This beautiful Bel Air Convertible has been ground up restored in two tone Nassau Blue/India Ivory paint with matching dark blue interior. Recently obtained from a large collection, this car has been well cared for in a fully climate controlled environment.
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03/30/10: Car of the Week: 1954 Kaiser Manhattan
The pride of Dave Hollen's collector car fleet is also the car that almost got away. Actually, it did get away for a while, but even though he didn't actually own his 1954 Kaiser Manhattan for the first 46 years of its life, Hollen always felt like the car was his.
"Well, my uncle Clair ran a Kaiser dealership years ago, and we were very close," said Hollen, a resident of Glasgow, Pa. "From the time I first saw the car in April of 1954, the thing just kind of stuck on me. I remember when we went out that day to get the cars and went to the railroad yard. I thought to myself, 'My god, that is one beautiful automobile.'"
Click here to find out how Dave finally wound up with his beloved Kaiser.
By Brian Earnest, Old Cars Weekly
"Well, my uncle Clair ran a Kaiser dealership years ago, and we were very close," said Hollen, a resident of Glasgow, Pa. "From the time I first saw the car in April of 1954, the thing just kind of stuck on me. I remember when we went out that day to get the cars and went to the railroad yard. I thought to myself, 'My god, that is one beautiful automobile.'"
Click here to find out how Dave finally wound up with his beloved Kaiser.
By Brian Earnest, Old Cars Weekly
Total loss claims are filed when a vehicle has been so badly damaged that it would cost more than its worth to repair it. However, just what that worth is depends on how the car insurance company sets their standards, so you
03/27/10: Total Loss /Fair Market Value Appraisals
Unsatisfied with your insurance company's offer on your loss? There may be a difference between what your insurance company is willing to pay you, and the fair market value of your vehicle! You're entitled to a fair settlement.
You are ALWAYS entitled to your own independent appraisal when negotiating a settlement with your insurance company. Often, insurance companies use automated systems that don't apply all the factors that a licensed appraiser will consider in determining your wrecked car's value. If you've been offered a settlement you feel is unfair, contact us right now at (888) 269-1120.
Schedule an Appraisal
You are ALWAYS entitled to your own independent appraisal when negotiating a settlement with your insurance company. Often, insurance companies use automated systems that don't apply all the factors that a licensed appraiser will consider in determining your wrecked car's value. If you've been offered a settlement you feel is unfair, contact us right now at (888) 269-1120.
Schedule an Appraisal
03/26/10: Why get a Pre-Purchase Inspection?
Purchasing a used vehicle can be risky. When excited buyers get emotionally caught up in the vehicle purchase, they often miss mechanical, cosmetic, and safety issues during visual inspections and test drives. These problems are compounded if the vehicle being purchased is located in another city and is purchased prior to being seen in person. To eliminate much of the anxiety and get an accurate picture of the condition of the vehicle, many buyers choose to have a pre-purchase inspection (PPI) done before the sale is final.
What is a pre-purchase inspection?
A pre-purchase inspection is a detailed assessment by a qualified individual to determine the cosmetic, mechanical, and safety condition of a vehicle before completing the purchase. Most pre-purchase inspections are done by a certified mechanic or automotive technician who is knowledgeable in the make and model of the vehicle being inspected. The intent of the PPI is to uncover existing conditions or to reveal maintenance shortcomings that may become potential safety or financial issues for the buyer in the future.
Click here to see the JDPower complete article
What is a pre-purchase inspection?
A pre-purchase inspection is a detailed assessment by a qualified individual to determine the cosmetic, mechanical, and safety condition of a vehicle before completing the purchase. Most pre-purchase inspections are done by a certified mechanic or automotive technician who is knowledgeable in the make and model of the vehicle being inspected. The intent of the PPI is to uncover existing conditions or to reveal maintenance shortcomings that may become potential safety or financial issues for the buyer in the future.
Click here to see the JDPower complete article
03/25/10: What is Agreed Value Coverage?
There are typically three methods used to decide what you get paid if your auto is a total loss. Each is different, and protects you to a different degree. Only one guarantees you get what you expect, or even what you pay for.
If you're in doubt as to what you have now, don't take anybody's word for what is included in your coverage. Read the policy language yourself, and ask your agent for written clarification if you have any doubts or questions.
#1 Agreed Amount (or Agreed Value)
The most desirable for car collectors. It leaves no doubt as to what will be paid in the event of a loss. With Agreed Amount coverage, the amount you see on the policy is what you'll get if the car is written off as a total loss. Period.
