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AUCTION SNAPSHOT ARTCURIAL

1995 Renault Clio Maxi “Kit car”

THE BASICS: Rally Championship, then A New Market suspension, a tube-framed
Silver with blue and yellow rallied for almost 10 years engine cradle and an adjustable
and 140 rallies by a variety of Lot 16, #3+ Condition rear axle. In the engine bay,
graphics, black cloth racing owners before being restored. S/N: VF1C57M0512425049 the Maxi received intake and
buckets. Number 11 of 37 Clio Eligible for FIA vintage rallies in exhaust manifolds, upgraded
Maxis assembled by MATTER Europe. Sold price: $224,498 connecting rods and a new
and Renault Sport for FIA fuel injection system. Just 37
homologation of their “trunk ZURSCHMEIDE SAYS: meet rules that a vehicle must of these cars were made and
kit.” 2.0-L inline 4 makes 250 In the 1990s, manufacturers be raced as purchased from the were generally used for rally
hp. Race-spec inside, with roll automaker. These kits could be competition.
cage and carbon fiber used began creating “trunk kits” for ordered as an option, delivered
extensively. Raced by Jean many models designed for use in in the trunk and installed by the Rally racing is a tough
Ragnotti in the 1995 French motorsports. This helped them owner. business, and the cars can
take a lot of damage, but that
Most often, these kits included didn’t dampen the enthusiastic
suspension, brake, cold air bidding that pushed this car
intake and cat-back exhaust $10k past its pre-auction high
components. However, the estimate. With no other recent
Renault Clio Maxi kit included Clio Maxi sales on record, this
new body pieces, adjustable sale effectively established the
value for these cars — but an
example that didn’t bear the
scars of extensive competition
could go even higher.

1995 Ferrari F355 Challenge

THE BASICS: Track Day
Red with red cloth racing Challenge

buckets. 3.5-L V8 makes 380 hp. Lot 39, #2- Condition
6-speed manual transmission. S/N: ZFFPA41B000101338
Externally clean but shows
some use inside, with dirty Sold Price: $235,937
floors and some wear to roll bar
padding at driver’s door. Dash in 1995, the factory offered Challenge coupes, and an history combined with a
shows 18,748 km. race-prepped Challenge models unknown number of standard recent major service means
for direct purchase, or owners coupes were upgraded with kits. that the buyers could bid with
ZURSCHMEIDE SAYS: could buy a kit. The $30,000 This one competed in the Ferrari confidence that the car wouldn’t
The odd man out in our kit included the roll structure, Challenge series in Europe for immediately need a huge
racing interior, a full set of three years before receiving the additional investment, and
collection is this 1995 F355 brakes from the F40, ultralight 1998 update kit. When the F360 that helped push this example
Challenge car. The Ferrari magnesium wheels, racing came out, the Ferrari Challenge past its pre-auction estimate.
Challenge single-marque racing suspension, upgraded header- series moved on, but this car Ferrari Challenge cars usually
series was first established in back exhaust and a functional kept racing in other venues. command a premium, and this
1993 to bolster sagging sales rear wing, among other parts. sale set a new record for these
of the 348, and it worked so The presence of its complete factory-backed racers.
well that Ferrari has kept the Ferrari made 109 F355 maintenance and repair
series going to the present day.
The 348 Challenge was always
a separately purchased kit,
including a roll bar, racing
harness, brake pads and
bodywork.

When the F355 came out

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ONLINE MADNESS

Dollars and Guts

Bring a Trailer highlights our changing market —
and our gut feelings

By NICK JAYNES
WHEN MY EDITOR, Jim Pickering, gave me this assignment, he told me the sky
was the limit; I could pick any kind of collectable vehicles I wanted… so long as
they demonstrated a shift in the collector market that I could point to.

This irked me.
Why? Because I’m very much gut-driven. Forget the facts. What does my gut say?
In a lot of ways, the market does the same thing.
But because I am a respectful contributor, I adhered to the guidelines and
hunted for evidence to back up my claims. Here I used Bring a Trailer’s scatter
graph auction results tracker. The rest? All guts.
Most of the vehicles I chose this round are what used to be everyday driver
vehicles. No rally and race cars for the road — it seems that even more plebeian
models are becoming collectable, which is both heartening and shocking at the
same time.
Nevertheless, here’s what madness the Internet wrought on the collector car
world this quarter.

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ONLINE MADNESS

1988 Toyota Land Cruiser FJ62

When I was young, my friend’s father routinely drove

us kids to basketball practice in a truck like this one. His

was an FJ62 with a manual and light blue paint. Because

of that, these have always held a place in my heart. I’ve

tried to buy that rig over the years, but the now-retired

lawyer bought it new and won’t sell —

even though he rarely drives it. I just Sweet Jumps
hope I can scoop it up before one of

his non-car-loving sons inherits it and

donates it to NPR. Sold price: $40,500
When I was in high school, my friend

Sam drove his father’s hand-me-down #2 condition
FJ60 automatic. We regularly sent it Bring a Trailer, 2/18/2021
off sweet jumps, which it handled

with aplomb. I now wince at those S/N: JT3FJ62G2J0095283

memories. But we were 16 and stupid,

and it was just a 20-year-old SUV. Who

cares? Well, I do now.

It seems I’m not the only one. A lot of folks have

returned their attention to venerable 60-Series Land

1985 Mercedes-Benz 300TD Turbo Cruisers. They regularly sold below $20,000 for the last

half decade, but in the last 18 months or so, they have

The W123 turbo diesels have marched upwards in seen 100% to 200% value jumps — the other kind of

value for six years now. Each year, there’s a new high- sweet jump.

water mark that’s roughly $10,000 above the last. And THE GOOD: Toyota’s 60-Series is the ultimate way to
demonstrate that you’re both rich and humble.
wagons always top the charts, which I find reassuring.
THE BAD: Leaf springs are loud and expensive to replace.
Collectors are finally valuing
FINAL THOUGHT: Many of the cars that Millennials rode to
The Country nerdiness and utility. This vehicle has school are now collectible.
Club Will Rise both in spades.
Again
I’ll avoid falling into the “This is too
much money!” trope — it’s lazy and
makes me feel like Abe “Grandpa”

Simpson shouting at clouds. It’s the

Sold price: $56,500 way the world is going, so I need to

embrace it.

