This is a website from Haggerty Insurance, who want to help people who's collector cars were damaged during Hurricane Sandy.
http://www.hagerty.com/Collector-car-insurance/Classic-Car-Recovery-Center/Overview
Super Storm Sandy was unprecedented for the collector
vehicle world, and thousands of collectible cars and other vehicles have
been damaged or destroyed. We want to help. We've created this
website as a resource for those of you impacted by the storm. Whether
you need tips on what to do with your salvaged vehicle, contact
information for local restoration shops and transport companies, or
assistance tracking down parts to bring your classic back to its former
glory, you'll find useful information here. For personalized attention,
please call our hotline at 877-922-9697 where our
experts are standing by to answer questions and help direct you to
storage facilities, restoration shops, parts — even leads on a
replacement classic.To find a list of resources in areas impacted by Hurricane Sandy click here.
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Thursday, December 6, 2012
What Old Cars of World Leaders Go For on the Auction Block
From the Epoch Times: What Old Cars of World Leaders Go For on the Auction Block
Before becoming heads of state, most prime minsters, presidents, or chancellors drove cars that were surprisingly ordinary.
But just the mere fact that these cars once belonged to them has made their value sky-rocket … or at least in some cases.
British Prime Minster David Cameron bought the 1971 Fiat in 1998 as a
surprise birthday present for his wife, Samantha. They owned the small
car for 10 years, driving it for only around 1,000 miles, according to
Silverstone Auctions.
At that time, Cameron was 32 years old and worked for the media company Carlton Communications as director of corporate affairs.
On Nov. 17 at the Footman James Classic Motor Show in Birmingham, the white Fiat sold for £18,480 ($29,284), after being estimated at £12,000 by the auction house.
The Fiat 500 L was a popular car in Europe in the ’70s and is considered one of the first city cars.
Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad put his 1977 Peugeot 504 up for sale in Nov. 2010, likely intended as a publicity stunt.
At an Iranian exhibition of classic cars in March 2003, the Peugeot was sold for $2.5 million, more than 1,000 times its estimated value. More than half a million bidders had registered online for the auction of the 35-year-old car.
Ahmadinejad used the car while Mayor of Tehran from 2003 to 2005.
In January 2005, Benjamin Halbe bought a 1999
Volkswagen Golf from a car dealer in Siegen, Germany. To his surprise,
records documented the former owner as Joseph Alois Ratzinger, a famous
German cardinal at that time.
Four month later, Ratzinger was elected as Pope Benedict XVI. That’s when Halbe decided to offer the car on eBay.
He advertised the metallic-gray car as a Papamobil (Italian for Pope’s car) which “drives heavenly.”
The bid became one the highest attended auctions on eBay with 8.5 million clicks. It did not need seem to matter to the bidders that Ratzinger does not have a driver’s license.
Eventually, with the final bid for 188,938.88 euro (about $241,000) the owner of a Canadian online casino, Richard Rowe, known for bizarre publicity stunts, bought the car.
While Rowe tried to the resell the pope Golf two years later, Halbe started a foundation with the money.
German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who grew up in
East Germany, bought her first West German car in September 1990, a
Volkswagen Golf II. At that time, she served as a spokesperson for the
short-lived last East German government.
A first attempt in April 2012 to auction the 22-year-old car on eBay saw bids going up to almost 130,000 euro (about $166,000). The auction however was called off by eBay due to so-called “fun-bidding.” according to the newspaper Hamburger Abendblatt.
Eventually, a week later the car was bought by an entrepreneur from Southwest Germany for only 10,165.02 euro (approximately $13,000).
“Such a car shall not go under,” said Dirk Fricke, who bought it to advertise his company, according to Der Spiegel.
The Golf is the most successful Volkswagen car ever, having sold more than 25 million units in Germany.
Barack Obama — 2005 Chrysler 300C
Less lucky was the new owner of President Barack Obama’s former 2005 Chrysler 300C.
As Illinois state senator and later federal senator, Obama drove the gray car from 2004 till 2007, for 19,000 miles, according to documents posted to eBay by the seller.
During the his first presidential bid, he changed to a more environmental friendly Ford Escape Hybrid.
When Lisa Czibor from Chicago attempted to sell Obama’s Chrysler last January on eBay for $1 million, it did not attract a single bidder.
According to autoguide.com, the value of similar Crysler cars is less than $15,000.
Before becoming heads of state, most prime minsters, presidents, or chancellors drove cars that were surprisingly ordinary.
But just the mere fact that these cars once belonged to them has made their value sky-rocket … or at least in some cases.
