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Keith’s Blog: Scottsdale — It’s the People, Not the Cars

By on in Keith Martin

I’m just back from five days in the Sonoran desert.

My time there was a whirlwind of visiting auctions, receptions, participating in seminars and reconnecting with friends old and new.

This week reinforced my belief that the primary secret sauce of land auctions is the social opportunities they provide. They are a car-collector magnet, bringing people with common interests from all walks of life and from locations around the world.

An online auction offers other advantages, but it can never match the face time a real-time land auction provides.

I was personally energized by the enthusiasm of everyone I met. And even though overall the market was “soft,” nonetheless thousands of cars changed hands for millions of dollars.

The market may go up and down, but the collecting and the people involved with it goes on.

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Keith Martin has been involved with the collector car hobby for more than 30 years. As a writer, publisher, television commentator and enthusiast, he is constantly on the go, meeting collectors and getting involved in their activities throughout the world. He is the founder and publisher of the monthly Sports Car Market, now in its 33rd year. Keith has written for the New York Times, Automobile, AutoWeek, Road & Track and other publications, is an emcee for numerous concours, and had his own show, “What’s My Car Worth,” shown on Velocity. He has received many honors, including the Lee Iacocca Award, the Edward Herrman Award, was inducted into the Concorso Italiano Hall of Fame and more. He is on the boards of directors of The LeMay Museum and Oregon Ballet Theater, and was formerly the chair of the board of the Meguiar's Award.

3 Comments

  1. Muffy Bennett
    January 21, 2020 at 8:06 am

    Keith, a heartfelt thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to drop by Leake’s inaugural Scottsdale auction! We were truly honored you (and key members of your SCM team) came by, and look forward to seeing you again soon.

  2. Thomas Taylor
    January 21, 2020 at 9:35 am

    Outstanding. You keep some good and rare company, Keith!

  3. Juan Robbin
    January 21, 2020 at 2:25 pm

    Well said Keith! Nice to see the photos of you out and about enjoying your passion as well as the wonderful people at all of the events.