#2 condition I very much like the blue on blue
with reddish wood accent trim.

Bring a Trailer, 3/17/2021 Unlike a BMW 3.0 CS, which can be

S/N: WDBAB93CXFF052460 admired very easily even by non-car-
people, the W123 can’t. I like that.

THE GOOD: Very ‘80s chic.

THE BAD: An oil-burning automatic isn’t very exciting to
drive.

FINAL THOUGHT: If your wealthy aunt still has hers, consider
floating a trade for your late-model ML.

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ONLINE MADNESS

2006 Porsche Cayenne Custom

Now, $24,000 is relatively inexpensive for a Cayenne,

but it represents a shift that I’ve witnessed over the last

few years. Modified, off-road-looking SUVs are hot, hot,

hot right now. Now that everyone has modified every

single Land Cruiser 80 ever built, owners are tarting

up even the sportiest of sport utility

vehicles. Fit for
It’s not as insane as it seems, as the Malibu
Safari Ken
Germans overengineered the Cayenne
(of course they did). Heck, the first-gen
Cayenne even came with an optional

rear-mounted spare-tire swingout. It

has a two-speed transfer case, a smart Sold price: $24,000

4x4 system, and available locking

differentials. With a bit more ground #2- condition
clearance and a meaty set of mud-

terrain tires, a driver can summit just Bring a Trailer, 3/19/2021

2001 Mercedes-Benz SL600 about anything in a Cayenne. S/N: WP1AA29PX6LA26091
If I wanted a late-model luxury

off-roader, I’d skip the Range Rovers

Just four years ago, SL600s with fewer miles than this and go right to the Cayenne. The aforementioned two-

example were regularly selling around the $15,000 mark. speed t-cases do grenade rather easily, but at least it’ll

Seems the market has finally remembered these things. be the first Cayenne that the Jeep club tows out of the

That kind of bums me out. backcountry, and that’s something!

I know I say this a lot about a fair THE GOOD: Safari-izing a Cayenne is a quick, fun way to
stand out from the luxury-sport CUV crowd.
Firing On number of cars, but the W129 was the
All 12. SL generation I hoped no one would THE BAD: The transfer cases are weak.
decide to collect. I’ve imagined for
FINAL THOUGHT: Think of the smiles you’ll plaster on the
Hopefully maybe a decade that I would always be face of Jeepsters when they rescue you.
able to snag an SL600 for below $20,000.

Thanks to that irrational belief, I’ve

Sold price: $64,500 dragged my feet and missed the boat.

But the ‘90s are cool again, and it’s

#2+ condition just a matter of time before V12s are
legislated out of existence. So, might as

1/27/2021 well get one now while you can.

S/N: WDBFA76F91F198506 THE GOOD: V12!

THE BAD: V12!

FINAL THOUGHT: After spending some time at the bottom of
the market, the SL600 is once again a rich man’s car.

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ONLINE MADNESS

1989 BMW 325is 5-Speed

I conjured my best Larry David impression when I

saw this car.

I am finally beginning to come around to E30s being

worth this much. And cheery (not cherry) little examples

make me feel more comfortable with these cars being

worth more than $5,000. Five years ago, Pretty…
pretty,
based upon BaT auction results, this car
would have probably sold for less than
$10,000.

BMW built more than two million pretty good
E30s, and of the million that probably

still exist, 900,000 of them were hooned.

So, this is likely one of the few nicely Sold price: $22,472
kept non-M3 examples that still exists.

1997 Ford F-250 HD Crew Cab XLT An E30 in champagne metallic paint #3 condition
Power Stroke 4×4 is the perfect conservative collector 3/19/2021
car. It’s classy and cool. It’s not a red

Mustang that screams mid-life crisis; S/N: WBAAA130XK4205207

nor is it a squarebody Chevy Blazer that

This is a mid-market example. It has 180,000 miles, says, “follow me to the meth farm.” No,

which is plenty. And, as a result, it didn’t sell for a this is the unassuming little collectable you can be very

shocking number. But I highlighted it because the sky proud of — and virtually no one else will ever notice it.

Your will be the limit for ‘90s four-door THE GOOD: One of the few non-hooned E30s left.
diesel full-size 4x4 pickup trucks.
THE BAD: Is anyone paying attention?
Plumber’s Yes, I know that seems like a
Prized really specific, narrow market. But FINAL THOUGHT: Of the two million E30s, this is one of the
Possession let’s not forget the Big Three sell nicest and most unassuming.
three million full-size pickups each
year. There are plenty of rigs in the

world that fit that description.

Sold price: $25,000 That fact underscores my surprise

with how well these things have

#3+ condition held their value — and how they’ve
shown signs of rapid value growth.

3/19/2021 Modern full-size diesel trucks are

S/N: 1FTHW26F6VEB97145 way nicer and more powerful than
they were even a half-decade ago.

Nevertheless, dudes are irked by

modern emissions controls (#rollingcoal). My gut tells

me (no facts here) that the perceived lack of nanny-state

electronics or emissions constraints inside their trucks

is appealing to a large, money-having swath of the

American truck-buying market.

Plus, and I’ve definitely said this before, this

generation of F-Series is the best looking of them all —

full stop.

If you think $25,000 is a lot for a 24-year-old truck,

well, just wait. These have just begun their ascension to

the sky.

THE GOOD: Avoids most modern emissions regulations.

THE BAD: Avoids most modern emissions regulations.

FINAL THOUGHT: The best configuration from the best
looking F-Series truck generation.

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ONLINE MADNESS

2009 Honda S2000 CR

When I sent this to my friend, a former Honda

employee and S2000 owner, he replied, “Is money free?”

I couldn’t have said it better myself.

These cars are cool, yes, especially considering they

were only $36,995 new. Obviously, Honda was giving

these things away. The S2000’s legacy

of affordable performance ends now, I Is Money
guess. Free?

A commenter correctly pointed out
that $112,000 is Ferrari F430 money.