#2 Actual Cash Value (ACV)
Typically provided by standard auto insurance policies. The insurance company decides what you get paid at the time of the loss. While you may have some input if you don't agree with them, the final decision is theirs. It will be based at least in part on using sources which you may not agree with. If you refuse to settle for what they want to pay you, you may need to resort to legal action to arbitrate the issue. We can help if you are already in a dispute, this service can be very expensive.
#3 Stated Amount (or Stated Value)
Often provided on collector and limited use policies. The policy language typically states the insurance company will pay "the Stated Amount, or the Actual Cash Value, or the cost to repair not to exceed the Stated Amount whichever is less.".
Guess what: The Stated Amount is just used to determine your premium cost: The higher your Stated Amount, the higher your insurance premium. The contract language permits them to pay what they decide the Actual Cash Value of the auto is. They are under no contractual obligation whatsoever to pay the Stated Amount. Surprise!
Protect your Investment. Have it Appraised!
If you're in doubt as to what you have now, don't take anybody's word for what is included in your coverage. Read the policy language yourself, and ask your agent for written clarification if you have any doubts or questions.
#1 Agreed Amount (or Agreed Value)
The most desirable for car collectors. It leaves no doubt as to what will be paid in the event of a loss. With Agreed Amount coverage, the amount you see on the policy is what you'll get if the car is written off as a total loss. Period.
#2 Actual Cash Value (ACV)
Typically provided by standard auto insurance policies. The insurance company decides what you get paid at the time of the loss. While you may have some input if you don't agree with them, the final decision is theirs. It will be based at least in part on using sources which you may not agree with. If you refuse to settle for what they want to pay you, you may need to resort to legal action to arbitrate the issue. We can help if you are already in a dispute, this service can be very expensive.
#3 Stated Amount (or Stated Value)
Often provided on collector and limited use policies. The policy language typically states the insurance company will pay "the Stated Amount, or the Actual Cash Value, or the cost to repair not to exceed the Stated Amount whichever is less.".
Guess what: The Stated Amount is just used to determine your premium cost: The higher your Stated Amount, the higher your insurance premium. The contract language permits them to pay what they decide the Actual Cash Value of the auto is. They are under no contractual obligation whatsoever to pay the Stated Amount. Surprise!
Protect your Investment. Have it Appraised!
03/24/10: What is Diminished Value ?
You've been in an auto accident - You now have a claim for collision damage - You may also have a claim for Diminished Value - Diminished Value is the amount by which the resale value of a damaged (or damage repaired) vehicle has been reduced for having a significant damage history.
Diminished Value assumes optimal repair quality has been achieved and is defined as the amount by which the resale value of a repaired vehicle has been reduced simply because the subject vehicle now has a significant damage history.
Diminished Value assumes optimal repair quality has been achieved and is defined as the amount by which the resale value of a repaired vehicle has been reduced simply because the subject vehicle now has a significant damage history.
Sadly, gone are the days when retired people could live off their savings. Today, with growing needs, savings and social security benefits are not enough. Thus, many retired people are looking for income opportunities from the comfort of their home. Working from home gives them independence and freedom to work on something inspiring.
Surprisingly, many advantages exist for entrepreneurs looking to start their own home based business after retirement age. One such advantage is time. Once a person has retired and completed his or her job tenure, there is ample time to work on a new home based business. Moreover, depending upon the amount and type of work, the retired can also enjoy social security benefits while earning additional income from home based businesses.
Another advantage of working after 65 is deduction in business expenses from income taxation. It is possible to deduct legitimate expenses like medical expenses, mortgages, utilities, postage, and other expenses from being taxed as long as it sticks to the guidelines outlined by the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). In essence, there are many business ideas for retired people, especially the ones who want and need to stay busy.
Are you a Car guy? Can you imagine getting paid to look at cars and write off the related expenses?
Read more about retirement small business advantages
Surprisingly, many advantages exist for entrepreneurs looking to start their own home based business after retirement age. One such advantage is time. Once a person has retired and completed his or her job tenure, there is ample time to work on a new home based business. Moreover, depending upon the amount and type of work, the retired can also enjoy social security benefits while earning additional income from home based businesses.
Another advantage of working after 65 is deduction in business expenses from income taxation. It is possible to deduct legitimate expenses like medical expenses, mortgages, utilities, postage, and other expenses from being taxed as long as it sticks to the guidelines outlined by the IRS (Internal Revenue Service). In essence, there are many business ideas for retired people, especially the ones who want and need to stay busy.
Are you a Car guy? Can you imagine getting paid to look at cars and write off the related expenses?
