007 May 2022

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MARKET MOVER 1934 PACKARD TWELVE INDIVIDUAL CUSTOM CONVERTIBLE VICTORIA BY DIETRICH

THE CLASSIC ERA produced some of the most In September of 1930, Raymond Dietrich was asked
enduring and elegant automobiles that have to leave the firm that bore his name as the Great
ever graced our highways. They were powered by Depression was destroying sales of high-end cars. He
8-cylinder, 12-cylinder and 16-cylinder engines, and continued to consult for Packard until, in early 1931,
their coachwork, often bespoke, was mounted on Edward Macauley, son of Packard president Alvan
massive and imposing chassis. Macauley, was appointed the head of Packard’s new
styling division.
Between 1932 and 1934, Packard offered an array
of 8- and 12-cylinder offerings that many consider the In a career-ending comment, Dietrich said,
most exciting cars ever produced. They were available
as factory offerings, individual customs, also known
as factory customs, or one-off coachbuilt customs.

The factory and individual customs were offered in
a mind-boggling selection of over a dozen different
models. They offered innovative engineering
advancements and were often produced in limited
numbers. The styling defined elegance.

All these factors make them desirable, relevant and
expensive 90 years after they were produced.

Dietrich designs

The Individual Customs that Packard offered
between 1932 and 1934, were for the most part,
designed by Raymond Dietrich and built by Dietrich
Incorporated. They were offered on the Super Eight
and Twelve chassis.

They were easily identified by their vee’d
windshields, exceptionally long hood lines and
beltlines that curved away from the windshield.
They were, of course, expensive — with the 1934
Convertible Victoria priced at $6,080.

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“Macauley was no designer — he was a playboy.” A very rare Packard
Dietrich’s name, however, continued to be used on
Packard cars, and Dietrich body tags were on later This 1934 Packard Twelve Individual Custom
cars that he had absolutely nothing to do with, as he Convertible Victoria by Dietrich offered by RM
had moved on to styling at Chrysler. Sotheby’s at their March 2022 Amelia Island sale sold
for $4,130,000. It was one of four produced — and one
As an aside, Dietrich’s final design was of the famed of three known to still exist.
Gibson Firebird electric guitar, which was first offered
for sale in 1963. The 1934 Packard Eleventh Series 1108 cars are
considered the epitome of classic era styling. Count
Alexis de Sakhnoffsky updated the Dietrich design
by creating a false hood that extended close to the
windshield, which made the car look even longer. It
also featured rear-hinged — aka suicide — doors and
an enclosed rear trunk.

This Packard Twelve Convertible Victoria has
been part of several prominent collections for the
past four decades. It was part of the Jerry J. Moore
Collection and also the Otis Chandler Collection
when Chandler was focusing on Dietrich Individual
Custom Packards. It was acquired by noted collector
Frank Ricciardelli in 2006, who then commissioned
Stone Barn Automotive Restoration to perform a
comprehensive restoration.

This very car won its class at the 2014 Pebble Beach
Concours d’Elegance and was nominated for the Best
of Show. It is a stunning automobile

Elegance is a very subjective term that is difficult
to describe. It is easily understood, however, by
simply looking at the 1934 Packard Twelve Individual
Custom Convertible Victoria by Dietrich. You know it
when you see it, and this car has it in spades.

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AUCTION BRIEF BONHAMS

Aston Flies High
at the Members’
Meeting Auction

A DB5 set the tone for this Bonhams staple, but not every
Aston is seeing the same benefits

by RUSSELL HAYES

BONHAMS’ FIRST LIVE at a mere half a million pounds,
Members’ Meeting sale but this was notable for a car
for three years was, as has needing work. It wasn’t Silver
often become the case at its Birch either.
Goodwood sales, heavy on
the Aston Martins. A number In the Bonhams Goodwood
of those offered on April 10 Revival sale last September,
had sat in foreign collections, a fully-fettled 1964 DB5 went
unused and wanting revival for £423,200 (or $587,744
and import taxes paid. at the time). In July 2020,
another British auction house,
At £506,000 (or $659,308) a Historics, found a home for a
1964 Aston Martin DB5 was the meticulously restored 1964 DB5
highest sale price. The current for £560,000 ($704,986).
vendor had owned this DB5
since 1969. It was grounded by The DB6, as ever, represents
an MoT failure in April 2018 better value. There were three
and it hadn’t moved since. at the sale — all non-movers —
sold from £149,500 to £163,300
Venerable marque specialist ($187,871 to $205,213). Maybe
Aston Service Dorset had their vendors hoped they
concluded that it was generally would catch DB5 values but
solid, had an interior which now decided they weren’t
could be “described as delivering. The sale prices
tatty” but recommended a left the new owners (possibly
good clean to preserve the dealers) plenty of spare cash
sought-after patina, as well as for TLC.
a full mechanical overhaul.
Nonetheless, it shot past 1964 Aston
the top estimate of £350,000 Martin DB5
($456,043) on its way to setting
the bar for the event.

Despite the recent James
Bond exposure, the DB5 market
seems to have been relatively
settled over the past few years