This is one of the biggest shifts I’ve Sold price: $112,111
seen in the market in a while — the

newfound love for late-model Japanese #1- condition
sports cars. Looking back on BaT, these 2/17/2021
things transacted in the upper teens

and lower twenties for the last half S/N: JHMAP21289S000355

2007 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Supercharged decade. Only recently did they shoot

up in value — especially low-mile rare

We’re now at the point of our list where I have to examples, such as this CR.

bite my fist in order to keep from shouting obscenities. I respect the hell out of Honda, but no Honda is worth

Buckle in, folks. The next three cars might hurt your Ferrari money to me. That said, I wouldn’t buy a Ferrari

brain a bit. either, but you get what I mean.

Not Proud This car was $20,975 when new THE GOOD: It’s a Honda, so it’ll last forever.
14 years ago. It has 400 miles on it, THE BAD: How special is it really?
FINAL THOUGHT: Yes, money must be free now.
so that means it lost $7.40 for every

mile it has driven since leaving

Sold price: $18,000 the dealership. I don’t know if that

#1- condition back-of-the-envelope math means

anything to you, but I wanted to

3/18/2021 point it out.
S/N: 1G1AP15P077248416 I get that there’s a small following

here, but I still don’t understand

why anyone would put such a value

on this car. Nowhere along the design and production

process was anyone proud of this car. The people at GM

who designed it did so under huge financial constraints

(the General went bankrupt the next year). I didn’t

inquire, but I still have full confidence that this is not the

vehicle that GM’s designers wanted to build.

It boggles my mind that someone now, 14 years on,

would say, “Yep, that’s how I want to spend my $18,000.”

But that’s what at least two bidders did here.

THE GOOD: Pretty low miles.

THE BAD: It’s not pretty. Or well built.

FINAL THOUGHT: Someday this might be worth more, but
that’s going to be a long wait — and you’ll have to own it
until then.

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ONLINE MADNESS

1973 Mohs SafariKar

Talk about building something using your gut and

nothing else. For those of you unfamilliar with Mohs’

SafariKar, this is a one-of-three prototype vehicle built

for hunting big game in Africa. It has a folding hard top,

sliding doors, a Naugahyde-covered body, three-wide

seating and International Harvester

running gear. Practical, no? Rare, And
This is the kind of car (truck?) Teddy Should Be

Roosevelt would drive if his asthma
were flaring up, but he absolutely had

to shoot that rhino — come hell or high

water. Bid to: $90,000
It has that kind of rugged garish

flair that you only get from the mind #1 condition

1998 Chevrolet Silverado K1500 4×4 of a designer suffering from a malaria 3/26/2021
infection — and the resulting skewed S/N: 312101H942198
vision of opulent luxury.

Can you imagine nearly doubling your money by I didn’t bother looking for a comp on

buying a regular 1500 Chevy pickup and sitting on it for this thing. That’s because the other two

23 years? prototypes haven’t sold lately. So, if you were hoping for

The GMT400 generation of Chevy trucks has never a market-data blurb, that’s just hard cheese. What this

been considered one of GM’s greatest thing is worth is down to how bad two people want it,

Farmers efforts. They lacked the cachet of the and here, $90k couldn’t get it done.
Love It squarebody C/K and the prowess of its
successor, the K2. This restoration had to cost a fortune, but I’m still

Other than the 6,500 miles noted surprised that BaT let the seller put a reserve higher than

$90k on this thing. And, from reading the commentary,

Sold price: $50,000 here, this example is unremarkable. I’m not alone. Still, over 700 comments on BaT show the
It’s the burgundy brownish color. It’s
power of curiosity in this market, even if it didn’t sell.

#2 condition just an extra cab. Yeah, it has 4x4, but it THE GOOD: The embodiment of out-of-touch colonial
3/15/2021 has a cloth interior and the 5.7-liter V8. opulence at its finest.
These are all fine features — but they’re
THE BAD: People will think you’re driving a Rolls-Royce
S/N: 2GCEK19R9W1205112 not worth $50,000. Cullinan kit car.

Commenters on this auction bent FINAL THOUGHT: The rhinos are safe… for now.

over backwards to justify this selling

price, waxing poetic about farmers and millionaires in

rubber boots, etc. It’s all hogwash. You’re welcome to

like something irrationally and spend good money on it,

but don’t pretend for one second this thing was a smart

buy.

Did the buyer not know how much truck you can get

for $50,000 in 2021?

Trucks are hot now — even deeply ordinary ones.

Kudos to the seller for buying a bog-standard Chevy and

sitting on it for two decades and making a mint.

THE GOOD: It’s clean (except for the corrosion).

THE BAD: Actually driving this thing is akin to burning
cash.

FINAL THOUGHT: Adjust for inflation and the buyer
essentially spent what the original buyer did. Congrats?

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Mike Le PASSION IS CONTAGIOUS, in the aesthetic, he decided he
and there’s a lot to get excited needed a “Miami Vice” cocaine-
LOCATION: Hayward, CA about when it comes to cars. white Slantnose Porsche.

Soon
AGE/OCCUPATION: Mid-30s. Restaurant general manager Mike Le caught the bug in after, Mike found the perfect
CAR: 1986 Porsche 911 Targa Slantnose conversion middle school, when his cousin Slantnose for sale on Bring a
would pick him up in a Honda Trailer. The car had everything
Civic Si hatchback. Mike loved Mike wanted, so he decided
his cousin’s dedication to it belonged in his garage.
maintaining and improving However, the car hasn’t stayed
that car, and he began to slowly there — he drives it every day it
curate his own automotive isn’t raining, and in California,
tastes. that’s most days. The car’s
odometer now shows nearly
After seeing the ultra-rad 170k miles.

