A red 1972 Chevrolet Impala convertible was the very first car I bought at an auction.
It was 1995. My then-wife Cindy Banzer and I drove seven hours north from Portland to Bob LeFlufy’s AutoClassic auction in Vancouver, B.C. Alexandra, just 4 years old, accompanied us.
“LeFluf,” since deceased, was a classic-car raconteur, the Canadian equivalent of SCM regular Uncle Raymond Milo. When the two of them, both inveterate smokers, got together, the evenings were long, the wine consumption formidable — Read More
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 Alcazar and his wife, Josephine, own and operate Russo and Steele. Russo prides itself on being family-owned and -operated — and on its signature “Auction Read More
The year was 1990, and the venue was Laguna Seca raceway. I was there to get some open track time in an MGB. My run group that day included a deep crimson Maserati Biturbo, and I spent several hours studying every detail of the taillights and rear end.
That happened because passing wasn’t allowed in the corners and the damn slug had just barely enough power to outpull a stock MG on the straights.
That experience sums up the essence Read More
- 2,960-cc Twin Turbo DOHC V6 engine
- Electronic fuel injection
- 300 bhp at 6,400 rpm
- 5-speed manual transmission
- Independent front and rear suspension
- 4-wheel disc brakes
- 9,000 original miles
- Japanese Domestic Market car
A remarkable example of one of Nissan’s most celebrated cars is presented here. Sold in its home market of Japan, just one owner held title over this vehicle for almost 30 years and put just 14,500 km (9,000 miles) on the dashboard before it was imported to Read More
The current owner has driven the ASA alongside his 250 Series Ferrari and comments, “The ASA is a proper little rocket compared to my Ferrari. Although horsepower is 40% of the V12 and the weight of the car represents about 60%, it feels quite light and sporty, helped by its short wheelbase, very direct steering and the surefooted feel of the amazing chassis.”
As one of only 90 1000 GTs built, this immaculate example is a proper Italian sports car Read More
The 1950s was the golden era of sports-car racing in the United States, and California was the epicenter. On any given weekend, hundreds of spectators would come out to watch sports cars go toe-to-toe on racetracks and airfields.
Dangerous, albeit thrilling at the same time, the grids were made up of a cast of extraordinary individuals and automobiles.