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AUCTION BRIEF BONHAMS

Odds, ends and wings finished in carmine. outside, but many of the ready- LEFT 1930 Packard 745
no-sales It arrived in the UK in 2003. to-race lots here failed to reach Dual Cowl Sports Phaeton
It was a £110,000 ($138,233) their lower estimates. BELOW 1965 Chevrolet
An oddity in this company no-sale on the Sunday, but Corvette Sting Ray Coupe
­— and winning the prize for later sold for an undisclosed Take lot 74, a 1965 Chevrolet
vastness — was a noble 1930 sum. Last year, a 1929 Packard Corvette Sting Ray Coupe. Nürburgring, as well as English
Packard 745 Dual Cowl Sports 640 Custom Eight Phaeton by In 1998, it was rebuilt to FIA tracks with stickers to prove
Phaeton. The car was one of Holbrook sold for $160,000 on Appendix K regulations and it. In the hands of the current
only 14 survivors and is said Bring a Trailer. raced in historic events in owner since 2015, it was
to be the only example in Europe. Over the next 17 years, restored to its former condition
Europe — the long wheelbase It seems paradoxical with its rollcall included Monza, then continued to race in the
version of the Seventh Series. the sound of thunderous racing Spa, Hockenheim and the 2016 and 2018 Le Mans Classic
The great bonnet covered a and was invited to race at the
6.3 litre straight-eight engine 2017 Goodwood Revival. Past
of legendary smoothness. drivers included Jacky Ickx.
Bonhams pointed out that the Perhaps a 1965 ‘Ray outside in
model was introduced in the the paddock ready to race in
autumn of 1929, in the weeks the Graham Hill Trophy might
leading to the Wall Street crash. have added extra interest? Only
as far as £90,000 ($113,099),
Chassis number 182992 well short of the lower estimate.
spent an unspecified spell in
the collection of Malcolm Pray,
a New York businessman and
collector who restored it with
the body in cardinal red and

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AUCTION BRIEF BONHAMS

A market peaked? Roadster, which achieved These pre-Bristol Aces are ABOVE 1958 AC Ace Roadster
£200,100 ($260,726). Owned favoured as the purest and BELOW 1967 Maserati Mistral
Billed as the second most by the vendor since 1968, lightest of the breed. Only 223 4.0-Litre Spyder
valuable lot of the day, a white “190 GPC” was restored and cars were delivered with the
1967 Maserati Mistral 4.0-Litre resprayed in around 1990 by AC 2.0-litre AC engine compared the car’s original) for $516,500
Spyder was the sale’s cover star at Brooklands. The body was with 463 Bristol-engined cars. at Scottsdale. It was billed as
and made £299,000 ($375,742). original and the new engine the “best of the best.”
One of only 123 Mistral fitted was the last AC overhead- Recent auction offerings
convertibles built, this 4.0-litre cam 2.0-litre six before that was have tended towards the latter. In total, Bonhams achieved
was a desirable 5-speed replaced by Bristol’s unit… and Last September, Historics sold just under £7m ($9.7m) in sales
stick-shift car first sent to West then comes Mr. Shelby. The car a 1955 fully restored AC Ace here alongside the Members’
Nyack, New York. It came to the was repainted Ice Blue (from for £213,920 ($297,094). At Meeting, with 90% of the lots
UK in 1981 part dismantled by the original gray). Stored in a the other end of the scale, in on offer sold.
the previous owner in Florida. heated garage, the recorded January ’22, Bonhams sold a
The new owner, a past secretary mileage of 10,100 was believed fully restored and concours
of the Maserati Owners’ Club genuine. 1958 AC Ace Roadster with the
had the body and engine same AC engine (in this case
restored, completed in 1986,
the latter rebuilt by renowned
marque specialists Bill
McGrath Maserati, which had
carried out recent work.

It appears these pretty soft-
tops peaked some time ago;
Bonhams achieved £535,000
($673,028) for a ’68 car in
December 2016. That said, the
rarity carries a big premium
— a 1967 Mistral 4000 Coupé
from the same vendor sold for
£82,800 ($107,886).

The Sunday sale included
Ian Irvine-Fynn’s AC collection
— an eight-car assembly from
1920 to 1995, all of which sold.
The leader was a 1958 AC Ace

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ONLINE MADNESS

It’s a 1993 Ford Saleen Mustang SC Convertible Sold price: $231,000
Mad
World This 1993 Ford Saleen investment boon, commenters #1- condition
Mustang SC is one of three on this auction were quite livid. Bring a Trailer lot 70577, 4/14/2022
Surprise is a constant convertibles that were modified Perhaps, like me, they assumed S/N: 1FACP44EXPF206994
in today’s collector by Saleen for the model year. the Fox-body Mustang would
market Sold to the current — and never really see its day in the worth $231k? Probably not. But
sole — owner in 1993, this car sun, due to its economy-car if Supras are transacting for
by NICK JAYNES originally sold for $48,585.00. styling. around $180k these days, how
Calculating for inflation, this is outlandish is this, really?
FOR THIS ONLINE around $97,000 in 2022 money. Taking my curmudgeon cap
Madness, I take off To own this car for 29 years and off for a second, I’m actually Is it fast? Also probably
my curmudgeon more than double your money torn. I don’t know how to feel not. Is it a keen track-day
cap momentarily to is a nice investment. about this car. Of all the Fox cornering machine? No way,
understand which body ‘Stangs, this one might Jose. Is it an absolutely stellar
vehicles are — or are Disregarding the seller’s be the neatest I’ve seen. Is it ‘90s time machine? You bet. If
not — fetching huge that’s worth a quarter-mil to
prices and why. From someone, kudos to them.
a Fox-body Saleen to a
second-gen Ram, there GOOD: It’s not the most expensive
are a lot of surprises in Saleen Mustang to ever sell on
this list. BaT.

The one takeaway BAD: Buyer might have overpaid.
from today’s classic-car
market is this: Expect FINAL THOUGHT: This auction just
the unexpected. broke the heart of a million
blue-collar workers who
160  Linkage 007 dreamed of someday owning a
Fox-body Saleen.