Read more about retirement small business advantages
Do you have an obsession for appraising cars? If so, you
03/21/10: Miller Memorial Drive for Diabetes
A Fund Raising Drive of Exotic Cars from Denver, Las Vegas, San Jose and Seattle to the Ferrari Challenge at Miller Motorsports Park.
Special Limited Package of $1,300 per person includes:
Special Limited Package of $1,300 per person includes:
03/20/10: Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach April 1-3
According to an article on OldCarsWeekly.com's sister Web site, AntiqueTrader.com, the flying car is Frank Skroback
03/18/10: Along Came A Spyder
-By Mark J. McCourt
Audi firmly established itself as a serious player in the supercar realm with its mid-engine R8 coupe, available with both V-8 and V-10 engines. Because everything is more fascinating when topless, it was just a matter of time before they peeled the roof off of the R8. Although this transformation sacrificed the car
Audi firmly established itself as a serious player in the supercar realm with its mid-engine R8 coupe, available with both V-8 and V-10 engines. Because everything is more fascinating when topless, it was just a matter of time before they peeled the roof off of the R8. Although this transformation sacrificed the car
03/17/10: 1966 Shelby GT-350
This beautiful original 1966 Shelby was sold new @ Hi-Performance Motors in El Segundo California to its original owner Mr. John G. Bickers on 1/3/67. Over the years it has benefited from meticulous care, resulting in this fantastic example of Shelby's GT-350 model you see here today; complete with a numbers matching K-Code Hi-Po 289/306hp engine backed by a 4 speed transmission and Ford 9 inch rear end. Further enhanced by 1965 Shelby style side dump exhaust, the correct style dash mounted tach, 3" lap belts and Magnum 500 wheels shod with correct style small letter Goodyear Polyglas bias ply tires. Having been carefully restored to its factory color of Sapphire Blue, great attention to detail was taken during restoration including proper red oxide primer underbody with factory replicated over spray. While not stopping there, the car has detailed engine bay, suspension and correct style paint marking and paper tags. It is guaranteed to turn heads and impress, if not by it looks alone most certainly by its sound!!! Of course it also comes fully documented in the Shelby American World Registry on page 483 and 537, complete with a copy of the original Shelby invoice, Ford and Shelby VIN #'s have been confirmed with SAAC Headquarters. Original documented Shelby, carefully restored, a great example for the Shelby collector or aficionado alike.
For more pictures please follow this link MORE
03/16/10: Bonhams Will Offer Rare Mercedes SS
San Francisco
03/15/10: Car of the Week: 1972 Honda Z600
By Brian Earnest
Bill Colford has had a lot of Honda 600s. Almost more than he can count. Pretty much every day since 1989, he has had at least one of the little landmark Hondas in his garage or driveway. So many, in fact, that he's become perhaps the country's No. 1 authority on the tiny two-cylinder creatures.
But he's never had, or even seen, one any nicer than his fully restored 1972 Z600 coupe, and he probably never will. That's because not only are there not many of the 600s around anymore, it would be mighty hard to improve on Colford's orange coupe. It has only 300 miles on it since its re-assembly, and has been built to stand as a pristine example of the car that Honda sent stateside to break into the U.S. market.
There may be some undiscovered cars still hiding in garages and backyards, but for now, Colford's best guess is fewer than 1,000 Z600s have survived, with only maybe 300 of the cars actually drivable.
Click here for more.
Bill Colford has had a lot of Honda 600s. Almost more than he can count. Pretty much every day since 1989, he has had at least one of the little landmark Hondas in his garage or driveway. So many, in fact, that he's become perhaps the country's No. 1 authority on the tiny two-cylinder creatures.
But he's never had, or even seen, one any nicer than his fully restored 1972 Z600 coupe, and he probably never will. That's because not only are there not many of the 600s around anymore, it would be mighty hard to improve on Colford's orange coupe. It has only 300 miles on it since its re-assembly, and has been built to stand as a pristine example of the car that Honda sent stateside to break into the U.S. market.
There may be some undiscovered cars still hiding in garages and backyards, but for now, Colford's best guess is fewer than 1,000 Z600s have survived, with only maybe 300 of the cars actually drivable.
Click here for more.
03/14/10: Classic Car Insurance
A lot of classic car enthusiasts are not sure what they should do about insuring their classic or vintage vehicles. Typically, these cars have more value as a collector
03/13/10: 1954 Mercury XM-800 Dream Car
by Thomas Glatch
The 1954 Mercury XM-800 dream car fell right in the middle of the Decade of Dreams that preoccupied GM, Ford, and Chrysler. Sold on eBay for $315k in January 2009 in an unrestored state, it brought $429k at RM's Phoenix auction in January. Still, the happy buyer does have the only one, and if it had been the '54 Oldsmobile F88 or the '54 Pontiac Bonneville, he'd have spent $2.5m more at least.
