November 30- December 4, 2011- Bahamas Speed Week Revival- To commemorate the original Nassau Speed Weeks races from the 1950s and '60s a group of Bahamian government officials and sportsmen organized a week of partying and motorsports, which included a Concours d'Elegance at the Lyford Cay Club. The winner of this event, in which I participated as Chief Judge, was Rob Walton's Maserati 450S, a car that had raced here in 1957. My judging team consisted of Betsy Dingman, Hap Perry, and Bill Hunter. The hill climb and the time trials were the racing segments for this first event, and plans are in the works to construct a proper permanent race track for future Speed Weeks.
Septembr 11-18, 2011- The Colorado Grand- The twenty-third annual Colorado Grand was held over 1,000 miles of some of the most scenic roads imaginable. The participants were a Who's Who of automobile enthusiasts from around the country and abroad. I co-drove with Chuck Schwager in Chuck's 1957 BMW 507, one of 253 produced. It ran flawlessly over the course of the drive, much of it in 10,000 foot elevations.
June 11, 2011- The Elegance At Hershey, Hershey, PA- Another first-year concours was held in Hershey in the garden of the Hotel Hershey. And elegant it was, resembling the great concours of Europe in both setting and quality of the entrants, and a roster of highly-qualified nationally-recognized Judges led by Chief Judge Dr. Paul Sable.
April 29, 2011, Castaway Critters Exotic Cars Concours, A.A.C.A. Museum, Hershey, PA.- Pretty much everything from "A To Z" was represented here as 99 of the most varied exotica were displayed on the lawn of the Classic Car Museum in Hershey, PA. Benefitting a Pennsylvania animal rescue orgaization, this event proved so successful that there will be a Second Annual show next year. The judging team: myself, Ken Visser, Ed Warburton, Will Silk, and Dayton Holmes.
February, 2011- Another exciting car that I obtained for a client is this 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL coupe. Essentially an unrestored car, it was repainted by Paul Russell and Company in 2005, and still carries it's original leather.
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January 22-23, 2011- 20th Annual Cavallino Classic and Classic Sports Sunday at Mar-A-Lago Palm Beach, FL.
The annual Cavallino Classic on the lawn of The Breakers in Palm Beach has the best turnout of Ferraris anywhere in the United States. Measured in sheer numbers, Ferraris were aso the strongest class
at the following day's Classic Sports Sunday. For the summary please read my article on the Internet version of Octane Magazine: http://www.classicandperformancecar.com/news/eventnews/265816/report_cavallino_classic_sports_sunday.html?CMP=NLC-Newsletters
December 30, 2010- A few cars that I sold this year that did not appear on my website include a 1957 Lancia Aurelia B20S Series VI, a 1956 Aston Martin DB2/4 Drophead, and a 1966 Mustand GT Fastback.
September 26, 2010- Fourth Annual St. Michaels Concours d'Elegance, St. Michaels, MD
I was invited by the concours commitee to be the Chief Judge for the Fourth Annual event. Our team featured three Pebble Beach Concours judges: Ken Gross, Dr. Paul Sable, and Ed Windfelder, and included Dave Kinney, Phil Tegtmeier, Tim McNair, Phil Neff, Kurt Jensen, Ed Warburton, and Ken Visser, whose photos you see here. The Fourth Annual St. Michaels Concours took place on the campus of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, which also was the charitable beneficiary of this year’s event. Serving as a backdrop for the entries were many finely- restored antique wooden runabouts tied up at the slips of the Museum, not the least of which was an immaculate mid-Sixties Italian Riva Aquarama. In addition there were three display-only wooden Skiff-bodied cars from the North Collection: a ’29 Duesenberg Roadster, a ’39 Rolls-Royce Wraith (which garnered the Peoples’ Choice vote), and a ’25 Hispano-Suiza Dual Cowl Phaeton. New for the 2010 event was a Youth Judging Program which was developed to inspire interest in classic automobiles among the next generation.
