fbpx
Open House 2025 is a success!

Open House 2025 is a success!

Perfect weather met up with old friends and new, old cars and new, and a great day all together at the The Sport and Specialty Open House 2025.

Everyone took some time with walk through the shop, meet all of the Sport and Specialty crew, and see how the current projects are coming along. Almost as much fun was walking the parking lot to look over not just the shop’s completed cars, but also our customers’ and friends’ machines.

We all had a great time catching up with how the summer has been flying by and sitting for a get meal. No one went home hungry, that’s for sure, thanks to the complimentary eats provided by Dani’s Pollos Al Carbon. Did anyone try the lengua/tongue burritos?

Thanks again to all who attended, we’re already looking forward to next year’s get together.

In the meantime, if you want to throw together a car club show or shop tour reach out to John and let’s talk.


Read More of My Blog Posts


No One Races Alone

No One Races Alone

A few weeks ago I got involved in an online conversation where someone claimed that the only reason we can’t go racing is that organizers would demand a driver’s meeting, and if we could just do the meeting on our phones we’d be just fine to go racing again. I quickly...

read more
Breaking The News

Breaking The News

Over the past week I had two customer visits from two different types of customers. It got me thinking about the differences between the two, both really nice guys who want work done on their cars. The main difference is that for one, it wasn’t his first rodeo with a...

read more
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.


Read More of My Blog Posts


Vintage Sports Car Club Luncheon

Vintage Sports Car Club Luncheon

  I went to a great luncheon on Tuesday at D & J Bistro in Lake Zurich with a group of Vintage Sports Car Club members and friends. Food and company was great, and it's guaranteed that unique and fun cars will show up too. Here's a few and one of...

read more
2022 Open House & Car Show – July 23rd!

2022 Open House & Car Show – July 23rd!

2022 Open House & Car Show – July 23rd!

Put Saturday July 23rd on your calendar for the 2022 Sport and Specialty Open House and Car Show. Bring any marque, model, or year of car, but get there. Daily drivers welcome! Bring a friend, take a drive, and see what we’re working on and finishing up. We expect many of the usual suspects with their really cool cars to be there so come out and let’s catch up!!

Punch in our address to your favorite mapping app and be here between 11-3 on Saturday, July 23rd.
9169 Forest Preserve Road
Durand, IL 61024

Shop Phone: (815) 629-2717

 

Meanwhile, check out some pix from our previous events. As you’ll see, it’s a great time.


Read More of My Blog Posts


No One Races Alone

No One Races Alone

A few weeks ago I got involved in an online conversation where someone claimed that the only reason we can’t go racing is that organizers would demand a driver’s meeting, and if we could just do the meeting on our phones we’d be just fine to go racing again. I quickly...

read more
Breaking The News

Breaking The News

Over the past week I had two customer visits from two different types of customers. It got me thinking about the differences between the two, both really nice guys who want work done on their cars. The main difference is that for one, it wasn’t his first rodeo with a...

read more
Pictures and Thanks from Open House 2021!

Pictures and Thanks from Open House 2021!

Pictures and Thanks from Open House 2021!

I want to take a moment to thank everyone who took the time to drive out and join us Saturday at our Third Annual Sport and Specialty Open House. To those of you who struggled with previous commitments, rest assured we’ll be here again next year.

It may have taken four years to get to the third annual Open House, but it was worth the wait!! We had a wide variety of cars and many different groups and clubs represented.

Our favorite part is showing off our work to our friends who stopped in. The weather and food was great with sunny, rain free, skies and fresh BBQ plates and sandwiches. Even Burt and Carol Levy came up to liven up the conversation and hawk some automotive literature. I sure hope they can make it next year!!

So, enjoy some pictures of the day, and make plans to see us next year!

-John


Read More of My Blog Posts


No One Races Alone

No One Races Alone

A few weeks ago I got involved in an online conversation where someone claimed that the only reason we can’t go racing is that organizers would demand a driver’s meeting, and if we could just do the meeting on our phones we’d be just fine to go racing again. I quickly...

read more
Breaking The News

Breaking The News

Over the past week I had two customer visits from two different types of customers. It got me thinking about the differences between the two, both really nice guys who want work done on their cars. The main difference is that for one, it wasn’t his first rodeo with a...

read more
Sport and Specialty Open House 2021!

Sport and Specialty Open House 2021!

Sport and Specialty Open House 2021

Reserve Saturday August 21 for the third annual Sport and Specialty Open House and Car Show. Bring any marque, model, or year of car, but get there. Daily drivers welcome! Bring a friend, take a drive, and see what we’re working on and finishing up. We expect many of the usual suspects with their really cool cars to be there so come out and let’s catch up!!

  • FUN AWARDS
  • FOOD and BEVERAGE AVAILABLE!
  • KIDS WELCOME (under adult supervision)

Punch in our address to your favorite mapping app and be here between 11-3 on Saturday, August 21.
9169 Forest Preserve Road
Durand, IL 61024

Shop Phone: (815) 629-2717

 

Meanwhile, check out some pix from our previous events. As you’ll see, it’s a great time.


Read More of My Blog Posts


No One Races Alone

No One Races Alone

A few weeks ago I got involved in an online conversation where someone claimed that the only reason we can’t go racing is that organizers would demand a driver’s meeting, and if we could just do the meeting on our phones we’d be just fine to go racing again. I quickly...

read more
Breaking The News

Breaking The News

Over the past week I had two customer visits from two different types of customers. It got me thinking about the differences between the two, both really nice guys who want work done on their cars. The main difference is that for one, it wasn’t his first rodeo with a...

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


No One Races Alone

No One Races Alone

A few weeks ago I got involved in an online conversation where someone claimed that the only reason we can’t go racing is that organizers would demand a driver’s meeting, and if we could just do the meeting on our phones we’d be just fine to go racing again. I quickly...

read more
Breaking The News

Breaking The News

Over the past week I had two customer visits from two different types of customers. It got me thinking about the differences between the two, both really nice guys who want work done on their cars. The main difference is that for one, it wasn’t his first rodeo with a...

read more

Pin It on Pinterest