5, 4, 3, 2, 1… Happy New Year!

It is time to ring in the New Year! Of course, making plans of where to watch the ball drop and composing New Year’s resolutions aren’t the only important to-do’s as 2009 comes to a close. Many collectors are busy checking out the upcoming product releases from their favorite collectibles manufacturers.


For instance, Department 56 just recently announced their December 2009 product introductions. They have new additions to their villages, Snowbabies, Christmas items, seasonal items, as well as their year-round items. There are collectibles for every occasion and for all kinds of collectors. You can check out all their latest and greatest here.


Aside from Department 56, many other collectibles companies are beginning to introduce their products for 2010. Keep an eye on your favorite companies by signing up for their email list or checking their website frequently so you don’t miss out on their great new collectibles. Happy New Year!

Pizza Lover’s Diecast

Back in 1983, “Papa” John Schnatter of Papa John’s pizza sold his black and gold striped 1971 Chevy Camaro Z28 to help his father avoid closing his tavern. Not only did the $2,800 he received for the Camaro keep the tavern up and running, but it also allowed him to start his famous pizza business, Papa John’s.

Since then, he had been in search of that Camaro. He started by offering a $25,000 reward to anyone who could produce the title for him, later upping the ante to $250,000. Then on August 25, 2009 his beloved Camaro was returned to him. The car is now displayed at Papa John’s headquarters in Louisville, Kentucky.

To celebrate this great story, Johnny Lightning has created a 1:64 scale replica of Papa John’s Z28. Not only is it a great piece to add to any diecast collection, but Papa John’s is donating a dollar from the proceeds of every diecast purchased to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. Plus each car comes with a certificate for a free medium cheese pizza. The only problem is that if you want that pizza, you will need to take the car out of the packaging. You can purchase the diecast today from the Papa John’s website.

American Collectors Insurance Hosts Job Fair in Cherry Hill, N.J.

CHERRY HILL, NJ (November 10, 2009) – American Collectors Insurance is hosting a job fair to fill several positions to accommodate its growth as a specialty insurance provider.

Applicants are invited to visit the job fair on Thursday, November 12, from 2-6 pm at the firm’s headquarters at 496 Kings Highway North, Cherry Hill, N.J.

Open positions are: licensed sales representatives, sales and service supervisor, large account client coordinator, marketing manager, public relations/communications coordinator, and full/part-time clerical positions. Descriptions and requirements of jobs are available at: http://www.americancollectors.com/jobs.

American Collectors invites interested applicants to visit the job fair or send a resume and salary requirement (indicating job preference) via e-mail to jobs@AmericanCollectors.com or via fax to its human resources department at (856) 779-7261.

A provider of specialty insurance for collector vehicles and collectibles since 1976, American Collectors works directly with consumers, through independent insurance agents/brokers, and through insurance carrier partners.

About American Collectors Insurance
American Collectors Insurance is the nation’s leading provider of collector-vehicle and collectibles insurance. Based in Cherry Hill, NJ, and licensed in 50 states, American Collectors offers products through independent insurance agents, in partnership with several major insurance organizations, and direct to consumers.

Company information:
www.AmericanCollectors.com
(800) 620-5052
info@americancollectors.com
Twitter: @AmerCollectIns
Facebook.com/AmericanCollectors
Collector Central blog for car and collectibles enthusiasts: www.AmericanCollectors.com/blog
Agent Exchange blog for insurance brokers: www.AmericanCollectors.com/Agents/

Playing with Cars - Danbury Mint’s “Little Deuce Coupe” & “Grabowski T”

Here’s another great episode of Playing with Cars. Joe Kelly Jr. says that Danbury Mint created a “dead-on replica” with the Little Deuce Coupe. With its reverse chrome wheels, baby blue carpeting, and “impressive” external engine, it is “nothing short of amazing.” His review tells the tale of how the car itself came to be, and what Danbury Mint included on this replica to make it so accurate.


