Author: Keith Martin
Keith Martin has been involved with the collector car hobby for more than 40 years. As a writer, publisher, television commentator and enthusiast, he is constantly on the go, meeting collectors and getting involved in their activities throughout the world. He is the founder and publisher of the monthly Sports Car Market, now in its 37th year. Keith has written for the New York Times, Automobile, AutoWeek, Road & Track and other publications, has been an emcee for numerous concours, and had his own show, “What’s My Car Worth,” shown on Velocity. He has received many honors, including the Lee Iacocca Award, the Edward Herrmann Award, was inducted into the Concorso Italiano Hall of Fame, and more. He has served on the board of directors of The LeMay Museum and Oregon Ballet Theater, and was formerly the chair of the board of the Meguiar's Award.
Keith’s Corner, March 29th: See You in La Jolla on Sunday
Escaping from what must be the wettest winter on record, Wendie and I are headed to the 7th Annual La Jolla Motor Car Classic this weekend. At the concours on Sunday, I will be the Master of Ceremonies and the Guest of Honor – I was honored when good friend, Alan Taylor, of Alan Taylor Restorations, asked Wendie and me to participate.
Saturday morning, there will be a tour of classic cars, and we’ll be driving a 1930 Isotta-Fraschini Type 8 “Flying Star,” which I’m sure will be slightly different than the 1974 MGB that I picked up from the shop this morning. But more about that below.
Keith’s Corner, March 22nd
From broken axles to sheared rear ends to rebuilding vintage Becker radios, it’s been a busy week in the SCM stable.
We took our 1973 Land Rover SIII 88 to Tillamook State Forest, and headed into the snow from Roger’s Camp. This was my first run since I installed an ARB compressed air rear locker, and I had been warned to be gentle. Well, a few miles up the trail I momentarily forgot the advice of my mentors, and managed to shear off the ends of both rear axles while trying to rock myself out of a deep snow hole. Our leader, Doug Shipman of Ship’s Mechanicals, got me turned around, and once on level ground he pulled out the rear axles, dropped the rear driveshaft and I drove home with power to just the front wheels. I view it as a very expensive driving school; hardened axles on the way.
Keith’s Corner 3/22
SCM Wins About.com’s 2011 Readers’ Choice Award For Best Classic Car Magazine!
“This year’s Readers’ Choice Awards program had a record number of nominations submitted across more than a dozen categories and featured hundreds of finalists,” said Margot Weiss, managing editor, About.com. “We are thankful to all our readers for their participation and congratulate SCM on their success.” To view the Sports […]
Keith’s Corner, March 15th
After two weeks on the road, I’m headed home.
First stop last week was Auctions America by RM in Ft. Lauderdale, FL where we shot 3 episodes of What’s My Car Worth. A new feature this year has me actually road-testing the cars that are going to cross the block; cars I got to drive included the barn-find 289 Cobra that sold for $467,500, a 1969 Land Rover SIIA 109 and more. There was an Alfa GT Jr. that I felt the red mist for, but luckily it sold when I was busy doing something else.
Keith’s Photos from Amelia Island
Collector Agonistes
Saved searches and RSS feeds are now the Pandora’s Box of my collecting life. Years ago, I would get giddy and feel the onset of the red mist once a month when Hemmings arrived (by first-class mail, of course). And when I went to an auction or swap meet, I […]
Keith’s Corner, February 28th
It’s been a busy week at SCM world headquarters. The final two MGs for the “Road to Reno” arrived, both 1974s. One came from Durango, CO and the other from Renton, WA. The white 1974 we picked up two weeks ago is at the detail shop; the detailer says that […]
The Road to Reno Update
The Road to Reno Here’s an up-to-date report on the SCM “B Team” caravan to the MG convention in Reno this June. In an uprising reminiscent of Tahrir Square, our teenage children singularly and collectively decided to opt out of the opportunity to beat themselves silly in 35-year-old cars—all the […]