Chad’s Blog
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From the Auction Desk: Is Summer Here Yet?
Who else enjoyed a raucous night on Saint Patrick’s Day at home? Anyone, anyone, anyone? Maybe the bars/pubs/lounges are still open in your area, and you had a chance at some normalcy in these odd times. You’re not going to find any sense of that in the auction calendar. In addition to RM Auctions moving…
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From the Auction Desk: Amelia Island Best Buy
In this spot a few weeks ago, I highlighted the expected top-dollar American cars from Amelia Island. The no-reserve 1930 Duesenberg Model J convertible I expected to be the top American-built sale from the island ended up second on that list at $1,132,500. A 1932 Duesenberg Model J Stationary Victoria topped it by selling at…
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From the Auction Desk: Letter Series Deals in Greensboro
GAA Classic Cars held the first of three yearly sales this past weekend. Few auctions run as consistently as GAA Classic Cars, with three per year in February, July and November, plus an occasional collection large enough to merit a sale all by its lonesome. And none of the other non-traveling sales feature the volume…
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From the Auction Desk: Top-Drawer American Cars at Amelia Island
American makes don’t get a whole lot of love during the Amelia Island sales. Gooding & Company have put such a focus on Porsche at their East Coast sale, that Teutonic fever has gripped the island for a number of years now. Although ‘80s and ‘90s BMWs are starting to match those in terms of…
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From the Auction Desk: GAA Classic Cars February 2020 Preview
The Scottsdale auctions are firmly in our rearview mirrors (be sure to check out our coverage in the latest issue of ACC), and — since our crazy little planet won’t stop spinning — there are plenty more chances to get the car of your dreams. At the end of the month — February 27–29 —…
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Chad’s Blog: Snakebit on the Road to Reno
Driving to Reno in a Viper. That idea separates people into two camps: “How much is this going to suck,” and “Who needs to pack? When are we leaving?” Add to that our car’s stiffer ACR package and the divide deepens a little more. It’s not hard to guess which camp ACC Editor Jim Pickering…
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Chad’s Blog: Parts Problems
Last September I attempted a month-long road trip in my ’67 Impala sport sedan. I was derailed twice, less than 30 miles outside of town each time, by sticking rear brakes. How bad was the problem? I blew up a tire the first time, came home on the hook, and rebuilt my brakes — all…
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Chad’s Blog: Getting Dirty with the Jeep
The party has wound down in Reno. Jim and I figured it might be a good idea to head out of town for part of the day, if only to escape everybody loading up their customs and classics to head home. Carson City is only 30 miles south of Reno, so we headed that way…
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Chad’s Blog: Cruise Into the Night
Downtown Reno. Five people deep as far as I could see. Waiting to cross the street took almost 15 minutes. Walking across the street took up to three minutes. This place was packed. The big cap to every night at Hot August Nights is a cruise from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. Our first night…
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Chad’s Blog: Cruisin’ Sparks
Chad’s Blog: Cruisin’ Sparks Cars were meant to move. Yes, it’s obvious and a little ridiculous to point out, but think of the typical car shows you go to. The cars just sit there, right? Maybe they’re moving in and out of the venue, but otherwise they just sit there, waiting to be admired. One…