Antique Car Insurance: A History of Sunbeam Motors

After nearly 40 years of inactivity, it has been rumored recently that a newly revived Sunbeam Motor Company Limited is set to design and manufacture electric vehicles in the very near future, propelling the marquee’s long standing history of innovation and vehicle production. For over a century the Sunbeam brand has made an incredible impact on not only the auto world but on vehicle production as a whole, from cycling to aviation.  Many classic and antique auto enthusiasts might know the brand as England’s pioneer vehicle producer, whose roots go as far back as the late 1800’s.

In 1877 John Marston established the Sunbeamland Cycle Factory where the cycling enthusiast began manufactured and designed bicycles under the marquee “Sunbeams”. The cycling operation was successful and as tastes changed and technology advanced, the cycle-maker began dabbling in motor vehicle construction.  According to historians, the company produced a number of experimental cars between 1899 and 1901 however none ever made it to the consumer market.  It wasn’t until they partnered with designer Maxwell Maberley-Smith in 1901 that the first Sunbeam automobile emerged for commercial sale. Unfortunately their first attempt was a bit of a flop, selling only a few hundred vehicles when production ended in 1904.

In 1905 the Sunbeam Motorcar Company Ltd was separated from the Sunbeam motorcycle and bicycle operation before Marston brought in another designer for their next attempt. By 1912 were making conventional, high-quality vehicles which appealed to consumers at the time who were looking for a little less flash and extravagance offered by their most direct competitors, Rolls Royce. Through the World Wars, Sunbeam like many other vehicle makers became a supplier for military vehicle parts and technological advancements.

A Sunbeam was the first British car to win a Grand Prix race, where it simultaneously set a number of land speed records. However in 1935 the company went into near bankruptcy and was purchased by the Rootes Group marking a turning point in the brand’s history. In 1938 Rootes created a new marque called Sunbeam-Talbot which lead to a number of successful roadsters, racers and sports-performance vehicles.  The Rootes Group continued to use the Sunbeam marque to much success until 1976 at which time the marquee was acquired by Chrysler who would go on to completely re-brand the vehicle lines. This resulted in a loss of brand loyalty and enthusiasm among consumers and coupled with diminishing sales eventually lead to a halt in production in 1978.

Whether you are a fan of the early days or the Chrysler era, protecting your antique Sunbeam auto or bike is important.  At Condon Skelly, we know how exciting collecting exotic, classic and sports cars can be. That’s why we specialize in offering complete car insurance for classic car. 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 specialty car insurance coverage to protect your classic, antique, or exotic vehicles. For more information, contact our antique classic car insurance specialists today at (866) 291-5694.

Antique Classic Car Insurance: Finding a Restoration Shop

When it comes to fixing up and restoring a classic and antique vehicles, not all enthusiasts and collectors have the ability to do the work on their own. Whether you lack the space, the time, the tools or the knowhow relinquishing your baby to a shop can be an agonizing experience. But when you find the right professionals who are well equipped to tackle the job, the results can be magical.

There are hundreds of restoration professionals in the United States and around the world who specialize in restoring vintage rides to their former glory and beyond; the trick is finding the right match for both your vehicles and your dreams. As such, it is essential to know your goal for the finished product and your budget, before ever setting foot into a shop. Doing so will allow you to make informed decisions about the type of restoration professional you are looking for and can help you budget appropriately to make sure your vehicle turns out just the way you imagined.

Specialty and restoration auto shops typically have specific areas of focus and as such it is vital that you find a shop with the right expertise, experience and track record. Here are a few tips to help you get started finding a quality shop:

• Get referrals– Ask around at auto shows and clubs for recommendations. Who better to ask than collectors who have real life examples of a shop’s work? Auto shows are great places to gather leads and recommendations, but the research shouldn’t stop there.
• Compare and Contrast– Shopping around and speaking with multiple shops will help you get a better sense of the scope, cost and timeline of the project. Stay away from shop that seem too high or too low when compared to the average estimate for the restoration. Most reputable shops will give you similar and competitive estimates; this is after all how they make their living.
• Focus on Restoration– it’s very likely that you will find a shop or two eager to take on your restoration project that offer collision repair services as well. Some experts caution against working with “combination shops” because most restoration professionals build reputation and livelihood solely on such projects and therefore often have more experience and knowledge.

