Keith Martin
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Keith’s Blog: The Corvair I Let Get Away
As my Facebook friends are already aware, I had a foot operation last week that will keep me driving automatics only for the next couple of months. Which, coupled with the fact that we have a four-year-old who needs to ride in a car seat, made this the perfect opportunity to look for a four-door…
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Keith’s Blog: Cars and Carousels
It’s been another frenetic week far from home. First we flew to Pennsylvania for Auctions America by RM’s Fall Carlisle sale, where we filmed for What’s My Car Worth. The cars were excellent, but the highlight of my time in PA might have been the Boiling Springs Tavern, owned by SCMer Geoff Keith. (I recommend…
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The Demise of the SCM Ponton
It happened in the blink of an eye. I was standing in the repair shop, VISA in hand to pay a $4,500 repair bill, and the next moment I watched as my 1959 Mercedes 220S rolled backwards down a ramp from the second floor, sans brakes, and slammed into another car. This was our second…
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Keith’s Blog: Hard Hat and High Heels at the LeMay
Saturday night was a game-changer for car collectors. The long-awaited LeMay—America’s Car Museum had a preview party for 650 guests. While the building isn’t scheduled to be finished for another few months, the “Hard Hat and High Heels” party showcased the facility, and I can say this: It is impressive. In many ways, the LeMay…
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Kirkland Concours d’Elegance Moving to LeMay—America’s Car Museum
Imagine the possibilities when the magnificent automobiles that the Kirkland Concours is known for are combined with the vast LeMay collection. Beginning September 2012, the Kirkland Concours d’Elegance will take place on the showfield at LeMay—America’s Car Museum showfield. Following a transition period, LeMay is to become the official steward of the long-running concours, and will…
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Keith’s Blog: A Plastic Fantastic Weekend in Effingham
16,000 Corvettes. That’s just about 128,000 cylinders – and these aren’t your puny little thimble-sized European cylinders. These are the size of wine bottles. One of the pleasures of being publisher of our sister publication, Corvette Market, is that a few times each year I get to immerse myself completely in the world of America’s…
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Keith’s Blog: “Working Girls” at the Kirkland Concours, and Another Affordable Classic Search
We’re just back from the 9th Annual Kirkland Concours, and my 8th 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…
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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,…
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A “B-Ticket” Ride
Old cars are admission tickets to old car events. You can’t go on the Mille Miglia unless you have a pre-1958 car similar to one that was raced in the event. Pre-1968 Alfa convertibles are the preferred ride for the local Alfa Club’s annual “Old Spider Tour.” Think horses for courses. So when the National…
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Keith’s Blog: Puerto Vallarta and Potty Humor
Wendie and I are just back from the Mexican coast near Puerto Vallarta. Our five-day trip was a much-needed respite after the maddening crowds of Monterey. We arrived at the airport and picked up a new Jeep Wrangler, equipped with a delightful and economical V6 engine and a 6-speed gearbox. It turned out to be…