The SCM 1966 Alfa Romeo Spider Duetto is currently up for auction on Bring a Trailer. Part of what I like most about the BaT experience are the questions that get asked by the auction watchers. Several have commented about the overspray (from the long-ago respray) on the underside of […]
Keith Martin
Keith’s Blog: Top Up or Down?
We just had the 1991 Alfa Romeo Spider S4 out for a 4th of July parade. We hadn’t had the fancy tonneau cover that goes over the folded top on the car in a couple of years. Consequently, we had to stretch it to fit and consequently pulled a couple […]
Keith’s Blog: Which English Car for You?
There’s been a lot of buzz about classic English sports cars recently. Most notably, some Austin Healey 3000s that used to be able to crack $125k are now selling for half that online. I grew up with these cars; my first two roadsters were a Bug Eye Sprite and an […]
Keith’s Blog: The Fun Factor in Online Auctions
I mentioned last week that Chevrolet Corvairs, Corvette C3s and Avantis are on my online auction watch lists. Having a watch list is similar to subscribing to a series of documentaries on The History Channel. I’m not sure I want to know much more about Roman chariot warfare, but don’t […]
Keith’s Blog: Macan Hunting
A few weeks ago, in my discussion of how I bid online, I mentioned the different models I was watching. I concluded by saying that Chevrolet Corvairs and Porsche Macans were also currently on my watch list. Looking at online auctions is a lot like no-risk fishing. You bait your […]
Keith’s Blog: Ready for the Road
We’re in the final shakedown period for the local Porsche club NW Passage tour. SCM is a sponsor. It begins in a week and encompasses five days and over 700 miles of driving. It starts in Portland, goes to the Running Y Resort in southern Oregon near Klamath Falls for […]
Keith’s Blog: Route Book vs. Mobile App
I have a simple question. I see an increasing number of rallies and tours offering the option of having the route available as an app on a smart phone. On the SCM 1000, we used both the Rallista app and had a printed route book. Do you have a preference? […]
Keith’s Blog: A Clutter of Spiders
Two weekends ago, there were 10 vintage Alfa Romeo convertibles lined up at a rest stop near the Santiam Pass in Oregon. Cumulatively, they represented over 400 years of driving. Each year in April, the Alfa Romeo Club of Oregon puts on the “Old Spider Tour” to celebrate Alfa convertibles […]
Keith’s Blog: How I Bid Online, Part Two: Pulling the Trigger
Last week I noted that I always have a few cars on my watch list. At any given time, there will be a few marques I am following for no particular reason. Right now, it is Volvo 240s and Avantis. Let’s add to that Chevy Corvairs and Porsche Macans. Part […]
Keith’s Blog: How I Bid Online, Part One
Last week I asked about your approach to online bidding. Thank you for your thoughtful answers. I promised in return to share my way with you. First, we have to differentiate between “in the hunt” or “just looking.” Of course, everything tends to start with “just looking.” At any given […]