Archive for January, 2009
Classic Duesenberg Ride
The first Dursenberg sports car was built by two self taught German born engineers in 1913 using the Duesenberg Automobile amp; company Inc brand name in Des Moines Iowa USA. This hand built cars were in the league of the most desirable sports cars when they were introduced. In fact the Dursenberg car won a number of races that includes the Indianapolis 500 and the French grand prix between 1921 and 1927. Even though this classic car model was a marvel during its hay days it failed the mass production test because the company had no profitable sales volume so it became bankrupt and closed up.
The classic Dursenberg was later bought out by Auburn Automobile Company among many others who used the advanced Dursenberg Brothers engineering know how to produce several luxury sport cars using the Dursenberg brand name. The model J was the first Dursenberg luxury car design to be rolled out after it was bought out. It was released during the 1928 New York car show. This vehicle model had all the markings of a highend luxury sports car. It boasted of unheard top speeds of 119 miles per hour with high gear acceleration rates that could shoot to 94 mph when moved to gear two. Beside that it had a supercharged 256 horsepower engine that supported eight straight dual camshaft overheads.
However while the engine work was done by Dursenberg all the bodywork was subcontracted to specialized car chassis builders form North America and Europe who gave the Dursenberg luxury car its elegant finish. The chassis value when adjusted for time plus inflation in 2004 went for 8500 dollars with the complete model going for 13000 dollars. However users had to get a top of the range Duesenberg model for 20000. Between 1913 and 1927 before the original company went bankrupt the Duesenberg luxury sports car brand manufacturers presented model A and X. But after Cord Corporation bought it out in 1929 it released sports cars under the model J series until 1937 when they started getting fazed out of the market gradually.
Another notable achievement in the history of this classic highend luxury car was in 1932 when the Duesenberg SJ model was launched. A three hundred and twenty five supercharged horsepower engine that could achieve high speeds of close to one hundred and thirty five miles per hour powered this classic sports car. With this new sports car edition the Duesenberg vehicle became a household name across America among the rich and famous. Some of the most prominent individuals of that era who are known to have owned or driven the Duesenberg SJ model include the Duke of Windsor and Clark Gable.
However this success story of Duesenberg did not last beyond 1937. This is largely because production of this luxury car ceased when the business empire of their new owners was burst with the worldwide economic depression of 1930s. Currently only 481 Duesenberg model J and SJ can still be traced with auction values of 2 million and beyond.
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Classic Car Insurance – 6 Questions To Ask Before You Apply
Are you ready to shop for classic car insurance? Maybe maybe not. Before you pick up the phone let’s take a minute to review the six questions you need to consider before you talk with an agent. Essentially your agent is going to want to know how much the car is used and how you plan to maintain it. Knowing the answers to these questions will save you time on the phone and put you in a much better position to negotiate the best insurance coverage for your classic honey.
1. Do you plan to insure the car for what you feel it’s really worth? Your agent will undoubtedly ask how much insurance coverage you are seeking if your personal opinion of value is higher than the vehicle’s appraised value you may want to consider a higher level of coverage.
2. Do you plan to participate in car club events? If so you need to consider the amount of liability you can incur in such events. A classic car that is stored 365 days a year has much less potential for liability claims than a car that is driven regularly in parades and other event.
3. Are you planning an extended period of renovation for the car? If so do you need to insure the car while it’s off the road?
4. Do you plan to ship the car any time soon? If so additional coverage may be warranted since the car will be outside of your control.
5. How many miles a year do you expect to drive the car? If these miles are limited you may be able to negotiate a lower premium. Be sure to ask about any maximum mileage limitations. An annual restriction of 2500 miles may be imposed by your car insurance company.
6. Who will be repairing or maintaining the car? Again if the car is outside of your control you may want to consider higher theft and damage coverage. On the flip side if you personally maintain the car within secure confines on your property you may want to pay for minimal coverage.
The answers to all of these questions need to be considered before you decide how much coverage is warranted for your classic car. Also car owners should be aware that some insurance companies specialize in classic car insurance. But as with any car insurance policy it’s best to get quotes from several insurance providers before making a decision. Hopefully by carefully considering the answers to the six questions we’ve discussed you’ll be prepared to shop for the best coverage for your classic car.
Thinking of shopping online for multiple car insurance quotes? You may want to visit the website recommended below to get at least five quotes for your classic car insurance.
About the writer: Barb Dearing is a writer specializing in topics that help consumers save money. She recommends the following website for consumers shopping for online car insurance quotes http://www.shopcarinsurance.com
Classic Car Definition
When it comes to defining the classic or antique car it can get pretty confusing. It seems that everywhere you look all of the definitions are different. This is a definition that many people run into conflict regarding. A car that one person might consider to be an antique or a classic might be considered by someone else just to be a piece of garbage. So if you have an older car you should ultimately see a professional in this field. The age of the car is not enough to make it a classic anymore. There are many other aspects to be considered.
According to many sources an antique car is any car that was made before the First World War or before the year 1916. That makes most actual antique cars almost impossible to find since not many were made before that war. Production on most models of car was actually stopped because of the war. So anybody with one of these vehicles in their possession has an antique that they should be taking very special care of. In fact some of these antiques should actually be in a museum. Seeking a second opinion is always recommended when dealing with automotive professionals of any kind.
When it comes to classic cars the Classic Car Club of America has stated that 1948 is the last year for a car to be considered a classic automobile. A classic car can be either American or foreign but it should have been produced between the years 1925 and 1948. There are many other factors that are involved of course like make and model as well as certain components like power brakes and other luxury accessories. The Classic Car Club keeps a very tight rein on what cars are allowed to be considered classic.
The definition of a classic car can also vary by state. When it comes to registration and insurance of a classic vehicle there are certain rules that must be followed. This is why the definition can vary. You should always talk to somebody from the state that you live in if you have a classic car. This way you will know for sure the information you obtain applies to your car because of your location. The year that your car was manufactured also plays a role. There are different tax statuses for different years so make sure you know what applies to you.
A common mistake made by many people is to assume that cars from the 1960s and the 1970s are classic when in actuality they are not. These cars are actually considered modern classics which is not at all the same thing as a true classic. This is why you should always speak to a professional when it comes to insuring a car that you are not sure about the classic status of. Classic and antique cars are amazing creations but it can be hard to know the proper definition. Do some research and consult those who know so that you get it right the first time.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Amelie R. Rowley is an expert when it comes to the subject of antique collector car insurance rates. Check out her blog Collector Car Insurance Blog!