Legal Files

Last month’s “Legal Files” made a number of suggestions for sellers of collector cars. The printer’s ink wasn’t even dry when an inquiry arrived from an SCMer who presented a perfect example about how online sales can be troublesome: Dear Legal Files: I recently sold my 1972 Porsche 911 Targa on Bring a Trailer, and…

They say that all good things come to an end — and now it’s time to sell your collector car. While it may seem like an easy thing to do, there are a lot of potential legal land mines waiting for you when you become a collector-car seller. Auctions The first thing to come to…

You’ve probably seen news reports about comedian Kevin Hart’s car crash and his extensive injuries. Despite Internet reports that all involved have “lawyered up” and that a “lawsuit’s almost certain,” we haven’t seen an actual lawsuit filed. Maybe it’s getting filed as you read this, but the lack of a lawsuit doesn’t mean we can’t…

Falcon Woods LLC, a Nevis, West Indies, limited-liability company, was about to cut a fat hog. It had consigned its 1954 Ferrari 250 Europa GT coupe, chassis number 0379GT, to Gooding & Company for its 2018 Scottsdale auction. The estimated sales price for Lot 116 was $1.6m to $2m. Just before the auction started, Falcon…

SCMer Lee Cross, a Shelby enthusiast who organizes the annual GT350 Tour, shared a very interesting story: I am passing along an incident as something that might present a topic with wide relevance to your audience; i.e., the legal technicalities that arise when a collector attaches a trailer to their tow vehicle. We offer top-notch…

You’re a trusting soul — a nice guy. Your best friend Tom tells you how disappointed he is that his Ferrari is in the shop for an extended stay and he has to miss the next Ferrari Club weekend drive. You have already agreed to spend that weekend with your in-laws, so you tell your…

Leake Auction Company has big plans for its first-ever auction in Scottsdale, AZ, in January 2020. But the welcome mat is not out. Immediately upon announcing its new auction, Leake got hit with a lawsuit filed by Russo and Steele alleging interference with contractual relations. Of course, Leake knew it was coming. The cast Drew…

Before you read any further, let me make one point crystal clear — this column has absolutely nothing to do with the SCM 1000 Tour. Feel free to participate. I’m going. At the other end of the spectrum, participants in the Eurorally 2019 were met with a huge surprise as they traveled the A20 east…

As Baby Boomers ease into retirement, they are becoming a very mobile generation. Many are migrating to other states, not just in search of a sunnier climate — but also for tax planning considerations. We’ve just seen federal income tax rates drop to historic lows, with ordinary rates peaking at 37% and capital gain rates…

Legal Files” has written many times about the concept of diminished value — where even a perfectly repaired car is still worth less than it was before the damage occurred. This month, I’m enlisting the help of Mike Shoemaker, a Houston-based attorney who conducts a national practice representing car and aircraft owners when their vehicles…