Blogs

I was recently speaking with SCM contributor Miles Collier about gearboxes. To him, the “efficiency” of a gearbox is less important than the “degree of engagement” it engenders. In our lifetimes, automatic gearboxes have gone from primitive units operated by hydraulic-pressure — I’m thinking of the two-speed Chevy Powerglide — to the latest computer-controlled dual-clutch…

The local Jaguar club had a short, 50-mile tour scheduled for last weekend. Our 1971 V12 E-type is ready, sitting in the garage with the battery disconnect in use. Oddly enough, we have three cars (the Jag, ‘75 911S and ‘91 Alfa Spider) where battery cut-offs are required, as they all have electric analog clocks…

A few years ago, I owned and restored a 750-series Alfa Romeo Sprint Veloce “Confortavole” (identical to a lightweight but with steel instead of aluminum doors, hood and trunk). I had been looking for an “eyebrow” Sprint Veloce for several years This car had a numbers-matching engine and a correct “tunnel-case” gearbox. Guru Denny Pillar…

All Alfa Romeos qualify as niche, “cult” cars. They always had very limited sales in the U.S., but offered interesting mechanicals and visual attractiveness. Some of the quirkiest were on the road last Saturday as part of the “Dave Beach Memorial Old Super Tour.” Beach was a long-time stalwart and enthusiastic member of the Alfa…

It’s not “doomscrolling” for a car guy, it’s cars for sale searching. Those of us who are addicted to finding “just one more car” can’t help ourselves. In addition to the usual suspects like Bring a Trailer or Cars & Bids, we look for slightly more obscure sites where “the buy of a lifetime” might…

I’m just back from a 40-mile drive put on by the Jaguar Owners Club of Oregon (JOCO). There were nearly a dozen cars involved, ranging from three E-type Series I roadsters, to our Series III V12 coupe, to F-Types and modern sedans. The event was organized by Rick Martin and Carl Foleen. As I drove…

The 48th Annual All-British Field meet, held annually at Portland International Raceway, has come and gone. With over 600 vehicles, it bills itself as the “largest three-day celebration of British cars in America.” The Jaguar Club of Oregon was the host club this year (different clubs take on this duty in a rotating fashion). At…

The 48th annual All British Field Meet will be held at Portland International Raceway on September 5, 6, and 7. It is the longest-running and largest three-day all British-car meet in the Americas. Over 600 cars and motorcycles are expected. Tickets are still available. They are just $15 at the gate, and get you full…

Keith is on a multi-day driving tour with his family. His blog will be back next week. Until then, enjoy these photos from the road.

Cars and big screens have had more than their fair share of my attention this past weekend. Friday, it was “F1 the Movie” at an IMAX theater. Sunday, it was the Pebble Beach Concours streamed live on my 60-inch Sanyo TV. The movie was much more expensive than viewing Pebble from afar. I was mildly…