On weekends, Mike
independent film “Kung Fury,” wears ‘80s-era outfits when he
Mike had a vision for his next drives the car because he has
car. In the film, a Slantnose a holistic approach to style. He
Porsche is portrayed alongside has a rich connection to the
in-your-face ‘80s-era fashion Porsche: “I fall in love with it
and synthwave music. The mix again every time it starts up,”
of ‘80s electronic music and says Mike. “It’s an obsessive
bold colored windbreakers kind of attraction.”
resonated with Mike, and in
order to fully immerse himself

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Lin Reb er

LOCATION: Wolverhampton, England and Mill Valley, CA
AGE/OCCUPATION: 20 years old and studying motorsports engineering
CAR: 1989 BMW 850Ci

AS A BABY, Lin Reber was come with two ECUs instead telephone, pop-up headlights a V12.” Ultimately, the 850Ci
brought home from the hospital of one, along with two separate and a V12, which is exactly why was the choice, and it has stuck
in an E34 wagon that cozied up fuel pumps, distributors and the Reber family got it. around.

to his dad’s ‘80s Porsche Carrera batteries. The car is almost like
in the garage. Parked out front two conjoined straight sixes Lin’s dad was just starting Midway through Lin’s senior
was this 850Ci. rather than a cohesive V12, and a company and wanted year of high school, he started
that makes diagnostics and something “that reflected a full- daily driving the 850Ci. He says
The E31 chassis was maintenance twice as tricky. bodied, executive experience.” he was embarrassed to drive it
introduced in 1989 as the Lin says his dad was “deciding to campus at first because it felt
850i — a considerable level-up Consumers recognized the between a 550 Maranello and more like a stockbroker’s car
for BMW. It was one of the first car’s shortcomings, and sales the 850ci, he knew he wanted than a 17-year-old’s, but he grew
grand touring cars to come with were unimpressive. But these something front-engined, to love it — and still does.
a V12 and a 6-speed from the BMWs have made a comeback comfortable, and powered by
factory. thanks to a resurgence of
interest in ‘80s and ‘90s cars
These cars face first-year at large. Nothing says ‘90s
production issues and kinks in businessman like an in-cabin
their aging technology. They

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UNDER THE SKIN

Getting a Game-Changing 240Z

The bargain sports car from Japan offered — and still delivers — great handling and
performance, but watch out for rust

by PAUL HARDIMAN

IT WAS A bargain of its time, Rarest are the Z432 and 432R, The engine stamped on the chassis plate as
costing little more than an MGB coded PS30/PS30-SB, which well as on the block.
while seriously outperforming used the DOHC S20 engine The SOHC 2,393-cc straight-
it — and giving much the same from the Nissan Skyline 2000 six engine is strong. It is Triple twin-choke Webers are
driving experience as a much- GT-R, while the long-nose ZG essentially a copy of a Mercedes an obvious first step in tuning,
more-expensive Jaguar E-Type. or G-nose was also only for design, with under-cam finger as practiced by England’s
Japan, with some kits installed rockers for valve adjustment — Samuri Conversions, but they
Taut handling from the at dealers (HS30-H for factory). just like a Ford Pinto! really need to be combined
all-strut suspension and sharp It’s unlikely you’ll encounter with a cam and exhaust change
rack-and-pinion steering are either of these cars in the United The standard intake is a pair to work properly.
backed up with a straight-six States. of Hitachi CV carbs, which are
howl that channels the ghosts of basically copies of SUs. You can U.S.-spec cars are 4-speed,
XKs and Big Healeys. All of this The 240 was replaced in 1974 check the condition of some of with an auto option from 1971.
is wrapped up in a trim, two- by the 260Z, which was also the cam lobes through the oil The RoW spec was a 5-speed
seat fastback whose silhouette available as a stretched 2+2. filler using a flashlight. If the gearbox. The 1972-on B-series
evokes the Ferrari 250 GTO. (260Z numbers start RS30/ oil gauge works (don’t trust it transmission is stronger than
RLS30, just in case anyone’s too much), pressure should be the original A-type, and the
Released in 1969, the Datsun trying to ring one). 55 psi, warm and on the move. diffs don’t generally give
240Z sold 148,115 cars in the You can check if the car has its
United States (out of a total Look for rust original engine, as the serial
production run of about 165k) number, starting with L24, is
to 1973, so there are plenty Rot is the biggest killer. These
around to choose from. cars can rust pretty much
anywhere, and with a car the
Which is which? age of any 240Z, some repairs
are almost inevitable. A paint
Known as the Nissan thickness gauge will really help
Fairlady Z in Japan to maintain you when you’re on the hunt for
continuity with previous Nissan your 240Z.
sports cars, overseas cars were
badged Datsun 240Z. Chassis The battery tray (back right
numbers (plate halfway down on engine bay, under flap in
right strut tower) for left-hand- fender) and spare wheel well are
drive cars start HLS30. HS30 good indicators of the overall
denotes a right-hand-drive car. rust situation, while the nastiest
spot is the cowl/scuttle, inside
So-called “Series 1” cars of which is a foam pad that traps
(made up to about the middle moisture and rots out the metal
of 1971) have two external vents from the inside. While you’re
under the tailgate window there, check the front chassis
and chrome 240Z badges on legs for cracking and rust (and
the sail panels. Second-series it’s not unknown for them to
cars have the vents (with a Z in be misaligned after a bang in
the centers) in the sail panels, the front). More visible is rot in
and a new interior. The 1973 the sills — especially in front of
models were loaded with more the rear wheels, the hatch slam
emissions-control kit, including panel and the door bottoms.
“flat top” carburetors. They Pull up the carpets and check
also have extended bumper the floorpans if you can.
overriders.

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trouble unless someone has biggest issue. Seats can — and so if it’s wearing Perspex covers, Series 2 cars can be seen as the
messed with them by changing may have been —recovered, as they’re aftermarket. Collectors sweet spot.
ratios. This is not visible from repro trim is available. Many are crazy for the original, ugly
the outside, but for the ’72 240Zs now have aftermarket “dustbin-lid” wheel trims (1971 Pay from $17,500 for
model year, the diff was moved seats. “D” or 1972 “Z” or teardrop), something decent. You’ll
back about 35 mm (1.377 which fetch up to $250 each. If fork over $20k or so for a nice
inches) to run the driveshaft Suspension you’ve got a set in your loft, put example. For a very good car,
straighter. them on eBay. possibly with a 5-speed, you’re
Struts all around give a in $25k territory, and top retail
Interior decent ride. U.S. cars didn’t get What to pay is about $35k.
the rear anti-roll bar. Just do the
The interiors are very black, usual checks for worn/sloppy As ever, the earliest models Early, totally original cars will
with Ferrari-esque quilted bushes and leaky dampers. are seen as the most collectible. cost more, modified cars less.
vinyl and deeply tunneled The first 500 built are the most Projects/rust buckets are under
main instruments. The choke Details valuable, as they have a lot of $10k. Don’t even ask about the
lever is between the seats. unique detail. Stock 1973 240Zs 432….
Dash-top cracking will be the In terms of headlights, these have emissions gear, and the
sugar scoops were always open,