At Condon Skelly, we know how exciting collecting exotic, classic and sports cars can be. That’s why we specialize in offering complete antique classic 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 specialty car insurance coverage to protect your classic, antique, or exotic vehicles. For more information, contact our antique classic car insurance specialists today at (866) 291-5694.

Exotic Car Insurance: History of Hummer

Since their first arrival on the consumer auto market in 1991, Hummer brand vehicles have seen accolades, a loyal following and even controversy over the brand’s release of the civilian version of the military Humvee. Originally manufactured by American Motors General, the Humvee vehicles were “High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicles” (Humvee) which began to surface for military use during the 1980s. In 1979, the United States Army awarded American Motors General a contract to design and product these vehicles which could follow the tracks and ruts of full size army trucks. Among the four competitors for the contract, AM General designed an entirely new vehicle to meet the Army’s requirements which was met with much enthusiasm from official’s. The first prototype was released less than a year later and by 1982 AM General began producing the original version of the vehicle to the U.S. Army.  These vehicles gained a lot of acclaim from Americans after their involvement in the Gulf War operations which lead to civilian interest and enthusiasm for the vehicle.

This lead to the original civilian version of the Humvee, which was released in 1992 to surprising success and instant acclaim, however the quantity of release was small and the vehicles were pricy even at the time.  Under the brand Hummer, AM General produced a consumer friendly version of the Hummer calling it the H1. The H1 sported an auto gloss finish, and passenger car enhancements such as air conditioning, sound insulation, upgraded upholstery, stereo systems, wood trim, and convenience packages. The civilian model began in part because of the persistence of Arnold Schwarzenegger, who saw an Army convoy while filming a movie and became infatuated with the vehicles.

The original release was essentially a street compliant version of the M998 Humvee boasting the performance capabilities and style. Following the wide success of the H1, General Motors acquired the brand in 1998 and began marketing three Humvee inspired vehicles under the Hummer brand: the original Hummer H1, the H2 and H3 models which emerged to make a more user friendly, fuel efficient and street appropriate vehicle for consumers based on the GM platform.

The most desirable and sought after Hummer model for collectors and enthusiasts is the H1 Alpha which was discontinued from production in 2006. The H2 and H3 were designed specifically to be commercial vehicles and were therefore produced in larger quantities with more accessibility when it came to distribution. However, the H1was more rough and closely resembled its Humvee vehicle origin.

Despite public support and interest, the economic downturn created complications for the Hummer brand by 2008. While the brand was retained by GM after their bankruptcy the final fate of the auto brand has yet to be decided as no new Hummer models have emerged since 2009.

At Condon Skelly, we understand the importance of protecting your collectible, antique, classic, muscle custom and exotic cars is. That’s why we specialize in offering complete exotic 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 specialty auto insurance coverage to protect your classic, antique, or exotic vehicles. For more information, contact our exotic auto insurance specialists today at (866) 291-5694.

Classic Car Insurance: Five Famous Rolls-Royce Models

For over a hundred years, British automakers Rolls-Royce have been churning out luxury vehicles which have stunned, captivated and enthralled auto enthusiasts across the ages.  Known for quality, speed and luxury, Rolls-Royce vehicles have been record breakers and trend setters since their humble beginnings in 1904. Over the years the auto-brand has become a top vehicle producer and created some of the most cherished and sought-after British imports. They have left their mark on both the race track and popular culture.

Here are a few of the most famous Rolls-Royces:

