Collector Auto Insurance: A History of Buick

Founded in 1903 as the Buick Motor Division, of the Buick Auto-Vim and Power Company, Buick proudly claims its repute as the oldest American auto-brand still active in the industry. The automakers struggled through their first year of production and recovered from near-bankruptcy in 1904 to become the most productive automaker of 1908, manufacturing more vehicles that year than both Ford and Cadillac combined which were Buick’s closest competitors. Originally, Buicks were designed and built to simulate the feeling and comfort of being in a modern American living room, which earned them the nickname the “moving couch of America”. Known for their large spacious interiors and opulent body styling, Buick’s became incredibly popular with the wealthy, especially with British royalty. After the war, Buick expanded its facilities and production rapidly increased as did sales.

In 1908, the original Buick Motor Company became the first cornerstone of the General Motors Company (GM). Buick’s former general manager William Durant and Buick auto-racer Louis Cheverolet founded GM. Durant had lead Buick to become the largest car maker in America at the time and from these efforts he began buying up other American automakers to form the megacorporation General Motors. Durant had a dream for GM that would allow each division to target one class of buyer and focus their efforts on appealing to that demographic instead of competing amongst each other. Buicks was and still remains the second of the top tier of Gm vehicle brands, second only to Cadillac. To Durant, the deal Buick customer would be comfortably well off, and searching for a more refined and less ostentations vehicle than the Cadillac line up.

Buick was always on the cutting edge of vehicle design and style. The first Buick made for sale was the 1904 Model B, only 37 of these Buicks were made that yea however none of the originals survived. The automakers would go on the use the Model B as a the basis for subsequent models through the 1909 Model F, and historians and experts suggests that the original 1904 engine was optimally engineered even to modern standards. Production picked up thorough the 1920’s, increasing to over 260,000 vehicles being crafted and distributed to countries around the world in 1926 alone. In 1939 Buick pioneered the use of turn signals in their vehicles, which did not appear on as a feature in other American auto brands until nearly a decade later. In1939, all Buick models became equipped with automatic spark advance and had a mounted shift lever affixed to the steering column.

During World War I Buick built Liberty aircraft engines and Red Cross ambulances. When called upon again in World War II, the auto maker turned to building aircraft engines, Hellcat tank destroyers and other military goods. Buick was awarded more than 30 separate military contracts and Buick-built goods could be found at virtually every fighting front.

The Roadmaster models became one of the pillars of Buick success, due largely to new engineering and styling innovation. They remain some of the most cherished collectable Buick models in auctions today. Buick’s famous vertical-pillar “toothy” grille was first introduced in 1942, and increased in size and prominence during the post-war era becoming a signature stylistic element of many new Buick models.  “Hardtop convertible” styling was introduced on the 1949 Roadmaster Riviera. Buick’s famous “portholes” came along that same year. The Roadmaster was so successful that it was reprised in the 1990’s.

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

Classic Car Insurance: History of ‘Coke-bottle’ Styling

One of the most iconic features of mid-century American automobiles is the pervasively curvaceous body styling which began in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s. Stepping away from straight-edged boxy and envelope styling of the early 1900’s vehicles, designers in the mid-20^th century began to incorporate chiseled edges, dramatic fenders and curvature into the automotive body styling with both performance and aesthetic intent.

To auto enthusiasts and collectors this design has come to be known as Coke-bottle styling, named after the resemblance to the classic contoured bottle design of popular American beverage producer Coca-Cola. Many tenants of Coke-bottle styling were originally crafted by aircraft manufacturers who had been streamlining aircraft design to improve aerodynamics and reduce drag and air resistance for better flight performance.  When automakers began incorporating functional curvature, wasp-waste body modeling and other elements into their vehicles, the performance improvements and consumer response was staggering.

Throughout the 1960s automakers such as Studebaker, Pontiac and Buick began to incorporate subtle horizontal creases and a slightly pinched middle section which swelled out again in the rear of the vehicles. By 1966, the General Motors A-body sedan had incorporated the softer more aerodynamic curvature into their design with a mid-riff pinch and slightly tilted fenders. However, it was the 1968 Corvette Stingray which brought Coke-bottle styling to prominence.

The new shape of the 1968 Corvette Stingray, first of the C3 generation, featured improved aerodynamics when compared to the C2 Corvettes, an iconic pinched mid-section and fenders which bulged out and arched upwards. The design was adopted in response to racer complaints about drag and high speed front end lift experienced my drivers in earlier models. The C3’s new Coke-body styling was so successful that it would be a staple for the next four generations of Corvettes and inspire other auto makers such as Ford, Dodge and GM to adopt similar styling in their sports, muscle and race car models. By the 1970’s tailfins had been incorporated into coke-bottle styling, and the combined design would be adopted almost unilaterally among American and foreign automakers over the next decade.

