Classic Car Spotlight: The Lincoln Continental

It’s believed by many that the very first Lincoln Continental, developed as Edsel Ford’s one-off personal vehicle in 1939, was planned to be put into production if successful. Ford commissioned a custom design in 1938 from the chief stylist, Eugene T. “Bob” Gregorie, ready for Edsel’s March 1939 vacation. The design, allegedly sketched out in an hour by Gregorie working from the Lincoln Zephyer blueprints and making changes, was an elegant convertible with a long hood covering the Lincoln V12 and long front fenders, and a short truck with what became the Continental series’ trademark, the externally-mounted covered spare tire.

Lincoln Continentals of the 50’s were known for their price. In fact, Continental for ’56 was one of the most expensive cars in the world. With a price tag of $10,000, it rivaled Rolls-Royce. Despite this high costs though, Ford Motor Company actually lost money on each one sold. This vehicle was an image builder for the company, as well as test beds for new ideas and concepts. However, between the stories of dealers turning potential buyers away because they were not deemed to be the right kind of people to own Continental, and its sticker price found affordable by only the world’s wealthiest, the Continental became a bit of a myth in this decade.

Another distinguishing feature of the Lincoln Continental, at least in the 60’s, were what’s known as “suicide doors”, or rather rear-swinging doors. There is no definitive answer as to why they are called this, however many people speculate that they got this name due to the fact that if the latch was opened while driving, the door would get ripped open by the air flow. In an era of no seatbelts, one can only imagine what would happen to the vehicle’s passengers.

Although Lincoln Continentals surged on through the 90’s, Lincoln announced the end of the model production after 2002, after a few slow-selling years. The cancellation of the Continental was due largely to the continued shift in the consumer marketplace away from large front-wheel drive luxury cars.

Whether you own a classic Lincoln Continental 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.

Packard: The History of an American Luxury Classic

The story of the Packard automobile starts in the early 1900s, founded by James Ward Packard, his brother William Doud Packard and their partner, George Lewis Weiss in the city of Warren, Ohio. 400 Packard automobiles were built at their Packard factory from 1899 to 1903. Being a mechanical engineer, James Ward Packard believed that they could build a better horseless carriage than the Winton cars owned by Weiss, an important Winton stockholder.

From its beginning, Packard-build vehicles were perceived as highly competitive among high-priced luxury American automobiles. The company was often referred to as being one of the “Three P’s” of American motordom royalty, along with Pierce-Arrow of Buffalo, New York and Peerless of Cleveland, Ohio.

For most of its existence, Packard was guided by its President and General Manager James Alvan Macauley, who also served as President of the National Automobile Manufacturers Association.  Macauley made Packard the number one designer and producer of luxury automobiles in America, and was inducted into the Automobile Hall of Fame.

The Packard legacy stayed strong through the 30s and 40s, but by the end of World War II, even though they were in excellent financial condition, several management mistakes became visible. Postwar Packards sold well, but they had become virtually alike in styling by this time, and management had decided to direct the company more to volume middle-class models, thus concentrating on selling lower priced cars.

Management also tried to enter the taxi cab and fleet car market. These actions eventually diluted Packard’s image as a luxury brand, and they lost many buyers. Sales continued to dwindle until June 25^th, 1956 when the last Packard rolled off the production line at Packard’s plant in Detroit, Michigan.

Whether you own a classic Packard 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.

Collector Car Insurance: The Appeal of the ’55-’57 Chevy Nomad

While you may not think of a station wagon when talking about classic and collector vehicles, many classic car enthusiasts consider the Chevy Nomads of the mid-50’s to be some of the most iconic cars of their time. Experts from ConsumerGuide Automotive have called the Chevrolet Nomad the “prettiest wagon ever built and a car with immense, longtime appeal simply because it’s a classic Chevy.”

The creators of this collector car were Chevrolet studio head Clare MacKichan and stylist Carl Renner. MacKichan’s group had suggested at “sport wagon” as one addition to Chevy’s all-new 1955 line. MacKichan stated, “The Corvette theme was a popular one.”  Based on the Corvette model, Renner had come up with a sketch for a station wagon roof that caught the eye of General Motor’s Harley Earl, and Earl asked that it be incorporated into a station wagon version as one of three Corvette idea cars for the 1954 Motorama.

The end result was the Corvette Nomad. This prototype featured a fiberglass bodywork on a 1953 Chevrolet wagon chassis. Renner’s roof design complimented the lower body lines of Chevy’s recently announced sports car. Originally unveiled in January 1954, the car was such a hit that Chevy quickly ordered MacKichan to adapt its roofline to Chevrolet’s forthcoming 155 passenger-car styling.

The unique styling of what became known as the Chevy Nomad continued through 1956 and 57. Chevy’s were given a more conventional full-width grille, pleasing customers who didn’t like the Ferrari-inspired ’55 front end. General Motors discontinued the original Nomad Sport Wagon at the end of the 1957 model year due to low sales and the introduction of a new body for 1958, but the Chevy Nomad is still considered to be a milestone vehicle.

