I was strolling through the Saturday Market in downtown Portland’s South Park Blocks last weekend, trying to chose between Fuji and Braeburn apples, when a gentleman walked up to me. “I’m a long-time subscriber to SCM,” he said. “I’ve never owned a collector car, I can do some work myself and […]
Keith Martin
Keith’s Blog: The Essence of Old
Without question, cars today are extraordinary. The Audi A6 I drove this weekend is surprisingly quiet inside, accelerates nicely, handles superbly and has copious interior room. It is also safer, by an exponential amount, than any of the cars in our fleet from the ’50s and ’60s. (Here at SCM, […]
Keith’s Blog: SCM Alfa Tour!
2014 marks the 60th anniversary of the Giulietta. We at SCM are considering organizing a three- to five-day tour through the remote areas of Oregon and Washington to celebrate this milestone. I’ve driven my Alfas thousands of miles over the scenic two-lane backroads of the Pacific Northwest. I think these roads […]
Keith’s Blog: Winter and the SCM Fleet
Only one member of the SCM Fleet is truly excited about the onset of Oregon winter, with its cold days, rain and occasional snowfall. Yes, it’s the 1984 Land Rover D90 200 Tdi. It has started to act like an automotive bully in the garage, accusing the Alfas of being […]
Keith’s Blog: A 36-cylinder, 5,400-hp Cruise
I was flipping through a boating magazine last year, looking for new ways to squander my wealth. I came across a small article noting that the only functioning PT boat in the world was based in Portland, and that its supporters were offering rides on the boat in exchange for […]
Keith’s Blog: Knee-deep in the Big Muddy
Sometimes You Just Need a Break From Sports Cars I arrived back in Portland from a quick two days in Maranello on Sunday, October 6. The next morning at 6 a.m., I was throwing recovery gear into the back of our trusty RHD 1984 Defender 90 200 Tdi. Snatch blocks, […]
Keith’s Blog: Good Times in Bad Weather
Just a week ago we were rolling along on the Colorado Grand, surrounded by millions of dollars of exquisite machinery. The past weekend was a little different. Roger Dilts, the president of the Alfa Romeo Owners of Oregon, hosted the annual “President’s Tour,” a half-day event that sends those who […]
Keith’s Blog: The Colorado Grand in Pictures
I’m just back from four days and 1,000 miles of spectacular vintage motoring. The next issue of SCM will feature my full story on the Colorado Grand — along with Colin Comer’s thoughts on driving Chuck Wegner’s 250 GT TdF (a car he once owned) — but in the meantime, here are […]
Keith’s Blog: The Pre-Colorado Grand 300-Mile Dash
We’re beginning the Colorado Grand today, a four-day, 1000-mile romp through some of the most breathtaking mountains and plains in the U.S. This will be my fifth time on the Grand, and I’m looking forward to it as an escape from the ordinary, and a chance to see old friends. […]
Keith’s Blog: The Kirkland Concours, Held at America’s Car Museum, Comes of Age
I’m in one of the conference rooms at LeMay — America’s Car Museum, waiting for a meeting of the marketing committee of the Board of Trustees, of which I am a member. I’ve been involved with the museum in a variety of ways since its first public meetings over a […]