Keith Martin

Our world is changing daily. Five years from now, we will look back on this as an extraordinary time in our lives. But for the moment, we don’t know from one moment to the next how much — or how little — freedom we will have. I suggest that you to take this moment to…

We are in uncharted waters. No one can predict what the next weeks or month will bring. It’s a time of uncertainty for all of us. I suggest we all use this quiet time to chart out the next decade with our cars. Look at all the activities you are interested in — and decide…

There was a first-gen Mazda RX-7 on Bring A Trailer recently. It had only 16,000 miles, a rare automatic transmission — and was located fewer than 15 miles from SCM World Headquarters in Portland, OR. I’ve always been attracted to these cars. Their lines are period-interesting, and the rotary engine is intriguing. It sold for…

Every mile I drive the SCM Volvo 122S, I save myself money. There are two rules after you acquire a car that never change: First, do what it takes to make the car safe to drive. Second, put 500 miles on it before you do anything else. When you get a car, it’s tempting to…

My adventures with the 1965 Volvo 122S continue. I am thoroughly enjoying being back behind the wheel of a vintage vehicle. The joy of driving a classic sports car reminds me of why I started SCM 32 years ago. It also reminds me of how many stories you readers have shared with me. For 90%…

I’ve written many times that old cars are not safe in modern traffic. It’s one thing to type that out. It’s another to experience it. Sunday I took the SCM Volvo out for a drive, through Portland, onto the freeway and back. As old cars go, the Volvo is relatively safe. I have installed inertia-reel…

When the SCM 1965 Volvo 122S automatic arrived last week, SCMer Dean Koehler arrived to inspect the car. Dean is the founder and the self-appointed Volvocrat of the PDX Round Fender Volvo Club. He’s also the iron-fisted content arbiter of the PDX Volvos FB page. As he walked around “ELF” (my powder-blue 122S) he immediately…

Mark your calendars. The third annual Caravan to Concorso will leave Portland on Saturday, August 8. With the addition of the Volvo 122 Automatic to the SCM fleet, I’ve got a ride even if my clutch leg isn’t completely up to snuff. Any pre-1975 car is welcome. Aside from providing a route and cities for…

The 1961 Alfa Sprint Speciale is finally coming back to life. Nasko has built an all-new gearbox for it, using the original small-bushing tailpiece but with updated synchros inside. It’s been road-tested and is ready to go. The gray and red leather upholstery and gray carpets that Matt Jones had made in Bologna is being…