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. We’re a group of collectors, enthusiasts, and professionals who specialize in insuring all types of collector vehicles. Our team is as passionate about protecting your vehicles as you are about collecting them. We can help you secure affordable, industry-leading classic car insurance coverage to protect your classic, antique, or exotic vehicles. For more information, contact our classic 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.

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.

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.

Classic Cars: How Stock Car Racing Began

Would you believe that NASCAR is the No. 1 spectator sport in the United States? It’s the second most popular televised sport broadcast worldwide and continues to grow in popularity, evolving from a competition that was originally between cars that hadn’t been altered from their original factory build. Times have changed and technology has advanced, so naturally the sport has evolved, but how did stock car racing begin, exactly? How did these classic cars start this immensely popular American tradition?

Stock car racing was developed in the days of Prohibition, and began to spread in the 1920’s. Interestingly, stock cars were modified during this time to help alcohol producers outrun law enforcement while transporting liquor, which had become illegal to sell. The cars looked like all the other automobiles on the road, but they had been altered slightly to make them capable of reaching high speeds. “Moon runners”, as these individuals were called, began bragging about their 120 mph exploits, and soon after they began racing on the weekends. Thus, stock car racing was born.

Prohibition ended in 1933, and by this time racing had become extremely popular, as did the practice of modifying normal vehicles. The sport continued its growth though the next 15 years, and by 1948 it was a widespread sport. The sport was different in every region though, and eventually NASCAR was created in order to bring cohesiveness and regulation to the sport.

NASCAR was formed on February 21, 1948 by a man named Bill France. France began talks with drivers, mechanics, and car owners at the Ebony Bar at the Streamline Hotel at Daytona Beach, FL on December 14, 1947, to discuss uniform rules and insurance coverage, which resulted in the NASCAR formation. France is credited for many of the advancements of stock car racing as well as NASCAR, including the development of the Daytona 500 races, and the building of the Talladega Superspeedway that opened in 1969.

Stock car racing saw a lot of changes throughout the years, leading to the races we see today. Needless to say though, without the powerful classic cars of the 1920’s, stock car racing might have never come to be.

At Condon Skelly, we appreciate the history behind antique and classic cars, trucks, and motorcycles. Since 1967, we’ve been helping our customers protect their classics with affordable, industry-leading insurance coverage. We’re a group of collectors, enthusiasts, and professionals who specialize in insuring all types of collector vehicles. Please contact us today to learn more at 800.257.9496. 

Classic Cars: The Iconic 1966 Chevrolet Corvette

The Chevrolet Corvette has been called “one of the greatest lines of sports cars ever built” by many classic car enthusiasts, with a history covering more than 40 years. Interestingly enough, the ’66 model almost never existed; early versions of the Corvette were often called “too American” to appeal to American sports car buyers! It was in 1955 that the model was improved and started gaining popularity, later turning into one of the most iconic cars of the 1960’s.

Not only was the 1966 Chevrolet Corvette known for its style and class, it often makes cameos in movies, and has even been featured in Country songs. 1966 Corvettes, which were produced from September 1965 through July 1966, featured a newly introduced 427 cubic-inch engine. This high performance engine was actually originally listed and labeled at 450 hp but the rating was reduced to 425 hp shortly after introduction.

Other than the engine, the 1966 Corvette had many features that made it different from the previous year’s model. For example, the ’66 Corvette sported a plated, cast-metal grille with an “egg crate” insert not seen in previous models, in addition to ribbed rocker panel moldings, chrome-plated exhaust bezels, and spoke-style wheel covers.

These weren’t the only features that set the 1966 Corvette apart from other vehicles. This model had eliminated roof vents, replacing them with front fender sides that featured three slanting vertical air louvers. These Corvettes were available in a wide range of colors, with 10 lacquer exterior finishes, ranging from tuxedo black or ermine white to sunfire yellow and miland maroon. Interior colors varied too, with bright blue or red being popular choices.

Whether your classic or specialty car is a Chevrolet Corvette or not, 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.

When Should You Avoid a Classic Car Restoration Project?

In our blog post titled, “What to Consider When Making a Classic Car Investment”, we stated that if refurbished correctly, classic cars carry the potential for a large profit. However, for many classic car enthusiasts, refurbishing or restoring is far from the reason that most invest in a classic car. In fact, some enthusiasts feel that you should never restore a classic or vintage vehicle, saying that the reasons for avoiding a classic car restoration project far outweigh the reasons you should.

For example, J.P. Vettraino, car reviewer featured on AutoWeek.com, claims that you will not make money taking on a classic car restoration project. He states that in almost every case, the car and the job to restore it will end up costing more than either one of them are worth. The car’s value after a restoration project will simply not support the cost of both the car and the rebuild, according to Vettraino.

