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Accelerating into The Amelia Concours d’Elegance

Accelerating into The Amelia Concours d’Elegance

Accelerating into The Amelia Concours d’Elegance

While I’ve been attending the Amelia Island Concours as a spectator for some time, the last two years have been unique as I have been able to show cars with the Maine Classic Car Museum where my friend Andy Reid is the collection manager.

My small role has been to make sure the cars have been running and driving on and off the show field and aid in any disasters that sometimes lurk around the corner. All went as planned, and no disasters!

In 2002 we showed a 1948 Alfa Romeo 6C Touring that took second in class. This year I was honored to look after a lovely 1949 Ferrari 166 INTER Cabriolet. The was the 16th Ferrari built and a beautiful car. This placed us into a super competitive and well-turned-out class, all winners in my book. Read Andy’s story here in the ClassicCars.com Journal.

In addition to enjoying the energy and ambiance of the weekend, I was able to catch up and visit with some of our local VSC members who also made the pilgrimage this year, Hugh Ruthven, Stephen Murphy and Tedd Zamjahn.

The auction action was brisk if not record breaking, and the weather behaved with beautiful Florida sunshine for the duration. We’re already planning next year. Meanwhile, enjoy some of my pix from this year – and thanks to Andy for the pic at the top.


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With a Little Help From My Friends

With a Little Help From My Friends

  Ten years used to feel like a lifetime, these days it seems like the blink of an eye. (except for April 2020, it felt like a lifetime—but I digress.) My ten-year ownership of Sport and Specialty has been equal parts fun, aggravation, gratification, and...

read more
The Proper Color for the Car

The Proper Color for the Car

There was a story I read some years ago that Ford had a computer program that wouldn’t allow them to order and build a car with odd looking interior and exterior color combinations. In the restoration business we are those computers. When customers bring their cars to...

read more
The 1939 Alfa 6C at The Amelia

The 1939 Alfa 6C at The Amelia

Some years ago my friend Andy Reid invited me to bunk in with him at The Hilton Head Concours. We had a great time and have mostly roomed together when our schedules allow. For Amelia we have been doing VRBO places with our friends Peter Singhof and Dirk De Jager,...

read more
What is the Digital Path Forward?

What is the Digital Path Forward?

There’s a genuine satisfaction in being asked your opinion on a professional topic. It usually means that your opinion carries some weight as an expert. When the request is from Keith Martin’s Sports Car Market, it’s particularly satisfying. I was asked to join a...

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The Restorer’s Healey – John’s 1967 BJ8

The Restorer’s Healey – John’s 1967 BJ8

Regular followers know that the white-over-blue 1967 Austin Healey BJ8 that shows up on social media is one of my favorite cars. I purchased the car from my customer and friend Tony Grau and his family as an uncompleted project. We had previously assembled and painted...

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Your Virtual Tour Guide

Your Virtual Tour Guide

For some reason, I just love giving tours of Sport and Specialty. I gave many plant and home office tours during my years in corporate sales, but touring plants, warehouses and administrative offices just wasn’t as much fun as showing people how you blow up cars and...

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It Drives Like an Alfa

It Drives Like an Alfa

I met my racing and paddock partner John Wheeler almost twenty years ago when I first started Vintage Historic racing. I was trying to figure this whole thing out and he was my coach and mentor. The most important thing he ever told me when I bemoaned my slow times...

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Sotheby’s Records $44.4M for Private Car Collection

Sotheby’s Records $44.4M for Private Car Collection

Sotheby’s Records $44.4M for Private Car Collection

Last year my Alfa racing partner John Wheeler called me to ask some questions about how collector car auctions worked, as he knew I followed them and have attended quite a few around the country. He and the firm he works for were hired to develop strategies to pay back creditors, and one of the strategies involved cars…a lot of cars.

In this case he was looking to liquidate more than 200 cars with the best return and least amount of cost possible. This was no barn-find-hoarding deal either, these were virtually all collector-grade vehicles. After attending the Scottsdale auctions early this year to better understand the process, he began working with RM Sotheby’s to hold a private auction event.

The Elkhart Collection” auction was held last weekend and it turned out to be a very successful event. $44.4M successful:

BLENHEIM, Ontario (26 October 2020) – This past weekend, 23-24 October, RM Sotheby’s presented the exceptional Elkhart Collection in a live auction held in Elkhart, Indiana, grossing a total of $44,385,420 in sales. Featuring over 240 highly collectable cars and a wide selection of memorabilia offered almost entirely without reserve, the two-day auction.

