Looking for classic car insurance

A couple of days back there was a story in the British press about a vintage Bugatti while had been found in a garage under piles of rubbish. Apparently the car is estimated to get about £100,000 in an auction. What is even more amazing is that the car is not even an authentic one but a good replica model Bugatti Type 51. This story shows the level of interest generated by some of these vintage models.

1931 Bugatti Type 51
Originally posted to Flickr by Brian Snelson

Some people collect really vintage models, spending time and money to maintain and keep them running. They even go to the extent of building new engines based on original plans as there are no one selling the replacement parts anymore.

However, the term "classic cars" can be very misleading. The AARP classic car insurance site defines these as those vehicles which are 10 or more years old and differentiates them from Antique auto which refer to autos more than 25 years old.

The great thing about driving cars more than five years old in the US is that you actually pay less car insurance as compared to newer cars.

So if you have 10 years or more old car, there are some great discounts out there and special offers which allows you to get even more affordable classic and antique Auto Insurance coverage.

Car magnets - effective and affordable advertising

In today's economy, it's difficult for small businesses to get off the ground. Advertising doesn't come cheap, especially when belts are being cinched and pockets are nearly empty. Car magnets are great advertising solution for small businesses.

Here's why your business should use car magnets:

Car magnets are affordable.
Compared to other advertising options like billboards or radio spots, car magnets definitely won’t break the bank. They’re an inexpensive way to improve business. Driving around town with a car magnet on your vehicle helps spread the word quickly about your business.

Car magnets allow you to transform your personal vehicle into a moving advertisement.
There's no need to go purchase a fleet - all you need to do is slap on a magnet and drive as opposed to vinyl graphics which can be difficult to apply and remove. Car magnets make promoting your business easy, and at the end of the day, you can pull off your magnet and turn it back into a personal car.

It’s important to remember, however, a cheap magnet does not equal a good magnet. Investing in high-quality magnetic signs means that they won't go flying off your car the next time you're on the highway. Make sure the magnets you're buying are made from thick magnetic material and have curved corners to prevent curling and fly-always.

Aftermarket car and truck Accessories

One of my favourite TV shows used to be the American version of MTV's Pimp My Ride. I loved the way they would take a run down rusted death trap into an amazing dream ride. One of my friends back in Malaysia is a huge fan of the series as well and you should see the way he modified his old Proton 1.8 Wira. Nothing as drastic as in the TV series but he's done a great job - with whole body kit, spoilers, new rims, new wheels and a shiny metallic paint job - the car looks fantastic. I will try to persuade him to send me some pictures.

And it does not stop there. The interiors have also gone through a complete makeover with racing seats, new gear knobs and all kids of gauges on the dashboard. However, he drew the line of coloured LEDs underneath the car ("too fancy")and any modifications to the engine. All he did was change the exhaust and new air intake systems.

Through him, I discovered the world of the car tuning and modified cars. Some guys spend thousands of dollars on aftermarket accessories doing up their cars - sometimes immediately after they get it out of the showrooms. Some see this as an art form while others feel that they are expressing their personality using their cars.

If you are one of those guys - check out the amazing range of new after market car accessories available.

ECJ Ruling Set to Hit Young Female Drivers Hardest

A new ruling by the European Court of Justice could hit female young drivers in the pocket as car insurance companies will no longer be able to use gender as a factor in calculating risk.

The new ruling, passed on March 1, will come into force in December 2012 and from that time onwards, women will cease to benefit from cheap car insurance premiums, despite the fact that they are statistically less likely to have a crash than men.

Car insurance expert Steve Sweeney from MoneySupermarket, believes the new ruling will have long-lasting, wide ranging implications for the car insurance industry.

He said:

"The ruling will no doubt hit female drivers the hardest with premiums rising in line with male drivers. If your car insurance is due for renewal in the next couple of months then you should shop around and buy your new cover as soon as possible before any new rules come into force."

My wife and some of our lady friends are quite unhappy with the ruling. So what do you think?

The 1937 Tatra T87

Check out the classic 1937 Tatra T87 at Jay Leno’s Garage. Designed by Hans Ledwinka, this streamlined, air-cooled, rear-engine car was built by Czechoslovakian manufacturer Tatra and was the favourite of German officers during World War II.



Check out the Wikipedia page of the Tatra T87.

Thanks for the link Michelle.