Classic car enthusiasts also point out that you’ll typically spend more than you planned by taking on a classic car restoration project. Even if you set aside some cash, you will likely find that you’ll buy things you didn’t account for, such as tools or parts for the car you didn’t realize you needed. Not only this, but as is the case with many classic or vintage cars, some parts no longer exist. This means you will either be forced to use a part not native to your classic, thus decreasing the value of the restoration, or you may never finish the classic car restoration.

Les Jackson, who offers an Intro to Auto Restoration course in a community ed program, states that despite the reasons there might be to avoid a classic car restoration project, there could still be benefits. “There can be more of a community aspect to restoring a car,” Jackson says. “When you stop for gas, people ogle and marvel.” When it comes down to it, this may be the only reason you need to choose to restore a classic vehicle.

At Condon Skelly, we understand the appeal of and desire for classic cars. We are able to insure a wide variety of collector vehicles, from original antiques to brand new exotic sports cars, as long as the vehicle is a true collectible. For more information, please contact us today at (866) 291-5694.

Classic Car Insurance: 50 Years of Classics

This year is momentous for many classic car enthusiasts. Why is that? A number of classic vehicles are celebrating their 50^th anniversary, and most of these classics were quite loved. In fact, 1964 introduced two of American’s most-loved muscle cars- the Pontiac GTO and the Mustang. Another notable classic car celebrating 50 years is the Excalibur. These classic cars are considered by many to be icons worth spotlighting.

Pontiac GTO

We highlighted the ’64 Pontiac GTO in a previous post, pointing out how this was considered a car with “attitude”. The vehicle had a bigger V8 than previous cars, hood scoops, dual exhausts, a Hurst shifter, racy trim, and a name inspired by the Ferrari 250 GTO. 1964 was the first year the Pontiac GTO was introduced, and first-year orders came to about six times the number Pontiac management expected!

1964 ½ Mustang

The Ford Mustang was brought out five months before the normal start of the 1965 production year, introduced on April 17, 1964 at the New York’s World Fair. Due to its early introduction, it was dubbed as the “1964 ½” model. The Ford Mustang has been credit for inspiring the designs of coupes such as the Toyota Celica and Ford Capri, which were imported to the U.S.

Excalibur

In 1964, Studebaker consultant and renowned industrial designer Brooks Stevens sketched out a concept car on a restaurant place mat. He had been asked to design a “show car” for the 1964 New York Auto Show, and Studebaker wanted a “show stopper” for their exhibit, according to sources from conceptcarz.com. The prototype was built in just eight weeks, and although Studebaker initially decided to phase out production, over 3,500 Excalibur vehicles have been shipped to dealers and distributors around the world since 1964.

No matter what type of Antique or Classic Car you own, 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.

Underrated American Classic Automobiles

At the time that many classic cars were built in America, the innovations implemented by them seemed minor. However, they proved to be revolutionary for car technology. Many of the most important vehicles built in the U.S. since the end of World War II are overlooked to this day. Here are just a few underrated American classic cars and trucks.

1955 Chrysler 300: Many experience car enthusiasts will tell you that this vehicle was the first “muscle car”, even though conventional wisdom says that it was actually the 1964 Pontiac GTO. The 1955 Chrysler was called 300 because with the Carter 4 barrel carburetors, solid lifter camshaft, and a larger-than-usual exhaust, the engine generated 300 horsepower. This was the first modern American production engine to do so.

1949 Oldsmobile “Rocket” 88: This vehicle was the first mass-produced, popularly prices, thoroughly modern, OHV V8 to take hold in the marketplace. The first Oldsmobile V8 was rated at 135 horsepower- enough to make the 88 one of the quickest cars of its era and a dominating presence in early stock car racing.

1973 Dodge D-100 Club Cab: Pickup trucks were originally just thought of as work vehicles, and today many still are only used for functional purposes. However, this vehicle started a revolution in how pickup trucks were used in America- not just as workhorses but as personal transportation. This truck was the first of its kind to have enough weather –protected room that you could take your groceries home in the rain, and also featured two small jump seats to add extra passengers.

These are just a few of the most underrated American classic cars and trucks. Many car enthusiasts cite other American cars they believe are underrated as well, such as the 1981 Dodge Aries and Plymouth Reliant, the 1960 Ford Falcon, and the 1977 Chevrolet Caprice.

At Condon Skelly, we understand that whatever make it is, your classic car is your pride and joy, and that you want to do everything you can to retain its appearance for years to come. We are able to insure a wide variety of collector vehicles, from original antiques to brand new exotic sports cars, as long as the vehicle is a true collectible. For more information, please contact us today at (866) 291-5694