Also included in this episode is a review of Danbury Mint’s Grabowski T, which was the car of Edd Byrnes’s character, Kookie, from 77 Sunset Strip. It has a scaled model of the bloody scull Grabowski carved and painted on the shift handle, “perfectly replicated” flames, and a removeable uptop. Watch this review to see what Joe says is “the best-looking live axel rear end ever hung under a street rod.”


As always, you can count on Playing with Cars to be a great resource and fun to watch. Enjoy!

8 Customized 2010 Ford Mustangs Premiering at SEMA

This week at the annual SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show held in Las Vegas, Ford will unveil a multitude of custom version 2010 Mustangs. The automaker recently launched the 2010 Mustang Customizer at www.the2010Mustang.com. It has received an overwhelming response from the public and if you haven’t tried it, it really is a lot of fun! You can choose from a variety of hoods, scoops, spoilers, grilles, wheels and even choose the size of your burnout. In just two months, more than 1 million custom Mustangs have been built on the site. The response prompted Ford to get together with a few customizers such as 3dCarbon, Steeda Autosports, Paul’s High Performance, Vaughn Gitten Jr, Galpin Auto Sports, Street Scene Equipment, H&R Special Springs and Ford Vehicle Personalization group to customize 8 rides. All project Mustangs at the show will look dramatically different since self expression is what the brand is all about. Mustang is the most customized car in the $31.8 billion aftermarket industry.

Tell us how your Mustang stands apart

Philadelphia Ride for Kids®

The fifth annual Philadelphia Ride for Kids attracted over 500 participants and $121,725 in donations on a sunny Sunday.

The riders gathered at the IMAX theatre at King of Prussia Mall before following a police escort on a scenic route to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square.

At the end point, 12 local brain tumor survivors told the fundraisers about their lives. These Ride for Kids “stars” included small children such as Althea and Angelina, both 6, as well as PBTF college scholarship recipients Annie, Jason and Laura.

Two 12-year-old survivors said they were thankful for the emotional support the ride offers. “The amount you give goes far, and you give [more than] money,” said Emily. Added Pearce, “Thank you very much for taking the time out to make us feel so special.”

The children were joined on stage by Dr. Leslie Sutton, chief of neuro-oncology at Philadelphia Children’s Hospital, who also rode in the event.

The first-place fundraisers were:

Individuals: Neil and Jill Bookman, $35,701
Chapter/Club: Team Tyler, powered by American Collectors Insurance, $37,161
Motorcycle Business: Planet Honda, $21,379
Neil Bookman won the Honda motorcycle drawing.

The Philadelphia Ride for Kids task force and volunteers, led by Lee and Mitzi Krauss, Joel Samick, and Rex and Lisa Alfes, deserve thanks for all their hard work.

Save or Skip?

9/21/2009

Have you ever bought collectibles and later found out they weren't worth your while? Do you wish you knew how to determine whether something is a smart buy?

Now you can find out. Take a peek at the following article, What to Save, What to Skip, by MainStreet.com and learn to gauge whether a collectible is worth buying. The author provides helpful hints about collectibles that are trendy, limited edition, or contain mistakes or misprints. Then the next time you are in the position to add to your collection, you will be able to make a better buying decision.

Do you know any helpful hints to share with other collectors? Leave us a comment and let us know!

Playing With Cars – The Audi Front 225 Model

9/17/2009

Take a peek at the following Playing with Cars review from The Car Room magazine. Joe Kelly, Jr. got a hold of the first three hand samples of the Audi Front 225 diecast that CFC designed for the Audi’s 100th anniversary. He discusses their hand built, exclusive feel and their level of detail and workmanship. Get ready for an extensive review with this 1600 piece model, including its castings, cables, hoses, nuts, and bolts. When you’re done, leave us a comment and let us know what you think. If you like what you see, be sure to check out their website at http://www.thecarroom.com/showroom.html.

College Football Collectibles

College Football Collectibles
9/8/2009

It is hard to believe that the 2009 college football season has officially begun. Although the main focus is on the games themselves, students, alumni, and other fans alike enjoy the history and pride attached to collecting memorabilia.