I’ve been watching the comments regarding the crazy prices and the lack of bargains available. I went there looking for good deals, and indeed, there weren’t any steals. Memorabilia and equipment in some cases went over typical retail. People wanted to buy some stuff! While some were disappointed, personally, I thought it was great to see.

Over the past few years the overall auction results have been somewhat lackluster, with certain marques doing the heavy lifting at many auctions. This was a “No Reserve” auction which brought a distinct drama to the occasion. Sorry naysayers, but it was fun watching the needle move and the hammer fall. Watching cars not hit reserve and being unceremoniously shuffled offstage is quite a letdown.

The Brit marques were a bit off, but the specialty cars did well. For such an eclectic collection, there was a little something for everyone. One buyer I spoke with went home with a Mercedes Cabriolet with a modern driveline, the 427 Iso, and the Miura. He caught the fever and looked pretty happy with the results.

You can see all of the results on the RM Sotheby’s site, now updated, and, some pictures below from the auction by our site manager Bill Oakes. Next up, Scottsdale I hope. Interesting year, and an interesting auction.


Read More of My Blog Posts


With a Little Help From My Friends

With a Little Help From My Friends

  Ten years used to feel like a lifetime, these days it seems like the blink of an eye. (except for April 2020, it felt like a lifetime—but I digress.) My ten-year ownership of Sport and Specialty has been equal parts fun, aggravation, gratification, and...

read more
The Proper Color for the Car

The Proper Color for the Car

There was a story I read some years ago that Ford had a computer program that wouldn’t allow them to order and build a car with odd looking interior and exterior color combinations. In the restoration business we are those computers. When customers bring their cars to...

read more
The 1939 Alfa 6C at The Amelia

The 1939 Alfa 6C at The Amelia

Some years ago my friend Andy Reid invited me to bunk in with him at The Hilton Head Concours. We had a great time and have mostly roomed together when our schedules allow. For Amelia we have been doing VRBO places with our friends Peter Singhof and Dirk De Jager,...

read more
Cars and Stars, The Amelia Island Experience

Cars and Stars, The Amelia Island Experience

Cars and Stars, The Amelia Island Experience

Sport and Specialty - John Saccameno blog

Not many automotive events short of a Formula One race can boast of participants and attendees the likes of this years honoree, Roger Penske.

I’m still recovering from the automotive love fest and spectacle that is the Amelia Concours d’Elegance 2020. It’s been held rain or shine for 25 years now. Amazing!

Estimates for the first event in 1995 was 2,000 people, I read they expected 20,000 for this year. It sure looked as if they met their expectations. The Chairman and founder of the event, Bill Warner, has developed a vision and flavor for this event that is unique amongst similar shows around the world. Long-time major sponsors, Mercedes Benz, and the Ritz Carlton, add a certain panache to the event where all proceeds are donated to charity.

This isn’t a show only about the eras of styles and technology, Bill also makes sure he honors and salutes the people who have helped steer the industry and sport we true believers study and follow. Industry leaders, team owners, and championship drivers all participate in the weekend events. Not only are the cars up close and personal, but also many of our admired visionaries, corporate mavericks, and the brave drivers that made so many of these cars legendary on the road and track.

Not many automotive events, short of a Formula One race, can boast of participants and attendees the likes of this years honoree, Roger Penske. Others included, in no particular order; Derek Bell, Justin Bell, Johnny Rutherford, Lyn St James, George Follmer, Jochen Mass, Jackie Ickx, David Hobbs, Bobby Rahal, Bobby Unser, Hurley Haywood, Brian Redmond, Peter Cunningham, and Scott Pruitt. These are just the people I remember seeing. You never know who you may be sitting next to at lunch or while having a beer.

So happy 25th birthday to the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance! Thanks to all of the volunteers and sponsors that come out to support us faithful who relish the automobile, and the many people who make it so exciting. Cheers, and thank you, Bill and Jane Warner!