1989 Mercury Cougar XR7

Sold price: $9,030

#3+ condition
Bring a Trailer lot 71217, 4/21/2022
S/N: 1MEPM62R5KH682944

If we are shopping ‘80s-era modern standards. But nothing in that oxblood red color, which today. But that rarity and
black two-door coupes from from the ‘80s holds up to today is truly primo. accessibility just makes me like
Dearborn, the Mercury XR7 has anyhow. it more.
to be near the top of the list. To I guess that it’s that V6, albeit
me, this Mercury is way cooler Where it does hold up is in potent, that holds back the GOOD: No V8.
than that quarter-million-dollar the styling department. I much value of the Cougar (and its
Saleen ‘Stang. prefer the slab-sided lines of Ford T-Bird MN12 platform BAD: No V8.
the Cougar to the Mustang Fox- brethren). If it’d been blessed
Ford spent a ton of money body Malaise. The Cougar had with a V8 from the factory, the FINAL THOUGHT: Forget the ‘Stang.
developing this Cougar, a nicer interior, too, especially XR7 might be more valuable Get a Cougar.
benchmarking the BMW
6-Series in R&D. With 220
horses and 215 torques on
tap churning from its 3.8-liter
V6, this Cougar wasn’t fast by

1952 Siata 200CS by Bertone Sold price: $694,999 for one-off weirdo cars like
this. Something about this one
Save the price and the It’s one of one, though 12 #2- condition grabs me, though. I love that,
sad-catfish face, this car is were planned, and originally Bring a Trailer lot 70650, 4/22/2022 following a refurbishment, it
incredibly interesting and ordered by a New York S/N: 0025 was used in historic races. I find
I encourage you to pull out nightclub owner. It’s powered that fact endearing because
your laptop (later, of course, by a Chrysler V8 despite being been covered in automotive someone was willing to risk
after finishing reading all Italian. And although it’s been magazines throughout its life, their and the car’s life in the
of Linkage) and read the refurbished with some non- giving it some extra panache. pursuit of checkered flags.
description of this car. original parts, the thing has
I am not usually one to go Is it worth nearly $695,000?
Not to me, no. But it’s weird
enough that I have to doff my
cap to the new owner, who I’m
sure is happy.

GOOD: Weird with fun
provenance.

BAD: Sad-catfish face.

FINAL THOUGHT: Bless the weirdo
who ordered this thing.

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ONLINE MADNESS

LS3-Powered Arkonik 1991 Land Rover Defender 110 Sold price: $227,110 rather have this V8-powered
leviathan than a comparably
It’ll be interesting to see what Defender for $270/month, #2+ condition priced Bentley Bentayga, for
the value of vehicles like this which is a steal, if you can Bring a Trailer lot 71186, 4/21/2022 example. As I touched on in the
Arkonik Defender do once the afford the original price tag. S/N: SALLDHAF8HA901615 intro, the real issue with this
INEOS Grenadier finally (if build will be the forthcoming
ever) hits the market. The benefit of the Arkonik- interior, upgraded wiring, new INEOS Grenadier, which is
modified Defender is that it powertrain — and this thing is essentially a modern Defender
Originally sold for $232,000 solves most of the problems mostly worthy of daily driving. with a Bimmer I6 under the
in 2019, someone essentially with the original, which hood.
rented this LS3-powered is most of the things. New For the money, I’d much
Priced at around $90,000 (I
assume), will the Grenadier kill
the value of modified, albeit
well appointed, Defenders? I’m
guessing it will.

GOOD: Arkonik fixed most of the
Land Rover stuff.

BAD: The Grenadier cometh.

FINAL THOUGHT: Arkonik will
probably be the last people to
make money on this truck.

2002 Dodge Ram 2500HD Quad Cab Sport Cummins 4×4

Sold price: $79,800 — are fetching hefty sums these miles on the clock. The extra backed by a 6-speed manual.
days. cab long bed configuration is a I’m guessing the contractor-
#1 condition good size. And it has the potent
Bring a Trailer lot 70125, 04/9/22 So, why did this one not 5.9-liter Cummins turbo diesel white paint color is what held it
S/N: 3B7KF23C72M222981 go for more? It has a scant 69 back from pushing prices into
the stratosphere. Granted, it’s
Here’s one I genuinely the most expensive non-AEV or
expected to sell for more. Like, TRX Ram to ever sell on BaT. I
a lot more — $40,000 more. expect, however, that this truck
will sell again in the next few
This was the rig of choice for years for double this price.
Jeff Foxworthy, “Walker, Texas
Ranger,” and Bill Paxton in GOOD: 69-mile Cummins Ram.
“Twister.” The second-gen Ram
was a shock to the truck market BAD: Contractor white.
when it debuted. Examples —
even crappy, high-mile ones FINAL THOUGHT: If your dream truck
is a second-gen Ram, you might
be a redneck.

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Young TiMers

Innovation
and Style

How Citroën fits the bill for
one young collector

by SARA RYAN

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XIAOYU ZHANG IS a young excited after seeing something I really appreciate the maybe…Tesla? But to be
collector with a defined taste. extremely rare drive by today. innovative mindset that honest, I am not a die-hard
He and I recently had the Citroën represents. From the Citroën fan. I do have other
pleasure of shooting not one, What made you decide to ’50s through the ’70s, Citroën vehicles in mind, it is just very
but two of his vintage Citroëns pursue automotive design? was an extremely innovative hard for me to sell the Citroëns
together, each beautiful and company. It was the first first.
strange.  I like cars and I like drawing, mass-produced FWD unibody
I guess, what else am I going vehicle, the first with hydraulic So Citroën isn’t the end all be
After our photo sessions to do? suspension, both of which all for you? I’m eager to see
near his home in Los Angeles, are still impressive today. I what you end up with next.
I spent an afternoon chatting What made you choose can’t think of any company Having said that, what is
with the 22-year-old Citroën Citroëns to collect? It’s a that offers the same level of special to you about both the
collector about how he got to pretty odd choice, if you don’t innovation today, apart from SM and the DS?
where he is now; barely old mind me saying so. 
enough to buy a bottle of beer
and with a garage full of rare
vehicles. 

So, I’m going to start with a
very dry question that often
yields interesting answers:
What got you into cars? 

