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Unknown Numbers

1972 Nissan Skyline 2000GT-X S/N KGC10042480. 8,000 kilometers (5,000 miles) shown. “2.0-liter L20 inline-6, 4-speed manual transmission, white paint, black upholstery, 15-inch Watanabe wheels, aftermarket front big-brake kit, triple Mikuni carburetors, Koyorad aluminum radiator, front and rear spoilers, black fender flares.” Condition: 2+. SOLD AT $73,500. Bring a Trailer, 1/18/24. […]

A Messenger from Germany

“Why don’t we get the great cars that the Europeans get?” has been a constant complaint of American enthusiasts, regularly falling on deaf ears at the car companies. Well, except for one pair of ears — those belonging to the legendary Bob Lutz. Before he had GM importing Opels to […]

Understanding Resto-Mods

Resto-mods have become prevalent, particularly at sales conducted by Barrett-Jackson and Mecum Auctions. At the annual giant Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) Show in Las Vegas last November, every crate-engine variant or upgraded component possible for resto-mod conversions was on display, even drop-in electric powerplants. There are many websites and […]

Consignments Become Lawsuits

Let’s say you want to become a collector-car dealer. First, you need a building large enough to hold a sufficient number of cars for sale, in an appropriate location. That requires significant capital. Next, you need an inventory of marketable collector cars. That requires even more significant capital. Stephen Phelps […]

A Gem of an Auction

I have an upcoming event that requires a ring. So when a catalog arrived from a local fine-arts and antiques auction house — an analog version of a “notify me” email from an online collector-car auction — a 5.53-carat stone caught my eye. O’Gallerie, a family-run Portland institution, was founded in […]

Keith’s Blog: How Many Cars Do You Need?

It’s the eternal recurring question for gearheads. How many cars to you really need? Usually, the answer is determined by how many parking spaces you have. But for the moment let’s assume you have unlimited space. I have found that when you get beyond five or six cars, you are […]

Keith’s Blog: How Alfa Romeo Lost to Porsche

In 1964, Alfa Romeo and Porsche were roughly on par with their mass-production cars. The 356C and the Giulia Spider Veloce had similar performance. But by 1970 the two companies were worlds apart and have continued to diverge. Two things happened. First, in 1965 Porsche introduced the 6-cylinder 911. It […]