Keith's Blog: “Working Girls” at the Kirkland Concours, and Another Affordable Classic Search

We’re just back from the 9^th Annual Kirkland Concours, and my 8^th as morning host and co-emcee with Ed Herrmann for the awards ceremony. The weather was sunny, and in fact a record-breaking high temperature in the 90s was recorded. If I’d swathed myself in Saran Wrap under my sportcoat and tie, I surely could have come home at least ten pounds lighter.

In some ways Kirkland is my favorite event of the year. It brings together the intimate feel of a regional event with very nice cars, and a sprinkling of notable autos that would be perfectly at home at Pebble Beach. The setting at the Woodmark Hotel, Yacht Club and Spa (a sybaritic trifecta in that name) could hardly be more alluring, with Lake Washington sparkling in the background and the Olympic Peninsula in the distance.

We’ll have complete results in an upcoming issue of SCM, but I can say that the Best of Show went to Ray Scheer’s immaculate 1911 Simplex; a crowd-pleaser was the 1931 Twin Coach Helms Bakery Van brought by George Olson (the feature of the commercial vehicle “working girls” class); and the car I most wanted to drive home in was Greg Whitten’s battle-ready 1957 Aston DBR2.

If you live in the Northwest and haven’t yet been to the concours, I suggest you make plans now for the 2012 event, which will be held on Sunday, September 9. It’s a chance to see world-class cars in a world-class setting, at a fraction of the cost and and hassle that sometimes accompany the major events.

Square-tail Alfa, Anyone?

Now that our Road-to-Reno MGBs have moved on to new homes (and are living happily, according to the letters we have received from the owners and that you will find in the upcoming issue of SCM), it’s time to find another sports car that offers a high value-to-fun factor.

How about a 1971-73 Alfa Spider? While they’re getting harder to find, I still see them advertised in the $4,000 - $6,000 range. If I had my personal choice, I would find a dark blue / burgundy car, properly converted to Euro-spec Webers with the correct snorkel air intake and in very nice condition. But in the end, condition trumps all with these inexpensive old cars; our only non-negotiable requirements are that the car be in its original color, that it be straight and presentable, and doesn’t have an interior that looks like a family of badgers lived in it for a winter.

Got one? Contact me at keith.martin@sportscarmarket.com