I really don’t know what
got me into cars. As far as I
can remember, I’ve always
been in love with them.
When I was a child, one of
my favorite activities was to
sit by the window and watch
the cars driving by. I still feel

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Young TiMers

Both cars represent a crossovers you see everywhere object matters more. Both
coherent combination of in Europe.  the DS and SM have unique
aesthetics and technology. The proportions and are very hard
turning headlights, hydraulic From the ‘50s through the to replicate. I don’t think that
suspensions and an elegant- ’70s, the design motif of a we will be seeing a car with the
yet-futuristic design work “car” had not been set up, same relaxing spaceship-ish
together to create a feeling meaning there were no clear proportion in the near future.
of driving a spaceship from rules of how cars should look.
a ‘70s sci-fi movie. From an Citroën really took this idea That’s a really cool
emotional standpoint, I love far — from the 2CV to the even comparison — sculpture
seeing people get surprised and more quirky Ami, from the vs. car. At the start, cars are
excited about the cars every spaceship DS to the SM … they sculptures, are they not? Do
time I drive on the road. Half made a powerful statement you think these cars are going
of them want to talk about how about themselves. No matter to become more popular
they haven’t seen one of those how people love them or hate with collectors in the coming
for a while, and the other half them, people eventually all years? 
want to know what that thing remember them.
is. But they are all happy when As reflected in auction
seeing them, and I like to drive What are your favorite design results, Citroëns have been
cars that make people happy. elements of the DS and SM?  picking up in popularity over
the years. However, because
I know you are in school for I would say all design they are so unique, they
automotive design, so from elements in both cars were lend themselves to some
an automotive designer’s memorable. However, what polarization. Plus, not many
perspective, what makes makes them really work people even know about them,
Citroën special?  together is the proportion. A I would assume that they need
close reference would be a more time to gain popularity
If we are talking about the sculpture. Each element does among young collectors
“Citroën Citroëns,” instead matter, but how elements compared to air-cooled 911s
of the hatchbacks and the were put together in relation and BMW 2002s.
to others and to the whole

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UNDER THE SKIN

Style, Grace and with a mechanical governor, a The air suspension was the
Power thermostatically controlled fan vital system of the two, being
clutch powered by pressurized required to pressurize the
A look inside Mercedes W100 ownership engine oil (with its own oil filter) suspension air bags and the
and a dual-point distributor. compressed air brake booster.
by PIERRE HEDARY These technologies were already It also powers the air horn —
in use on the six-cylinder M189 another exciting 600 detail.
IN 1964, MERCEDES Proprietary engine in the 300SE, but the 600
presented the world with technologies took things to the next level. The comfort hydraulic
their new flagship model, the system does nearly everything
600. This new W100 model The claim to fame of the 600 Not only did this advanced else, powering the windows,
was intended to be the finest was not so much its size, but overhead-cam engine make seats, divider window, sunroof,
automobile ever produced more so how much innovative nearly 300 hp, but it drove an air fresh air flap, shock absorber
— not just by Mercedes- technology was packed into compressor for the suspension, damping, steering column,
Benz, but also any other the car. Power came from a a hydraulic pump for the power trunk, door closing assists and
manufacturer. completely new and unique accessories and shocks, twin even the parking brake release.
Mercedes V8, the M100. alternators, a power steering It was also the first Mercedes
Although the 600 replaced This engine expanded on pump, a massive water pump with standard power windows.
the W112 300SE “long” and Mercedes current technology, and an optional a/c compressor.
300d “Adenauer,” it was employing an eight-plunger Maintaining this engine requires There is also a pneumatic
realistically the successor to mechanical injection pump regular checks and adjustments system that operates the
the pre-war 770k. of the dual-point distributor, central locking system, which is
injection pump mixture and separate from everything else.
valve clearance settings. It was
not like the simple American Under the car, a new 4-speed
V8s of the era, which required automatic transmission, the
little intervention. K4B050, moved the big car
reliably and confidently. This
Many fanciers of the 600 get box was strong and not mushy
the air suspension and comfort smooth like its American
hydraulic system mixed up. counterparts.

The real improvement came

168  Linkage 007

RM Sotheby’s sold this 3,355-mile
1972 Mercedes-Benz 600 sedan,
s/n 100.012.12.002131, as Lot 190 at
Amelia Island in 2022 for $445,000

Photos courtesy of RM SOTHEBY’S

with the front suspension. tough, with the bottom ends on the top of the gearbox, and 600 Air Suspension, is the
Mercedes used upper and being especially unkillable. a receded pressure control go-to resource for both systems.
lower A-arms with kingpins on However, like most Mercedes pin inside the transmission Concerning the air suspension,
all their existing models. The from the era, the aluminum governor, causing hunting and if every component in the car is
600 used a sealed system that heads can corrode, requiring delayed upshifts into 4th gear. tested and rebuilt if necessary,
incorporated rubberized control deck welding to repair correctly. then it is flawlessly reliable and
arm bushings and sealed ball Camshafts, rockers and valve I have not said much about controls these big cars with
joints. Who has time to grease guides are all items that can the rear axles yet, but they ease. With comfort hydraulics,
the suspension when you have wear out as well, especially with have a sealed boot, like many frequent use will inhibit
16 mechanical valves to adjust? low-zinc oil. Mercedes from the era, that catastrophic failure. That, and
can leak. The rubber bushings the use of the correct AeroShell
The 600 had a few other The transmissions tend to for both the front and rear hydraulic oil.
interesting features: Front and leak, and they often need to suspension can and will wear
rear evaporators, an automatic be resealed, but their most- out. Parts availability is another
climate control system and common weird — and hard to hot topic. Mercedes supplies
dual brake calipers on the diagnose — issues involve a Now for the exotic stuff. many — but not all — of the
front wheels to name a few. stuck double-acting solenoid What about air suspension parts required to keep the W100
To say it was totally unlike any (this controls downshifts, and comfort hydraulics? A guy on the road. The advice here is
Mercedes made at the time is upshifts and kickdown settings) named Martin Werminghausen, to find an old 600 dealer parts
arguable, although many of its who owns a company called catalog and an M100 parts
technologies, such as the air catalog, so that you can learn
suspension, were derived from the part numbers yourself.
the W112 (and the Borgward
P100 prior to that!). There is a popular saying
about these cars that tells the
Unique issues whole story. Yes, they can be as
reliable and usable as their less-
If one of these cars is on your complex brethren, but if you
wish list, there are a few things must ask how much it costs...it
to know. may not be the car for you!