• 1933 Rolls-Royce Bluebird- Driven by Sir Malcolm Campbell, the Bluebird set the land speed record at 272.46 miles per hour. This record was later shattered by George Eyston who piloted a Rolls-Royce Thunderbolt at speeds of 312.2 miles per hour in 1937.
• 1930 Rolls-Royce Phantom II: While the vehicle was well received at the time, it was not until its appearance in the 1964 Hollywood film The Yellow Rolls-Royce that the Phantom became a cultural icon. The film stared some of the top names in show-biz at the tie including Omar Sharif, Ingrid Bergman and Rex Harrison, which helped propel Rolls-Royce to even higher standing.
• 1940s Silver Dawn- According to the company’s history, the Silver Dawn was the first Rolls-Royce to be sold with a standard steel body. The Silver Dawn was the first Rolls-Royce car to be offered with a factory built body which was made of all steel. Both the body and chassis of the Silver Dawn were shared with the Bentley Mark IV models. It was also the brand’s first export only model.
• 1950s Phantom IV: The Phantom IV has been said to have been the most exclusive Rolls-Royce model ever built and one of the most elite vehicles in automobile history. Only 18 were ever produced and 17 of those were sold exclusively to royalty and heads of state. The royal family even made headlines when the young Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh broke a long-standing royal tradition of purchasing Daimler vehicles to purchase an all new Rolls-Royce Phantom IV. After this initial purchase, Rolls-Royce became the official suppliers of vehicles to the monarchy.
• 1965 Phantom V: The Phantom V had many fans, most notably was rock legend John Lennon. According to Rolls-Royce, Lennon ordered a Phantom V directly from the factory, originally in all white. He later had the same vehicle repainted with a psychedelic design, and this Rolls-Royce is now one of the most valuable pieces of pop memorabilia according to experts.

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 specialty car insurance coverage to protect your classic, antique, or exotic vehicles. For more information, contact our classic auto insurance specialists today at (866) 291-5694.

Specialty Auto Insurance: The Foreign Truck Disadvantage

Have you ever wondered why America is the leading producer in the pickup truck market? Well there’s actually a pretty good reason that goes far beyond American craftsmanship and quality. In fact, one of the main reason’s America has maintained a strong monopoly on light duty truck production over the years is a little piece of legislature passed by Lyndon B. Johnson during the Cold War known as the “chicken tax”.

The Chicken Tax is a 25 percent tariff on a number of foreign goods such as starch, alcohol and light trucks, which was America’s response to taxes imposed by France, West Germany and other nations on poultry goods imported from the United States. Over time the tax on potato starch, dextrin, and brandy were lifted however the statute imposing the 25 percent tax on light trucks remains to this day. The tariff directly affected any country seeking to bring light trucks into the U.S., including Japanese auto makers and other smaller Asian and European vehicle producers looking to gain a foothold in the American auto market. While many have attempted to contest and repeal the tariff, U.S. legislature continues to keep the policy in place to protect U.S. domestic automakers from foreign competition in truck production.

As such, the tax remains one of the largest hurdles for foreign vehicle producers because it puts these companies at a distinct pricing disadvantage. Foreign automakers would have to increase the market prices of any truck models nearly $15,000 to compete with the average American truck maker’s return. Instead most foreign automakers choose to focus on expanding their product lines in every other available market sector, from compacts to SUVs and sports cars. Others, like Toyota, have taken to establishing North American production plants where they can produce trucks on American soil to avoid the tariff. While Toyota has done relatively well in marketing and branding of their Tacoma and Tundra truck platforms, American Companies Ford and General Motors continue to split over 60 percent of the truck market.

Some industry analysts suggest that the Chicken Tax has actually created a lag in technical and design innovation when it comes to light truck platforms which has adversely affected the overall quality of modern pickup truck offerings. Perhaps someday we will have the opportunity to see what companies like Mercedes and BMW would dream up in the form of a luxury pickup truck line, but as of now truck enthusiasts have roughly a hundred years of American trucks to collect, restore and treasure.

At Condon Skelly, we understand the importance of protecting your collectible, antique, classic, muscle custom and exotic cars is. That’s why we specialize in offering complete Specialty Auto 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 specialty auto insurance coverage to protect your classic, antique, or exotic vehicles. For more information, contact our Specialty Auto Insurance experts today at (866) 291-5694.

Collector Auto Insurance: More Quirky Cars Collectors Love

Auto collecting isn’t always about getting the best, the fastest, or even the most stylish vehicles ever made. Collectors choose their vehicles for countless reasons, sometimes for emotional investment other times for the potential to turn a profit. Jay Leno himself consistently advises collectors to think beyond the money and collect vehicles you love, whether they are ordinary, plain, simple or quirky or even down right flops.

