The Mecum Auctions – the world leader in live auctions of collector and classic cars, antique motorcycles, and vintage tractors – made its way to Kissimmee, Florida from January 7-16. Many beautiful cars were sold during the live auction at Osceola Heritage Park, with prices ranging from the hundred-thousands all the way to the millions.

#1 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra

A 1965 Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster, CSX3178, was the star of the show, as the car owned by Carroll Shelby from the day it was assembled in March 1966 until his passing in May 2012 sold for $5,940,000. One of only five 427 Cobras originally finished in charcoal gray, the crown jewel of Mr. Shelby’s collection arrived at his Los Angeles facility without an engine or transmission before later being shipped to his Dallas home with a 427 with dual quads and a 4-speed Toploader transmission. Mr. Shelby’s Cobra is the big brother of CSX2000, the original small-block Cobra which recently sold for almost $14 million.

#2 1967 Chevrolet Corvette L88 Convertible

Just behind the Cobra Roadster was a 1967 Corvette L88 Roadster, the very first L88 Corvette and only Tuxedo Black 1967 L88 Corvette built. A winner of multiple awards, the L88 Roadster – campaigned by Tony DeLorenzo – was auctioned off for $2,500,000. The car, which has the original 1967 title, won second place at the 1967 Daytona Beach SCCA Runoffs, made Bloomington Gold Special Collection appearances in 1985, ’88 and ’92 and won a NCRS American Heritage award in 2003.

#3 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing

Originally owned by the Prince of Salm Salm, a 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing with graphite grey paint and tan interior was the third-largest vehicle sold as the 4-speed manual brought $1,567,500. The Prince of Salm Salm owned the Gullwing until Dr. J. Theodore Luros, a neurosurgeon from Indianapolis, Indiana, acquired it in 1961. He had it until 2005, when he sold it to Rudi Koniczek of British Columbia, Canada, and the car has since had a fourth owner.

#4 1967 Shelby 427 Cobra

Another Shelby 427 Cobra Roadster – this one a 1967 model – brought $1,375,000 and was the fourth-highest sold car of the event. The rangoon red 4-speed with black interior has been featured on the cover of “American Supercars” by Richard Huntington and was recently restored in April 2018 to original as-delivered specifications by Drew Serb at the Cobra Experience in Martinez, California.

#5 1966 Ferrari 275 GTS

Rounding out the Top 5 at $1,347,500 was a 1966 Ferrari 275 GTS, a 5-speed 3.3L Colombo V-12 engine with 260 horsepower and just one of only 200 produced over a two-year span. The GTS is one of the rarest and most desirable of the front-engined V-12-powered Ferraris and had been in the care of a former Skip Barber Midwest series physician since 1983.

Honorable Mention – 1965 Iso Grifo A3/C Bizzarrini

At the National Corvette Museum we will be hosting a Powered by Corvette exhibit this year. It is worth noting that this Iso Grifo would fit right into that display.

Just outside the Top 5 was a 1965 Iso Grifo A3/C Bizzarrini – which sports a Corvette engine and transmission but is an Italian coach-built car – as it brought $1,182,500. The car was completed in late 1964 and delivered new to Auto Becker in Germany in January 1965. It was owned by race car driver Pierre de Siebenthal from the 1970s to 1993 and was then sold to former Bizzarrini factory manager Salvatore Diomante. It underwent a ground-up restoration in 2012-13.

The next Mecum Auctions event will take place March 18-20 at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Although we are located inside the National Corvette Museum we can insure any collector vehicle, like the ones above. Contact us for a quick quote to see how to protect your invest.

By Tyler Mansfield

Prior to coming on board with NCM Insurance, Joe served as a part-time associate in the National Corvette Museum’s Events and Conferencing Services Department, assisting with the coordination of rental events at the Museum, providing hands-on support and customer service to clients.

“Growing up, I always had an interest in cars,” shared Joe. “I played for a traveling soccer team, and my dad and I would always find car shows to go to between games. My dad always had older vehicles, and my aunt and uncle are Corvette owners. So, there’s always been some collector cars in my family.”

Joe shared that he has fond memories of visiting the Museum and Corvette Assembly Plant. “As a kid, we would come on field trips. One visit I remember, mom came with me on the school field trip to the Plant and they asked if anyone wanted to sit in the car and start it up. My mom sat in the car, turned it on, and it wouldn’t start. It was funny because that kind of thing always happens to my mom,” Joe laughs. “She was very embarrassed.”