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BEHIND THE WHEEL

Life Moves
Pretty Fast

Stephen Serio and Cam Ingram, owner of Road Scholars,
talk about “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off,” savoring the special
moments and living an intentional life

STEPHEN  Most everyone in the car wake-up call that life is truly photos by ANDREW MITERKO neck-deep in the car business.
world is familiar with the movie precious and tomorrow is Do you ever miss your first
“Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.” The indeed, not promised. CAM  Experiential moments are calling of being a sculptor, and
destruction of the replica Ferrari everything to me! The aftereffects did that have any lessons that
California Spyder is not the bit After that, we made a of the explosion have been a transferred running a business
that resonates with me the most conscious decision to use all multiplier of creating memories with 30-odd employees and
— it’s the beginning of Ferris’ the cars in the collection at any big and small. working 70 hours a week? Being
diatribe that is the life lesson: excuse — and for any occasion. a starving sculptor may have
“Life moves pretty fast. If you It’s been an impetus for the I will never regret the been the easier road!
don’t stop and look around once driving events we’ve hosted over adventures we have had over
in a while, you could miss it.” the last two years, and I love the the last two years together with CAM  That’s hilarious and
fact that my father and mother some incredible people. Whether probably very true! We are both
You know where I’m going are driving their über-rare cars it was driving Porsche 906s artistic masochists.
with this. You and your with friends. On a personal together over Independence
family’s lives changed pretty note, the effects of the explosion Pass on our great Colorado I’ve always admired that you
dramatically two years ago with pushed me over the edge of a adventure or seeing our friends truly ran a franchise dealership,
the now-infamous explosion life goal of racing Pikes Peak, drive Road Atlanta in their mechanical, and restoration
that happened in Durham, and and I will now be racing in the rare Porsche race cars. I’ll never shop. Very few people have the
I think you and I now share Yokohama Trophy Porsche GT4 regret making the time to do bandwidth to do so. 
the moral of Ferris’ day off. class this coming June. these experiential events.
Tomorrow is promised to no one. I truly love being in the shop,
I’d like you to elaborate a little This tragic experience has I remember when you and doing the work, and my role of
bit on how that terrible moment actually turned into a very positive I first met, and you had just mentorship. I’m so fortunate to
changed things for you. I also force in my family’s life. We all recently completed the trip work with such a diverse team
agree with Ferris that, “Isms, in have a deeper appreciation and across the entire country in your of talented artisans. Ironically,
my opinion, are not good,”. But gratitude for being present and Speedster with Alex Finigan for I’m very passionate and focused
that’s for another time. enjoying the moment. the 356 Speedster anniversary. on evolving our company’s
I thought that was so cool and future leadership and
CAM  “Ferris Bueller’s Day Off” STEPHEN  I know you believe in appreciated that we both share apprentice program. I’ve been
is one of my favorite movies, “experiential moments,” and the same high energy level very open about wanting Road
and his famous quote about the importance of tying them and attention to detail. Our Scholars to become a 100-year
life moving fast is a wonderful into automotive events now, friendship means a great deal company. Otherwise, why are
analogy to the epiphany that but haven’t you always felt to me. we working these 70-hour weeks
our family had after the tragedy that way, or is this the real for 20 years straight if we are not
of the gas explosion. My parents byproduct of the explosion? STEPHEN  Changing direction creating a company culture and
have always been responsible Wasn’t this feeling lurking under a little bit because, much legacy? 
stewards in the collector-car the surface? I firmly believe that like you, I was in the arts as
world, and we’ve made it a owning cars is about using them a photographer before I got
point to always share the cars and creating memories, big
with fellow enthusiasts while and small. It seems there isn’t a
attending concours events weekend that goes by where you
all over the country. After the aren’t at some event with your
explosion, we had a profound friends, family and trusty dog
feeling that we had seriously Major. If you’re not planning the
missed out on using the cars as next Road Scholars event, you
they were intended. seem to be participating in one.
Dude, I’m tired just watching
Like any tragedy, it was a what you’re doing.

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OPPOSITE Four 906s at
full trot through Glenwood
Canyon, CO on the return leg
of Piëch to Peak­— a 260 mile
journey through the Rocky
Mountains.

LEFT Cam and Steve soaking
up their surroundings at
the conclusion of Piëch to
Peak. No phone calls, text
messages or emails to
detract from living in the
moment.

BELOW Cam’s French
bulldog, Major, joined for a
day-long drive from Boston
to Cape Ann, MA and back
with a small group of 356s.

STEPHEN  So how did Porsche collection is healthy. At least I have a 991 GT3 Touring in access is the one thing you can’t
become the focus? You’ve got that is today’s justification. Oslo Blue, and a Smyrna Green buy. There’s either the secret
an eye for many other types of 1963 Porsche 356B Super 90 handshake, having the right
cars, but there’s a reason you’ve CAM  Maybe it’s because of Coupe that belonged to Dr. Bill contacts, making time or simply
landed at this brand. my sculpting background or Jackson. being invited. Access is the one
hard-working midwestern thing that I hear over and over
And if you had the chance to upbringing, but the Porsche Dr. Jackson was a disrupter in again from friends or clients
add three other non-Stuttgart tenet of form follows function his own right — and was really that is the most important
vehicles, what would they be? has always resonated with me. the first archetype of the modern element.
You must have a short list. Porsche collector. The Super 90
I love the genetic design was his first car after enlisting Give me your input on that
I can’t help scratching a new language that has stayed so in the Army, and I’m the second theory.
car itch, which still pops about consistent over 70 years — and owner.
once or twice a year, and it the fact the engine hangs out CAM  These are interesting times.
really is a bothersome habit. over the rear transaxle! I also The interior is original, and COVID has had a serious
Right when I think my garage love the underdog story and I have strong feelings every impact on our approach to
is perfectly balanced, I roll a being a disruptor. These themes time I get into the car and think consumerism and how we
grenade into my cranium and are timeless and embody the about the pearls of wisdom spend our time. To me, access
upset the balance, or I suppose Porsche story. that he gave me over the years. means alignment. I want to
changing the bottom 10% of any In regards to non-Stuttgart be around good people that
vehicles, I would add a Ferrari share the same values and
F40, E39 M5 BMW, and a 2003 appreciation of being alive.
Bentley Speed 8 race car for the
track. Our recent events and
adventures together as a
STEPHEN  So here’s where this has diverse group of people coming
led to. To me, these experiential together hasn’t been about
moments — the great cars, the competition of resources, but,
camaraderie and memories that rather, positive energy shared.
bring enormous smiles to our Access means you want to
faces — have one element that is support your fellow human
the X-factor, and that is access.  being and do better every day.
Or at least that’s how I live my
Access comes in many life. That’s an existential answer
different forms, and without it, to your question, but I love a
we don’t have the ability to pull good paradox. 
it all together. And to be clear,

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SUPERSTARS

Can You Dig It?

