Classic Cars: History of the Lamborghini

Would you believe that the first Lamborghinis ever created were actually tractors? Designer Ferruccio Lamborghini, who quickly earned the reputation of being a master mechanic and prolific tinkerer, started piecing together tractors out of spare parts shortly after WWII. People loved them, and his tractor business took off overnight.

Ferrucio Lamborghini, born in 1916 on a farm in a rural town near Modena, starting Lamborghini Trattori S.p.A in 1949. They produced in-house tractors with modular construction and interchangeable components. The success of his endeavor turned the company into one of the biggest agricultural machinery manufacturers in Italy in the late sixties.

So how did we get from that to where we are now? Considerably wealthy by the early sixties, Ferruccio decided to build a factor of luxury sports cars. He wanted to build a super sports car to compete with Ferrari, which many people considered him crazy for even attempting. Constructing this type of vehicle was viewed as an unexplainable extravagance and something that would squander his fortune without ever turning a profit.

However, by May 1963 he founded ‘Automobili Ferruccio Lamborghini’, buying a large plot of land in Sant’Agata Bolgnesese to build a large and ultramodern factory. Ferruccio was in a position to set up the best facilities for his purpose due to his experience with other companies: a very functional structure that was unrivalled in its field at the time.

The company’s first models were released in the mid-sixties and were noted for their refinement, power and comfort. Lamborghini gained wide acclaim in 1966 for the Miura sports coupe, which established rear mid-engine, rear wheel drive as the standard layout for high-performance cars of the era. In its first decade, Lamborghini grew rapidly.

Although Lamborghini’s are not as immensely popular and available as they once were, they are still considered one of the top luxury brands of vehicles. Whether you own a classic Lamborghini 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: Are There Advantages to Manual Transmissions?

Many classic car enthusiasts will tell you there’s nothing quite like driving a stick shift, or manual transmission, vehicle. They call these cars “engaging”; forcing drivers to learn more about their vehicle and how it works. Of course, in the last decade and longer, manual transmissions have been pretty steadily replaced by automatic transmissions, which many of today’s drivers prefer as they are easier to drive. However, stick shifts haven’t completely gone out of style yet!

While there is not conclusive evidence that having a stick shift will automatically deter all car thieves, these thieves usually don’t have any practice handling manual transmissions. Therefore, it’s highly unlikely if you have a stick shift, it will get stolen. Carjackings have literally failed because the would-be thieves didn’t know how to shift gears. Theft deterrent is not the only advantage to manual transmissions though. As one article from Autosaur.com cites, the numerous benefits of stick shifts include the following:

Cheaper: Many people feel that cars with manual transmissions are cheaper to buy and repair. Of course, this may differ with classic cars, as many more factors go in to determine the value of classic cars than that of modern vehicles.

Safer. Not only does driving a stick shift require the driver to use both hands, leaving no room for distraction by texting or eating, accidents involving a vehicle accelerating uncontrollably simply cannot happen with a manual transmission. In a stick shift, a driver would simply have to step down on the clutch and coast to safety, should their car do that.

Better fuel efficiency. With stick shift, drivers have more control. So, if you know how to shift those gears, you can manage far better fuel efficiency than an automatic.

While you may not drive your classic car much, if at all, a manual transmission may benefit you if you do decide to drive it. No matter what type of transmission your classic has, At Condon Skelly, 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: History of the VW Beetle

The history of the VW beetle goes back to 1924, and was actually an idea conceived by Adolf Hitler. While in prison following the failed revolt on the Federal German capital, he theorized that to solve Germany’s unemployment problem, the Government could build special roads, called autobahns, for motor vehicles, and mass-produce a car that the average man would be able to buy. Thus came the Volkswagen, also called “the people’s car”.

Work on these roads began in September of 1933, and the designs for the Volkswagen were not finalized until 1938, but the vehicle finally saw the light of day in 1939. Due to WWII, production was temporarily halted, but from 1945 on the Beetle was produced in significant numbers. The Beetle model was internally designated the Volkswagen Type 1 in 1945, and was marketed simply as the “Volkswagen”.