David Cameron — 1971 Fiat 500 L
David Cameron and his wife Samantha and their
former car, a 1971 Fiat 500 L. (Paul Ellis/AFP/GettyImages and Courtesy
of Silverstone Auctions)
Advertisement
At that time, Cameron was 32 years old and worked for the media company Carlton Communications as director of corporate affairs.
On Nov. 17 at the Footman James Classic Motor Show in Birmingham, the white Fiat sold for £18,480 ($29,284), after being estimated at £12,000 by the auction house.
The Fiat 500 L was a popular car in Europe in the ’70s and is considered one of the first city cars.
Mahmoud Ahmadinejad — 1977 Peugeot 504
Mohammad Isari, the lawyer of an anonymous
Iranian company that bought President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's 1977 Peugeot
504 for $2.5 million poses by the car in the southwestern city of
Abadan, Iran, on March 1, 2011. (Hadi Abyar/AFP/Getty Images)
At an Iranian exhibition of classic cars in March 2003, the Peugeot was sold for $2.5 million, more than 1,000 times its estimated value. More than half a million bidders had registered online for the auction of the 35-year-old car.
Ahmadinejad used the car while Mayor of Tehran from 2003 to 2005.
Pope Benedict XVI — 1999 Golf IV
Benjamin Halbe (L), previous owner of Pope
Benedict XVI's Volkswagen Golf, Richard Rowe (R), CEO of online
casino Golden Palace, pose in Cologne, Germany, on May 19, 2005. (Ralph
Orlowski/Getty Images)
Four month later, Ratzinger was elected as Pope Benedict XVI. That’s when Halbe decided to offer the car on eBay.
He advertised the metallic-gray car as a Papamobil (Italian for Pope’s car) which “drives heavenly.”
The bid became one the highest attended auctions on eBay with 8.5 million clicks. It did not need seem to matter to the bidders that Ratzinger does not have a driver’s license.
Eventually, with the final bid for 188,938.88 euro (about $241,000) the owner of a Canadian online casino, Richard Rowe, known for bizarre publicity stunts, bought the car.
While Rowe tried to the resell the pope Golf two years later, Halbe started a foundation with the money.
Angela Merkel — Volkswagen Golf II
German Chancellor Angela Merkel tries out an
electric Volkswagen Golf convertible in Wolfsburg, Germany, on April 23,
2012. (Odd Andersen /AFP/Getty Images)
A first attempt in April 2012 to auction the 22-year-old car on eBay saw bids going up to almost 130,000 euro (about $166,000). The auction however was called off by eBay due to so-called “fun-bidding.” according to the newspaper Hamburger Abendblatt.
Eventually, a week later the car was bought by an entrepreneur from Southwest Germany for only 10,165.02 euro (approximately $13,000).
“Such a car shall not go under,” said Dirk Fricke, who bought it to advertise his company, according to Der Spiegel.
The Golf is the most successful Volkswagen car ever, having sold more than 25 million units in Germany.
Barack Obama — 2005 Chrysler 300C
An screenshot, taken on Dec. 3, 2012, for the passed eBay auction of Barack Obama's former car. (Screenshot/eBay)
As Illinois state senator and later federal senator, Obama drove the gray car from 2004 till 2007, for 19,000 miles, according to documents posted to eBay by the seller.
During the his first presidential bid, he changed to a more environmental friendly Ford Escape Hybrid.
When Lisa Czibor from Chicago attempted to sell Obama’s Chrysler last January on eBay for $1 million, it did not attract a single bidder.
According to autoguide.com, the value of similar Crysler cars is less than $15,000.
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
1931 'Birkin' Bentley wins Car of the Year at the International Historic Motoring Awards
From NY Daily News: 1931 'Birkin' Bentley wins Car of the Year at the International Historic Motoring Awards
The 1931 4.5-Litre Supercharged ‘Birkin’ Bentley recently became the
most expensive UK car ever sold at auction, selling this year for £5
million ($8.05 million).
International Historic Motoring Awards
The 1931 4.5-Litre Supercharged ‘Birkin’ Bentley recently became the
most expensive UK car ever sold at auction, selling this year for £5
million ($8.05 million).
Monday, December 3, 2012
Hooked on Classics
From Wall Street Journal: Hooked on Classics
'Despite the advantages of modern motoring, with its air-conditioned, computer-controlled reliability, who wouldn't want to return to those fast-paced times when automotive design was in its prime?" writes Chris Haddon in his book "My Cool Classic Car" (Pavilion, $24.95). Mr. Haddon—a British designer whose own automotive affair dates back to when his father converted a 1960s Rover P5 steering wheel and instrument panel into a sophisticated toy—profiles 40 classic cars, including stories from their owners and notes on each model's history. (Many are European.) Yes, repairs are often expensive, and the cars can require a dose of patience. The owner of a Citroën 1975 DS Pallas notes that a ride in his car "could leave some feeling a bit seasick." Hassles abound, to be sure, but these are tales of love.
