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Rising Sun, Falling Prices

1998 Toyota Century S/N GZG50003437. 161,100 kilometers (100,100 miles). “5.0-liter V12 1GZ-FE, 4-speed automatic transmission, Dual Electro Multi-Vision Package, 16-inch wheels, soft-close trunk, leather upholstery, digital instrument panel, heated front and rear seats, front passenger’s seatback pass-through, massaging and reclining rear seats, automatic climate control, power-operated rear curtain, rear air […]

The Last Affordable Manual BMW

If you’ve recently been looking for a cheap modern BMW with a manual transmission, you may have noticed that they are no longer so easy to find. Just a few years ago, if you had $5k–$10k to spend, you could have your pick of numerous models, 3 and 5 Series […]

My Path to Pebble

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been in love with the automobile. I find the sights, sounds, smells and sensations intoxicating. Long before I had the financial wherewithal to begin collecting cars, I was an enthusiast. I was born in 1960, and my earliest automotive “education” came from […]

Best Man for the Job

“Legal Files” has written twice about the legal battle involving Porsche Carrera RSR prototype chassis number 9113600686, commonly known as “R7” (September and November 2023). We last reported that the litigation was settled with the Kenny Schachter car being declared the real R7. The car was then on the docket […]

Gone in 60 Minutes

After five years and just 2,000 kilometers, our 1971 Alfa Romeo Junior Zagato is gone. In a happy moment for all, it went back to SCMer and longtime Alfa enthusiast Gordy Hyde. I bought it from him five years ago for $60,000. I spent these years and over $20,000 attempting […]

Keith’s Blog: A Tale of Two Slushboxes

At a certain point during my recovery from my stroke, I decided to look for classic cars with automatic transmissions. While universally loathed by enthusiasts — including me — I hoped that maybe I was just overlooking what might be a decent motoring experience. I bought two automatics. The first […]

Keith’s Blog: My Favorite Things

Last week I asked you to pick four cars for a $500,000 collection. Your many and diverse answers can be seen below this blog. This week I’ll tell you what my three-car collection would be, and why. I’m not setting a price boundary for myself, as market value has nothing […]

Highway Star

1977 Toyota Carina S/N TA31012280. 4,200 miles. “1.6-liter inline-4, 4-speed manual transmission, yellow, white and blue paint, black vinyl with cloth inserts, widened 13-inch steel wheels with Advan rain tires, AE86 coil-over suspension, Celica Works over fenders, Vitaloni Sebring mirrors, Celica front spoiler, ‘Slit Spoiler’ rear diffuser, Momo steering wheel, […]