please Contact Us today for more information!

Antique Car Insurance: How the VW Bus Came to Be

Volkswagen produced the first generation of VW buses, officially called Volkswagen type II, in the 1950s and 60s. This panel van was Volkswagen’s second car model after the VW Beetle, the Volkswagen Type I. This first generation featured VW buses in the form of split screens. These “splitties” earned their name due to the split windscreen and also sported a sweeping v-line front. They had a rear air-cooled engine that was simple and reliable.

The first VW Bus was alternatively called the Transporter, Station Wagon, Kombi, or Micro Bus, and later the Vanagon and Eurovan. No matter what you called it though, it had great success in its first generation. The VW Bus was recognized for its remarkable space efficiency and innovative design. It sported tall upright seats and a great view for passengers.

The split-screen design of the VW Bus was replaced in 1968 by the “early bay” window version. The style of the bay was a redesign that was considered “radical” at the time. It had major suspension changes and engines fitted with a stabilizing “back bar”. A one piece windscreen and wind down windows also added to the changed.

1973 saw the introduction to the “late bay”. This saw changes in the “wrap around” style bumpers being replaced with the square style, front indicators being moved up to the new grille, and had an option of larger engine sizes. The last VW Bus with the bay style was produced in 1979. This year marked the end of the famous VW air-cooled engine.

Sales of the VW Bus were still going strong into its third generation in 1984, until Chrysler launched its Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager. Despite the steady success of the VW Bus, by the 1990s and the 2000s, it was just no longer as popular. VW introduced a more powerful version in 1999, but that only lasted through 2003.

Whether you own an antique VW Bus 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.

Antique Car Insurance: A Look at the 1968-1969 Dodge Charger

As mentioned in our post in December of 2013 entitled “The Most Desired Classic Muscle Cars”, the 1968-1969 Dodge Charger was considered to be one of the most visually striking and memorable of muscle cars in its’ time. The 1968-1969 Dodge Charger models were a restyled edition after sales dropped their previous season. Many people considered these revised vehicles to be some of the best looking mid-size cars out there.

Dodge released a Charger R/T (Raod/Track) vehicle as part of its “Scat Pack” to please the muscle-car crowd of the time. The Scat Pack also included the Coronet R/T and Dart GTS. Each sported bumblebee stripes around its tail and carried an engine appropriate for its title.

The 1968-1969 Dodge Charger models were aimed at “a rugged type of individual”, with ads noting that the vehicles were “not built for the common car crowd.” For many individuals, that was enough to create a craving for the 440-Magnum V-8 and innovative suspension.

Although the vehicles were advertised in this way, the Charger featured vinyl-trimmed bucket seats and a cushion available to position an extra passenger between the buckets, making it a car of comfort as well as style.

The 1968-1969 Dodge Charger has also been in various movie and T.V. scenes throughout the years, increasing its popularity. The television series The Dukes of Hazzard (1979-1985) featured a 1969 Dodge Charger that was named “The General Lee”. Most recently, the Dodge Charger made an appearance in “The Fast and the Furious”.

Whether you own a classic Dodge Charger 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 Cars: Exploring the Generations of Ford Mustangs

Ford Mustangs have been called a “pillar of American automotive lore”, and referred to as the car that brought sporting dash and styling at a price almost anyone could afford. While the Mustang has never been considered an exotic car, it still has had a way of capturing the hearts of drivers for nearly 50 years. Even though it’s just an ‘ordinary’ car, it’s always been considered an attractive car.

The history of Ford Mustangs can be broken down into six generations, but we’ll only be discussing the first four. The first generation, defined as the period between mid-1964 and 1973, includes vehicles such as the classic Shelby Mustang lineup, Boss Mustangs, K-Code Mustangs, the “Bullitt” Mustang GT-390 Fastback, the original Cobra Jets, and all the other Mustangs most folks consider “classic”.

The second generation (1974-1978) of Ford Mustangs was coined as the “Pintostang” generation. This is because the cars were based on the Ford Pinto platform. They were smaller and more fuel efficient, however they were considered too small, underpowered, and ill-proportioned by many potential buyers of the time. The third generation (1979-1993) improved, as it encompassed more years than any other generation in the history of the car. Coined the “Fox Body” Mustang, this car was based on the Fox platform. This generation of Ford Mustangs was also known for its powerful 5.0L V-8 engines.

The fourth generation, and the last generation that Ford Mustangs that can be considered “classic” until 2019, started with the introduction of the SN95 Mustang. This generation of Mustang, which lasted from 1994 until 2004, produced a car that was based on the SN-95/Fox4 Platform, and was larger than the previous generation. This car was engineered to be stiffer in design that past models. In 1996 the popular 5.0L engine was replaced with a 4.6L modular V-8 engine. This generation spawned the “New Edge” line of Mustangs in 1999. Although the cars looked different, they were still based on the SN-95 platform.