Read More of My Blog Posts


With a Little Help From My Friends

With a Little Help From My Friends

  Ten years used to feel like a lifetime, these days it seems like the blink of an eye. (except for April 2020, it felt like a lifetime—but I digress.) My ten-year ownership of Sport and Specialty has been equal parts fun, aggravation, gratification, and...

read more
The Proper Color for the Car

The Proper Color for the Car

There was a story I read some years ago that Ford had a computer program that wouldn’t allow them to order and build a car with odd looking interior and exterior color combinations. In the restoration business we are those computers. When customers bring their cars to...

read more
The 1939 Alfa 6C at The Amelia

The 1939 Alfa 6C at The Amelia

Some years ago my friend Andy Reid invited me to bunk in with him at The Hilton Head Concours. We had a great time and have mostly roomed together when our schedules allow. For Amelia we have been doing VRBO places with our friends Peter Singhof and Dirk De Jager,...

read more
An Anniversary at Arizona Auction Week

An Anniversary at Arizona Auction Week

An Anniversary at Arizona Auction Week

 

This year marks the fifth year I’ve ventured out to Arizona for the magic of auction week. In 2014 I brought the 100R out to offer at Bonham’s and became smitten with the cars, sights, and people. It helps that I have close family here that I love spending time with, but it has also allowed me to connect – and stay connected – with so many like-minded people in the car hobby. I’ve already been busy with judging the Future Classics show and yesterday spent time at Worldwide Auctions checking out their offerings.

Today will find me at Barrett Jackson for an inspection of an E-Type and Andy Reid’s always entertaining tour. From there I’ll head towards Bonham’s, followed by a cocktail reception for The RPM Foundation and a birthday dinner for a friend in from Germany. Tomorrow it starts again.

I will try to post current activity with my travels here and share some of the fun. Meanwhile, enjoy some of the sights I see with my pictures posted here and on Facebook.

I have one word for the week: Sunscreen!!!


Read More of My Blog Posts


With a Little Help From My Friends

With a Little Help From My Friends

  Ten years used to feel like a lifetime, these days it seems like the blink of an eye. (except for April 2020, it felt like a lifetime—but I digress.) My ten-year ownership of Sport and Specialty has been equal parts fun, aggravation, gratification, and...

read more
The Proper Color for the Car

The Proper Color for the Car

There was a story I read some years ago that Ford had a computer program that wouldn’t allow them to order and build a car with odd looking interior and exterior color combinations. In the restoration business we are those computers. When customers bring their cars to...

read more
The 1939 Alfa 6C at The Amelia

The 1939 Alfa 6C at The Amelia

Some years ago my friend Andy Reid invited me to bunk in with him at The Hilton Head Concours. We had a great time and have mostly roomed together when our schedules allow. For Amelia we have been doing VRBO places with our friends Peter Singhof and Dirk De Jager,...

read more
Arizona Auction Week 2017 Wrap-Up

Arizona Auction Week 2017 Wrap-Up

Arizona Auction Week 2017 Wrap-Up

After spending some time studying my new Hammer Price app (a must-have) and going through some of my auction notes for the week, I have come to some of the same conclusions I did last year—some marques did well, and others lost a little ground in value. it also seemed like the general attendance for the whole week was up, starting with the Arizona Concours d’Elegance. Too bad the weather didn’t cooperate.

The Italians continue to march forward, although mostly in the “affordable” models. Really nice Ferrari 308s have moved into six -figure territory, with a slightly flawed but nonetheless lovely 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce bringing stellar money at $160,000+, and a 1974 Alfa Romeo GTV hammering at $76,000+ at Bonham’s.

Overall, the whole Austin Healey market is down about 20% from highs of a few years ago. Even a fabled 100S—one of fifty—was well-bought at a bargain price of $490,000. I heard people tell of it’s flaws but I reminded them that, “It’s still a real 100S!” Only the really nice cars sold well with the so-so cars at street sales rates.

Except for the $6.7 million spent for the Lightweight, the Jaguar market has cooled a bit on the E Types. A really nice late Series 1 4.2  did sell for $160,000+ which isn’t too shabby, though. There were just a lot of E Types available, and it is a hot brand and model. I still predict the Series 2 cars will start filling up the demand for E Types overall in the next few years.

Trending up (still,) the air-cooled Porsches are the cars to have. Some lovely 356 Speedsters held their own, and a really nice 912—but still a 912—fetched $105,000 at Gooding on Saturday. Another 356 barn-find bewildered even the most faithful at $341,000. After $600,000 plus for a Speedster barn find in Hilton Head, I’m left smiling to myself.