Whether you own a classic Chevy 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.

Collector Motorcycle Insurance: A Look at the BSA Brand

One of the most iconic British motorcycle brands in the world, BSA was originally formed in 1861 by a group of gun makers to supply weapons to the British government during the Crimean War. In fact, BSA (Birmingham Small Arms) is the more commonly known name for the company, which is the British Birmingham Small Arms Co.

As the Crimean War declined, the company began branching out into making bicycles, and by 1903 produced its first experimental motorcycle, along with automobiles. BSA motorcycles were initially sold as affordable bikes, with reasonable performance for the average user. The BSA brand stressed the reliability of their machines, the availability of spares, and dealer support.

BSA motorcycles were a mix of sidevalve and OHV engines offering different performance for different roles. For example, if the bike was purposed to haul a side car, it may have a more powerful engine than one without this addition.

BSA bikes were intended for commuting above all else, when they first came out, and were often compared to Norton motorcycles. Post-war, a few riders began entering races such as the TT races with their BSA’s. They started off making a slow appearance into these races, but by 1952 BSA was in the majority.

By 1956, the makeup was 53 BSA bikes to every 1 Norton and 1 Velocette! Due to their successful introduction into racing and in order to improve U.S. sales, BSA began entering here in the U.S., starting by entering a team of riders into the 200 mile Daytona Beach race with a mixture of single cylinder Gold Stars and twin cylinder Shooting Stars assembled by Roland Pike.

Motocross became such a success for the BSA factory with Jeff Smith riding a B40 that they were able to capture the 1964 and 1965 FIM 500 cc Motocross World Championships. This would be the last year the title would be won by a four-stroke machine until the mid-1990’s.

The BSA brand was most definitely one of the most iconic brands there were. Even today, BSA’s continue to be viewed as both competitive vintage racers and, along with other British brands such as Triumph, staples of the modern café racer culture.

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 at (866) 291-5694 for more information today!

Antique Vehicle Insurance: The History of the Velocette Motorcycle

Founded by John Taylor and William Gue in 1905, Velocette is a motorcycle company in Birmingham, England. There were actually several motorcycle manufacturers in the area of Birmingham at this time. Velocettes was a small firm, selling far fewer hand-build motorcycles than the much larger BSA brand. However as small as the brand was, it was a great technical innovator. Many of its patented designs are even common on motorcycles today, including features such as the positive-stop foot shift and swinging arm rear suspension with hydraulic dampers.

The first motorcycle built by the brand, in 1906, was called the Veloce. The 2 hp Veloce was built as a one-off, and in 1907 John Taylor’s sons Percy and Eugene Goodman established New Veloce Motors to produce a car. The car never entered production, however the new company offered general engineering services and other non-motorcycle products. A year later, Veloce Ltd. began working on a new motorcycle, with an engine designed in-house.

Six years later the company released the first two stroke motorcycle, nicknamed Velocette, a name which was kept and used for the next series of bikes, including the K series, officially introduced in 1925. The K series of Velocettes have been used as platforms for the KSS, KTS, KTP, and KNN roadsters, motorcycles which were in production until 1948.

In the following years, Velocette Motorcycles launched multiple new models and redesigned older models to become more advanced and equipped with new technologies. Although the Velocette Brand has a rich history, the late 1960’s were the last years of production. Veloce Ltd. Closed in February 1971.

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 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.

What to Consider When Making a Classic Car Investment

In November 2013, we discussed a couple reasons why classic cars make a good investment. Financial advisors today are looking at classic cars for investor’s profiles, and many classic cars are rising in value. However, although classic cars can definitely be a good investment, it’s imperative to consider your purchase and make sure that investing in any particular classic car will be a good fit for you.

Classic cars carry the potential for a huge profit if you plan on refurbishing (correctly) it and selling it. They also have a “cool” factor which is the appeal for many collectors. But before you make a classic car investment, there are many things to consider.

Ryan Guina, classic car owners and publisher of Cash Money Life, states that you should never buy a classic car on a whim. “It’s important to familiarize yourself with the market before buying so you know you’re getting a reasonable deal,” he says.

In addition to being mindful about your classic car investment, you should think about whether you will need or want to drive this vehicle on a regular basis. It’s not typically recommended that a classic car be an everyday vehicle, for wear and tear purposes as well as classic car insurance purposes. While you may not want to purchase a classic car you aren’t going to do anything with, you also don’t want to devalue the car or need to pay high auto insurance premiums.

One more factor to consider when making a classic car investment is maintenance costs. If you are only driving the vehicle minimally, you may not ever need extensive repairs. However should something happen, it’s important to realize that classic cars can be expensive to fix since parts are not always readily available.

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: 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.