At 2 p.m. this past Saturday, a 2003 Porsche 911 joined the SCM fleet.

I wrote last week that the first-generation, water-cooled 911s, often called the 996, represented a good value in today’s market — and I wanted one.

They are out of favor with diehard Porsche fanatics because of their “pancake” headlights, low-horsepower (330 isn’t enough?) and troublesome intermediate bearing. Their prices are in the $15,000 – $30,000 range depending on condition and miles.

I appreciate all the links Read More

A truffle hound has nothing on Robb Sass when it comes to spotting overlooked Affordable Classics. When he posted that he had just bought a very nice 911 for under $20k, my “I need one too” alarm sounded.

I sent him a message right away. He replied that very nice 1999 – 2004 911s (996 is their internal Porsche designation) can be found for under $20,000. With a determined search and motivated seller,  $15,000 is the number. These were the Read More

It was a long, improbable journey and the Bradley GT almost made it.

Nearly 4,000 miles from its starting point in Fort Lauderdale, FL, SCM’s 45-year-old kit car finally came to a halt.

It had endured the burning summer sun and torrential downpours. Its brakes, doors and ignition systems had been rebuilt en route.

It got within two miles of its initial West Coast destination, Concorso Italiano in Monterey, when it came to an ignominious halt. Simultaneously, it suffered a Read More

Dust. Thick, clinging dust everywhere.

That’s a consequence of being 7^th in line on a vintage Rover tour to far eastern Oregon.

Every year or so, Doug Shipman of the Oregon Chapter of the Pacific Coast Rover Club puts together a summer tour. Camping out is a part of the equation.

Our trip started in Portland. My 10-year-old son, Bradley, and I drove across Mount Hood on Highway 26 from our condo in downtown Portland. We headed 150 miles to Read More

There was something for everyone at the 18th Annual Collector Car and Classic Boat Show on August 26-27. Held in Lake Oswego, Oregon – a suburb of Portland – this show from the Oswego Heritage Council always attracts great cars and great people.

For example, an Austin-Healey 100S was on hand, amid a Bugeye Sprite, a C6 Challenge Corvette and a 1960s pickup truck.

With just 55 built at the factory for racing, the 100S is  rare and valuable Read More

Monterey Mayhem is done for the year. Thousands of classic cars are streaming away from the Peninsula — some in trailers and some driven.

During the week, I watched RM Sothebys sell an Aston Martin DBR1 for a record-breaking $22.55m, Gooding hammer a Porsche 917K for new record of $14m and Bonhams set a record for a 1995 McLaren F1 at $15.6m.

SCM will have a complete blow-by-blow analysis in our next issue, with more information in this newsletter.

But Read More