Whether you own a classic Ford Mustang 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: ’64 Pontiac GTO

The 1964 Pontiac GTO was a car with ‘attitude’- a bigger V8 than previous cars, hood scoops, dual exhausts, a Hurst shifter, racy trim, and a name inspired by the Ferrari 250 GTO. The moment that the ’64 Pontiac GTO went on sale is often credited to be the start of the classic “muscle car” era.

This car came three ways. There were the expected sporty-car styles of the day, a convertible, and a two-door hardtop. There was also a coupe with a fixed B-pillar, which Pontiac called the Sports Coupe. The Sports Coupe was 20 pounds lighter than the hardtop and 150 lighter than the convertible, with the lowest starting price of all the models, making it the most popular.

The basis for the first 10 years of GTOs was GM’s “A-Body” platform, upon which midsize care for every General Motors marketing division except Cadillac were built. In 1964, that meant the A-Body chassis was found under the Buick Skylark, Chevrolet Chevelle, Oldsmobile Cutlass and Pontiac Tempest lines. Sportier versions of each of those cars were available with small (for the time) V8 engines, but only Pontiac dared to install a truly large V8 in its Tempest in ’64, and when a Tempest had a 389-cubic-inch V8 under its hood, it was a GTO.

The GTO package included the 389 V8, quick steering, dual exhaust, and premium tires. The 389 cid engine came with 325bhp with a single 4bbl carb or 348bhp with the optional Tri-power setup, 3 2bbl carbs. While Pontiac hoped to sell 5,000 copies, they ended up selling 32,450 of them.

Whether you own a GTO or any other type of Antique or Classic Car, we can insure it at Condon Skelly. Since 1967, we have been helping our customers protect their classics with affordable, industry-leading insurance coverage. We are a group of collectors, enthusiasts, and professionals who specialize in insuring all types of collector vehicles. Please contact us today for more information.

Classic Cars: A Look at the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado

When it comes to classic cars from the 1950s, glitter was good, bigger was better, and too many accessories were just right in the age of neon. So it was only natural that when the 1957 Cadillac Eldorado came around, automaker Harley Earl’s styling team pulled out all the stops. They contributed multiple new ideas, including four-door hardtop sedan bodywork, with side windows that disappeared completely, frames and all. The car also featured rear-hinged rear doors, a throwback to the 1930s, and a broad, sparkling brushed stainless steel roof.

Another great feature of this classic car was the list of power accessories. The trunk lid and rear doors not only opened with a push of a button, but they closed with one too, and the doors would lock automatically when the transmission was put in gear. This car was so fully-equipped that even the glove box came filled, which was perhaps this car’s most distinguishing feature. No other classic car included a lady’s vanity case with a compact, powder puff, comb and holder, lipstick and coin holders. In addition, the glove box held six drink tumblers, a tissue dispenser, and a cigarette case. The rear seat armrest was equipped as well, opening to reveal a notepad and pencil, a mirror, and a perfumer atomizer, which came with a complimentary ounce of Arpege by Lanvin.

The Cadillac Eldorado was originally only offered as a convertible, but in 1956 Cadillac decided to extend the Eldorado product line to include a coupe, for which they chose the name “Seville” to distinguish it from the convertible, which because the “Biarritz”. The “Brougham”, a sedan, was another model introduced this year.

Whether you own a 1957 Cadillac or any other type of classic 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.

Indian Motorcycles through the Years

The Indian Motorcycle Company, America’s first motorcycle company, was founded in 1901 by engineer Oscar Hedstrom and bicycle racer George Hendee. Hedstrom began affixing small engines on Hendee’s bicycles, and from there, they quickly honed their craft, creating some of the best motorcycles of that era. Just one year later, the first Indian Motorcycle that featured innovative chain drives and streamlined styling was sold to the public. Then in 1903, Hedstrom set the world motorcycle speed record, traveling at 56 mph.

The Indian brand rolled out production two years before Harley-Davidson, and these motorcycles quickly became a force to be reckoned with, introducing the first V-twin engine, the first two-speed transmission, the first adjustable front suspension, the first electric lights and starter, and many more innovations. Indian was clearly dominant in the marketplace in its beginnings, consistently setting and breaking speed records.

