Read SCM's Guide To Monterey Right Now

SCM Weekly Insider: July 5, 2011

Vol. 6, #26

Monterey in August is the collector-car capital of the world, with a delightful blur of concours, vintage races, auctions, rallies, and fabulous parties. It's tough to navigate through all the events without getting dizzy.

Sports Car Market's 2011 Insider's Guide to Monterey puts you in the driver's seat with a full schedule of this year's activities, and it's jammed with insider's tips on where to eat, where to stay, how to get the most out of your week, auction previews -- the list goes on and on. It's the most complete guide available, and you can now see it online for FREE. Click here to read SCM's Seventh Annual Insider's Guide online with our page-turning software, or download it to your mobile device. See you in Monterey!

Keith's Corner: Saying goodbye to the Volvo 544

It's time to say goodbye to the Volvo 544. It all started with a 122 sedan we owned a few years ago. That was an okay car, but visually just didn't hit anyone's hot button. We sold it and immediately turned around and bought a 544 from a local Craigslist advertisement.

I don't quite know what it is about the 544 that makes it so appealing. Maybe it's the hopelessly outdated styling, even in 1964. Or the long, wand-like shifter. Or the cute little radiator blind - each time I pull it up, I imagine I'm starting the car in a snow storm in Sweden.

Making this car work has been a real education. It had been owned by the same gentleman for over 30 years, and during that period the suspension and brakes had slowly degraded, to the point where it was just terrible to drive. But he didn't even notice.

Now, $8,000 in receipts later, the car is reliable, decent and even "fun" to drive, especially now that we have the IPD front bar installed.

We've got another four-seat GT car joining the SCM fleet, so the Volvo has to go. But we've had a great time with it, and we'll miss it. See the eBay listing here. Click any of the images below to see a gallery of memorable Volvo moments.

SCM's Monterey Seminar - It's Time To Register

At the 10th Annual Monterey Seminar, SCM's panel of experts will talk about where to find today's best buys, and they'll share their recommendations in four price ranges: $100k and under, $100k to $750k, $750k to $2m, and $2m and up.

Following the title presentation, four 45-minute modules will offer detailed analysis of specific cars consigned for the Gooding & Company sale: American Sports & Muscle with Carl Bomstead, Ferraris with John Apen, European Sports & Racing with Donald Osborne, and Late-model European Sports with Steve Serio. Each participant may sign up for two modules. Admission is free for SCM Platinum members, while SCM subscribers pay $25 and non-subscribers pay $50. Seating is limited, so click here to sign up.

SCM "TweetDesk" Now Open

SCMers who use Twitter can now contact the help desk directly. If you want to renew your subscription, change your address, or have a problem with your subscription, tweet us @SCMHelp.

More Classic Cars Available at eBay Motors

Every week, SCM will bring you a collection of vintage cars and four project cars currently for sale at eBay Motors. Don't get sniped! Place your bids today.

1969 Jaguar E-Type "Bottle Rocket" roadster

1957 Ford Thunderbird "Power Car"

1980 Citroën 2CV

1960 Austin Healey BN7 3000

1959 BMW "Limousine" Isetta 600

1955 Cadillac Coupe De Ville

1962 AMC Rambler Classic 400

1952 Porsche 356 Pre-A Reutter Coupe

None of these cars tickle your fancy? Check out the restored, vintage, and collector cars currently available on eBay Motors.

Free Classic Car Guide Mobile App Now Available for Android Phones

The Classic Car Guide, created by the Chubb Group of Insurance Companies and Sports Car Market, is now available for Android-based phones, as well as iPhones and iPads. It's like having a collector car Wikipedia at your fingertips. Click to continue reading.