Read the full article here.
The 1954 Mercury XM-800 dream car fell right in the middle of the Decade of Dreams that preoccupied GM, Ford, and Chrysler. Sold on eBay for $315k in January 2009 in an unrestored state, it brought $429k at RM's Phoenix auction in January. Still, the happy buyer does have the only one, and if it had been the '54 Oldsmobile F88 or the '54 Pontiac Bonneville, he'd have spent $2.5m more at least.
Read the full article here.
By Ken Gross
Many scratch-built custom creations were fully backyard efforts with fundamental engineering based on production car technology, but Norman Timbs' car was very different. So was Timbs. He was a skilled mechanical engineer who'd earlier designed the 1947, '48 and '49 Indy 500-winning Blue Crown Specials, driven by Bill Holland and Mauri Rose, and worked with the irrepressible Preston Tucker on the Tucker 48 Torpedo design. Timbs' was an unsual builder, and his amazing "Timbs Special" roadster was a creation unlike any other.
Click here to read more.
Many scratch-built custom creations were fully backyard efforts with fundamental engineering based on production car technology, but Norman Timbs' car was very different. So was Timbs. He was a skilled mechanical engineer who'd earlier designed the 1947, '48 and '49 Indy 500-winning Blue Crown Specials, driven by Bill Holland and Mauri Rose, and worked with the irrepressible Preston Tucker on the Tucker 48 Torpedo design. Timbs' was an unsual builder, and his amazing "Timbs Special" roadster was a creation unlike any other.
Click here to read more.
-By Daniel Strohl
With a car named Gold Digger, one wouldn
With a car named Gold Digger, one wouldn
03/10/10: Muscle Cars
-By Mike McNessor
Ford says it has received three times as many orders for 2011 Mustangs as it did for 2010 Mustangs during the same period of time last year, and is attributing the renewed interest to the
Ford says it has received three times as many orders for 2011 Mustangs as it did for 2010 Mustangs during the same period of time last year, and is attributing the renewed interest to the
By Brian Earnest
Glenn Barnett owns a fleet of hobby cars and his taste in old vehicles runs the gamut, but nothing has tripped his trigger like the '53 Buick Skylarks. He's been hooked on them since he was young.
"My dad had a '53 Buick Special when I was a kid, and I can remember when I was about 10 years old we pulled in to a grocery store next to one of these (convertibles) and I didn't know what it was," Barnett said. "I thought it was a customized '53 Buick and I was just gung-ho for the thing. I thought it was just beautiful. So I've always wanted a '53 Skylark."
What Barnett, a resident of Beaver Dam, Wis., wound up with is a stunning, Reef Blue example of one of one of the most noteworthy and collectible convertibles of the 1950s, and probably any decade. Only 1,690 of the special two-door Model 76X Skylark convertibles were built for 1953.
Click here to read more.
Glenn Barnett owns a fleet of hobby cars and his taste in old vehicles runs the gamut, but nothing has tripped his trigger like the '53 Buick Skylarks. He's been hooked on them since he was young.
"My dad had a '53 Buick Special when I was a kid, and I can remember when I was about 10 years old we pulled in to a grocery store next to one of these (convertibles) and I didn't know what it was," Barnett said. "I thought it was a customized '53 Buick and I was just gung-ho for the thing. I thought it was just beautiful. So I've always wanted a '53 Skylark."
What Barnett, a resident of Beaver Dam, Wis., wound up with is a stunning, Reef Blue example of one of one of the most noteworthy and collectible convertibles of the 1950s, and probably any decade. Only 1,690 of the special two-door Model 76X Skylark convertibles were built for 1953.
Click here to read more.
03/08/10: Own an Automotive Franchise
Do you like hanging out in the garage? Do you drive a souped up car you built yourself? Do you love to get good and greasy, enjoying every revving engine and spinning wheel? If are something you love or just enjoy, purchasing an automotive business franchise can be a smart business opportunity for you.
Buying an auto franchise gives you instantaneous name recognition. Automotive franchises give the franchise owners a well known name you can't get with a brand new business. Automotive franchises give the franchise owners a well known name you can't get with a brand new business.
Click here for more information.
Buying an auto franchise gives you instantaneous name recognition. Automotive franchises give the franchise owners a well known name you can't get with a brand new business. Automotive franchises give the franchise owners a well known name you can't get with a brand new business.
Click here for more information.