The engines are notoriously

  Linkage 007  169

BEHIND THE WHEEL

Behind the Scenes
with Hannah Elliott

Covering cars and lifestyles for Bloomberg Businessweek
might be the ultimate gig for a automotive journalist, but
Hannah Elliott is grounded in reality — and her 1975 Rolls-
Royce Silver Shadow LWB

by STEPHEN SERIO

THIS ISSUE OF Linkage is on a reporter’s salary. I have — and is — a sports family. everything I could as fast as I
focused on “Behind the Scenes,” never owned a new car. I don’t When I was born, my dad was could. When my hiring editor
and I equate that with “access.” mistake what I cover for who employed running marathons was laid off in 2008 due to
Hannah Elliott immediately I am — even though I’m very for Nike’s Olympic-hopeful the market crash, I was left
comes to mind as someone happy and extremely fortunate farm team, which was in his place. Sad reality of the
who has great access to the to be able to articulate beautiful called Athletics West. My news industry: His salary was
automotive and lifestyle world things for others.    brother played basketball expensive, mine at the time
as the Car Critic and Los professionally for years was poverty level, so he went, I
Angeles Bureau Chief of Pursuits  What I really like is having in Europe. My sister runs stayed. 
at “Bloomberg Businessweek.” access to the decision makers marathons with disturbing ease
and power players in the room. and abandon.  I had always thought I’d
STEPHEN Is the best part of your I want to hear straight from the move into covering something
job being first at a new car horse’s mouth, as it were, on  I grew up playing sports else eventually, but the car
launch or being invited to how and why things happen. and riding horses. And reading thing stuck. Turns out, it was
a lifestyle event to find out I love being able to ask and books, which got me into interesting — and glamorous,
how great (or not) something expect a direct answer from the writing, which got me into the of course. It’s hard not to love
is? Let’s face it, driving the person in charge. Journalism is journalism program and the Formula One races in Monaco,
latest and greatest is pretty great for that.  student newspaper at Baylor leather ateliers in Italy, rally
exciting — and enjoying a meal University — once I quit the drives across England and all
at a fine restaurant before the STEPHEN  And how did you track team my sophomore year.  the crazy personalities and
masses discover it can be pretty find yourself being one of the histories that go along with
rewarding. I know travel and automotive/motorcycle gurus  Then Forbes hired me those things. Go figure. 

deadlines are as glamorous as a at Bloomberg? Did you grow as a cub reporter in New
cold shower, but, on the surface, up as a complete speed freak, York City, where I quickly STEPHEN  Four wheels, two wheels
you might have what many or did this morph into its own learned the automotive beat, or do all forms of transportation
might consider a dream job.

job description over time? Are thanks to an editor there with interest you? And out of all of
you keeping a long tradition in ample doses of vision and the cars and motorcycles that
HANNAH I think any journalist will your family, or are you the new patience. Meanwhile, I learned
tell you that one of the reasons outlier?

we get into the business is
because we like knowing what’s HANNAH  Cars were — and still
happening behind the scenes. I are — a totally foreign concept
love a scene!  to virtually all members of
my immediate and extended
 But I have never confused families. 
the trappings of the job for
the job itself. They’re two  No one I knew as a child had
very different things. For any sort of sports car or fancy
instance, I come from a car, or was even into cars —
humble background in an old except for an uncle who once
logging town in Oregon. I live had a Lexus in Dallas.  

 Instead, my family was

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you’ve tested in the last few in telling you to go read about rally in Europe this May, and it’s any car, any place —just a
years, what was the standout them there! on you if it’s a keeper after that combination of  adrenaline and
example that you’d keep if you 1,000-mile experience!  relaxation.
had that latitude?

 Oh, and I love the G Wagon.
Always.  HANNAH  Keep the Roller!  
HANNAH  On a personal level, I am  I get bored with cars in my HANNAH  Domestic: I’d do a long
really most interested in four-   desert drive in a comfortable,
footed transportation: Horses STEPHEN  As an aside, I think the personal life pretty quickly, fun car from Joshua Tree,
and dogs. The warmth of living first article of yours that really since I think and talk and look California to the Amangiri hotel
things is what I love. Also, I got me to be a fanboy of your at and write about them all day near Moab, Utah. I’d do it in
own a 1975 Rolls-Royce Silver writing was your disdain for every day for work.  something from Mercedes-
Shadow LWB in olive green that the last iteration of the Fisker Benz — take an AMG GT
I am very fond of as well. I do Karma. I immediately thought  So for my own cars, I look 4-door coupe out, for example.
love an old classic.  “honesty” — there’s someone for things that catch my eye Under no circumstances would
who isn’t sticking by the P.R. because they’re unexpected I choose a Porsche 911 GT3 or
 That said, two — maybe department narrative. That’s or off from the current trend. exotic car from Lamborghini or
three — modern cars have journalistic integrity, which Today I bid on Bring a Trailer McLaren for this; they sound
stuck with me in the past few in this day and age of blurred on something unusual for me, good hypothetically but are so
years as standouts among their lines between journalist and but I’m not going to say what it extremely loud, hot and rattly
peers: The Bentley Continental influencer, is pretty strong stuff. is until I have it in my clutches.

after an hour behind the wheel.
GT, the Ferrari Roma, and
the Porsche 992 Turbo S. I HANNAH  Good journalists strive STEPHEN  Having moved from  I’d start by picking my way
genuinely loved driving each to be accurate, precise and fair New York City to Los Angeles through all the antique shops
of these and remember them in their reporting.  when the pandemic hit, have in Pioneertown and have fun
well in a sea of luxury cars you fully adopted L.A. as your looking at art and landscapes
that increasingly seem more Good journalists work hard home, or given your druthers, there, maybe visit the Red Dog
like appliances than driving to develop critical thinking.  you’d split the time 50/50 Saloon, see a show at Pappy &
machines.  between both hubs? L.A. has Harriet’s (NOT on a weekend)
If the P.R. department is such great driving access, but and then set out across the
 There are plenty of cars that, thrilled with your story, you’re New York might have a stronger desert toward Moab. It’s a long
for various reasons, I am eager doing it wrong. social lifestyle. Or can you enjoy drive, but once at Amangiri, I’d
to return at the end of their both equally?
indulge in every spa treatment
press loans. Those three are   available, eat, drink, and think
the type of vehicles that keep STEPHEN  Classic cars — and HANNAH  New York City is the to my heart’s content. 
me excited to know what I can especially vintage cars that greatest city in the world. It will
drive next in the line of duty. I ooze grace and style — are an always have my heart. 