Best Of Show was awarded to the one-off 1927 Isotta-Fraschini 8A Fleetwood Roadster, owned by Marge and Judge Joseph Cassini. Ordered new by movie heart throb Rudolph Valentino, it was reported that the cost new exceeded $25,000. A car that I returned to look at several times during the day was the one-of-a-kind 1914 Locomobile Kellner-bodied Berline Limousine owned by Bill Alley. Eight feet tall with a 504 cubic inch engine, Tiffany lamps and French upholstery, this car was the personification of plush bespoke transportation from the earliest years of the automobile industry. It won the Timeless Elegance Award as well as the Morton Bullock Honorary Chairman’s Award.
Another multi-award recipient was John Rich’s 1938 Delage D8120S Aerosport Coupe. There is nothing subtle about this eggplant-colored car, from its dorsal ridge to its external chrome exhaust headers. In addition to Most Elegant Closed it also won the Youth Judging Award. Linda and David Kane’s blue 1934 V16 Cadillac Fleetwood Convertible Sedan, a former Pebble Beach Best In Class, took Most Elegant Open at St. Michaels. Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, the Presenting Sponsor of the event, awarded their trophy to the 1926 Phantom I Newmarket Sedan belonging to Marion and Jim Caldwell.
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August 13, 2010- The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering, Carmel Valley, CA
I saw another "Old Friend" being displayed at The Quail: serial number 1517, the circa-1959 Ferrari 410 Superamerica one-off built for FIAT Chairman Gianni Agnelli. The car had been in my inventory at ALGAR Enterprises in suburban Philadelphia, and was sold to a local buyer on January 15, 1971 for $6,500. It features a fixed tinted glass roof panel and brushed stainless steel body sides.
August 11, 13, 2010- McCall Party, Monterey Jet Center & Bonham's Auction, Quail Lodge, Carmel, CA
On display at the McCall charity function was a 1963 AC Cobra (s.n. CSX 2125) which I was registered to bid on at the Bonhams Auction at Quail Lodge two days later. After examining the car and investigating it's history, I was fortunate to be the winning bidder. The car was purchased for a local customer here in Northern Virginia, and upon it's arrival I put 100 miles on it as a shake-down drive. The Cobra is, with the exception of having been repainted, a 30,000 mile unrestored car.
August 10, 2010- Porsche 918 Spyder, Monterey Jet Center, Monterey CA
I was given the opportunity to view by-invitation-only Porsche's new concept hybrid 918 Spyder. Cloaked in James Bond-like security, the plug-in "green" high performance Spyder was displayed in a private aircraft hanger. Briefly, the vehicle's V8 gasoline engine produces 500 hp, while two electri motors supply and additional 218hp. O-60 times are quoted as 3.2 seconds, with 200 mph top speed.
78 mpg is estimated, and the electric motors will provide for 16 miles on electric power alone. On July 28, 2010, series development was given the go-ahead.
January 23, 2010- Palm Beach, FL- The 19th Annual Cavallino Classic
Two "old friends" of mine were displayed on the upper lawn of this year's Cavallino Classic at The Breakers hotel.
Serial number 6025, the 1965 Geneva Show Ferrari 250LM Stradale, was a "trade in" at Algar Enterprises, the Ferrari dealer in Rosemont, PA where I began my career in the automobile business in 1968. The LM's owner was Regis Lippert, a well-known Ferrari enthusiast from New Jersey who decided that he would rather own a new Lancia Fulvia 1.3 HF rally car. As ALGAR was the sole US importer for Lancia at that time, we were able to oblige him. The LM remained in our inventory for approximately two years. It is my single all-time favorite Ferrari- I used to just sit in it during down time in the showroom. I actually came close to selling it once, to a young man named Greg Young. At a crucial point during the transaction the owner of ALGAR, the late Al Garthwaite, Jr, proclaimed that "..it will take more than money to buy this car", and my sale went poof! I've kept a clipping of the ad that I was running for the LM in the Sunday New York Times...asking price was $16,900. The car was eventually sold to Alan Patterson from Pittsburgh, PA. I believe that Mr. Garthwaite handled the transaction personally, and if my memory serves me correctly the selling price was $10,000.
