08/29/2026
Remember the ârat attackâ on the 1936 Cadillac, about 5 months ago, hereâs the progress report. First of all, it was insured by Hagerty Insurance and theyâve been fantastic! Second, when you insure, donât underinsure and it you got a great deal on your car purchase, still insure for its true value! Next, with old cars, the insurance company, wonât recommend someone, they donât want the liability of having to do a bad job or a rip off of funds, so you choose, which isnât so easy. I had one in Los Angeles, which I visited. They had impressive cars in the shop, a Bugatti, Packards, some less expensive cars, but a full, operating shop, impressive! The said, âabout $65,000â, yikes, guaranteed it would increase, how it seems to be played. The second shop, was recommended by one of the folks connected with âthe Candy Storeâ, the âyacht clubâ of car clubs, folks who know cars and cater to higher end collectors. That shop, looked great, a nice mix of cars, not all high end and obviously did quality work. Their bid was about $25,000. for the entire front area and top. It too is adding up, hitting around $37,000., but will still climb a bit⌠The insurance company is approving everything, the know how it plays out, you do not get a firm bid. All this said, the new chauffeurâs compartment looks GREAT! Top is still to be started, though the go the metal trim off with no damage to the main bodyâs paint, which was magic! Now this is for, just the front seat area and the top, could you imagine, if the passenger compartment was also munched and or some paint damage! Repairs would have gone over the face value of the policy.? Can you imagine the cost of a restoration today, why folks are buying restored cars for far LESS than the restoration costs. I witnessed this at the R & M auction, at the Hershey, PA., national meet, in 2025 (am going again, this year!). Is this a complaint about the shop I am using, no, itâs tough to do and initial bid, as each such car is individual and they donât know whatâs under the damaged seat material, how the top will come off and other unforeseen items, the is more of âthis is how it isâ, the costs and Do Not underinsure! Picture time, oh and ânoâ, I do not live in the ghetto. Oh, the red Plymouth, not mine, but I liked, getting a new top. Oh, a side note, at the first shop, I saw a 1922 Packard touring car. It was going to cost, I bet, for 3 times what I paid for a restored, national show winner, last year at Hershey!