Aside from making annual visits to colleges and attending championship games to obtain the latest and greatest gear, there are numerous resources on the internet to find some great stuff. In particular, you never know when someone will post a priceless piece on auctioning sites like eBay or online communities like Craig’s List. For instance, in just a few short minutes of searching, here are a few of the many available items we found:
An Alabama Bear Bryant Gametime Sculpture
Aside from sculptures, there are all kinds of artwork available to collectors related to the team of their choice.

A Reggie Bush Autographed USC Trojans Football
Many college players end up playing for the NFL, so owning a piece like this may benefit you even more after the player graduates.

An Authentic Full-Size Virginia Tech Football Helmet
There is something to be said about obtaining authentic team apparel.

A Pittsburgh Game-Used Football Jersey
Game-used apparel is especially enticing to collectors since it is the real deal.
As the season picks up, don’t forget that along with the camaraderie of rooting on beloved alma maters and favorite teams, it is important to keep your eyes peeled for unique collectibles. Here’s to your team winning, and that you find some amazing items to add to your collection this year!"

Racer Reunion at Corvettes at Carlisle

We had a great time at Corvettes in Carlisle and met a lot of nice people despite the dismal weather. The theme this year was “A Corvette Race Car Reunion” and there were many race cars from each generation of C1 to C6 Corvettes on display. Racing icon Mario Andretti was there signing autographs as well. We also had the opportunity to stop by the Hospitality tent and wish our good friends from the Original Garden State Corvette Club a safe and fun trip. They organized a 10-day Caravan trip from Carlisle PA to Bowling Green KY and will be posting pictures each day on their website http://www.zorpia.com/blue70ray. Be sure to follow them along their exciting journey!

The Car Room

8/31/2009

The Car Room Magazine has the ability to keep every diecast collector entertained and enlightened about the diecast world. It details a wide array of diecast with exquisite photos and page after page of detailed reviews and recommendations. The magazine is composed by a group of people that are incredibly enthusiastic about the hobby, which makes it even more fun to read.

On top of putting together an excellent magazine, The Car Room also offers reviews on their website. We recommend you check out the Playing With Cars videos, where Joe Kelly, Jr. gives you comprehensive reviews of numerous diecast.

Over time, we will be hosting some of their videos on our blog so you can see for yourself why we’re enthused about The Car Room. If you would like to learn more, be sure to check out their website at http://www.thecarroom.com/showroom.html."

Love the Beast - One man’s touching love affair with his first car

Love the Beast - One man’s touching love affair with his first car
8/17/2009

Eric Bana directs and stars in this personal documentary about his 25-year, deep-rooted love for his first car “The Beast” – a 1974 Ford XB Falcon Coupe. This film begins in Eric’s family’s garage in Australia when he decides to restore and race the car. Bana, along with the help of his 3 closest friends, enter “The Beast” into the Targa Tasmania Rally, a notorious, dangerous 5-day off-track motor race. On the fourth day of the race, misfortune strikes and Eric has to struggle with what he has done. This real life drama explores Bana’s relationship with the car he admires, tragedy and a lifetime of friendship. Also included are testimonials from Jeremy Clarkson, Jay Leno and Dr. Phil. Watch the trailer and look for it in a theater soon.

Fun Times at the Syracuse Nationals

7/28/2009

We had a wonderful time meeting many car enthusiasts at the Syracuse Nationals at the New York State fairgrounds last week! The 3-day event featured over 7,000 street rods, hot rods and muscle cars and drew more than 80,000 people. Some of the attractions were the Designer’s Dozen Award, Pin Stripes Panel Jam, snowmobile drag races, live entertainment, drive-in movies and fireworks at night. But the real star of the show was the Batmobile from the 1960’s television series. Continuous streams of spectators were inside the Center of Progress building throughout the event to snap a photo and sit inside the car. Adam West, who stared as the Caped Crusader and Julie Newmar, who was one of the actresses who played Catwoman, were also there to sign autographs. The Nationals was a fun time for all and we can’t wait to go back next year!

