SCM and the Alfa Market Letter In 1988, 26 years ago, I put an ad in Hemmings Motor News that said, “Subscribe Today to the Alfa Romeo Market Letter. Hundreds of Alfas for sale in every issue. One year, $33.” I had just left my job as a sales manager […]

I had the proud-father satisfaction of watching my daughter, Alexandra Dorel Martin-Banzer, graduate from Oregon State University this past Saturday. She received a B.S. in Business Administration with a focus on Entrepreneurship and a minor in writing. Two years ago, following a year studying in France, she earned a diploma […]

“I’m thinking of getting into collector cars. What’s the best car to start with?” It’s a question we are asked all the time. There is no correct answer, just as there is no “right” choice for which pinot noir to pair with salmon, or which running shoes to wear for […]

As I shepherd the SCM fleet through its never-ending process of repair, restore and improve, I am constantly making judgment calls about when to upgrade and when to leave things alone. For instance, I just delivered the 122S to Guy Recordon at Guy’s Interior Restorations to have the front seats […]

I’ve spent the morning checking with the shops caring for the various mechanically and cosmetically infirm members of the SCM fleet. The shop that has the Amazon put the rear sport springs in the front perches, and that didn’t work out so well. Tom Black reports that he was able […]

The SCM 122S “Amazon” rolled off the carrier last week and was immediately pressed into service. I’ve been surprised at what a good car it is, given some of my previous “sight unseen” purchases. The seller, Jim Perry of Wisconsin, races an 1800S, and this was his street car. Before […]

It’s time for an update on the SCM fleet. We’ll leave the Alfas for last. The D90 is at Ship’s Mechanical having a few little things attended to and getting a rear step installed to make it easier for Bradley to clamber into the back. The power steering pump has started […]

There’s something about the highly polished hull of a vintage wooden boat set against blue water that is alluring and exotic. Part of what makes Keels & Wheels so attractive to me is the combination of restored wooden boats and the tantalizing array of collector cars, all sharing the grounds of […]

Every spring the Alfa Romeo Owners of Oregon hold the “Old Spider Tour” to celebrate and commemorate the occasion of club founder Bob McGill buying his 1958 Alfa Spider from Rambo Motors. This year there were six old spiders (three Giuliettas and three Giulias) plus another 16 or so cars, […]

A couple of weeks ago, restorer Bill Gillham finished up fettling our Alfa Giulia Super and sent it over to Dan Sommers at Veloce Motors for a mechanical checkover. Here’s the note I just got from Dan: Keith, In my earlier note I talked about the list getting longer as […]