03/07/10: 1970 De Tomaso Mangusta
s/n 8MA1048
Beige Gray with Black Leather
De Tomaso
Beige Gray with Black Leather
De Tomaso
03/06/10: Collectible Classic - 1963 ATS GT Coupe
As one of eight made and with five thought to survive, this is not a car which can be used with abandon, as parts would have to be fabricated
by Donald Osborne
Looking like a Ferrari Dino, powered by a V8, AND designed by Ferrari rebels, the ATS should have been a huge success. But the company went racing and bankrupted itself in short order. Of eight cars built only five remain, with four others being assembled later as Serenissimas. So at $510,017 at RM's London auction on October 28, 2009, this car should have been a bargain. Was it?
Read the full article here
by Donald Osborne
Looking like a Ferrari Dino, powered by a V8, AND designed by Ferrari rebels, the ATS should have been a huge success. But the company went racing and bankrupted itself in short order. Of eight cars built only five remain, with four others being assembled later as Serenissimas. So at $510,017 at RM's London auction on October 28, 2009, this car should have been a bargain. Was it?
Read the full article here
03/05/10: The next generation Cobra Roadster
- By Terry McGean
Perhaps no other car has inspired so many replicas as Carroll Shelby
Perhaps no other car has inspired so many replicas as Carroll Shelby
- By Mike McNessor
If you're bothering to read this, you don't need to be reminded that 1970 Hemi Challenger convertibles are scarce. But for the record, Dodge built nine of them.
Number two of that elite nine is this Poly Green on Green, TorqueFlite automatic-equipped example that will cross the block at the 23rd running of Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic Auction, May 19-23. If you
If you're bothering to read this, you don't need to be reminded that 1970 Hemi Challenger convertibles are scarce. But for the record, Dodge built nine of them.
Number two of that elite nine is this Poly Green on Green, TorqueFlite automatic-equipped example that will cross the block at the 23rd running of Dana Mecum's Original Spring Classic Auction, May 19-23. If you
03/03/10: Classic Cars
Hemmings Concours
-By Richard Lentinello
We just added a new featured marque to our upcoming New England Concours
-By Richard Lentinello
We just added a new featured marque to our upcoming New England Concours
03/02/10: Who Pays at Russo and Steele?
by John Draneas
Who would have thought that the wind could blow so hard? That turns out to be the multi-million-dollar question in Scottsdale.
The big story from this year
Who would have thought that the wind could blow so hard? That turns out to be the multi-million-dollar question in Scottsdale.
The big story from this year
03/02/10: Car of the Week: 1954 Nash Metropolitan
By Brian Earnest
Back in 1970, even though he had just bought a flashy new muscle car, Jim Caron just couldn't help himself. His sparkling new 1969 SC/Rambler was fun and all, but Caron figured that the lonely old 1954 Nash Metropolitan he had seen at a local boneyard needed a new home.
"I dunno, I'm a car guy, I've always been a car guy," said Caron, a resident of Las Vegas. "I had [a Metropolitan] before that, but it was all rusty? Just being the junkyard dog that I am, I had to ask the guy how much he wanted for it. I wound up giving him 40 bucks. Then I put a battery in it and drove it home.
"Now, you have to remember, at that time these cars were absolutely worthless. Hey, $50 could buy you a real car back in those days!"
Caron might not have guessed it at the time, but his decision to part with two Andrew Jacksons has blossomed into a longtime attachment to his little Nash, which is now a shiny, fully restored show-stopper that has become a permanent part of Caron's ever-changing collector car fleet.
Click here to read more about this mighty mite.
Back in 1970, even though he had just bought a flashy new muscle car, Jim Caron just couldn't help himself. His sparkling new 1969 SC/Rambler was fun and all, but Caron figured that the lonely old 1954 Nash Metropolitan he had seen at a local boneyard needed a new home.
"I dunno, I'm a car guy, I've always been a car guy," said Caron, a resident of Las Vegas. "I had [a Metropolitan] before that, but it was all rusty? Just being the junkyard dog that I am, I had to ask the guy how much he wanted for it. I wound up giving him 40 bucks. Then I put a battery in it and drove it home.
"Now, you have to remember, at that time these cars were absolutely worthless. Hey, $50 could buy you a real car back in those days!"
Caron might not have guessed it at the time, but his decision to part with two Andrew Jacksons has blossomed into a longtime attachment to his little Nash, which is now a shiny, fully restored show-stopper that has become a permanent part of Caron's ever-changing collector car fleet.
Click here to read more about this mighty mite.
03/01/10: Making Money from Home
Appraisals of custom and collectible vehicles
Do you have an obsession for appraising cars? If so, you
Do you have an obsession for appraising cars? If so, you