Later models were designated VW 1200, 1300, 100, 1302 or 1303. The first three model numbers indicated their engine displacement and the latter two were derived from the type number and not indicative of engine capacity. An interesting fact to note about the history of the VW beetle is that the same engine design has driven the through its lifetime.

The VW Beetle was designed to sustain high speeds on the autobahns. Eventually, the Beetle gave rise to variants, including the Volkswagen Karmann Ghia and the Volkswagen Type 2 bus. The Beetle marked a significant trend led by Volkswagen, Fiat, and Renault where the rear-engine, rear-wheel drive layout had increased form 2.6% of continental Western Europe’s car production in 1946 to 26.6% in 1956.

Although the VW Beetle has a rich and long history, manufacturing of the car ceased in Germany in 1980, and by 1981 Mexico was the only company that was still producing the vehicle. 65 years after its original launch, the last Type 1 VW Beetle rolled off the production line at Puebla, Mexico on July 30, 2003. This last Beetle, nicknamed “El Ray”, was delivered to the company’s museum in Wolfburg, Germany that year.

Whether you own an antique VW Beetle 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.

The Case of a Hotel Valet and a Crashed Lamborghini

Earlier in July, at the Le Meridien Hotel in New Delhi, a hotel valet attempted to park a guest’s Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder, however apparently was not an experienced enough driver to be behind the wheel of such a powerful car. As he accelerated, the vehicle veered out of the man’s control, through a crowd of people, and into a concrete barrier. Fortunately, nobody was seriously injured in the incident, as the only injury sustained was to the driver himself and was minor.

Unfortunately however, the hotel simply calls this incident an “accident” and so far has taken no financial responsibility for the damaged specialty car. The car’s owner claims that the vehicle is worth nearly a half a million dollars, due to the high cost of importing it, and estimates that the damage done to the car comes to just over $330,000. In this case, the owner of the Lamborghini has filed a complaint against the valet, however if the hotel refuses to pay, this means that the owner is financially responsible for the damage done to his vehicle.

Although this type of case might have a different outcome here in the U.S., the scenario still shows how important it is to have the right type of insurance coverage for specialty, exotic, or classic cars. In addition, it should serve as an example of the importance of taking care of your exotic car; perhaps thinking twice about letting anyone else behind the driver’s seat, even if it is someone who should seemingly be an experienced driver.

Whether you own a Lamborghini or any other type of specialty or 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.

Exploring Jay Leno’s Classic Car Collection

Most classic car collectors know that Jay Leno’s garage boasts a rather impressive collection of classics, antiques, and collector vehicles. Referred to as the “Big Dog Garage”, Jay Leno’s collection has it all, from classic cars to supercars, to restoration projects and road tests. Below are some of the most impressive vehicles in his collection, as cited by Business Insider’s transportation writer Travis Okulski.

1955 Buick Roadmaster

When he bought it in 1972, Leno only paid $350 for the 1955 Buick Roadmaster! He restored this car in 1973 and drove it everywhere. It was even the car he used on his first date with his wife. This wasn’t the car’s only “first”. This car was the beginning of Leno’s extensive automobile collection.

1986 Lamborghini Countach

Leno’s 1986 Countach was actually one of his daily cars, with almost 70,000 miles on it. The Lamborghini Countach features a Lambroghini trademark first with its’ scissor doors; hinged at the front with horizontal hinges, so they lift up and tilt forward. It’s unique look made it one of the most popular cars there was between the 1970’s to the 1990’s.

1937 Fiat Tiopolino

While the top speed of a 1937 Fiat Tiopolino was only 53 mph and contained a small five gallon fuel tank, this vehicle was able to get almost 40 miles to the gallon. At the time of its production, the Topolino was one of the smallest cars in the world, and this vehicle is one of the oldest in Leno’s collection.

This is just a tiny sample of the classic cars living in Leno’s Big Dog Garage. His collection has been admired by many, and serves as an inspiration to both beginner car collectors and seasoned enthusiasts. 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.

Where Can You Find the Best Classic Car Shows?