 International: The Monaco
would have happily kept each interest of yours. How does Grand Prix is a lifetime bucket
one of them.  your process work for “what’s STEPHEN  So let’s end this on a list event that everyone should
next?” to add to your stable? fun note. As the consummate do; if you do it right, it retains

My reviews for the You seem fairly pleased with insider, what’s the perfect all the glamour and glory of
Continental GT, the Roma and your Rolls-Royce Shadow as automotive/lifestyle weekend historic car racing. So does the
the 911 are all on Bloomberg. unique L.A. transportation, and experience. No deadlines, Mille Miglia rally in Italy — do
com — and I have no shame I readily admit I blame you for it either as a driver, navigator,
my own latent infatuation with or spectator.


that rig. I will be using one on a
STEPHEN  The Mille Miglia is still
on my list. Monaco was my first
Grand Prix back in 1984 and it
wasn’t by design, it was dumb
luck while traveling through the
south of France with a college
buddy, and we came upon it.
The life lesson there is, always
pack a tuxedo — you just never
know when it will come in
handy. Truer words have never
been spoken. On that insider tip,
we should work in an argument
for Negroni vs. Boulevardier! I
give you the last word.

 
HANNAH  The Boulevardier is the
thinking (wo)man’s Negroni.
Enough said! 

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GIFTS and GADGETS

Style and
Protection

Custom pieces, from jewelry
to car covers, can make all
the difference

by JIM PICKERING

Repurposed Style Keep it Covered can keep your car in ready-to- situation — indoor, outdoor,
roll shape by using a proper small or large.
CRASH Jewelry takes When it comes to getting car cover after the hard work is
the metal from distinctive your classic ready for the done. California Car Cover’s
vehicles — luxury and sports summer season, it’s all about Superweave Premium
cars — and turns it into custom the details. Dust, dirt and That’s where California Car All-Weather Custom car
cuffs, earrings, necklaces and fingerprints are the enemy of Cover comes in, as they have covers offer industry-leading
other accessories. The pieces any good detailing job, but you a variety of custom options to protection from intense UV
are all hand-made, beginning suit just about any car and any rays and moisture as well as
with a door, fender or quarter dust and other pollutants — all
panel that’s being replaced while remaining breathable,
on a Porsche, Lamborghini or which is key for allowing
Maserati, and turning it into damaging moisture to escape.
a variety of unique pieces, These are custom-fit, made
each of which retains the car’s in the USA, and come with a
original paint. 6-year warranty. The flagship
Superweave Premium line
Why wear standard silver starts at $481.99, but the
cufflinks when you can sport company offers a wide range of
legit pieces of a modern 911 on other cover solutions as well.
your wrists? Learn more at www.calcarcover.
com.
CRASH founder Christi
Schimpke has been in the
business of making custom
automotive-sourced jewelry
since 2013. CRASH now
features over 100 items in
inventory, each one delivered
with a registration card that
lists the source car’s details, the
date of creation and sizing info.

Prices vary by the piece, but a
set of 360 Modena stud earrings
is $65 and a set of Porsche or
Ferrari cufflinks is $192. Learn
more at www.crashjewelry.com.

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BOOK REVIEW

The Joy of Finding Think about how many ways
the One Percent you could reorganize your
shop and tools, ways that might
Is your automotive book collection full of the right stuff? make your life somehow have
meaning, then ask if the author
by Mark Wigginton was having thoughts like that
before spending a year of toil
SINCE YOU ARE reading or “expert” or “Ferrari” in the Is the writing good? Open — or was (s)he just filling in the
Linkage, there is a good chance title. This about 90 percent of the book randomly and read a blanks, like a literary tax form.
you have had a few odd cars in automotive books. page or two. Really slow down
your past, maybe even some and read, don’t scan, and listen Is this about the car or the
collectible cars. This huge category of for the voice. Some writers people? Face it, we love the
mediocrity is the reason the can make it flow, make it look cars, but they are the product,
And when you bought that books you bought with the easy — all the while giving you not the artists. Can you see
first gotta-have-it car, you Humber Super Snipe went the data. if there is any evidence, any
probably also bought every happily away with it. They gave trace of the passion of the
book you could find about your you no joy. They were filler, It’s a high bar, but think about artists in the story, or are they
new treasure, which explains, some of it well intentioned, any book by word maestro John treated with the dusty two-
oh, say, owning 15 books about some of it useful, some of it McPhee. He’s no car guy, but he dimensionality of history?
that leaking love machine in even readable, but from first writes with wit and grace and
your garage. page to last just another product makes you care about geology A perfect example is “Ken
coming from the book factory, or oranges or nukes — all while Miles: The Shelby American
Admit it. You did own them; produced with the same passion maintaining a two facts per Years” by Dave Friedman. The
you did buy them. And when and artistry of a new toaster. sentence minimum. It’s hard. author was a photographer and
that gateway-drug car left for a worked for Carroll Shelby. He
new home to make way for your Finally, the good stuff. The 1 All this is why, for instance, was there for all the important
next automotive dopamine hit, percent of all automotive books. Tom Cotter’s newest book, moments in the Miles/Shelby
the books went in the trunk “as Don’t be sad. That’s the way the “Secrets of the Barn Find partnership. He uses his images,
a gift to the new owner,” but, world works. Movies, television, Hunter,” is worth a look. combined with interviews and
damn, were you ever happy novels, podcasts, colleges, It’s breezy, conversational, his own memories, to create a
to see them go. They gave you clothes, furniture, politicians. interesting and personal, and lovely portrait of one of the great
no joy, because they were the That’s the ratio of the world. he passes on some hard-won drivers. He also optimizes the
empty calories of the book Your job is to make sure, if you knowledge along the way. It’s opportunity that most books
world. care, that the books you spend also disposable, something that waste: using photo cutlines to
time with are in the “good stuff” you probably won’t come back push forward the narrative, add
Honestly, like most things, category. You must kiss a lot of to again, but worth the time in color and impart data. This is a
automotive books are neatly frogs, but still recognize if there the moment. book you will pull out over and
divided into three distinct is a prince in there somewhere over, if that part of automobile
categories: — all in just a few seconds. Does it show a thoughtful, culture tickles your fancy.
creative approach? A quick
Unreadable crap, a stain on I look for a few things when look at the index can often Only you know what moves
the memory of Gutenberg’s I’m asking myself, “Is this book scream FROG! Pedestrian work you, so trust yourself. I know,
15th Century invention of the worth my time?” starts with formulaic structure. it sounds like a Great Oz koan
printing press in the West (see or something, but despite doing
China, Pi Cheng, printing, them for more than a decade,
11th Century, movable type I’m not sure I learn much from
well before the German guy). most book reviews.
This is about 9 percent of all
automotive books. In my experience, a few
wonderful books capture
Shelves and shelves of motorsports in the early days, a
mundane, repetitive, pedestrian handful of autobiographies are
books running the range truly revealing, a few histories
from the how-to books and bring the factory floor back
restoration guides, clip-job to life rather than relying on
histories or anything that creased and faded photos, but
includes the words “essential” it’s a hunt.