The motorcycle wasn’t always called such. When motorcycles began to appear in the late 19^th century, there was uncertainty about what to call them. Some people called them “motocycles”. In 1923 The Hendee Manufacturing Company chose to use this term, changing their name to the Indian Motocycle Company. It was in the 1930’s that “motocycles” became known as motorcycles.

Following WWII, Indian Motorcycles struggled with re-entry into the public market and Indian was forced to halt production in 1953, despite the Indian Chief being re-introduced two years prior as a mighty 80-cubic-inch model. The following decades involved a complex web of trademark rights issues that foiled numerous attempts to revive the Indian name. But in 1998, several formerly competing companies merged to become the Indian Motorcycle Company.

It wasn’t until very recently that a new era of Indian Motorcycles was born. The Indian Thunder Stroke III engine was introduced at Daytona Bike Week in March of this year, and the 2014 Indian Chief was unveiled at the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in August. Many motorcycle enthusiasts agree though, nothing compares to the classic and antique Indian Motorcycles.

No matter what type of classic or vintage motorcycle you own, we can insure it at Condon Skelly. Your vehicle will fall into the antique category if it is completely original and at least 25 years old. We insure many different types of antique cars, trucks, and motorcycles so we’ll be able to craft the perfect policy for your vehicle. Please contact us today for more information. (866) 291-5694

Classic Motorcycle Insurance: Brough Superior

The 3048 Brough Superior motorcycles that were produced from 1919 through 1940 were known as the “Rolls-Royce of Motorcycles”. George Brough was a racer and designer who created high performance motorcycles, and he manufactured motorcycles and cars with the Brough Superior signature during this time. Each bike was designed for an individual customer, being assembled twice. It was assembled once to fit the components and after that to paint all the parts as the customers preferred. In order to create the perfect bike, each machine was test ridden to make sure that its performances were at high level.

Due to the reputation of perfection and because of the high price, if a Brough Superior bike had any chance of failing a performance test, it was taken back to the shop. These motorcycles have always been rare, expensive, and preferred by many celebrities. The bike is still desired by a lot of motorcycle collectors, and is known as a legend in the motorcycle world. It’s a motorcycle that is known for the highest level of quality, innovation, and design in its product.

Although you will see Brough Superiors today, with 2014 unveiling their SS100 high performance luxury bikes, many collectors agree that there is nothing like the classic bikes from the early 1900s. Whether you own one of these bikes or another type of Classic Vehicle, we have the insurance products you need to protect your Vintage and Antique Cars and Motorcycles. Contact Condon Skelly today for more information about the coverages we offer.

The Evolution of the Triumph Bonneville

Many people call the Triumph Bonneville motorcycle a legend. In the 1950s, a team of motorcycle builders used a Triumph engine to create the fastest motorcycle of its time, after setting a land speed record at 214 mph. It was in 1959 that Triumph introduced the Bonneville to the buying public. Similar to the same motorcycle that set the speed record, the Bonneville T-120 had a 650cc air-cooled, overhead valve, parallel-twin engine and a four-speed gearbox with a chain final drive.

So how exactly did the Bonneville get its name? The Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah is one of the most unique places on earth, stretching over 30,000 acres. It’s been called a “place so flat it seems that you can see the curvature of the earth’s surface.” In other words, Bonneville is the perfect place to set a land speed record. Three Texan motorcycle builders and racers created a streamliner called the “Texas Cee-gar” which was powered by a Triumph Thunderbird engine. After setting the land speed record, this streamliner was the inspiration for the iconic Triumph Bonneville motorcycle.

After this first record breaking model, a Bonneville-powered twin-engine streamliner motorcycle ridden by Bob Leppan set a new world land speed record of 245.6 mph in 1960. A labor dispute grounded the production of Triumph bikes in 1973, however despite that a new 750cc Bonneville T140V was introduced this year. Years later, in 1990, the first of the newly designed Triumph motorcycles with modern design and engineering were launched at the Cologne Motorcycle show.

The Triumph brand may have realized its heyday during the 50’s and 60’s, with the pinnacle of the Bonneville being in the late 60’s, but the Bonneville is still around today, regaining popularity in the early 2000’s. The biggest news for the Bonneville motorcycle in 2009, on the 50^th anniversary of the first Triumph Bonneville, was the addition of fuel injection, a change that has occurred across all of the Triumphs Modern Classics. This Triumph Bonneville was a special, limited edition model that commemorated the original.

No matter what type of classic or vintage motorcycle you own, we can insure it at Condon Skelly. Your vehicle will fall into the antique motorcycle insurance category if it is completely original and at least 25 years old. We insure many different types of antique cars, trucks, and motorcycles so we’ll be able to craft the perfect policy for your vehicle. Please contact us today for more information. (866) 291-5694