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Sport and Specialty featured on the SEMA Car Builders Series hosted by Sabra Johnson

Sport and Specialty featured on the SEMA Car Builders Series hosted by Sabra Johnson

by | Oct 12, 2022

 

Early in 2022 I received a call from the marketing chief at Moss Motors asking me if I’d like to work with SEMA (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association) helping them produce a video showing an example of a British restoration business to their members. Of course, being the PR hound that I am, I couldn’t say yes fact enough.

I soon received a call from Sabra Johnson, a well-known retro-mod shop owner in Texas who works with SEMA as a producer to set up the dates and times. At this point I had virtually no idea what to expect, so we cleaned up the shop at the edges and wore our twice-a-year uniform shirts.

Sabra and his crew did a great job of setting the stage and presenting Sport and Specialty as a group of professional craftsmen who are serious about their work and take pride in their outcomes. Obviously I couldn’t be any prouder of my crew, or the way we are presented here.

Please take a look. I really think you’ll enjoy this……

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Buy, Sell, Hold: Spotlight #7 – The state of classic, collector, and even electric conversion cars

Buy, Sell, Hold: Spotlight #7 – The state of classic, collector, and even electric conversion cars

by | May 3, 2022

 

As many of my friends will tell you (and others too), if you ask me a question I will give you the most heartfelt answer I can. Sometimes they’re even amusing…… Thanks to Darin Roberge of Motorwerks Marketing and Sports Car Market Magazine for the time on his latest episode of Buy, Sell, Hold: Spotlight #7 to discuss the restoration business and collector car hobby. These shows and podcasts are one of the highlights of this job. I hope you enjoy this!!

Buy, Sell, Hold returns this week with a spotlight on Sport and Specialty Restoration Owner John Saccameno. John and host Darin Roberge talk about past and present restorations, the future of the classic and collector service and restoration business and what you should and shouldn’t do when looking to have your new project restored.

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The Proper Color for the Car

The Proper Color for the Car

by | Apr 12, 2022

Sport and Specialty blogThere 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 us, I sometimes find myself pushing back and negotiating with them on what I see as odd color combinations.

It seems as if most British car owners want a tan interior, regardless of the exterior color. I’m here to tell you, there are many colors that simply don’t go together. Silver cars with tan/brown toned interiors simply look hideous (at least to me.) But if you use a bright red leather interior in that car, they come alive when you open the door! Color choices can make or break a restoration.

My friend Bill Hall asked me to put together some thoughts on this for the program at the recent Motorcar Cavalcade in Southern Florida. When we talked about the content we agreed that when the right colors are used on a car, discerning car guys will know, that car looks perfect in that color.

Here’s the piece they published regarding my quote. 

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The Amelia, auction bought car quality, AZ vs. Amelia, and other topics on another Driven Radio appearance

The Amelia, auction bought car quality, AZ vs. Amelia, and other topics on another Driven Radio appearance

by | Mar 23, 2022

I was happily re-invited to yet another podcast interview, with the guys at the Drive Radio Show. It’s hosted by Brett Hatfield, auto journalist, Auction Analyst for Sports Car Market, and editor of readthedriven.com, plus Corey Pratt of Craving Cars from YouTube, and Mark “Catfish” Groves, radio veteran and owner of Magnificent Cowlick Media.

Since Brett was dispatched to Amelia Island to gather info for his Auction Analyst duties, we ran into each other at Gooding’s and finally got to chat in person. When I got the call last week I was both honored and flattered to join these guys again. We discuss The Amelia, auction bought car quality, AZ vs. Amelia activity and my thoughts on getting a new generation involved in the hobby.

Take a listen and subscribe to one of the best automotive podcasts on the interwebs……hilarious too.

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The Amelia, auction bought car quality, AZ vs. Amelia, and other topics on another Driven Radio appearance

Telling Stories on the Driven Radio Show

by | Dec 7, 2021

I was happily invited to yet another podcast interview, this time to have some fun with the guys at the Drive Radio Show. It’s hosted by Brett Hatfield, auto journalist, Auction Analyst for Sports Car Market, and editor of readthedriven.com, plus Corey Pratt of Craving Cars from YouTube, and Mark “Catfish” Groves, radio veteran and owner of Magnificent Cowlick Media.

They wanted to talk to me about buying a restoration shop in your mid-50s, what to look for in a restoration shop, and what I won’t work on. But it quickly turned into stories of how I got started in racing, some of the fun I’ve had, and eventually devolved into the biggest mistake I ever made (in a car.)

The best part? If you listen closely at the end of the show, I get a “That guy is hilarious” comment after I signed off. Works for me.

Enjoy
-John

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What is the Digital Path Forward?

What is the Digital Path Forward?

by | Dec 7, 2021

Sports Car Market Magazine

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 roundtable panel of peers to discuss the effect of electronics and digital controls in the restoration industry. It was an interesting topic and I enjoyed researching and composing a response. To read the roundtable content, click on the images of the pages to read the PDFs, and thanks to SCM for the opportunity.

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