Daytona serial number 14065 is the blue Marathon Oil/ Coca-Cola/ Kirk F. White 1972 12 hours of Sebring entrant. Originally painted Rosso Rubino, Kirk purchased the Daytona from Ron Spangler of Bel Air, MD. Kirk apparently had a dislike for trailers, and he favored using me as his hired driver to transport cars such as this cross country. I picked the car up at Ron's home and drove it from Maryland to Hollman and Moody's race shop in Charlotte, NC to be prepared for entry in the twelve hour endurance race in March, 1972. I remeber telling Kirk that the car felt flat to me, and as it turned out H&M never could get that motor to put out the power they were looking for. I went back to H & M again, and this time I was driving Kirk's personal Daytona, the ex- Brock Yates/Dan Gurney Cannonball Baker car. The motor in the Cannonball car was strong, and after being rebuilt and race-tuned was transplanted into the ex-Spangler car. It was raced at Sebring by David Hobbs and Skip Scott, and retired with transmission problems.
August 16, 2009- Pebble Beach, CA- The 59th Annual Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance
This was my 20th year on the 18th fairway at the Pebble Beach Concours. Day in and day out for eight consecutive days, the weather was the best I've experienced in Carmel in August.
In addition to the events pictured below, I was also able to attend some of the classic car auctions that take place throughout the week, and to participate as a judge at the Pacific Coast Region Ferrari Club of America Concours at the Chateau Julien Winery.
August 15, 2009- Monterey, CA, Monterey Historic Races at Laguna Seca Raceway
Porsche was the featured marque at this year's Historics, the ultimate nostalgia event for gearheads.
Wandering through the paddock I walked past several cars that Mike Tillson and I raced against in the '70s at Sebring, Lime Rock, and Mid-Ohio.
For me, the highlight of the day was meeting my boyhood idol, Stirling Moss.
August 14, 2009- Carmel Valley, CA; The Quail: A Motorsports Gathering
Just how much great food can one person consume? Find out yourself next year.
August 13, 2009- Carmel, CA, Pebble Beach Tour d'Elegance; The entrants from this year's Pebble Beach Concours display their cars on Ocean Avenue at the finish of the Tour.
August 11, 2009- Carmel, CA, Avenue Concours: Doug and Genie Freedman's spectacular open-to-the-public event kicks off the week in Monterey.
July 29, 30, 2009- Oshkosh, Wisconsin Experimental Aircraft Fly-In plus Ferrari Club Of America Annual Meet, Elkhart Lake, WI
I lucked out with this trip. Thanks to my friends and hosts Kurt and Julia Jensen, my assignment to judge at the F.C.A. Nationals included spending a day on the field of the Oskosh fly-in.
That's the new Airbus A380 serving as a backdrop to all the thousands of folks who flew in with their small planes, warbirds, etc. to camp out and share their experiences. I hope
to return for a longer stay at this unique event next year. The FCA Concours was held on the grounds of the historic Osthoff Resort near one of the country's premiere race courses, Road America. I was on the team that included vintage Ferrari experts David Seielstad from Hawaii and Greg Jones from Florida.
April 17, 2009-
In today's global market, I'm never surprised when I'm contacted by a buyer from outside of the U.S. I've sent cars overseas in the past, but the tale of the two brown TR6s is special. The one on the left now resides in Dubai. After the buyer asked me to ship it to him, he decided instead that he and his young son would visit the States, personally pick up the car in Virginia, and tour the area before dropping the car off at the port in New Jersey. While here, I taught him the basics of baseball and he became an avid Phillies fan, and continues to follow the team. He also managed to squeeze in the Bruce Springsteen concert at The Meadowlands. The TR6 in the right photo went to an enthusiast in Greece (seen competing in the Historic Rally Acropolis). We stay in touch, and have subsequently collaborated on the purchases of other cars.
