Over the last five years, Bill Rinnier has become one of the biggest car nuts around—even though he admits he was not always into collector cars.  He says that while in the past he never even considered seeing himself driving a cool ride, he now hopes he can save enough money to buy a muscle car of his own—either a 1967 Camaro or a Chevelle.

In April 2004, Bill was thrown into the collector car scene, when he landed a position at Grundy Worldwide, soon after he graduated from Kutztown University with a degree in history. 

At Grundy, he was trained to provide insurance quotes over the phone and picked up the process quickly.  Within just weeks of being hired, he was asked to represent the insurance agency at the Spring Carlisle event in Carlisle, Pa.

“I had no idea what to expect,” says Bill, about going to his first car show ever.  “And, it was one of the busiest shows I’ve ever worked, to this day.”

Little did Bill know that his experience at Spring Carlisle would set the pace for years to come.  He started attending shows on a regular basis and learned how to drive the company’s truck and trailer. By the summer of ‘04, he was hauling the Grundy trailer across the country, with the Great Race.

“We started in Jacksonville and ended in Monterey,” says Bill.  “It was a lot of fun. I spent my 23rd birthday touring the country-- I think I was in either Kansas or Colorado…”

Bill adds that on his way home from the event, he and another co-worker stopped at the Goodguys show in Columbus, Ohio to work one last event, before arriving back at the Grundy Worldwide office, located outside of Philadelphia, Pa.

“I was on the road for a whole month,” he says.

Today, Bill cannot go to as many car shows as he did when he first starting working for Grundy Worldwide but says that he enjoys his job, nevertheless.

“At one point, I used to go to shows every weekend,” he explains. “Now, it depends on the show schedule and if I need to be in the office.”

Throughout his five years with the company, Bill has taken on more duties that keep him close to home: underwriting applications that come to Grundy both through the mail and the Internet, helping with customer service, quoting new business, handling claims… You name it, Bill can do it.  But, he still loves going to the shows, when he can.

Bill will attend the Atlantic City Classic Car Show and Auction, sponsored by Grundy Worldwide, next month.  He states that he has gone to this event almost every year that he has worked for the company.  He adds that he will most likely get out to a couple shows each month, throughout the car show season.  Bill says he is especially looking forward to attending his favorite event: Hot August Nights in Reno, Nev. (See photo.)

“It’s such a good show, with tons of cars,” he says.  “Our booth is never slow, and we’re always doing something.  I wasn’t able to make it last year, because I was at a buddy’s wedding. So, I’m really looking forward to going this year!”

He adds that it’s not just the cool cars that draw him to car shows.  Bill says that he has made some really close friends, while on the road.  In fact, he says that he talks to a friend he met out in Reno, years ago, almost every day.

“When I’m at shows, the people are so genuine. They’re passionate and usually just out to have a good time—which makes work really easy for us,” he says. “I’ve gotten to see places I would have never seen before, if it wasn’t for this job. And, I’ve met people I wouldn’t have met. My friends that I have made in the office and at car shows are one of the things I like most about my job.”

When Bill is not busy bringing in business for Grundy Worldwide—both in the office and at collector car events— he enjoys watching the local Philadelphia sports teams play, and he participates with the Philadelphia Mummers String Band Association. 

In 2008, Bill had the chance to attend Game Five of the World Series, where he watched his favorite baseball team, the Philadelphia Phillies, win the title of World Champions.  And, over the holiday season, he also enjoyed some time in Center City Philadelphia, during the Mummers Parade, where he served as a marshal for the Avalon String Band, along side his father and brother who both play for the band.

Be sure to stop by the Grundy exhibit at the Atlantic City Classic Car Show and Auction to say "hello" to Bill and to get your instant Agreed Value insurance quote for your collector vehicle.  The show will be held at the Atlantic City Convention Center on February 26 through March 1, 2009.

Story by: Becky McLaughlin