Joe shared that a Museum employee, whom he grew up with and went to school and college with, referred him to his first role at NCM, knowing he’d be a great member of the team.

“Being a Bowling Green native, Corvette is a part of your life, and a part of the community. Even nationally people identify with the Corvette and Museum, so it’s nice having that recognition growing up here.”

Prior to his role at NCM, Joe worked as a Healthcare IT Recruiter and Director of Strategic Resourcing, and other past roles in sales and account management.

“I’ve had some sales and recruiting roles, so there are a lot of transferrable skills. Doing that for the last 4-5 years, customer facing, sales type role, that’s where the interest in joining NCM Insurance came from.”

The Museum, Motorsports Park and NCM Insurance Agency love the opportunity to promote from within and are excited to have Joe join the team in a full-time capacity. Joe said he’s looking forward to getting to know more of our friends and customers in 2021.

In 2015 I purchased a new Corvette and, by way of a mutual friend, became aware of the NCM Insurance Agency. On my initial phone call, I was pleasantly surprised when a “live person” answered the phone and was very accommodating, extremely knowledgeable, personable and efficient in dealing with what I needed. That live person was Bobbie Jo Lee, who within a very short time quoted me on a policy better than I had initially imagined.

Being a car guy from a very young age I have had some unpleasant insurance experiences. Hitting a deer on the New York interstate heading home from a meet at Lime Rock Park – causing extensive passenger side front end damage wasn’t bad enough. The insurance carrier at the time accused me of damaging my car at the race track and scrutinized my claim. That’s one time I was indebted to the NY State Police and their police report!

A second insurance issue (same car) occurred five miles from home when the engine caught fire. I was instructed to take the car to be repaired, no questions asked. After a year in the shop I was delighted to have it back until I was told the insurance company would not cover ‘wear’ parts that cause damage. What does that mean? Again, I was indebted to the legal system, and an attorney, and the insurance company paid. It left me disappointed and aggravated and taught me the lesson we all dislike learning, you don’t know how good your coverage is until you need it!

I currently have a stable of seven vehicles, all insured with NCM Insurance Agency. Anytime I call, the NCM Insurance team is able and willing to handle any problem.

The claims I have had with the NCM Insurance Agency have been handled immediately without stress or aggravation. My cars are very important and play a large role in my life. Lots of time and activity revolve around cars and car outings, so there is considerable exposure. The NCM Insurance Agency places a fair designated value on my cars, which gives me a lot of comfort.

In all my years of loving cars this is the only insurance company that knows me personally, knows my needs and treats me like a valued customer and friend. I refer them to family and friends with confidence knowing they will get the same efficient, professional service at competitive pricing. My cars have license plates from different states and there is never a problem in taking care of my insurance needs.

In the insurance world – all things are not equal and the NCM Insurance Agency is the best in integrity, service and professionalism. To say an insurance company feels like extended family is exactly the way I feel about this company. I’m so glad I found them and so are many of my car loving friends.

Vincent M.

Tropical Storms Laura and Marco are still developing but we want to get ahead of the curve. This morning we sent an email to ALL customers in the potentially affected states of Alabama, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi and Texas regardless if they are in the path or not.

For NCM Insurance customers who are in the path of this storm, our carrier has made available a relocation expense reimbursement that provides reimbursement for 50% of the temporary relocation costs when moving NCM Insurance protected collector cars to a safer location, subject to a maximum of $200 per collector car and $2,500 per policy. Customers with Claims regarding reimbursement should call (800) 543-2644 or you can submit a claim online at https://www.amig.com/customer/file-a-claim/.  Please retain all invoices, receipts and incurred costs with regards to any damage.

If you are unable to relocate your vehicle(s), please take the following steps to insure the vehicle is as prepared as possible:

• Take before photos of your vehicle to show the condition before a disaster strikes.
• Store copies of the registration and insurance documentation in a safe place.
• Place your vehicle(s) on jack stands as high as possible to raise it off of the ground.

Our top priority is offering personal attention to the needs of our customers – in all situations – good and bad. Please let us know if you are affected by the storms and are in harms’ way – and please stay safe.

Here are some great websites to see how Laura and Marco develop:

Storm Pulse
Mike’s Weather Page
Weather Channel

Please reach out to us if you need any assistance at all.

[email protected]
877.678.7626

Tropical Storm Isaias is still developing, but we want to get ahead of the curve.  This email is going out to ALL customers in Florida, regardless if you are in the path or not.

