Columns
-
What Goes Up, Must Come Down.
On the way up, every buy is a good buy, because mistakes are papered over as the market rises. On the way down, every buy is a bad buy The only constant in the market is change. While our vintage Porsche market has enjoyed an upward curve for the past several years, it may not…
-
A Ferrari for Everyman (or Woman)
The Lamborghini Countach may have had the dorm room poster market, but the 308 got screen time with “Magnum, P.I.” {vsig}2008-12_2255{/vsig} The great automotive die-off of the 1970s claimed muscle cars, full-sized American convertibles, and traditional British sports cars. Italian exotics came perilously close to being on that list. In addition to U.S. emission and…
-
Gazing Into the Crystal Piston
The continued buoyancy of the market at the top end is proof that America has the largest number of wealthy people of any nation in the world The Monterey vintage week takes up about four months of every year. There are two months of preparation for it, which at SCM means poring over each auction…
-
The Tao of Steve’s Turbo Carrera
Stories abound that McQueen did everything he could to use the car as it was intended, and in that way, I imagine he had great fun with it {vsig}2008-11_2250{/vsig} In 1976, Porsche unveiled what was to be the first production 911 Turbo, known internally as a 930 and externally as the Turbo Carrera. Their success…
-
1948 Tucker 48 Torpedo Sedan
This price can be explained by the “ABC” factor-Aging Billionaire Collector. Such buyers can’t wait another 20 years, so they pay whatever it costs {vsig}2008-11_2243{/vsig} Preston Tucker’s promise of “the first completely new car in 50 years” struck a chord in the hearts of the public in 1948 and again with the release of Francis…
-
1960 Jaguar E2A Le Mans Sports Racer
It was left in a corner to be junked, but Guy Griffiths, the father of vintage racing everywhere, talked the factory into selling it to him {vsig}2008-11_2254{/vsig} By 1960, Jaguar had won the world’s most prestigious race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, five times-twice with its original competition-tailored C-type and three times with…
-
Back to the Future-and Step on It
The Challenger is a surprisingly solid car, far better than the class-leading Mustang. And yes, it will do a smokey burnout {vsig}2008-11_2244{/vsig} Chrysler’s latest entrant into the “retro-muscle” wars, the new Dodge Challenger, has been burning up Internet car chat forums and magazine covers since its introduction. It’s a car I’ve wanted to beat the…
-
1966 Bizzarrini Strada 5300 GT Coupe
The Strada had dramatic looks, a competition pedigree, and abundant power, and it was not finicky to run {vsig}2008-11_2247{/vsig} Giotto Bizzarrini was hired by Enzo Ferrari in 1957 for his test-driving and engineering skills. In the midst of developing the 250 GTO, however, Bizzarrini left the company in the infamous “palace revolt” of 1961. Together,…
-
1973 Ferrari 365 GTB/4 Spyder
More than a decade after its restoration, this is still a spectacular car, as the generous results of the Monterey auction indicate {vsig}2008-11_2249{/vsig} Ferrari chose the October 1968 Paris Salon to launch the Daytona. A year later, at the Frankfurt International Auto Show in September 1969, it showed a Spyder version of the car, now…
-
1936 Lagonda LG45R Rapide
It always used to come to us in November, to be readied for the Mille Miglia, and it’s a gutsy car that hasn’t been tarted up for Pebble Beach {vsig}2008-11_2246{/vsig} Lagonda introduced the 4½-liter M45 at the 1933 London Motor Show. With its overhead-valve 6-cylinder Meadows engine, here was a Lagonda sports car capable of…