The McLaren 620R is a hot night in a basement bar, where the
band wails and roars and the cool cats never want to leave

by ELANA SCHERR

STAX RECORDS IN Memphis, account. The 620R is one step nothing between you and the
TN, was known for the gritty, more civilized than the 570S roaring wind, but at least you
raw sound of Isaac Hayes, GT4 — if you count adding a can put the track address into
Booker T and the M.G.’s, and license plate as civilized, and far the nav.
Otis Redding. The Stax crew more affordable than the Senna
scoffed at the smooth tones of — if you consider $300,000 On the street and in traffic,
Motown, with their high-dollar affordable. the 620R spits and jolts like a
recording sessions in air- racehorse being walked to the
conditioned comfort. The 620R is street-legal, track- starting gate. Once on the move,
ready — and not for the weak of it quiets down, and when the
Stax Records’ Memphis spirit or bony of tailbone. straight lines turn curvy, all
studio was always kept just a those thrums and rattles come
little uncomfortable on purpose The 620R is all about what together in a killer rhythm that
— because you can’t get the you don’t get. No carpet, no wouldn’t be out of place in the
real thing, man, without a little cupholders, no a/c, no stereo, Stax studios.
sweat. no navigation, no quick-change
suspension, no messing around. Tight as a guitar string and
After a few days behind the sticky as a bass line, the 620R
wheel of the 2021 McLaren If that’s a little too much makes every road feel like a
620R, I’m feeling soulful. And nothing, you can add back racetrack. The big wing that
sweaty. The 620R plays its in a/c, infotainment, and the blocks your backup view plants
own tune. This cat wails. It’s easier three-mode suspension you so firmly it would take an
a constant roar of wind from with nose lift in place of the earthquake to shake you off the
the roof-mounted scoop and manually adjustable dampers line. There aren’t many cars
the disapproving PSSSSHT from the GT4 car. that strip away all the extras to
of a boost dump valve from lay bare the soul of driving. To
the turbocharged 3.8L sitting What you give up in custom paraphrase Isaac Hayes, the
behind your head. settings, you’ll gain back in 620R is a bad mother (shut your
speed-bump clearance. You’ll mouth).
It’s a raw car, man, the real still be planted in unyielding
thing. carbon-fiber buckets with

McLaren started in racing,
and track cars have remained
an important part of the brand’s
lineup, even as it offers ever-
more-comfortable daily driver
supercars, such as the fastback
McLaren GT and the 720S —
possibly the most easy-riding
rocketship you’ll ever send into
orbit.

Hardcore racers have the 570S
GT4, but that is a track-only car.
Then there’s the Senna, which
is insanely fast and streetable, if
not exactly luxurious — but at
a cost that will take a million-
dollar chunk out of your bank

Photos by JEAN JORDAN

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2021 McLaren 620R

PRICE AS TESTED: $312,605 PLUSES: Raw road feel, focused
EQUIPMENT: Twin-turbo, dry sump, 3.8-L purpose, a real head-turner
V8, 7-speed dual-clutch transmission, MINUSES: Ow. Oh, my back. Ow.
Three-mode adjustable damping, VERDICT: A limited-edition car for a rare
two-piece 15.3-inch (front), 14.9-inch kind of driver. May they play hot music
(rear) disc brakes, vertical center together.
touch screen, Bowers & Wilkins stereo, FUN FACTOR: 
staggered 19- and 20-inch aluminum LOOKS: 
wheels, 225/35/R19 Front and 285/35/ THE EXPERIENCE: 
R20 Rear Pirelli P Zero Trofeo R tires,
LED headlamps, carbon-fiber door
insert, carbon-fiber front fender
louvres, carbon-fiber sill finisher
FUEL ECONOMY: 15 city, 24 highway

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GIFTS and GADGETS

Staying Taking charge
Connected
Staying connected is key
The old car world is now always to classic car ownership in
in the palm of your hand the modern era, and Battery
Tender has taken that idea to
by JIM PICKERING heart with its WiFi-equipped
battery chargers. The Power
History at your Plus 75-amp charger with
fingertips WiFi is just the thing to keep
your classic’s battery ready for
COLLECTION MANAGEMENT that next sunny day, and the
ISN’T something most integrated connectivity allows
collectors think about you to control and monitor the
until they’re drowning in battery from your Android or
documents, paperwork and iOS device. This charger has
maintenance schedules. what it takes to charge up a
Having a few cars is one thing, dead battery, jump-start your
but this problem compounds car, or just maintain a level of
exponentially with the number charge over time. Prices start at
of cars in your collection. $139.95.
Keeping it all straight, safe
and accessible is where Speed Have more than one car?
Digital comes in. Battery Tender has you covered
there, too, with a variety of
Speed Digital is a technology multiple-bank options to keep
company that creates digital multiple cars in your collection
platforms for enthusiasts, on the button via a central
collectors and businesses. charging point. Learn more at
Its Private Collection Digital www.batterytender.com.
Asset Management system is
aimed directly at car collectors, to the user, and it can track
providing a cloud-based everything from your purchase
service that allows you to keep receipts to the notes from
notes, digitized documents, your last drive. All of this
a database of contacts and information is then saved to the
track restorations of the cars in cloud, secured and accessible
your collection — both with a to you from anywhere.
desktop app and with a private
website that allows access on Learn more about Speed
any device. Digital’s Private Collection
Digital Asset Management —
Additionally, the system has and its suite of other products
a digital showroom — simply aimed at both dealers and
pull out your phone to show off classic car owners — at www.
your collection from anywhere speeddigital.com.
in the world.

