The value of our 1965 Volvo 122S increased by $5,000 in value in less than four months. On April 19, 2021, it sold on Bring a Trailer for $20,000. There were 851 watchers, 22,150 views, 105 comments and 13 bids. No Reserve: 1966 Volvo 122S After being listed […]
Keith Martin
Keith’s Blog: Welcome Back, Monterey
Like fog off the bay, the money rolled into Monterey last week. By Sunday, it had burned off. Our initial accounting has total sales approaching $352 million for the week. With five auctions and more than 1,000 cars on offer, getting outbid seemed to be the only excuse for not […]
Keith’s Blog: People Make The World Go Round
Most of us got into the collector-car hobby because of the cars. Vintage cars are shiny and fun and they can do some pretty neat things, from making you money to taking you back in time. But cars are just the hook. What really keeps us involved in the hobby […]
Keith’s Blog: When Do I Need to Buy Tires?
SCM Executive Editor Jeff Sabatini took our 2006 Lotus Elise out for some exercise this weekend. While enjoying the car, he thought to check the date codes on the tires. They’re from 2007 and 2010. He commented that it appears the OEM Yokohama Advan tires are somewhat hard to find. […]
Keith’s Blog: The SCM 1000 Goes Italian
The sound of 45 classic British cars had barely faded into the distance when we began laying plans for next year’s SCM 1000 Classic event. Here is what we have come up with so far: The 2022 theme will be the cars of Italy, built pre-1975. Other marques and SCM […]
Keith’s Blog: The 2021 SCM 1000 Was a Success!
I participated in my first California Mille in 1992. I had just returned from driving in the 1991 Italian recreation of the event. Segments were carefully timed and you were scored to the 1/1000th of a second. While I enjoyed the event, I despised having my 1947 750cc Siata forced […]
Keith’s Blog: The SCM 928 Could Be Yours
After six glorious months and 3,000 miles, it is time for our 1991 928 S/4 GT automatic to move on to a new home. Long-time SCMers know my pattern. I get interested in a car (often for reasons unknown even to me), buy one, spend what it takes to make […]
Keith’s Blog: If I Were King of the Restoration Shop
I’ve had a lot of hair-brained ideas over the years, but none as ridiculous as opening my own restoration shop. It was the late 1980s, and I was selling 20 to 30 cars a month to overseas clients. One of my chief competitors was Mark Hyman. We had both figured […]
Keith’s Blog: Parades or Concours?
The Rodeo Drive Concours D’Elegance in tony Beverly Hills has been a Father’s Day fixture. To paraphrase Jay Leno, “mere millionaires can mingle with billionaires” during this car show. You know the drill. Prep your car and have it there by 7 am. Get out your folding chairs and prepare […]
Keith’s Blog: Touring is Back
It’s been two years since I have been on a tour. I first had some medical challenges, which were followed directly by the pandemic. Effectively car events have been off-limits for me for a long time. But as we gradually emerge from our health crisis, a thoughtful return to normal […]