We are now accepting nominations for SCM’s second group of 40 Under 40 honorees.
First awarded in 2017, this program became our most popular in terms of industry recognition and resultant newsstand sales.
It’s time to revisit it. In the October issue, SCM will again honor 40 enthusiasts under 40 years old who are making a difference in the classic-car world. We’re asking you for nominations.
Candidates can come from the business of buying or selling, restoration, aftermarket parts, events, detailing or insurance. Those involved with dealers or auction companies, both online and land-based, are eligible. Nominees can be collectors or writers or even social-media influencers. Anyone participating in the hobby whose enthusiasm for collector cars deserves to be recognized may be nominated.
Help us identify these rising stars who are changing our world. The simplest way to nominate someone is to fill out the form on our website at sportscarmarket.com/scm40.
If you prefer to email, contact us at [email protected], or for snail mail, our address is SCM 40, 8835 SW Canyon Lane, Suite 312, Portland, OR 97225. Be sure to send both the name and contact information for the person you are nominating, as well as your own name and contact information. Tell us why you think this person is exceptional.
Nominees must be younger than 40 as of January 1, 2022. Previous honorees are not eligible. Contact Executive Editor Jeff Sabatini at [email protected] with questions. Nominations close on May 15.
Buy Sell Hold is back!
Under the direction of award-winning author and British car authority John Nikas and his partner Matthew Strauss, the SCM social-media project is coming back to life. While it might best be characterized as being in “barn-find” status for the past few months, we are gradually posting new, market-relevant podcasts and short YouTube videos.
Recently, Philip Richter gave me his recommendations on the Mercedes 190SL, the 190E 16V and the SLS AMG. Stephen Serio and Gooding specialist Hans Wurl joined us to share their thoughts on the collectibility of the Acura NSX, BMW M6, SL55 AMG and Ferrari 360 Modena.
Find out why. Go to www.sportscarmarket.com/buysellhold to see the latest content, and be sure to subscribe. These will be concise, pull-no-punches podcasts and videos. We look forward to your comments and suggestions as we move this project forward.
The times, they are a-changin’
We last moved 15 years ago. We now have new offices that reflect how different our world is today.
Due to the pandemic, the days of cubicles full of people and large conference rooms are over. Under the leadership of Sabatini, the SCM team — including Senior Editor Rory Jurnecka, Auction Editor Chad Taylor, Art Directors Dave Tomaro and Kirsten Hegg, Advertising Executive Darren Frank, Advertising Traffic Manager Jessi Kramer, Subscription and Customer Service Manager Susan Loeb, IT Director Brian Baker, and Financial Manager Cheryl Cox — now produces the magazine remotely.
This process has been going on for a few months, and each issue has continued to improve. With our nearly 200-page monthly page count, we are able to have new features, including our upcoming Father’s Day special. The June issue will be highlighting father-and-child stories from SCM contributors such as Max and Jim Schrager, along with photos and comments from readers. If you have a reminiscence of a time in which you bonded with your dad over a car, or as a father shared a special car moment with one of your children, please tell us your story at [email protected].
Fleet feats
The SCM fleet has evolved as well. We are down to three Alfas: the 1967 Duetto, the 1971 Junior Zagato and our 30-years-owned 1965 Giulia Spider Veloce. The Zagato is having a hand clutch fitted by local magician Fred Lux. I hope to try it out in the near future.
Neil d’Autremont is the official SCM Fleet Wrangler as well as the SCM 1000 Tour Director. I want to specially thank him for everything he has been doing to keep SCM going full speed ahead.
Our current front-line cars represent my newfound interest in high-performance GT cars from three different eras. They are all automatics due to my challenges with shifting. The lack of a clutch pedal has often made these cars significantly less expensive than if they were manuals.
From the pure-analog era we have the 1971 Jaguar E-type V12 coupe. It is a survivor, with 23,000 documented miles and all-original paint and interior. Barb and Ed Grayson, the specialists at Consolidated Autoworks, have made it drive like a two-year-old car. Nikas calls it the best V12 he has ever had the pleasure of piloting. Financially, I think we are reaching our typical $40,000 investment level with this car.
The crossover analog-to-digital period is represented by our 1991 Porsche 928 S4. It was in storage for many years, before being properly and lovingly brought back to life by Hi-Tec Automotive in San Rafael, CA, and A&P Specialties here in Portland. It has completely original paint and interior (dark blue over blue leather). It also has all documentation including the original bill of sale and window sticker. I’ve put about 1,000 miles on it so far, and it continues to offer a true GT experience unlike anything else from the era. We’re at $40,000 here as well.
Our purely digital car, the 2004 Mercedes SL55 AMG, silver over Parchment, continues to offer a high-line motoring experience. This spring we drove it to Montana twice from Portland, stopping in Yellowstone and White Sulphur Springs. We covered 5,000 miles without incident.
We recently took it to local specialist Burback Motors for its 50,000-mile service. The bill was $200. One wag asked if that was the charge to put AMG air in the tires. We seem to have stabilized at $28,000 all-in for the SL, which is a little above market, but not desperately so.
Our 2000 Land Rover Disco II is being ministered to by specialist Doug Shipman. He is installing the necessary linkage so we can manually lock the center differential when the going gets interesting. The rig, formerly owned by a longtime client of his, has covered 220,000 properly maintained highway miles. Compared to my previous weapons-grade D90 turbodiesel, it is like driving an off-road Cadillac. ♦