As the weather warms up nationwide, classic car enthusiasts are beginning to attend or participate in classic car shows. There are many types of car shows out there, from those that focus on showcasing vehicles, to others that involve trading and selling parts. No matter where you live, there is bound to be a great classic car show around your area this summer. Many sites, including AutoTraderClassics.com, list a vast amount of car shows; below are some of the best in the U.S.

Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance

This annual car show is a charitable event, held in Pebble Beach, California on the third week of August. The event is split into various sections; a fundraiser, auction, and social event. Considered the most prestigious event of its kind, attendees must be invited to the show.

Wells Motor Company Car Show

Held in Avon Park, Florida, the Wells Motor Company car show is an opportunity for classic car enthusiasts to get a glimpse of more than 150 classic cars in various makes and models. Wells Motor Company is the only Jeep, Chrysler, and Dodge dealer in the area, and this car show is free for attendees and registered vehicles.

Cars and Coffee

This informal classic car show originated in Irvine, California, and has turned into a staple activity for Southern California classic car enthusiasts. It occurs every Saturday, year round. Cars and Coffee is currently expanding into many metropolitan areas throughout the country.

Charlotte Auto Fair

This event is held in the Spring as well as the Fall, with the next one occurring September 20-23. Taking place on the 1.5 mile stretch of the Charlotte Motor Speedway, it is one of the largest classic and customer car gatherings on the east coast.

The classic car shows mentioned above are just a few of the great events throughout the country. No matter what type of classic car you own, or if you are thinking of purchasing a classic or collector vehicle, Condon Skelly has the insurance policy you need to financially protect your investment. We can insure a wide variety of vehicles, from original antiques to brand new exotic sports cars, as long as the vehicle is a true collectible. Please contact us today to learn more.

The Rising Value of Japanese Classic Cars

The last decade has seen the introduction of many notable classic and antique cars. Some of the most iconic antique cars just celebrated their 50^th anniversary this year, including the Pontiac GTO, 1964 ½ Mustang, and the ’64 Studebaker Excalibur. While all of these cars have their place in the hearts of classic car enthusiasts, there is a group that is becoming immensely popular in very recent years. That is, Japanese classic cars.

According to an article by reporter Charles Fleming of the LA Times, back in 2006 vintage car collector  Terry Yamaguchi paid $5,000 for a bright orange 1973 Datsun 240Z, to sell it a couple years later for only a little more than she paid for it to begin with. What’s it worth now? A surprising $20,000!

This significant price hike is not limited to the 240Zs either, according to Fleming. He reports that the value of Japanese classic cars has skyrocketed in recent years, noting that a 70’s Toyota Celica could cost up to $20,000 and a well-maintained Datsun 510 has the potential to go for as much as $25,000!

Ironically, the growing popularity in Japanese collector cars is due in part to the fact that they’re cheaper than American or European classics. Mike Malamut, a retired car dealer who’s been collecting for 35 years, calls collecting Japanese classics a “way to enter the collector hobby for relatively little money”.

This idea of collecting Japanese classics is still foreign to many, however many classic car events on the West Coast are now centered around Japanese “nostalgic” cars. A few Japanese classics that stick out to collectors in particular are Mazda’s rotary-powered pickup trucks, 80s Mistubishis, and old Skylines.

Whether your Classic Car is American, Japanese, or European, 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: The Beginnings of Saab

As the owners of the Saab brand found out just a few short years ago, it takes an enormous amount of capital to operate an automotive company. Forbes’ Joann Muller noted in a 2011 article, right after the company went bankrupt, that “this industry already has too many brands, and too many factories for all to be profitable.”

Saab has not always had this problem though. Saab’s beginnings were in Sweden. The car manufacturer was formed in 1945, when Saab AB, the Swedish aerospace and defense company, began a project to design a small automobile. The Saab 92 was the first production model, and was introduced in 1949.

Almost 20 years later, in 1968 the parent company merged with Scania-Vabis, and ten years later the Saab 900 was launched. The Saab 900 actually became Saab’s best-selling model, with nearly one million being produced. Not only was it the best-selling model, it was considered to be the most iconic model produced by Saab as well. A popular convertible version followed in 1986, all of which were made at the Saab-Valmet factory in Finland, making up nearly 20% of 900 sales. Even today, the “classic 900” retains a cult following among classic car enthusiasts.