And that’s the joy. Finding
one that makes your blood sing,
reading it the second and third
time. It’s the book you would
never put in the trunk when the
car goes.

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AUTOMOBILIA

“Ask the Man
Who Owns One”

The famous “Hush” ad helped Packard survive the 1930s,
even as other luxury car companies died

by CARL BOMSTEAD

THE ORIGIN OF the famed continuous use until Packard’s illustration by Peter Helck. The
Packard motorcar is both fact demise in 1958. The slogan’s ad depicted a 1933 Packard
and fancy. origin is also part of Packard Twelve reflected in a lily
lore. Supposedly, James pond, and the illustration
As the tale is told, in 1898 Packard’s secretary requested only showed the car from the
James Packard purchased the Packard sales literature for beltline down. It was daring —
12th Winton four-wheeled a potential customer. The and unforgettable.
motor carriage produced. As company didn’t have any, so
he drove back to Warren, Ohio, James Packard simply told her Excellent advertising helped
the Winton developed engine to tell potential customers to Packard survive the Great
trouble and had to be towed just “Ask the man who owns Depression and maintain its
the final few miles home. one.” leadership position in the
luxury car field. The ads are
He returned to Winton’s Increasing bold, colorful and well worth
office in Cleveland and sophistication acquiring. Just Ask the Man
offered a few suggestions That Collects Them!
that he thought might Packard advertising was very
improve Winton’s machine. traditional up to the point when
The suggestions were not the printing process became
appreciated, and Winton said refined in the late 1920s, and
that if Packard was so smart, four-color advertising became
why didn’t he just build a better practical.
machine himself.
Packard advertising
James Packard said that he became legendary. Many ads
guessed he would, and the rest had allegorical illustrations
is, well, history. by known artists next to
the current theme. In the
The first Packard, a Model early 1930s, “Luxurious
A, was sold on January 3, 1900, Transportation,” “For a
to George Kirkman for the Discriminating Clientele”
princely sum of $1,250, and and “World Supremacy” told
somewhere between nine the not-so-subtle message
and 12 Packards were built that Packard was a luxury
that year. The first Packard automobile.
advertisement appeared in
“The Motor Vehicle Review” in In 1933, the innovative
late 1900, and was placed by Young & Rubicam agency
the Ohio Automobile Company was awarded the Packard
— although they relied advertising account, and the
heavily on word-of-mouth for New York-based company
promotion. produced one of the most-
compelling ads of the Classic
The famed slogan “Ask Era. It simply had a one-word
the Man Who Owns One” headline “Hush,” and was an
first appeared in print in
the November 1901 issue of
“Automobile Topics” and was in

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FROM THE AUDRAIN ARCHIVES

The Sedentary Life of
1930s Movie Cars

Photographs taken during the 1937 filming of “Bulldog Drummond
Escapes” show cars behind the scenes at a Hollywood soundstage

by DONALD OSBORNE

SOMETIMES, THINGS MOVE during the shooting of what Greystone Manor. In fact, the
slowly “behind the scenes.” As was most likely “Bulldog United States — and California
exciting as work in films and Drummond Escapes,” a 1937 in particular — were the main
television might sound, those feature starring Ray Milland market for the powerful Italian
who have done it can tell you as the eponymous hero and luxury car, which would of
that it consists of a great deal directed by James P. Hogan.  course become immortalized
of waiting for a few minutes of It was one of four Bulldog in the 1950 film “Sunset
hectic action. Drummond films shot that year Boulevard,” which featured
at Paramount, with Milland another Isotta — a Tipo 8A
And so we get a glimpse only appearing in the first. Castagna Trasformabile — as
of the waiting in these Norma Desmond’s limousine.
photographs, taken at the  The Alvis perfectly captures
Paramount Studios lot in the spirit of Drummond’s  In the days of the soundstage
Hollywood during 1937. “gentleman adventurer” movie set and the use of
character in the movie, background projection, the
 They show an Isotta while the Isotta was a classic life of a movie car was rather
Fraschini Tipo 8A town car and Hollywood choice for the ultra- less strenuous — but not much
a 1932 Alvis Speed 20 waiting wealthy residents of the film’s more glamorous.
for their turn on the soundstage