January 24- 25, 2009- Cavallino Classic, The Breakers
and Classic Sports Sunday, Mar-a-Lago, Palm Beach, Florida
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August 17, 2008- Pebble Beach Concours, Carmel, CA
The Mid-Atlantic Region of The Ferrari Club of America was proudly represented by the 1955 Ferrari 500 Mondial entered by Mr. and Mrs. Robert Phillips of Arlington, VA. Rear Admiral Phillips has owned this car since 1960, and the history of his ownership and the restoration of the car by David Carte's team at Classic and Sport is a story in itself. Suffice it to say that the Phillips' Ferrari won the highest honors bestowed on a Ferrari at The Pebble Beach Concours- Winner of 1st in Class M-2 (Competition Ferraris), and the Enzo Ferrari Trophy for Best Ferrari in the field.
While walking amongst the Ferraris on display at Pebble Beach, I discovered a long-lost "friend." Back in the Summer of '69 I was left in charge of a 1960 250GT SWB California Spider, one of a total of three cars built with an aluminum body and competition engine. The short version of this story is that at that time a friend of mine owned a Lancia Fulvia HF race car which he was advertising for sale in Competition Press and Autoweek for $4,500. Along came a potential buyer, Rod Kennedy, who operated the Texas Speed Museum. Rod lusted for the Lancia, and and not wanting to be out of pocket cash-wise, offered my friend his museum's California Spider even-up for the Lancia. My friend then quickly departed for his native Italy leaving me with the California, which became my daily driver for the summer. (Photo below right). My friend returned to the U.S. that fall and reclaimed his Ferrari, after which I lost track of both the car and the friend. When I saw this car on the lawn, I asked its long-term current owner some very specific questions about his prize, and all of his answers came back positive. Yes indeed, this was the same car, which had raced at both the 24 hours of LeMans in 1960 and the 12 Hours of Sebring in 1961. Where's my "Way Back Machine" when I need it?
Incidentally, that Lancia was entered in the 1970 12 Hours of Sebring by Rod Kennedy. His co-driver for that event was Mike Tillson, and the car finished first in class, and 28th overall.
June 11, 2008- Simeone Foundation Museum Grand Opening, Philadelphia, Pa.
After several years of viewing Dr. Frederick Simeone's collection of historic racing cars in his old South Philadelphia hideaway, I wasn't prepared for what I saw when I attended the opening of his new facility (www.simeonefoundation.org). Artist's backdrops of the Mille Miglia, Targa Florio, and Watkins Glen served to highlight the immaculately-prepared cars to their best advantage, totally unlike the barn-find atmosphere of the doctor's previous warehouse. The building contains a cafeteria and can be rented for car club events and corporate affairs. This collection, currently comprised of 61 automobiles, is amongst the most noteworthy of it's type anywhere in the world, and is now open to the public. It includes the winning cars from the 1938 Mille Miglia, 1937 24 Hour of LeMans, 1953 Sebring Twelve Hours, and 1959 Nurburgring 1000. Put this on your "Must See" list.
April 13, 2008- Ferrari Club of America Mid-Atlantic Region Spring Thaw Luncheon, Reston, VA
The annual Spring Thaw luncheon took place at the Reston Town Center in front of the host restaurant, Paolo's. Temperatures in the low 50s and threatening rain did not deter our winter-weary club members, as 120 of us brought 66 cars to be displayed while we dined on a delicious array of Italian food. I entered Ralph Manaker's 512BBi, which was parked between Ralph's 275GTB/4 and FCA regional director Bill Ebert's 246GTS. There were more than a few photo ops for the Sunday shoppers who found their favorite retail storefronts enhanced by a rare assortment of exciting Italian cars.
March 9, 2008- Amelia Island Concours, Amelia Island Florida
The class entitled "Cars You Never Hear Of" featured a car that I knew something about because it was fabricated in the building where I began my career in the automobile business, the Derham Custom Body Company of Rosemont, PA. The 1948 TASCO was a Gordon Beuhrig-designed, Derham-bodied prototype that ended up being the only example produced. On another part of the field was a blue 250GT SWB "SEFAC Hotrod" with aerodynamica Superamerica-type body, the prototype for the 250GTO. It languished on the top floor of the Derham building (by that time it was also the ALGAR FERRARI building) for two years during the late 1960's, loved but unsaleable.