Although Saab saw many innovations in the following years, including producing its 100,000^th turbcharged car in 1984 and touting new design features in the 90s and early 2000s, their sales dwindled by 2009. This eventually led them to the above-mentioned bankruptcy. Only time will tell if Saab can truly make a comeback.

Whether you own a classic Saab or other type of classic car, Condon Skelly has the Insurance Policies to keep you financially protected. We’ve been helping our customers protect their classics with affordable, industry-leading classic, antique, and specialty vehicle insurance 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: The History of the Cadillac Brand

The Cadillac Brand was founded over 100 years ago, in 1902 Detroit, by a man named Henry Leland. Leland named the company after Antoine de la Moth Cadillac, who was a French explorer and adventurer in New France and founded the city of Detroit. Detroit eventually became the world center for automobile production in the 20^th century.

In 1908, Cadillac brought the idea of interchangeable parts to the automotive industry and provided the foundation for modern mass production of automobiles. What resulted was Cadillac becoming the first American car to win the prestigious Dewar Trophy from the Royal Automobile Club of England. This high praise is what earned Cadillac the slogan “Standard of the World.”

Following its outstanding beginnings, Cadillac only continued to introduce new innovations to the automobile industry. In 1910, they became the first company to offer a passenger car with a fully enclosed cabin, which was a huge change from the vehicles of the time. Two years after that, Cadillac released the Model Thirty. This was “the car with no crank”, and was the first production car to feature an electronic self-starter, ignition, and lighting. By doing this, Cadillac not only earned the Dewar trophy again, but they also were able to open the door to female drivers.

Cadillac is said to have “forever changed the way cars are designed”. The 20s were an important decade for the brand. Cadillac branched out and offered customers more than 500 color combinations to choose from, a definite change in mentality from Henry Ford’s famous quote, “You can have any color you want, as long as it’s black.”

One of the most interesting facts about Cadillac, and perhaps why it is still the strong brand we know today, is that in the midst of The Great Depression, while most businesses were struggling, Cadillac created the first V-type 16-cylinder engine for use in a passenger car. The engine would go on to be one of the most iconic engines in Cadillac history. Shortly after this, Cadillac released a V12 version to give buyers something between the already popular V8 and new V16 engines.

Cadillac is still known today as “The Standard of the World” when it comes to automobiles. Even today the brand is coming out with new models to impress it’s buyers. Whether you own a classic Cadillac or other type of classic car, Condon Skelly has the Insurance Policies to keep you financially protected. We’ve been helping our customers protect their classics with affordable, industry-leading classic, antique, and specialty vehicle insurance 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.

Standard Auto Insurance versus Collector Car Insurance

In a blog post earlier this year, we looked at some of the top reasons to purchase classic car insurance. As we stated in that post, a large difference between classic and regular auto insurance is the way your vehicle’s value is determined. With Classic and Collector Car Insurance coverage, you can typically expect your car to be covered for what it is currently worth, whereas with a standard auto policy you might be lucky to get a fraction of what the car is worth, if it is completely totaled.  In general, a standard auto insurance policy pays the cost of repair to the vehicle or the stated value, whichever is less.

This is not the only difference between collector car insurance and a standard auto insurance policy. You’ll find that collector car insurance premiums are typically much lower than that of a standard auto policy. Of course, this is because it’s assumed a classic or collector car will be driven less and will be very well taken care of. To qualify for a collector car insurance policy, your vehicle must be protected and not used for daily use. Garage storage is typically a necessity for these vehicles. In addition, you will have much stricter mileage restrictions with a collector car insurance policy than with a standard one.

Standard auto insurance coverage will be based on depreciating value, rather than the actual value that a collector car will be based off of. Of course, it’s important not to forget that you obtain full coverage for everything you have invested in the collector car in addition to just the vehicle on its own. The amount invested and the rarity of the vehicle are the two factors that differentiate a collector car from just a standard “older” car.

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.