Here are a few more understated collectable vehicles that you might never have thought to want:

• Little Known American Brands: When you think American autos you undoubtedly think Chrystler, Chevy, Ford, GM and others which have survived the sands of time to become the cornerstones of the American auto market they are today. However, over the years there have been dozens of American automakers that have come and gone, leaving only traces of their brief existence behind. Crosley Motor Corporation, for example emerged out of Richmond, Indiana in 1939 producing compact convertibles, a pickup, a station wagon and a few other models which were popular choices during WWII when fuel rations were limited. Crosley vehicles were known for getting up to 50 miles to the gallon making them some of the most economical models of the era. Yet there production was brief and sporadic and by 1952 Crosley ceased vehicle production, making these vehicles a rare and fascinating historical find for some collectors.
• Distinct Shapes or “Out-of-Place” Styling: When it comes to choosing quirky collectables, sometimes the simple novelty of finding a vehicles that just didn’t fit in at the time can be a fun choice. For example, the Pontiac Aztec was one of GM’s most recent flops due in large part to its unusual and awkward styling. At the time the vehicle was released it wasn’t a huge success with consumers who complained about everything from the Aztec’s shape and size to the lights and vents placement, despite the vehicles overall competency as a SUV crossover vehicle which were gaining in popularity. There are countless other examples of models that just hit the market at the wrong time or missed the mark on prominent styling trends which is want make them stand out to many collectors as memorable and worthy.
• Military Inspired Rides: Military inspired vehicles have always been a niche market among collectors and some are harder to come by than others. The Hummer H1 for example, which was the precursor to the thinner and more streamlined H2 and H3 models of the present, was and still is a novelty. In 1999 the the H1 emerged as a joint venture between General Motors and AM General which was built on a heavily modified GMC 2500HD chassis. The rough- and-tough looking military inspired vehicle appeals to collectors who enjoy the look and performance capabilities of the heavy duty outdoor vehicle. For collectors, the most desirable model is the H1 Alpha which was discontinued in 2006.

At Condon Skelly, we understand the importance of protecting your collectible, antique, classic, muscle custom and exotic cars is. 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 specialty auto insurance coverage to protect your classic, antique, or exotic vehicles. For more information, contact our collector auto insurance specialists today at (866) 291-5694.

Collectors Car Insurance: Auto Flops Collectors Still Love

Over the hundred-plus year history of motor vehicles auto brands have come and gone, companies have merged and dissolved, and some have even been revived to rekindle their brand and spirit today. There have been hundreds of vehicle successes. Some models revolutionized motor vehicles, while others set new standards for style, performance and speed. Other models were bold and daring in design but never quite caught on. Some had mechanical complications while others simply failed to attract consumer interest.

Here are a few auto industry flops that still hold a special place in collectors’ hearts:

• Amphibious Cars: When first conceived, the idea of an amphibious vehicle seemed both useful and thrilling to a world on the brink of war, and why not? A car built for both land and sea, would surely seem to have its perks should you need to make a quick getaway or traverse various landscapes. Originally designed for the military during World War II, amphibious vehicles were developed and produced by foreign and American automakers from existing vehicle platforms. An amphibious version of the Willys MB Jeep, the Ford GPA were created to compete and successfully “sailed” around the world during the 1950’s. The German made Amphicar was one of the most successful amphibious vehicles ever built, however only a few thousand were ever produced before the trend was scrapped. Nevertheless, amphibious vehicles gained a small but loyal following among niche collectors who enjoy the novelty of these war time vehicles.

• 1970’s Subcompacts: In the late 1970’s AMC, GM, Ford and many others began to realize that while their muscle cars and other popular models of the era were luxurious, fun and sporty, they weren’t very economical. Raising oil and gas prices and changing consumer demands led many of the top automakers in a race to generate affordable and functional subcompact vehicle. One of the most notorious was the AMC Gremlin which TIME magazine calls “one of the most curiously proportioned cars ever.” The Gremlin competed with other subcompacts like the Chevrolet Vega and Ford Pinto, as well as with smaller imports such as the Volkswagen Beetle and Toyota Corona. While these vehicles sold well, each had their own peculiarities and nuances which lead motorists to either love them or hate them. The Ford Pinto for example was known for erupting into flames when involved in an accident from behind, and the Gremlin was infamous for its quirky styling as well as its speed capabilities for its class and weight. Today, collectors and auto enthusiasts often use these vehicles as a relatively inexpensive way to dip their toes into renovation, restoration and custom car building.