October 14 to October 19- Mountain Mille 2007
I co-drove with Jeff Fisher in his just-out-of-restoration Lancia B24S Convertible as participants in Rich and Jean Taylor's VINTAGE RALLIES third annual Mountain Mille, a thousand miles of breathtaking scenery and not-to-be-believed roads. Coupled with overnight stops at luxury hotels such as the Berry Hill Inn, The Homestead, and The Greenbrier, there are lots of good stories to be retold. By the way, the Lancia performed like a new Honda- flawlessly!
September 30, 2007- First Annual St Michaels Concours, St. Michaels, MD
Featuring fifty mostly-Pebble Beach and other noteworthy concours winners, the first annual St. Michaels Concours was difficult to beat in terms of quality and ambience. Several of the entrants had been Best of Show at other major venues, and, displayed against a background of classic wooden boats beside The Inn At Perry Cabin, what's not to like?
October 2005- The Tucker Museum, Old Town Alexandria, VA
Led by our intrepid organizer, author and raconteur Dave Kinney, a group of local car guys and girls toured the privately-owned Tucker museum in Alexandria, VA. Not one, but THREE, mint-condition examples of this rare bird were ours for the scrutinizing, along with enough engines, spare parts, and complete plans and blueprints to build a fourth, I'm quite sure.
October 2005- First Annual Mountain Mille
I never thought that driving 1,000 miles in four days through Virginia and West Virginia could be this much fun, but just try it in one of your all-time favorite cars and let me know. Jeff Fisher's 1955 Lancia Aurelia 4th Series B20S, complete with Nardi conversion, is tailor-made for this type of switchback, mountainous driving. Call Rich and Jean Taylor at Vintage Rallies and get ready for your own gourmet driving adventure.
June 2005- Ralph Lauren Collection, Museum of Modern Art, Boston, MA
While on a trip to Boston to visit Paul Russell and Company in Essex, MA, Paul extended an invitation to me to see the exhibit of Ralph Lauren's collection that was on display at the Museum of Modern Art. Paul's company is in charge of restoring Mr. Lauren's cars, and two of these have been awarded Best of Show at the Pebble Beach Concours in Carmel, Ca.
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January 27-30, 2005
Scottsdale, Arizona Classic Car Auctions
The Show- It seems that this is the ultimate week and venue for record-setting prices at auction each year. Barrett-Jackson claimed 100% sales, and its surprise star was the 1954 Olds F-88 GM Concept Car. The “Smart Money” was guessing that it would sell for $600,000. So much for that- the winning bid was $3,000,000. There is exactly the right proportion of bright lights, Bidder’s Bar, and Speed Channel to induce otherwise rational folks to loose control. I myself bid on a half dozen cars at the RM Auction at The Arizona Biltmore, without success. (I had never actually stayed at the Biltmore until this week, and I completely lost myself in architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s fantasy-like environment.) A 1934 Duesenberg Model J convertible coupe set the record for highest sale price at this auction at $2,500,000, followed closely by the “Feature Car”, the 1962 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato at $2,450,000.
Cavallino Classic, January 22-23,2005, Palm Beach, Florida
The Cavallino Classic at The Breakers Hotel kicks off the year’s
concours schedule. As a judge for the 14th annual event, I was teamed with
Paul Russell and Donovan Leyden. We were assigned to critique Jack Thomas’
1955 Ferrari 375 America Coupe Speciale (ex-Gianni Agnelli, 1955 Turin Show,
2003 Best In Class at Pebble Beach), Manny Del Arroz’ 1955 375MM Sport, and
old friend and customer Peter McCoy’s 1962 400 Superamerica. All three cars
had been restored to perfection by Motion Products, and the Arroz 375 not
only won its class, but Best Of Show as well. My sincere thanks to Chief Judge
Ed Gilbertson and Coppa Judge Rick Race for inviting me to participate in
this noteworthy event.
The following day, we drove Jeff Fisher’s Type 57 Bugatti Cabriolet and Lancia
Aurelia B20GT to the Polo Field in Wellington for the inaugural of Andrew
Carduner’s Palm Beach International concours. Featuring several of the Cunningham
cars from the Collier collection, along with everything else from "A
to Z" automotivley, this event looks like a permanent fixture on the
concours calendar.
