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The Condon Skelly Connection
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The Stories Of Our Hobby
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Coming home from another great car event made me think about the interesting world in which we live as car collectors.
As owners and collectors of classic cars, the past and its stories tie many of us together.
After all, our history is simply a series of stories.
We all look back at how things were done “back in the day." How much should I gap my spark plugs? What should I use for clutch lining? Many of us want to know the history of our car.
Where was it sold new? Who owned it? And, if you're like me, when you see a car you like, you want to learn it's story.
What awards has it won? Who owns that car? Is it for sale? Our love of collector cars is as much about questions as it is answers.
For me, there's nothing I enjoy more than hearing the stories of collectors finding cars on a tip.
An ad reads “1908 Brush, it has wooden wheels.” That's it, and a phone number. A call is made.
A deal is struck based on the seller's description. No pictures.
In the middle of the night an old trailer gets hitched behind a motor home and the buyer heads west with a few thousand dollars in his pocket. Fifteen hundred miles and 24 hours later, the sad little car is loaded and on its way to its new home. The total transaction takes 72 hours and 3000 miles are driven, all spent drinking Coke and eating nothing but donuts and beef
jerky.
This story for the ages is then cemented and recounted many times over the years, as it is told from the perspective of the 13-year-old kid who rode along to keep the driver awake with a promise to never tell Mom how poorly they ate.
Compare that to today.
A car is found on the internet.
An email is sent to the owner.
A reply is received that includes a video showing every angle.
Another question is raised and the owner live chats while walking around the car, getting in and driving off, making you feel like you are there.
You agree on a price and money is transferred.
The car is sold in less than two hours and it arrives at your door 10 days a later in a truck that looks like it hauls a NASCAR for a living.
Two stories.
Both true.
As we head into the heart of the driving and collector car season, don’t forget that the hobby we love is about the history we make and the stories we create along the way.
I still tell the stories about my first car pictured on the right.
I got that 1917 Smith Motor Wheel when I was just 14 years old.
Thirty years from now, what car stories will you be telling? Better yet, what real-life car stories are you telling now? Share them with me! Simply click here to send me an email with your story and we may feature it in our next newsletter! If we don’t use your story, trust that I will read them all and add them to my personal
library of what makes this a great hobby.
Happy Motoring!
Jim Kruse, Director of Condon Skelly
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 This year Condon Skelly was given the unique opportunity to support a rider in the Cannonball Motorcycle Run, the Race of the Century for motorcyclists.
Dave Minerva, a motorcycle enthusiast and long-time friend of Condon Skelly, will be riding his original 1916 Harley Davidson from Atlantic City, NJ to San Diego, CA.
All riders must have a pre-1917 motorcycle to participate.
Dave will be attempting the 16 day route along with 100 additional riders.
"When I asked my friends at Condon Skelly if they would insure my 1916 Harley for the 2016 Cannonball, their only question was 'Can we come along?'," Dave said.
Some of the Condon Skelly team recently went to visit Dave at his garage and see the bike that he is restoring.
We will be following him through his entire experience and we want to share his journey with you! The Race of the Century kicks off September 10th and there is still a lot of preparation to be done before then.
Follow Dave on Facebook as he gets ready for the race and then embarks on his
journey.
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Max was driving his 1967 Chevrolet Camaro to a car show one Sunday afternoon.
While at a red light, he noticed smoke coming from the hood of his car.
Max quickly pulled over to the side of the road and as he got out of the car, the engine burst into flames.
Luckily for Max he was not injured; however, his Camaro suffered significant fire and water damage.
Max reported the incident to our claims intake center and we were able to get the vehicle appraised that week.
Max bought his Camaro 20 years prior and never thought to have it appraised.
The actual value of his Camaro today was $60,000, but he only had the vehicle insured for $25,000.
The total cost to repair the vehicle was $34,000, much more than the $25,000 his policy afforded.
Max received a check in the amount of $25,000 from Condon Skelly and unfortunately, the remaining costs of repair were out-of-pocket.
Imagine if Max had totaled his vehicle; he would have been covered for less than half of the vehicle’s value! Assessing the total value of your auto when it comes to insurance is a common oversight by classic auto collectors.
It is important to know what your vehicle is worth and to have insurance coverage reflect that.
Don’t let this happen to you!
With the classic car industry constantly evolving, it is important to take note of the changing value of your car.
If you are unsure that your vehicle properly insured right now, contact our Increase in Value Manager, Bruce Weed.
With years of experience under his belt, Bruce will make sure your vehicle’s true value is protected in the event of a loss!
Bruce Weed
800.257.9496 x6017
bweed@condonskelly.com
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 Let's kick of summer with a
contest!
We want you to tell us what your favorite car websites are! From informational sources to car buying to parts- you tell us where you like to visit and we'll enter you into a drawing to win a $100 gift card.
Click here to fill out our quick response form!
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Come See Us at These Upcoming Car Shows
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June
O.C.T.O Meet 2016 Bloomington Gold
June 3- 6, 2016 in Effingham, IL June 23-25, 2016 in Indianapolis, IN
MRSA
June 17-19, 2016 in St.
Paul, MN
July
ICCC Convention NCRS Convention
July 11-17, 2016 in Mobile, AL July 17-21, 2016 in
Providence, RI
Black Hills Corvette Classic NCCC National Convention
July 13-16, 2016 in Sioux Falls, SD July 17-22, 2016 in Omaha, NE
Corvette Homecoming
July 14-16, 2016 in Bowling Green, KY
August
Vettes on the Plains Corvettes at Carlisle
August 12-13, 2016 in Bowling Green, KY August 25-28, 2016 in Carlisle, PA
Pebble Beach Concours D'Elegance
August 12-16, 2016 in Pebble Beach, CA
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