• DMC Vehicles: If you are wondering whether or not you have heard of DMC, the answer is probably yes, but not by that name. You might know it better for the only model the automakers ever produced, The DeLorean DMC-12. Ring a bell now? The iconic DeLorean made its claim to fame as the time traveling car Marty McFly used in the 1980s Back to The Future.However, were it not for the vehicle’s starring role in the film saga, the DeLorean Motor Company may have never become a household name. Production was over nearly as soon as it began for DMC, who started releasing the DeLorean in 1981, right before one of the largest auto market slumps in American history. Only about 9,000 of the futuristic looking sports cars were created before production halted in 1983, at which point DMC went into liquidation. Only 6,500 DeLoreans are currently known to exist, which makes them a rare find, especially since this particular vehicle appeals to many different types of collectors.

Want more quirky collectibles? Read the second half of our list here.

At Condon Skelly, we understand the importance of protecting your collectible, antique, classic, muscle custom and exotic cars is. 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 specialty auto insurance coverage to protect your classic, antique, or exotic vehicles. For more information, contact our collector car insurance specialists today at (866) 291-5694.

Collector’s Car Insurance: American Pony Cars

The term pony car is often used interchangeable when defining an American muscle car  and while the two share many common characteristics, there are very distinct differences among them. In fact, unlike the American muscle car, there is actually a widely agreed upon history and widely held set of standards when it comes to the American pony car. The term American pony car describes an affordable, compact, highly styled car with a performance-oriented image.

Most auto enthusiasts and historians accredit the true origins of the American pony car to the launch of the Ford Mustang in 1964, which was one of the first mass produced sports cars designed to balance affordability, style and performance. While Ford wasn’t the only automaker noticing the rising public interest in accessible performance vehicles, the Ford Mustang set the standard when it comes to defining the pony car. In fact, most accredit the name “pony cars” to the 64 Mustang’s debut of the now iconic stallion logo.

Unlike many auto classifications, there is significantly less debate surrounding what it takes to classify a vehicle as an American pony car. Here are the classic criteria:

• American-made
• Two-doors, four passengers
• Styling that includes a long hood, short deck, and open mouth
• Built with mass production parts
• Affordable base price with a variety of available upgrades
• A high powered, V6 or V8 engine

After the initial success of the 64 Mustang, many competitors quickly emerged endeavoring to match its combination of performance, style, and affordability. While mustang remains one of the most iconic pony cars to date, the Chevy Camaro and Dodge Challenger have also risen above the pack in the pony car race. Other classic American pony cars include the Pontiac Firebird, AMC Javelin, and Plymouth Barracude, however production of these vehicles was limited and they eventually phased out.

One key benefit of the pony car lines for American automaker was their ability to appeal to younger drivers and generate brand loyalty among customers. In 1970 Car and Driver reported that while very few pony car drivers bought a second, around 50% chose to purchase another model from the same auto manufacturer when it came time to get a new vehicle.

Much of the pony car class’s popularity can be attributed to their prominence in popular television and film, especially during the 1970s and 1980s. Their lifespan however was somewhat short lived as by the late 1970 buyers were moving away from the pony cars, either toward smaller compact cars or toward larger, more rugged models.  Declining sales and the growing popularity of rear-wheel drive vehicles, light trucks and sport utility vehicles ultimately led to the demise of many of the iconic pony cars, such as the Pontiac Firebird.

At Condon Skelly, we understand the importance of protecting your collectible, antique, classic, muscle custom and exotic cars is. That’s why we specialize in offering complete collector’s 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 specialty auto insurance coverage to protect your classic, antique, or exotic vehicles. For more information, contact our collector’s car insurance specialists today at (866) 291-5694.

Classic Auto Insurance: The Little Known Ford Edsel

During the 1950s, the Ford Motor Company made multiple attempts at creating a line of luxurious vehicles to compete with General Motors. While Lincoln had been their flagship luxury line to date, Ford management at the time began doing research into their largest competitor, General Motors and the various vehicle lines they offered. According to historians, Ford found that their Lincoln line was not actually competing with GM’s luxurious Cadillac brand, as they had hoped, but was instead in competition with the Oldsmobile and Buick line-up.