This software is customizable

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BOOK REVIEW

Success, Ferrari Formula 1
and the Audi Quattro

One book is a history of winning — and the other is a HISTORY of winning

by MARK WIGGINTON

WHEN THE AUDI Quattro the extant Audi 80 chassis for chose to focus on a complete “QUATTRO: THE RACE AND RALLY STORY”
burst on the scene in 1980, it the prototype. list of the Formula 1 cars, in a Jeremy Walton
was a sea change in thinking once-over-lightly way. Evro, 2020
about 4-wheel drive and racing. Let’s just say things went 304 pages, $80
well. Each and every car gets
The Quattro dominated stage fewer than 1,000 words, “FERRARI FORMULA 1: CAR BY CAR
rallies at the international level With the central differential a specification table, and (EVERY RACE CAR SINCE 1950)”
for years. Then it did very well mated to a stout Audi beautiful photography (if red Stuart Codling
as a touring car racing platform. 5-cylinder engine, the Quattro isn’t your color, you might need Motorbooks, 2020
From 1980 to 2004, the Quattro debuted at the Geneva Motor another book). 224 pages, $60
had a pretty good run. But Show in 1980. Even before the
when it’s about historic runs of car was homologated, rally Starting with the 125 F1
racing success, the king of the ace Hannu Mikkola signed on. (already hopelessly out of date
mountain is Scuderia Ferrari. In the Quattro’s first season before it debuted in 1950)
of World Rally, 1981, saw two right through to the SF1000 (a
Two books, with radically wins for Mikkola — and one celebration of 1,000 starts in
different approaches, showcase for Michèle Mouton, the first Formula 1) in 2020, each quick
the Audi Quattro and Ferrari World Rally win for a woman section shares the context for
Formula 1. driver. That promising start led the car, the design changes and
to constant improvements and a bit of history.
Riding 4WD to victory more horsepower — a lot more
horsepower — during the Killer At the back of the book is
“Quattro: The Race and Rally B era. a full listing of each race, the
Story 1980-2004” from Jeremy drivers, the model, qualifying
Walton tells — in great detail Ultimately, the Quattro position and finish position.
— how the notion of using raced to 23 wins in World Rally Taken as a whole, it’s a tasty
4-wheel drive in a performance Championship events. The visual history of Ferrari in
package came about. book has extensive season-by- Formula 1, with enough
season chapters, and the rally background to keep you
It all started well away from world wasn’t the only place grounded in time. It’s not so
a track, when Jörg Bensinger Audi excelled, from IMSA much a page-turner as a page
put the low-horsepower and BTCC, to the Pikes Peak enjoyer, with just enough
Volkswagen Iltis, a German Hillclimb. This book is quite a information for context for
military vehicle, through read, thorough and complete. the amazing images and, of
a series of tests against a course, the amazing history that
variety of sedans in snowy Winning for decades continues today for Ferrari.
or icy conditions. The short-
wheelbase, 75-horsepower Iltis A completely different Bottom Line: Two different
outpaced 2-wheel-drive cars approach is taken by Stuart manufacturers, two different
that had much more grunt than Codling in “Ferrari Formula approaches to sharing the
the high-riding military vehicle. 1: Car By Car (Every Race Car history with readers. While
Since 1950).” “Quattro” is the more traditional
Bensinger decided that knife-and-fork history, “Ferrari
all-time 4WD was the way to go. With the depth of racing Formula 1” is nothing but page
With the backing of Ferdinand history of Ferrari, mostly at the after page of tasty dessert.
Karl Piëch, Bensinger settled on pointy end of the grid, Codling

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AUTOMOBILIA

Phil Hill’s
Helmet

Objects can skyrocket in value when a
celebrity wore them, used them or drove
them. This is especially true in the collector
car world

by CARL BOMSTEAD

WHAT’S IN A name? Well, Me.” Newman was often Racing,” was conducted from
in some cases, a whole lot photographed with the watch, February 8-19, 2021, and it
of money — as celebrity and he wore it for 15 years realized $1,156,156.
ownership can bring a before giving it to his daughter
substantial premium. Nell’s college boyfriend. It was Several of the results
offered by Phillips Auction illustrated just how powerful
As a case in point, anything house in 2017 — and realized a Phil Hill’s name remains. A
that Elvis Presley wore, slept record result of $17.75 million. program from the 1950 Pebble
in or drove continues to bring Beach Road Race, the first one
mind-boggling premiums. Phil Hill’s helmet held, sold for $2,125 — about
His pink Cadillac, rings and four times what they usually
clothing are just a few of the Phil Hill was a legendary sell for.
items that bring over-the-top American racing champion.
money when offered at public Gooding & Co. recently Phil Hill’s racing helmet and
sale. presented three online auctions bag blew the doors off, as the
of Phil Hill’s belongings. The pair reached $193,750.
Big celebrity bucks auctions roughly coincided
with the 50th Anniversary of The helmet was constructed
Bonhams, at a November Phil Hill’s Formula One World of linen fabric set in shellac.
2006 auction, sold a pair Driver’s Championship. He was There were 22 events where
of Steve McQueen’s Persol the only American-born driver Hill was photographed wearing
714 sunglasses. The auction to ever win this award. the helmet, including the 1958
company clearly stated that 12 Hours of Sebring and the 24
McQueen may — or may Gooding & Company Hours of Le Mans. The helmet
not — have worn them in “The presented the treasures from bag was signed by Hill and
Thomas Crown Affair.” They his life in cars during three included various visors and
sold for an astonishing $70,200. separate online auctions that goggles. Without Hill’s prior
stretched from November 2020 ownership, would the helmet
In 1969, Joanne Woodward to March 2021. The middle have sold for much more than a
gave Paul Newman a Rolex auction — “Phill Hill/A Life in thousand dollars or so?
Daytona 6239 watch as a gift
when he started his racing Doubt it.
career. It was inscribed on
the back; “Drive Carefully