Jolly Old Partnerships

7/27/2009


It is Christmas in July for American Collectors Insurance, as we are proud to announce two new partnerships! We are now working alongside Prizm, Inc. and Kurt S. Adler, Inc., two well-known companies in the holiday collectibles world.

Prizm, Inc. owns the Pipka Santas line of figurines, which are a heartwarming touch to get people into the holiday spirit. Their intricate detail makes them a beautiful addition to homes during the holiday season.

Kurt S. Adler imports Steinbach Nutcrackers, which are wonderfully handcrafted wooden pieces. From Disney characters to nutcrackers with various occupations, Steinbach has completely reinvented the nutcracker to fit any personality.

The summer is flying by, and before we know it Christmas will be here. So be sure to keep your eyes peeled for these incredible products in just a few short months – they make great gifts! Do you own some Pipka Santas or Steinbach Nutcrackers? Let us know!"

Car Lovers Know Best: Protect That Baby

"Car lovers told us what they do to protect their collector vehicles during hurricane season, which runs June 1-November 30.
The top tip: Use a waterproof/padded tarp on the vehicle (even though it’s in the garage) to protect against saturated drywall and debris falling onto the vehicle. It’ll also protect against garden tools and other items in the garage falling on the car during a windstorm.
Read the other six tips at:
www.americancollectors.com/Collector_Chronicles/News_Room/News_Room/123/pg__1/vobId__547/

We invite you to pass these tips on to your fellow hobbyists. They’re all courtesy of the classic car enthusiasts at American Collectors Insurance!"

Just what is "Agreed Value"?

Agreed-value coverage is a vital concept for a collector. But an estimated 50 percent of car hobbyists still have their vehicles insured under standard coverage. That’s bad news for the owner (and possibly bad news for the insurance professional’s E&O policy) when there’s a claim. Agreed-value coverage is almost always a better fit for a collector’s needs than is standard auto coverage.
Here’s how agreed-value coverage works: The insurance provider and the collector jointly agree at time of policy issue on the value of the collector vehicle, based on recent sales, auto pricing manuals, and other data. Then, at claim time, agreed-value coverage pays the car’s insured value, minus the deductible, in the event of a total loss. Nothing is more disappointing to a collector than hearing they’ll be reimbursed at book value.

Read about agreed-value coverage: www.americancollectors.com/Collector_Vehicles/Policy_Features/28/

We're approved in Alaska!

And we got a mention in the Insurance Journal!

Auto Industry Blues

We're car enthusiasts to our very core. Not just due to our business (we insure classic cars, trucks and motorcycles) but also because we completely appreciate the time, effort and passion that goes into creating a really great vehicle - collector or fresh off the assembly line. What is happening to the icons of the business is truly heartbreaking. It leads us to wonder what affect it will have on the car collecting hobby? How will it affect the hunt for classic GM parts? So many things to consider. Our thoughts go out to those dealerships that were told to close yesterday.

Let's all hope for brighter days ahead, soon!

The REAL Cougar!

Unlike the new reality show which premiered on TV Land last week, we associate the term Cougar with the luxury car that was introduced in 1967 and made its mark on the American street scene. The first Mercury Cougar was an upscale version of the Ford Mustang and featured a three-inch longer wheelbase and more mature styling. Later versions of the Cougar were based on the Thunderbird and the last was a version of the Contour/Mondeo.
The Cougar was significant to Mercury's image for many years. “At the sign of the cat” was an advertisement used to identify Mercury dealers and most Cougar ads in the early 1970’s showed models holding big cats on leashes.

In 2002, Ford announced a restructuring plan and the Cougar was cancelled, along with the Ford Escort, Mercury Villager and Lincoln Continental. While no longer in production, you can still spot the elusive cat car at shows and cruises throughout the summer season. Meow!