In hopes of narrowing the competition, Ford developed a plan to propel the Lincoln brand upmarket in order to truly compete with the Cadillac brand. To do so, Ford decided to take the well-received Lincoln Continental and turn Continental into a separate brand in the Ford product line. They also decided to add a premium/intermediate vehicle to the gap left vacant by Lincoln.  This new intermediate line was called Edsel, in honor of Henry Ford’s son.

Research and development on the Edsel marquee began in 1955 under the code name “E car”, which at the time stood for experimental car. Ford built publicity and excitement before the release of the First Edsel in 1957, promising consumers and the media that the new line was vastly superior in both performance and style to the Oldsmobile and Buick models on the market at the time. The Edsel was introduced on the self-proclaimed “E-Day” in September of 1957 and was heavily promoted, including a top-rated television special called The Edsel Show.

Unfortunately, the proportions and hype were not enough to drive large sales numbers and Edsel model production would conclude after only three years. In 1958 Edsel produced four vehicle models, two hard and soft top convertible sedans and two wagons with the same convertible options. The Edsel vehicles offered buyers a number of innovative bells and whistles, including the “rolling dome” speedometer, warning lights for maintenance conditions as low oil level, parking brake engaged, and engine overheating, as well a push-button transmission shifting system which was affixed to the center of the steering wheel. In the first year of production only 63,110 Edsels were sold in the United States and an additional 4,935 units were sold in Canada, bringing the total to 67,110 of the 1958 models produced.  In 1959, only the smaller two Edsel models were in production, one wagon and one sedan, and only 47, 396 units were produced and sold. Only 2,846 Edsels were produced during the line’s last year in 1960 before Ford decided to end the program. Despite the Edsel’s lack of commercial success, several of the vehicles were raced in NASCAR’s Grand National series during the late 1950s.

Historians and auto enthusiasts have many speculations about why the Edsel models were never a true success for the Ford Motor Company, and the vehicle brand has become somewhat notorious in the industry as a marketing failure. Never the less, the Edsel has a significant fan base among collectors and enthusiasts today.

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. 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 auto insurance specialists today at (866) 291-5694.

Custom Car Insurance: History of the Hot Rod

Hot rods and roadsters are the foundation of a classic American auto tradition which dates back to the early 1930s. According to historians, the tradition of customizing factory vehicles in an effort to make them look, drive and feel faster has been present since the beginning of mass production. Many historians attribute Southern California as the original “home” of the hot rod scene, where young auto enthusiasts used to fix up and “hop-up” old vehicles for racing in dry lake basins.

The vehicles typically began as older, now classic American cars, which were modified to increase speed, styling and performance. Originally pieced together from junkyard metal scraps and broken down vehicles during World War II when steel was being allocated for the war effort, hot rods developed a very distinctive style and appearance. Over time enthusiasts began incorporating fiberglass body coverings and adornments as well. Large and powerful block engines, loud headers, big rear tires and polished chrome embellishments are hallmarks of a classic hot rod.

During the 1950’s hot-rodding became so popular that an entire culture began to emerge around street racing and car modification. Racing associations evolved and safety became a major issue which led to the formation of the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) in 1951. The NHRA established universal rules to promote entertainment and safety within racing circles.

The 1960s and 1970s saw the rise of “street rods” which were hot rods modified such that they were legal to drive on public roads as every day vehicles. Due in large part to the prominence of muscle cars in the racing arena, emphasis for street rods shifted from speed and performance to style, comfort and safety. Street Rod racing events were governed and regulated by the National Street Rod Association which emphasized safety and promoted a family friendly environment.

Today there is still a vibrant hot rod culture in America which has spread throughout the world. The hot rod community is commonly subdivided into two main groups: street rodders and hot rodders. Hot rod enthusiasts still build their vehicles using a lot of original equipment, parts, and stylistic traditions of the 1940s through the 1960s, while street rods are typically built with newer materials.

At Condon Skelly, we understand the importance of protecting your collectible, antique, classic, muscle custom and exotic cars is. That’s why we specialize in offering complete custom 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 specialty auto insurance coverage to protect your classic, antique, or exotic vehicles. For more information, contact our custom car insurance specialists today at (866) 291-5694.