So yesterday was the Christmas party for Brian Joseph's place; he is the car selection chairperson for Concours of America. He runs a restoration business http://www.classicandexotic.com/ catering to the ultra high-end and exotic; you know, V16, things with the name "Phaeton"; "Dual Cowl"; "Boat Tail" and more. Duesenbergs, Packards, Rolls, Bentley—95% prewar stuff, a few interesting exotics, like his own
1956 Ghia Supersonic Aston Martin DB2/4.Interesting Point #1.
My friend Adam and I are walking around the works in progress (entire shop was open) and there was a sheet-metal shell, which was being held "open" by a tube structure. Without it, the shell (incomplete) would collapse. Upon close observation we determined that perhaps the restoration is about 5% done. It was a
Tucker. (Note for those that don't know:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1948_Tucker_Sedan) We both agreed that it would be interesting to see the "before" photos, what this shell looked like when it was hauled in. Clearly a lot of metal had been cut out; some rusty bits were being saved, but there were large parts of the car's body and structure just missing. A Tucker engine was elsewhere in the shop.
We asked Brian if he had the "before" photos of the Tucker. To which he replied,
"Which one?"When he actually got around to answering the question he said, "Have you seen what iron ore looks like after extraction from the ground?"
Interesting point #2.
There was a letter tacked up on a bulletin board from the Torrance, CA owner of one 1933 Duesenberg J. He wanted to "freshen up" his restored Duesey; not for Pebble Beach, but for a driver. He asked for an idea of pricing on three items:
1. Repaint
2. New Interior
3. New Soft Top and Boot Cover
Penciled in for a reply were the following.
1. $150,000
2. $35,000
3. $15,000
I found this all very sublime and amusing. In addition, the drinks were great; the food good, and the band was OK. Cars were amazing.
My own rather pedestrian eyes were more intrigued by the car that stood out there because it didn't belong: a late 1960s or early 1970s Alfa coupe. Could not tell which model it was, as it was de-badged for painting, and my Alfa knowledge isn't up to snuff. The car had been in for a repaint, clearly, but it was perfect size, lovely proportions. Even in its "What were they thinking?" battleship grey/green color, it was stunning.
