It’s usually easy to tell who owns an antique or classic car. That’s the guy at the head of the parade. He putters along enjoying the scenery while a parade of motorists forms in his wake. He takes life a little slower—well, maybe a LOT slower—than the rest of the human race.
Ever wonder why they call it the human “race”? Kind of like the rat race…most of us speed along at sixty or seventy mph, sometimes faster. Then you come to the man in the 1912 Buick. This guy knows how to relax. Just mosey along at thirty mph tops in your antique car and let the rest of the world zoom around you. “Taking your time” attains a whole new meaning when you’re following him.
Why spend your life rushing around when you can kick back and enjoy the view from one of these venerable old machines? My friend Barb says her uncle owns a 1912 Buick painted Christmas green and red. It goes well with his long, bushy white beard. Everybody notices when he goes out on the town, and not just because half of them are stuck behind him.
If you’re tempted to fume and fuss because the clock is ticking while you crawl along, try thinking about a time when life was lived at a more genteel pace. Women wore hats and white gloves. Men opened doors for them and dealt with chores like turning the crank to start the car. There’s a lot to be said for life in the slow lane. Give it a try.
The National Motorists Association advises that newbies to the classic car field use caution when buying. Be skeptical if the car has unusually low mileage or if the seller says he’s just helping a friend get the car sold. Be sure to take a test drive, and go early so you can start the car when the engine is cold. Also make sure the car can pass safety and emissions tests. Be particularly careful if the car is sold “as is.”
Whether it’s an antique more than twenty-five years old or a classic between fifteen and twenty-five, your venerable car needs extra care and special insurance. Antique and classic car insurance covers all those things that could happen to your favorite automobile. Insurance for a classic car is far different from regular auto insurance.
One of the great advantages of antique and classic car insurance is that you get more coverage for less money. This is largely because most of these older automobiles don’t go zooming along at seventy mph. They’ve earned the right to go through life at a slower pace. Besides, people who own these wonderful classic autos don’t usually drive them on a daily basis. That lovely antique stays in the garage until it’s time to go on tour to the classic and antique auto shows.
Another benefit of purchasing special classic car insurance is the ability to set an agreed on value with the insurance broker. Special cars appreciate as the years pass instead of losing value. Insurance companies recognize this and provide for the difference in price for the automobiles and the parts and care needed when they must be repaired.
That 1912 Buick requires tires made by h and because manufacturers don’t produce them. This is just one example of the added cost of keeping a specialty car in good repair. So enjoy life with your old beauty. Take the slow lane, but make sure you’re covered with a good insurance policy. You’ll have peace of mind and a fatter wallet.