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Audrain Automobile Museum Archive
Westport Public Library Gift

  Linkage 007  179

CONNECTIONS AUCTION COMPANIES CAR MANUFACTURERS AND RESTORERS

CAR PARTS & ACCESSORIES

180  Linkage 007

CAR PARTS & ACCESSORIES CLASSIC CAR DEALERS

CLASSIC CAR DEALERS AUTOMOTIVE ART

FINANCIAL SERVICES

Brian Murphy
1092 Eagle Nest Place
Danville, California 94506
Phone: (925) 736-3444

Fax: (925) 736-4375

email: [email protected]

www.blackhawkcollection.com

  Linkage 007  181

CONNECTIONS RACE TRACKS AUTOMOTIVE PHOTOGRAPHY SERVICES
COLLECTOR CAR INSURANCE CAR STORAGE
VALUATION SERVICES

182  Linkage 007



TAILLIGHTS

A behind-the-scenes moment that
lasted for just a minute or so : A
lucky driver in what looks like a F1
car pulls off the street and into the
Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island parking
area the day before The Amelia
Concours d’Elegance

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Behind vintage Formula One racer. A was energized and ready to roll. David Geisinger and
the crowd quickly gathered to snap Audrain Motorsport’s first-ever Aimee Cardwell listen as
Scenes photos as the driver, who had Veteran Car Tour was set to Bill Warner describes a
just pulled into the hotel drive take off on a 40-mile loop drive car tour for the ages
ONE OF THE best things about from a public road, chatted in two days.
life as a car journalist is how with the lot attendants. took lots of photos. I kept
much time we spend behind I quickly headed over to an thinking, “How lucky am I to
the scenes. I don’t know if this was a real Audrain Motorsport garage, see, hear and smell all of this?”
F1 car. It had headlights, so where genius mechanic Lee Hundreds of people gathered
We arrive at car events — some attempt had been made Castleberry and Evan Ide, a along the route to see the cars
from rallies to concours to to make the car road legal. Bonhams car specialist and clatter and rumble down the
auctions — before the public world-renowned expert on road.
is admitted. Not all of this is The lot guys waved the guy Brass Era cars, were getting
glamorous — journalists in in, and he quickly drove into ancient cars — none younger For more about the day,
the movies are never shown the parking structure. It all than 1909 models — ready for check out my story in this
lugging camera equipment seemed like a scene in a movie. the big day. issue. Yes, this event is going to
through a busy airport to catch happen every year.
a redeye flight. Digging deep at Pogo’s While I watched and took
photos, Castleberry and Ide Finally, I want to get some of
That said, we get to Later that night, I got an coaxed a 120-year-old Packard you inside of Linkage. This is
experience a lot of cool stuff — inside look at a few special Type F into sputtering life. the deal: Send in your favorite
which we then share with you. moments at Pogo’s Kitchen — a After some work, the car settled car photograph — only one
nice restaurant in Fernandina down and ran smoothly. entry per issue, please — and
So, this is a jumble of things Beach. we’ll pick the winner and
I’ve seen and heard since we On Sunday, March 27, I publish it in Linkage 008,
talked back in February. David Geisinger and his wife, arrived at Ochre Court, a which comes out in early
Aimee Cardwell — dedicated Gilded Age mansion on the August. We’ll also have a great
The Amelia livers of the car life — had grounds of Salve Regina prize for the winner.
taken over the restaurant for an University in Newport, Rhode
The Amelia Concours evening fundraiser for Spina Island. We’ll do this in each
d’Elegance week is always Bifida Jacksonville. issue going forward, so start
the start of the collector-car The stately mansion’s drive snapping. Please email your
year’s big-time car shows. Car people milled around, was a beehive of drivers getting jpg image to me at callen@
Walk the show field on Sunday ate delicious food and talked 24 cars started, talking to audrainmotorsport.com.
morning, and you’ll always see up a storm. The evening kicked friends — and keeping their
very rare, very beautiful and up a notch when Bill Warner, cars running. We’ll get together again in
very valuable cars. This year, I Amelia Island Concours August for Linkage 008. The
came across a gorgeous 1962 Founder and Chairman Manny Dragone, and his son, theme will be 1963/1964, which
Ferrari 250 GTO. This is one of Emeritus, stopped by. Alex, arrived in two stunning was a dynamic, exciting time
the most valuable cars on the cars from the very earliest days in the car world. We’re already
planet, and it was sharing real Warner was the man of the of car racing. planning this issue, and we
estate with a 1963 Ferrari 250 hour, and he talked with many cannot wait to share it with you.
California Spyder SWB, a 1990 old — and new — friends. Manny drove a red 1907 Fiat
Ferrari F40 and a 2003 Ferrari 28-40 HP Targo Floria, and Alex Thanks for letting Linkage be
Enzo. Before the evening started, was behind the wheel of a 1906 a part of your car life. It means
Geisinger set a goal of raising Locomobile Vanderbilt Cup the world to us.
This is the kind of sublime $30,000 during a low-key car. These were the supercars of
car grouping that you’ll only auction. Warner joined their day. No one alive in 1907 — CHESTER ALLEN, Executive Editor
see at a top-notch concours Geisinger at the front of the could imagine a present-day
d’elegance — or at a gas station room and offered a special supercar.
in Monterey, California during car tour in the Northeast that
Monterey Car Week. would visit several world-class I wandered around and
collections.
But the wildest thing I saw
all weekend was a guy pulling The room went elegantly
up to the parking lot gate at the nuts, and bids rippled through
Ritz-Carlton Amelia Island in the crowd. A silent auction
a snarling, snapping car that also went well — Linkage and
looked and sounded like a Audrain Motorsport donated
some very nice items.

At the end of the night,
$150,000 was raised. Geisinger
told me it’s going to happen
again next year. Way to go.

Veteran Cars in
Newport

A couple of weeks later, I got
off another redeye flight, but I

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