Keith's Blog: Back Home Again, In Indiana

We finished our first day of shooting at Auctions America by RM in Auburn,Indiana, and for me it was a typical love-fest of driving old cars. During the day, I got the chance to evaluate and drive a 1966 Shelby GT350H with just 20 miles on a fresh restoration (oddly heavy steering, high idle (1,200 rpms), spongy brakes, and a tendency to run hot). The owner wanted $120k or so, which might be justified by the visuals only, but it just was not there yet mechanically.

Then I drove a restomod 1957 "Black Widow" Chevy 150 2-door post. I'd give the car a B-, as the modern 350 engine was strong, the updated front disc brakes stopped well, and overall the car was extremely attractive. It just didn't handle well. If it were my car, I'd send it off to Colin Comer and have him dial it in. No one is saying that old cars handle like modern Ferraris, but they don't have to be like pigs scrambling on a wet clay bank either.

My co-host is Donald Osborne, and he got to drive a 1972 Olds 442 convertible, which he fell in love with despite its low-horsepower engine. Then he motored around in a 1967 Shelby GT350 in a beautiful light blue, with 4-speed, and he decided he could become a muscle car guy after all. Tomorrow we'll be driving a 1969 Firebird convertible, a 1963 split-window and an Auburn V12 speedster.

I've included a few pictures of some other bits of interest, including a 2CV, a room full of motorcycles, a fright pig Ferrari and a vintage snow cat. 

It's been over a decade since I last attended Fall Auburn,  when I noted that you could truly find something for everyone here. That's still true today - Fall Auburn by Auctions America by RM is truly a celebration of American Car Collecting, in the heartland of America.

Throw in a couple of deep-fat-fried turkey drumsticks and some curly-fries, and you know you're in heaven.