'Despite the advantages of modern motoring, with its air-conditioned, computer-controlled reliability, who wouldn't want to return to those fast-paced times when automotive design was in its prime?" writes Chris Haddon in his book "My Cool Classic Car" (Pavilion, $24.95). Mr. Haddon—a British designer whose own automotive affair dates back to when his father converted a 1960s Rover P5 steering wheel and instrument panel into a sophisticated toy—profiles 40 classic cars, including stories from their owners and notes on each model's history. (Many are European.) Yes, repairs are often expensive, and the cars can require a dose of patience. The owner of a Citroën 1975 DS Pallas notes that a ride in his car "could leave some feeling a bit seasick." Hassles abound, to be sure, but these are tales of love.
Goggomobil TS300 Coupe
Goggomobil TS300 Coupe
'When the 300cc, two-cylinder…engine starts up with full choke, it smokes like a barbecue. When a hill is unavoidable, the 15hp engine makes a noise like 50,000 angry wasps,' says owner Dirk Wurm of his quirky 1967 microcar. Still, 'it's easy to love.
Austin 7 Chummy
Austin 7 Chummy
Don't try this today: In the 1940s, this 1925 British car spent several days in a pond. Back on land, it quickly recovered—no complicated electronics to dry out.
AMC Pacer
AMC Pacer
In the '70s, AMC advertised the Pacer as 'the first wide small car.' 'It certainly attracts attention wherever we go!' says owner Becky
Citroën 2CV
Citroën 2CV
First produced in 1948, the Citroën 2CV aimed to entice French drivers away from the horse-and-cart. When owner Chris bought this 1978 model, 'it was a very sorry-looking rusty car…neither drivable nor towable.
Morris 1800
Morris 1800
Owner Ian rescued this car— which finished 18th in the 1970 London to Mexico World Cup Rally—after watching it deteriorate in someone's driveway for 20 years.Sunday, December 2, 2012
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
What Happens When You Pair Classic Cars With Their Namesakes?
See the link here for more photos.
From Japonik: What Happens When You Pair Classic Cars With Their Namesakes?
From Japonik: What Happens When You Pair Classic Cars With Their Namesakes?
Ever wondered what it would look like if Abe Lincoln stood by a
Lincoln, or if Queen Victoria ever met a Ford Crown Vic? Two guys
decided to find out. This is Namesake Motors,
a series of photographs from Jim Lasser and his friend Ray Gordon in
costume. Their pictures are fantastic. Finally, classic cars are paired
with the people they're named after.
On the website you can see Homer with his Odyssey, Chief Pontiac with his Pontiac, Queen Victoria with her Crown Victoria, Abe Lincoln with his Lincoln Continental, the Lone Ranger with his Ford Ranger, Alice Cooper with his Mini Cooper, and Adam Carolla with his Toyota Carolla. Okay, those last few just share names with each other, but we're not faulting anyone for it.
Lasser explained to us how the shoot came to be.
On the website you can see Homer with his Odyssey, Chief Pontiac with his Pontiac, Queen Victoria with her Crown Victoria, Abe Lincoln with his Lincoln Continental, the Lone Ranger with his Ford Ranger, Alice Cooper with his Mini Cooper, and Adam Carolla with his Toyota Carolla. Okay, those last few just share names with each other, but we're not faulting anyone for it.
Lasser explained to us how the shoot came to be.
I work in advertising, and I worked for the last four years on the creative side of Dodge and Chrysler accounts. I did the Dodge Charger and Challenger campaigns; the Chrysler Eminem and Clint Eastwood campaigns. During that time, as you might imagine, I got interested into cars. I have always been interested in history, and began to wonder about the origins of some of the names of the cars. It raised a lot of questions for me: who was Chief Pontiac? Would Lincoln drive a Lincoln? What would Queen Victoria think of all these cops driving a car named for her?
I had the idea of staging these characters in classic (or un-classic) cars of their names. A photographer friend of mine in Portland, Ray Gordon, was someone I immediately thought of to capture this kind of thing. He loves cars and loves weirdo ideas like this. When I pitched him on it he loved it, but told me he didn't want to just "talk about it", he wanted to do it...so we did.
