Keith Martin

The celebrity-driven Lifestyle Weekend is emerging as a new wave of car events. I’m just returning from the inaugural Chattanooga Motorcar Festival, where the backdrop of downtown Chattanooga, a 1.5 mile flat-out time trial against the clock along the Tennessee River and various celebrity panels provided three full days of engagement for owners and enthusiasts.…

Fixing cars on the cheap never works out well. I was in a planning meeting for the 2020 SCM 1000, and a serious question came up — how many mechanics do we need? The 2020 SCM 1000 has a spectacular route that includes Mount St. Helens and the Oregon Coast — go to www.sportscarmarket.com/tour-registration to…

There was a time in the late ‘80s when I was gainfully unemployed. I had left my job as Sales Manager at Ron Tonkin Grand Turismo and decided to make my living buying, fixing up and selling Alfa Romeos. At that time there was no shortage of non-running but not-yet-decrepit Alfas from the ‘70s lurking…

Next year’s SCM 1000 is beginning to shape up. Plans include visiting Mt. St. Helens as well as the stunning Oregon Coast — areas we haven’t explored in the previous two tours. The dates are July 12-16, 2020. Once again, the tour will begin with participants’ cars on display in front of the Portland Art…

Each September, the Alfa Romeo Owners of Oregon puts on the “Red Duetto Tour.” Hosted by Fred and Lisa McNabb, the entry requirements are simple: You must be driving a 1966-69 “longtail” Alfa spider, and it has to be red. Before I bought my red Duetto, I recall asking Fred if I would be allowed to…

I spent Saturday sauntering around the 43rd Annual All British Field Meet at Portland International Raceway. More than 800 British cars were on display. My ride out represented a mix of old and new. SCMer Dave Stewart picked me up in his lovely dark blue MGA Twin Cam, but he was wearing a Tesla jacket.…

Last week I sold our 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce. I told my son Bradley, and he said, “Dad, you sold MY car.” It’s been a tough year for his budding collection. Earlier, we sold the eponymous Bradley GT. He didn’t mind that because, as he said on a YouTube video, “This is a…

“I know Keith’s 1958 Sprint Veloce in and out, I have spent a lot of time sorting it out and a few memorable moments driving it on my test loop. I think it’s the Crown of Keith’s Alfa collection. When he asked me which Alfa he should sell, I never imagined this would be his…

Watch your inbox. The SCM 1958 Sprint Veloce “Confortevole” will be on Bring A Trailer this week. As soon as the auction goes lives, we’ll send you an email. It seems that the entire BAT team was in Monterey last week, “watching the market unfold before their eyes.” I can’t wait to see your comments…

The SCM 1958 Sprint Veloce “Confortevole” is now on BAT! This is a numbers-matching, tour-ready 1958 Alfa 750 Series Sprint Veloce “Confortevole.” It is one of 150 made. Watch Bring A Trailer and the Avant Garde Collection. It took me 15 years to find this car and another five years to get it right. It…