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Getting Hit

KVH

Obi Wan
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I hate to run my whole life by my worries, but after restoring my '66 TR to virtually perfect condition, I find myself ruminating about two things: a) it's one small buggy if I get hit (the airbags just might not deploy); and b) someone could total me with a slight nudge.

I suppose I'm different only in the magnitude of my worries, and we all think about those things.

Drive safely, folks.
 
I have to think good thoughts...after all, a wedge would tend to submarine under anything except maybe a lowered Honda Civic with a watermelon shooter /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/driving.gif
 
I suspect that most of us consider these things. A slight parking lot "bump" can do thousands of dollars worth of damage to these fragile, expensive to repair cars. Drive thoughtfully & be very careful about where you park.

Maybe better to worry too much than not enough.
D
 
Drive around in a TR3 for a while, then you become immune to these thoughts...

after all, Snell (of the Snell safety ratings) was killed driving a TR3.
 
a) Life is short, don't regret not enjoying your pride and joy.
b) American Collector Insurance takes the worry out.

Bill
 
[ QUOTE ]

b) American Collector Insurance takes the worry out.
Bill

[/ QUOTE ]
True, but they expect/require drivers to use some common sense, like when & where you drive the car & where you garage/park it.
D
 
My technique:

Always park a looong ways out in any parking lot, preferably sidled up to a curbed island. Never drive in an SUVs blind spot (they have several). Consider a high mounted 3rd brake light (I use 1/2 of a set of magnetic towing lights from WallyMart). Always get in the 'number 1' lane on the freeway. Consider that what you lack in mass and protection can be partially offset by nimble maneuvering and the proverbial 'heightened state of alert'.

So far, so good... only bump I have had was when I had to brake suddenly with an MGTD behind me (bad idea).
 
I just did an instant quote with American Collector Insurance (72 TR6, Modified, $15,000 value, collision and comprehensive with $500 deduct.) $24,000 A YEAR!!!!. A little out of my price range.
But anyway, I relate driving my TR to driving a motorcycle, it's up to you to be doubly vigilant and when in parking lots, let's face it these are walking cars. You need to park a little ways away from everything.

At any rate, when your car isn't a trailer queen, these are the risks that you take, but I think the fun you have is well worth the risks.
 
[ QUOTE ]
I just did an instant quote with American Collector Insurance (72 TR6, Modified, $15,000 value, collision and comprehensive with $500 deduct.) $24,000 A YEAR!!!!.

[/ QUOTE ]
I think a cog got slipped somewhere. American collectors charges me $240 per year for $35,000 agreed value, full collision & comprehensive, zero deductible.
D
 
I approached American Collector Insurance (earlier this year) when choosing companies and was quoted something close to $160/year for $15k agreed value and a lower deductible. Since it sounds like you want to drive your car for more than shows, perhaps consider Hagerty. I've also been told that State Farm offers a slightly more expensive, but liberal use, agreed value policy for collectors.

BTW, I added the 3rd brake light to the Mini. I'm usually at or below their hood-line. I consider that to be cheap insurance also.
 
Similarly, I pay $189.00 per year, $26,500.00 agreed value, no deductable, no one with less than 10 years driving experience can drive the car and be covered, receipts and photos, 2,500 miles per year limit. You will never buy this kind of insurance from a regular company. I was sent to American from USAA, my military insurance. I asked them how they can be so cheap and the gal told me that people that insure these cars take better care of them than their wives. That was no surprise, my wife tells me that all the time.

Bill
 
Plus, my car has been on jack stands for a month now. The insurance company loves people like me.

Bill
 
HI DK, I too have added an additional light to my Healeys.The light I have is mounted to the luggage carrier and operates both as a tail light and a third brake light. Additionally, when traveling relatively long distnces I have a ski boat mirror attached to the top of the wind screen which gives a panoramic view of the road behind me.I travel in a middle lane if on freeways that way any one that is in a hurry,Moving over 80 MPH /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif, can pass on the left or right side of me and I see them coming.---Keoke
 
Re:getting hit

I almost got squashed from the side when a guy was "timing" his entry into 4 lanes of traffic thinking there was a gap between a truck and a SUV-- guess who was in the gap. In our LBC's we're hard to see and hard for us to see!
Pete
 
I couldn't help but notice that a few of you indicate you have NO collision deductible! That's rare. Comprehensive often is offered with $0 deductible, but collision deductibles normally start at $100.

If so, purchasing a higher collision deductible may prove very cost-effective for you. Often, the premium for $500 collision is 40%-50% less than $100 ded.

If you have a zero collision deductible, call your Agent for a quote on $250 and $500, or even $1,000. It may be worth a call. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif
 
I have spent many of my adult years riding a bike. Thats bike as in Lance Armstrong. Being out on the road on a bike is good training for driving my TR-3.

The three rules I learned on the flight deck of an aircraft carrier work well in both cases:

1) Think about what you are doing before you do it.
2) Make sure to leave yourself an out.
3) Everyone is trying to kill you.

I like driving my TR-3 better than my modern cars because of the visibilty I have, its just like being on a bike.
 
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HI DK, I too have added an additional light to my Healeys.
Keoke

[/ QUOTE ]
IMO, an additional center high mounted stop light (CHMSL) is an absolute necessity on a car with small low mounted rear lights. I used a Juliano's # JU018600 with the pedestal removed & permanently mounted to the rear shroud. It is wired to work as a directional indicator plus stop lamp. It is not quite "concours correct" but not glaringly obtrusive. Light output to the rear is enough to grab anyones attention. See attached pic.
D
 

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Yeah that looks cool Dave. However, for the BJ8's I was more concerned about a highly visible tail light and stop light which this led lamp let me implement. I felt the existing higher mounted turn signal lights were adequate. Plus it is easily removed for show---Keoke
 
Nice light, where did you get it? Is it an LED?
 
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