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FROM THE AUDRAIN ARCHIVES

The Story in
One Photograph

Nick Begovich’s private passion for his spectacular
car collection is captured for all time

by DONALD OSBORNE

CAR COLLECTORS HAVE the garage workshop of Nicholas what is clearly a working space Coupe, 1952 Jaguar XK 120 FHC,
often been photographed with A. Begovich, President of Litton — not a venue for ostentatious 1952 Talbot-Lago Grand Sport,
their prized possessions, and Data Systems. He is being public display — are only some 1949 Cisitalia 202 Convertible,
sometimes the photo shows us photographed for a feature in of the extraordinary cars Nick 1964 ATS 2500 GTS — and
the why of the collection. the June issue of the company Begovich collected. From left sleeping under a cover, a 1962
magazine,“News & Opinion,” on to right we can see his 1964 Corvair Monza Spyder coupe.
When this happens, we his “Art Collection on Wheels.” Porsche 904 GTS, 1956 Porsche
learn a little bit more about These are the cars he has 356 1600 Super Speedster, 1956 The 904, Speedster and Jaguar
the collector — and about the assembled since 1939, when, as Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing, were purchased by Begovich
relationship he or she has with a young engineering student at 1954 Pegaso Z-102 Touring when new and between them
the collected objects. Cal Tech, he hot-rodded the old had only been driven a total of
Plymouth he had purchased for
In this photo, we see a $600.
middle-aged man — casually,
yet smartly, dressed — sitting He took his car to the dry
lightly against the fender of a lake drag races and showed his
low sports car. The first thing opponents a clean pair of heels
you notice are his hands — they in what appeared to be “an old
are big, with long fingers — and lady’s coupe.”
they have almost as much
presence as his face. It seems His studies led to degrees
clear that he must do something in Electrical Engineering and a
important with those hands. PhD in Electrical Engineering
with a minor in Physics. He
Perhaps he is a concert found work in the defense
pianist? industry with Hughes Aircraft,
where he led the development
The next is the face — he’s and creation of critical missile
not looking at the camera, but control systems. He also
at something in front and to the enjoyed regular trips to Europe,
right of him. There’s more than where he took in the races at Le
a bit of a twinkle in his eyes, and Mans and the Nürburgring.
a light smile plays on his lips.
Perhaps he’s not ignoring the By the time he had joined
camera. Maybe he’s just looking Litton as President, and this
at his car. Perhaps he’s savoring article was written, he had
the memory of a drive he’s combined his love of cars — and
taken — or he’s just enjoying his mastery of engineering and
the wonder of owning such a machining — to personally
special automobile. maintain his cars in his private
workshop. He also began
Take a closer look, and that to explore ways of perhaps
glance and smile clearly show improving them — as only an
his love for not only that car — inquisitive engineer might.
but for all the other cars in the
frame. Visible in the photograph, in

It is May 1974, and we are in

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38,613 miles. Not seen were his collected at the factory in exhibition at the Audrain mechanical and aesthetic —
2,361-mile Lamborghini Miura, Stuttgart and flown to its new Automobile Museum in and his emotional connection
3,000-mile deTomaso Pantera, home in Southern California, Newport, RI. to the cars. Coincidentally, the
13,000-mile Maserati Bora or that speaks volumes about who opening will also coincide with
his second Pegaso Z-102, which Nick Begovich was and what his “Engineering & Design = what would have been his 100th
had done the 1952 Monaco cars meant to him. Passion: The Nick Begovich birthday.
Grand Prix for sports cars. Collection” will run from
Fourteen of his cars were November 2021 through That’s a measure of one
But as stated above, it is acquired in 2020 by The February 2022. The exhibition collector’s impact on the future.
the look he is casually — but Audrain Collections and most will celebrate Begovich’s
lovingly — giving his 904, will be seen in a soon-to-open great taste in design — both Look at the photo again. What
do you see?

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TAILLIGHTS BELOW Dr. Fred Simeone
in earlier days
Collecting Friends
and Moments RIGHT Dr. David
Eichenbaum regularly
takes his cars — and his
kids — out on bagel runs.
This run was in his 1964
Alfa Romeo TZ

WE’VE TALKED A lot about person tick? What makes them about this with a quiet passion.
the fascinating world of car interesting? What are they My life goal for this year is
collecting in this issue of doing right now? What do they
Linkage, but car collecting isn’t want to do? My interview with to learn something new and
just about the cars. Harris included none of these find beauty during each day.
questions. It wasn’t really an Clearly, visiting Dr. Simeone in
I believe car collecting is interview at all. Philly has to happen.
also about making friends and
finding magical moments. The It was a series of fascinating I hope you’re poised for a
cars bring us together to make moments with someone I liked summer of rediscovering life,
all this happen. — and wanted to get to know enjoying the simple pleasures
better. of driving, making new friends
In this issue, I wrote the and finding great moments. I
Stages of Collecting story, and I’ve known Dr. Fred Simeone suspect most of us feel this way.
the best part of the whole deal for a few years — but only
was getting to know Dr. Fred from a distance. Dr. Simeone We look forward to seeing
Simeone, Steven Harris and Dr. is a man of focus, and he you each day at www.
David Eichenbaum. reminded me — again — that linkagemag.com. We add new
it is past time for me to visit stories and adventures each
My telephone interview his wonderful Simeone day. We also look forward to
with Eichenbaum started with Foundation Automotive our next issue of Linkage,
the sounds of his children — Museum in Philadelphia. which will explore motorsport
playing with toy cars — in the in many different ways — and
background, and it ended as As we talked, I realized that arrive in your mailbox in early
Eichenbaum wandered through Dr. Simeone treasures the August.
his home garage and looked history of each one of his cars as
underneath a car. much as he treasures the actual Until then, savor the
car. Sharing those stories is now moments!
I wished I could record this his life’s work, and he’s going
exuberant man as he talked to — CHESTER ALLEN, Executive Editor
his children, and, later, spoke to
his cars. I wasn’t surprised that
we spent most of the interview
talking about why he loves
cars — and how much he loves
including his family in his car
adventures.

My dialogue with Steven
Harris was really more of a
conversation than an interview.
We talked of many things —
and many Porsches — but I
was completely captured when
Harris shared that the vivid
scents of cars and driving have
been a huge part of his life since
boyhood.

We journalists are trained
to steer an interview toward
certain goals: What makes this

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UNDER THE SKIN
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