December 1, 2004
The majority of the transactions that I assist with as a consultant never
appear on this website. For example, I recently completed the transfer of
a 1923 Stutz Bearcat Roadster from a seller in the Midwest to a collector
in New England. A 1986 Mercedes-Benz 560SL with 14,000 original miles was
sold to a Pennsylvania buyer. Also, a 1995 Ferrari 456 GT with 8,000 miles,
and a 2003 Ferrari 360 Spider were acquired by Maryland residents. Recent
purchases of Daily Drivers include a 2004 Porsche Cayenne Turbo, a 2004 Volvo
X-Country Station Wagon, a 2003 Mercedes-Benz S430 and a 2005 E320, and a
2003 BMW X-5 4.4. Please fell free to contact me with your needs.
Ferrari Club Of America International Meet
August 17, 2004 Monterey, CA
Following closely behind the Pebble Beach week of activities was
this year’s Ferrari Club of America Annual Meet. At the track event held at
Laguna Seca the previous Saturday, we were treated to a race featuring twenty-two
250GTOs. (A 23rd GTO was wrecked during practice on Friday).
I participated in the Concours as Chief Class Judge for the Dino 246GT Class.
One of the Dinos being judged was entered by its first and only owner, who
purchased the car at the Factory in 1970. It was shown in its original, unrestored
condition.
GOODING AUCTION, August 15, 2004
Pebble Beach, CA
During this year’s annual trip to Pebble Beach, I represented a
collector-client at David Gooding’s auction at the Equestrian center, immediately
following the Pebble Beach Concours on Sunday.
I was fortunate to purchase a 33,000 mile 1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing
coupe, a very unique 1-owner car in spectacular, mostly un-restored condition.
The combination of dark gray paint with its original red leather really popped.
Latter in the evening, I also was the successful bidder of a very well-restored
1952 Jaguar XK120 Roadster, striking in silver with red leather interior.
Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix
Schenley Park, July 18 & 19, 2004
This was my first trip to Pittsburgh for this year’s 23rd Annual
races over city streets. The 2.3 mile circuit features light poles, stone
walls, trees, curbs, and very little margin for error. To make things even
more interesting, it rained the entire weekend. Not that it mattered- the
participants (pronounced crazies) that I was hanging out with never missed
a lap. If you’re really into vintage car racing, this is a must.
May 8, 2004
Morning Madness Road Party III
Back by popular demand, my almost-annual vintage sportscar tour through some of the
most picturesque roads in the Hunt Country of Northern Virginia occurred under the best-
possible weather conditions, which, the night before, looked anything but promising.
Beginning in Middleburg, a small but highly distinctive group of cars set out for our
ultimate destination, The Hunter's Head restaurant in Upperville, VA. We were fortunate
to have as participants the proprietors of the Hunter's Head, Sandy Lerner and Don Roden,
who lavished upon us the personal attention and tasty food that their restaurant is known
for.
Our group consisted of some charter members of the original M.M.R.P.s: Ralph
Manaker's 1967 Ferrari 275GTB/4, and 1955 300SL Gullwing, driven by his brother
Arnold Manaker, Harvey Cherner (1969 MB 280SL , along with Mike Egan), and John
Denegre (1956 Jag XK140 roadster.).
Newcomers Brendan and Dana Keegan, and Ted Bullerdick, brought a pair of 1964
Porsche 356C coupes, John Redmond drove his 1971 Maserati Ghibli Spider, Sandy and
Don came in their 1974 Jag XK-E Series III roadster, and Jim and Kim Biever added some
American muscle with their "heavily breathed-on" Mustang. With the exception of the
Virginia State Trooper that joined the party (after he noticed that my 1970 Porsche 911 was
leading the pack sporting an expired inspection sticker), there were no hitches, unusual
considering the age and nature of the cars.
There's a lot to be said for "low-tech" vintage simplicity.
January 22-25, 2004
13th Annual Cavallino Classic, Palm Beach Florida