In talking with Andy Reid and other auction watchers, the cars that came up slowly and steadily—like the Aston Martins—held their own. The rising prices on cars like the Sunbeam Tigers have steadied, and again, only the nice cars held their values. There was also a lot of talk also about money availability and people not wanting to touch other investments with a stock market and Dow that is surging towards 20,000.

I think I may have to attend the March Amelia Island event to continue my research and see if the trends continue. Poor, poor pitiful me.

Top image credit: Andy Reid – ClassicCars.com


Read More of My Blog Posts


With a Little Help From My Friends

With a Little Help From My Friends

  Ten years used to feel like a lifetime, these days it seems like the blink of an eye. (except for April 2020, it felt like a lifetime—but I digress.) My ten-year ownership of Sport and Specialty has been equal parts fun, aggravation, gratification, and...

read more
The Proper Color for the Car

The Proper Color for the Car

There was a story I read some years ago that Ford had a computer program that wouldn’t allow them to order and build a car with odd looking interior and exterior color combinations. In the restoration business we are those computers. When customers bring their cars to...

read more
The 1939 Alfa 6C at The Amelia

The 1939 Alfa 6C at The Amelia

Some years ago my friend Andy Reid invited me to bunk in with him at The Hilton Head Concours. We had a great time and have mostly roomed together when our schedules allow. For Amelia we have been doing VRBO places with our friends Peter Singhof and Dirk De Jager,...

read more
My Annual Arizona Car Week – Trending 2017

My Annual Arizona Car Week – Trending 2017

My Annual Arizona Car Week – Trending 2017

Ever since I sold Mark Baker’s 100R Healey at Bonham’s Auction in Scottsdale four years ago I eagerly await coming back to Arizona for my now annual trip to the land of auctions and car shows. Once here, a common question I get from old and new friends alike is, “Are you out here buying and selling cars?”

When I typically reply “no” most figure I’m just goofing off in the sun. Which, since I do have family here, I sometimes do. But this has become a crucial week for me from a business strategy standpoint.

Arizona Car Week—as it has come to be known—is a place for me to focus my time, money, and energy to see first-hand what is going on in the vintage automobile market. What goes on at Arizona Auto week is what becomes knowledge that I can then share with friends and customers.

While the auction experience in and of itself is very exciting, the number of industry people and fellow enthusiasts I’ve met here has been invaluable. What I learn here— through a mix of social media, and being on the ground where the collectors and fans speak with their voices, minds, and checkbooks—sets my thinking for the year as a restorer and impassioned automotive devotee.

I mostly focus my attention on the Bonham’s, RM and Gooding’s auctions. I study the catalogues for sell estimates and then look at the cars critically. I do this for a variety of marques and models.

I then attend as many auctions—live—as I can, and study the results where I cannot. I talk to people as the cars move along, note which one failed to meet reserves, and which ones are beating the estimates. If I’ve seen the cars, many times I can tell you why it failed to meet the reserve, or why it took in some big cash. You can’t do that from the web, or watching Barrett Jackson on TV.

It’s a crazy busy week for me, there is so much activity all at once, but if you pay attention the trends become visible quickly. What marques and models are becoming more valuable? Which marques are losing strength or simply holding?

These hectic days help me guide customers and prospective customers into the light as to what cars are worth spending money on, and which ones to maybe wait on. If there are a lot of mediocre examples, you can bet the nice ones will shine.

When it’s over and I’m back in the Sport and Specialty shop, I’ll provide some insights as to what I have seen, heard and deduced. Come on back.

I need to get some more sunblock, so until I get home make sure to follow me on Facebook where you can see more of the beautiful cars below.


Read More of My Blog Posts


With a Little Help From My Friends

With a Little Help From My Friends

  Ten years used to feel like a lifetime, these days it seems like the blink of an eye. (except for April 2020, it felt like a lifetime—but I digress.) My ten-year ownership of Sport and Specialty has been equal parts fun, aggravation, gratification, and...

read more
The Proper Color for the Car

The Proper Color for the Car

There was a story I read some years ago that Ford had a computer program that wouldn’t allow them to order and build a car with odd looking interior and exterior color combinations. In the restoration business we are those computers. When customers bring their cars to...

read more
The 1939 Alfa 6C at The Amelia

The 1939 Alfa 6C at The Amelia

Some years ago my friend Andy Reid invited me to bunk in with him at The Hilton Head Concours. We had a great time and have mostly roomed together when our schedules allow. For Amelia we have been doing VRBO places with our friends Peter Singhof and Dirk De Jager,...

read more

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