www.tomyang.net

Tom, The list that follows is an excerpt from the Sports Car Market magazine auction database (see http://www.sportscarmarket.com), covering the last 18 months or so. SCM prices usually include buyer's premium for the auction house. Please note that cars #2 and #3 have not sold at these prices. This...

Yes, Tom. Inflation will take care of that. The right buyer for this car, whatever the price may be, is a person who sees him/herself as a guardian who gives it whatever it needs. I didn't buy my cars as "investments". I bought them because I their form and character spoke to me. To this day, I feel...

Well David, are we also hoping that the dot.com bubble will repeat? If we look at the prices of cars, it's fairly obvious that rise in prices in the 1980s was a result of the baby boom bubble. Pre-boomers and early boomers who made a fortune off late boomers became affluent, started to feast, and te...

... and there is one in Germany, France and Italy. What you get to see on any of these sites depends on what region the seller selects for delivery (e.g. auctions that mention "will deliver to US only" will not show up on European sites and vice versa). Be aware that making deals through these sites...

The Sportscar Market Magazine 2003 price guide lists 330 Americas as being worth between $35,000 and $47,500 in strong #2 condition (which they describe as "very good to near excellent condition" and "significantly above a 'daily driver' and one step below regional concours") with "no stories attach...

... and the fact that the seller describes the car as "GT 1" instead of "GTI" (the "I" stands for Iniezione -- fuel injection) and the car has been converted to Webers gives the impression that the seller either doesn't know what he's talking about or is trying to pull wool over the eyes of prospect...

I use fairly thin "Nitrile tough" surgical gloves a lot for working on the car. My experience is that they're OK for general work, but have limitations for anyting requiring a firm grip (as may be the case for tucking and pulling seat covers). I have a hunch that these gloves get thinner with use an...

Good advice, Tom. I would add the following items: 1. Join a local club. See if you like the people. Their experience with mechanics and body shops is invaluable. They may point you to a solid car that is not yet officially for sale by the owner, and/or help you avoid buying a really bad one. 2. Mak...

Do you know where and when and by whom the auction was?

I saw a show with the same theme. It was a professional upholsterer who made a seat for "Jesse James" motorcycles. He first used an electric carving knive and then an angle grinder to smoothen out the ridges and dimples. Tom wasn't far off using a rotary sander.

...well, then there is also the one for $98, described as "almost perfect".

Wayne,

http://www.bookfinder.com lists the book starting at $63.

Cheers,

Ruedi

Hi all, Some more comments on tire/wheel selection: 1. 16 inch tires on 400 mm wheels: I agree with Chris that this is not a good idea. First of all, I think it would be difficult to center the wheels with roughly 1/4 inch play -- and keep them that way. Second, and more importantly, I think it's ou...

Hi Greg, Both Coker and Vintage have R-rated 185x400 Michelin tires (see http://www.vintagetyres.com/bibendium.htm and http://www.cokertire.com/prodviewer.asp?ID=839&Size=185/65-15). These tires should fit your rim. I assume Coker told you they have no tires that fit your car because the speed ratin...

Hi Bill, Try contacting Bucherer in Switzerland. They may have an agent in LA -- or point you to someone who can help. http://www.bucherer.ch/en/portrait/portrait-factsfigures.htm Bucherer was very helpful when a friend of mine needed to repair a 100 year old watch (obviously not Ferrari Cartier) a ...