For NCM Insurance customers who are in the path of this storm, our carrier has made available a relocation expense reimbursement that provides reimbursement for 50% of the temporary relocation costs when moving NCM Insurance protected collector cars to a safer location, subject to a maximum of $200 per collector car and $2,500 per policy. Customers with Claims regarding reimbursement should call (800) 543-2644 or you can submit a claim online at https://www.amig.com/customer/file-a-claim/.  Please retain all invoices, receipts and incurred costs with regards to any damage.

If you are unable to relocate your vehicle(s), please take the following steps to insure the vehicle is as prepared as possible:

• Take before photos of your vehicle to show the condition before a disaster strikes.
• Store copies of the registration and insurance documentation in a safe place.
• Place your vehicle(s) on jack stands as high as possible to raise it off of the ground.

Our top priority is offering personal attention to the needs of our customers – in all situations – good and bad. Please let us know if you are affected by the storms and are in harms’ way – and please stay safe.

Here are some great websites to see how Isaias develops:

Storm Pulse
Mike’s Weather Page
Weather Channel

Throughout the year the NCM Insurance Agency attends many car shows.  While the main reason for attending is to see out current customers and to meet new customers, another is to keep up with industry trends and see what emerging opportunities are available.

While at the 2019 Muscle Car and Corvette Nationals we met Wendy, Nikki and Mark from Protect Assurance and were excited to see a Mechanical Powertrain Coverage referred to as CARE+.  We have spent the last several months working with their team to develop a program, available for purchase exclusively online, for your Classic Cars, Antique Automobiles, Restomods, and most other collector vehicles that we insure.

The limited powertrain protection mirrors your driving habits and our policies with tiered mileage plans.  The coverage covers the engine, transmission and other components of the powertrain.  This is the only mechanical protection plan available with built in flat-bed towing reimbursements.  This program is backed by an AM Best rated insurance carrier.

We are excited to be able to offer this coverage to you.  Our goal is to provide the absolute highest levels of coverage for all aspects of your most prized possession. 

For more information, visit the website by clicking here. 

For more information, visit ptacadmincontract.com/CARELandingpage.html.

We have received so many calls asking about our ability to cover a new 2020 Corvette – OF COURSE we will cover it! If the new 2020 Corvette you’re dreaming of will be garage kept, used for pleasure at less than 6K miles per year, and each driver in the home has a secondary vehicle for errands – then we have you covered! You enjoy selecting that new Corvette color and options, and we will be happy to insure it for you!

“I can’t believe the price and the fact that we have an agreed value on our new toy with no depreciation! The NCM Insurance Team helped make this purchase affordable, and we are hoping to top off the cake with Museum Delivery!  What a dream to have our new 2020 Corvette delivered at the home of Corvette – the National Corvette Museum!”

Bill and Janet will receive a full day of “hands on” training with their new Corvette by a trained delivery professional. This experience will be a one on one meet and greet with the Corvette – and when they leave the Museum, they will confidently be connected with their new toy! Museum Delivery also includes a VIP tour of the Museum, display time for the new Corvette on our live webcams and much more. Find out more about the excitement of taking delivery of your new Corvette at: www.corvettemuseum.org

So…ready, set, go – let us quote that new 2020 Corvette for you! You will find our pricing, our service and our hard work for you will pay off! More money in your pocket just makes that new purchase more affordable! Call us at: 877 678 7626 or go online for a fast quote at: www.ncminsurance.com 

We hope to see you soon in your new 2020 Chevrolet Corvette insured by the NCM Insurance Agency!

We are extremely excited to be able to now offer coverage to you and your collector vehicle friends! Below you will find information on our coverage.

• We can insure ANY Year, Make and Model collector vehicle (not just Corvettes!)
• Agreed Value Protection – We agree on what the car is worth, no questions to what the car is worth if the car is deemed a total loss.
• NCM Member? We have a discount for members of the National Corvette Museum.
• Deductible options – from $50 and up to help reduce premium
• One Liability Charge – Own more than one collector vehicle? No need to pay liability on each one like standard auto insurance.
• Expert Claims Service – Top notch experts in collector vehicles will guide you through the claims process.
• Helps support the National Corvette Museum.

Feel free to call our office at 877.678.7626 to speak with an in-house agent or visit us online at ncminsurance.com. If you do the online option please keep hitting “NEXT” at the bottom of each page.

We have four outstanding agents ready to help you!

We are very excited about opening in your state, and we hope to earn your business!