Keith Martin
Keith’s Corner, March 29th: See You in La Jolla on Sunday
Escaping from what must be the wettest winter on record, Wendie and I are headed to the 7th Annual La Jolla Motor Car Classic this weekend. At the concours on Sunday, I will be the Master of Ceremonies and the Guest of Honor – I was honored when good friend, Alan Taylor, of Alan Taylor Restorations, asked Wendie and me to participate.
Saturday morning, there will be a tour of classic cars, and we’ll be driving a 1930 Isotta-Fraschini Type 8 “Flying Star,” which I’m sure will be slightly different than the 1974 MGB that I picked up from the shop this morning. But more about that below.
Keith’s Corner, March 22nd
From broken axles to sheared rear ends to rebuilding vintage Becker radios, it’s been a busy week in the SCM stable.
We took our 1973 Land Rover SIII 88 to Tillamook State Forest, and headed into the snow from Roger’s Camp. This was my first run since I installed an ARB compressed air rear locker, and I had been warned to be gentle. Well, a few miles up the trail I momentarily forgot the advice of my mentors, and managed to shear off the ends of both rear axles while trying to rock myself out of a deep snow hole. Our leader, Doug Shipman of Ship’s Mechanicals, got me turned around, and once on level ground he pulled out the rear axles, dropped the rear driveshaft and I drove home with power to just the front wheels. I view it as a very expensive driving school; hardened axles on the way.
Keith’s Corner 3/22
SCM Wins About.com’s 2011 Readers’ Choice Award For Best Classic Car Magazine!
“This year’s Readers’ Choice Awards program had a record number of nominations submitted across more than a dozen categories and featured hundreds of finalists,” said Margot Weiss, managing editor, About.com. “We are thankful to all our readers for their participation and congratulate SCM on their success.”
To view the Sports Car Market magazine award and all award winners, please visit http://awards.about.com.
We are pleased to announce that Sports Car Market magazine has been selected as the About.com 2011 Readers’ Read More
Keith’s Corner, March 15th
After two weeks on the road, I’m headed home.
First stop last week was Auctions America by RM in Ft. Lauderdale, FL where we shot 3 episodes of What’s My Car Worth. A new feature this year has me actually road-testing the cars that are going to cross the block; cars I got to drive included the barn-find 289 Cobra that sold for $467,500, a 1969 Land Rover SIIA 109 and more. There was an Alfa GT Jr. that I felt the red mist for, but luckily it sold when I was busy doing something else.
Keith’s Photos from Amelia Island
Round Fender Volvo Oregon Wine Tour
SCM sponsored the first annual Round Fender Volvo Wine Tour in Oregon’s Willamette Valley. There were nine cars in all, including a P1800ES with a nitrous tank! Wineries visited included Methven (where we scored some 2005 Reserve Pinot Noir), Domaine Serene and Adelsheim. There was only one mechanical casualty, when the right-hand-drive 123 GT failed to proceed up a hill to do fuel starvation problems. We pointed the car downhill and everything was fine.
All British Field Meet
Are we going to see you at Portland’s All British Field Meet this coming Saturday and Sunday? Land Rover is the featured marque, Alex and I are taking out our 88, and our Lotus Elise. Saturday is the show, Sunday the swap meet. We’ll be working the Land Rover Club booth from 12-1 on Saturday. See you there!