He had a few contacts through being a photographer in Portland for people to help with creating the characters. Katherine Ross had been doing hair and makeup for years in Portland, and Kristin Lane was really scrappy at putting together great costumes. I ended up being the talent for each of the shoots, which was an experience in itself. I shaved myself bare to become Chief Pontiac (I haven't had no hair on my chest since I was 17), and stood in public for an hour dressed like the Queen with makeup on (not my happiest moment). As for the cars, I would ask friends, look on craigslist, or Ray would have some contacts through his network of friends. We staged them all around the Portland, Oregon area. Fitting all of this into these four people's busy lives was a feat onto itself. I am still amazed they all put so much time and dedication into my crazy idea. And they all want to do more! So we are planning to do another round of these next spring.
Monday, November 26, 2012
Paris mayor proposes ban on old cars
From MSN.com: Paris mayor proposes ban on old cars
Parisians are bracing for a new law that would require them to retire their classic cars, beaters and all vehicles made before 1997. Mayor Bertrand Delanoë has proposed the legislation in an effort to comply with European emissions regulations by 2014.
Classic-car enthusiasts are distressed at the thought of their Peugeots, Citroëns and Renaults being garaged. “For me, the [Citroën] 2CV is part of French heritage, of Parisian heritage,” Xavier Audran, owner of multiple Citroëns, told The New York Times. “I wouldn’t be able to leave my home with my vehicles.”
Others are concerned about the cost of upgrading, and they say less affluent suburbanites would be hit hardest by the ban, which would affect 367,000 vehicles.
The mayor's proposal, which would require approval by the French government and the Parisian police department next year, does address the cost factor. Subsidies to help car owners get rid of old cars would come in the form of free subscriptions to the city's electric-car rental system or rebates for those trading in old vehicles for newer, more fuel-efficient ones.
Paris wouldn't be the first to enact such a ban. Calcutta, India, outlawed older vehicles in 2008, and since 1990, drivers in Singapore have been required by law to scrap or export their cars after 10 years of ownership. Two years ago, Berlin began prohibiting diesel vehicles that don't meet the standards passed in 2005.
But other cities have taken different approaches to the problem of emissions-related pollution. In 2003, London began charging drivers who failed to comply with emissions standards a daily fee, and it upped the ante in 2008 by instituting a so-called low-emission zone for heavy diesel vehicles. A 2012 study by researchers at the University of Sydney showed the system to be effective in curtailing car emissions, but still not necessarily a success with commercial vehicles.
Several Latin American cities, including Mexico City; Bogota, Colombia; and São Paolo, Brazil, have attempted to cut emissions by restricting drivers from using their cars one workday each week. But Parisians won't want to emulate that tactic, according to researchers who conducted a study at the University of Michigan. "There is no evidence of an absolute improvement in air quality during any period of the week for any pollutant," they concluded.
Parisians are bracing for a new law that would require them to retire their classic cars, beaters and all vehicles made before 1997. Mayor Bertrand Delanoë has proposed the legislation in an effort to comply with European emissions regulations by 2014.
Classic-car enthusiasts are distressed at the thought of their Peugeots, Citroëns and Renaults being garaged. “For me, the [Citroën] 2CV is part of French heritage, of Parisian heritage,” Xavier Audran, owner of multiple Citroëns, told The New York Times. “I wouldn’t be able to leave my home with my vehicles.”
Others are concerned about the cost of upgrading, and they say less affluent suburbanites would be hit hardest by the ban, which would affect 367,000 vehicles.
The mayor's proposal, which would require approval by the French government and the Parisian police department next year, does address the cost factor. Subsidies to help car owners get rid of old cars would come in the form of free subscriptions to the city's electric-car rental system or rebates for those trading in old vehicles for newer, more fuel-efficient ones.
Paris wouldn't be the first to enact such a ban. Calcutta, India, outlawed older vehicles in 2008, and since 1990, drivers in Singapore have been required by law to scrap or export their cars after 10 years of ownership. Two years ago, Berlin began prohibiting diesel vehicles that don't meet the standards passed in 2005.
But other cities have taken different approaches to the problem of emissions-related pollution. In 2003, London began charging drivers who failed to comply with emissions standards a daily fee, and it upped the ante in 2008 by instituting a so-called low-emission zone for heavy diesel vehicles. A 2012 study by researchers at the University of Sydney showed the system to be effective in curtailing car emissions, but still not necessarily a success with commercial vehicles.
Several Latin American cities, including Mexico City; Bogota, Colombia; and São Paolo, Brazil, have attempted to cut emissions by restricting drivers from using their cars one workday each week. But Parisians won't want to emulate that tactic, according to researchers who conducted a study at the University of Michigan. "There is no evidence of an absolute improvement in air quality during any period of the week for any pollutant," they concluded.
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