Hagerty/CNA insurance, driving Alfas hard,Lancia Beta purchase advice

[Milanogold@domain.elided]

Greetings Alfisti,
      Been working myself to death lately, so haven't had a chance to pick up
on reading the digests piling up in my computer.Here's my take on the
following subjects-
HAGERTY INSURANCE-Never heard of (or dealt with) any claims from this
company.However, if CNA insurance handles their claims for them, you can rest
easy.CNA is probably the easiest insurance company to deal with on the
planet................Their claims are paid quickly, they have never
questioned an extension I've ever put through, they respond to requests for
info quickly, etc.An important thing, too.If your'e the claimant, they have no
"approved" or "authorised" repair shops(IE "chop shops");you can have your car
repaired wherever you wish.They (dare I say it?) seem to care about their
claimants........
DRIVING ALFAS HARD-Someone mentioned shifting Alfas at 3200-3500 rpm when the
cars are warmed up.one question,WHY? In my Alfist experience, I generally give
my car 10 miles relatively easy driving (no higher than 3500rpm) until the oil
and water is at proper temps.Once those paramaters are met,zing it!My Alfie
('87 Milano gold) has 126k miles on it,gets regular maintenance, redline use
and runs like new.Alfas are built to run hard as long as theyr'e properly
maintained.Drive them every day, they make entertaining commuter cars.Drive
rental cars all day and then hop in your Alfa;you'll note and appreciate them
very much........
LANCIA BETA ADVICE- While taking photos of a wrecked car out of our fleet at a
northern VA body shop, I discovered a 1975-76-77 (unsure) Lancia Beta
coupe.Tired paint, one small spot of rust on the front edge of the hood lip,
everything else apparently rust free.Good interior, carpets in excellent
shape,dash uncracked.Made a few inquiries, and found that one of the body shop
workers owns it;recently stopped driving it (for no insurance on the car,
suspended license,and DUI.)He's wanting  to sell it so he can get up some fees
for his lawyer.It's been offered to me; but since I already have my
Velocissima project in progress,I wanted to know if someone could offer some
advice as to things to look out for,to check etc.on this car before I lay down
some extremely hard earned money for this car.Any advice would be
appreciated...
Thanks in advance,
Terry and Sharon Akins
Alexandria,VA
1987 Milano Gold (Alfie)
1979 Alfetta Velocissima (Lazarus,looking forlorn because it's raining and I
can't diagnose it's transaxle problem) 

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