Car week on the Monterey Peninsula once again exceeded expectations and was the perfect way to wrap up summer. The passionate crowds that descended on the week's events were not hindered by the forest fires that were burning just a few miles away. Though the fires forced a few changes like the shortening on the Pebble Beach Tour to avoid closed roads, Pebble Beach was as fabulous as ever. 

As summer comes to an end, many of your clients are looking forward to fall and the local car shows taking center stage around the country. Fall can provide some of the best weather of the year to drive collector cars. If you are lucky enough to live where the leaves are changing, the journey to many of these shows is a show in itself as well.

Many collectors will make the annual pilgrimage to Hershey, PA during the first full week in October. It's the largest car gathering and swap meet in the world with over 30 miles of vendor aisles and thousands of cars for the big show on Saturday. The Hershey Region AACA Regional Fall Meet is still one of the last places on Earth where you can find any car part you need- you just have to look hard enough. Pressure from the internet is intense when it comes to buying and selling car parts, but it cannot replace the personal connections you make at Hershey. Everyone has stories about the people they've met there, and about the old friends that they catch up with there each year. Those are connections that you just can't make via email.

If you have not been to Hershey, you need to go and experience it for yourself. To our friends who are attending, stop by our booth C2A47-50 and say hello! We look forward to seeing you there. 

Happy Motoring!

Jim Kruse, Director of Condon Skelly

CS on Claims

Storage Structures

Stacy, a Condon Skelly insured, stored her 1960 Mercedes Benz 190SL in a garage located on her property in CT. Her area rarely experiences the destructive hurricanes that occur more frequently along the southeastern coastlines. However, when Hurricane Sandy hit, an old oak tree on Stacy’s property fell, crushing her garage and damaging her classic Mercedes.

Stacy called Condon Skelly’s claim hotline at 877-371-9774 to report the claim. The claims team acted immediately, and coordinated with her homeowner’s insurance to have all the damage appraisals done at the same time. Just three weeks later, her vehicle was repaired and ready to drive.

Snow and ice aren’t the only elements to consider when evaluating the location where a classic vehicle is stored. The high winds accompanied with heavy rain from hurricanes and storms can cause extensive damage to storage structures. Falling trees and telephone poles could also pose a threat to even the most sound garages and the vehicles inside.

Click below to review some of our quick inspection tips to share with your clients to ensure their collector cars are protected.

Meet the Team

Nancy Burridge, Office Manager

Along with managing the day to day infrastructure of the Condon Skelly office, I also serve as the receptionist. That means I am often the first person someone speaks to in the office, which has led the adoption of my more informal title “Director of First Impressions”. It is an important role as I have the opportunity to provide our customers with a positive first impression when they call. This initial conversation, although brief, often sets the tone for the conversations to follow when I transfer the caller to one of our underwriters. If you have ever called our office and pressed "0", you have likely spoken with me!

I have been a member of the Condon Skelly team since 1982. That is part of the reason why my favorite part of the job is my other teammates. We are more like family than co-workers.

My favorite car? One that never breaks down! But if I had to pick, it would be a vintage pick up. You don’t see too many really nice ones and they bring back good memories from when I was growing up.

There are many automotive museums in America. Many are housed in grand buildings built with the sole purpose of showcasing the collections that are on display. There is only one museum, however, that still resides in the original showroom where potential customers during the roaring 20’s and 30’s came to order their cars. That showroom now houses the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum in Auburn, Indiana, one of the truly great automotive museums in the world.

As you walk through the doors, you are met with various models of the big three on display. A Duesenberg phaeton, an Auburn sedan and a Cord speedster are among the many models waiting for your approval. If you don’t see something you like, it's just a quick walk up the marble staircase to meet with your personal designer to build the car of your dreams. For just $20,000-$30,000, you leave knowing you have just ordered a car that meets your high standards…if it was 1932. In 2016, you can walk the same route while seeing a collection of cars that is second to none and encompasses various makes and models spanning more than 100 years.

One of the displays features important racing cars in America. It is here that you will see Condon Skelly Director, Jim Kruse’s race winning #22 Bowles-Dreyer Sprint car that he has loaned to the museum. He is pictured in the car on the right. The display also features several other great racing cars, including a current Indianapolis 500 race car in which you can sit and have your picture taken. It's certainly something not to be missed.

When you make it to the ACD Museum, let them know your connection with the #22 racer in the picture above. They will be happy to hear what prompted you to visit. For more details on the museum, click here.

Come See Us at These Upcoming Car Shows