Keith Martin of Sports Car Market on a Fascinating Career and the Modern State of Affairs

Bring a Trailer Podcast

In Episode 102 of the BaT Podcast: Sports Car Market Editor and Publisher, Keith Martin (BaT username: 330america), talks about his wildly varying career arc; formative times on a tractor in Novato; vintage Volvos; a $30 Bugeye as a first car (and one uniquely suited to the utility paths at Golden Gate Park); being driven into the arms of Alfa Romeo by a prototypical experience in an MGA; one of many tough aspects of recovery from a stroke; Sportomatic stories; Alfa SS hot-rodding tips; going "skinny" after years of fat tires; perhaps the least likely use of a dance degree from Juilliard; what counted as a "classic" car in 1968; vintage page layout software; the "secret sauce" of SCM, then and now; doing old car things in new cars, and vice versa; the current structure of the magazine and a plug for subscriptions; the most loving use of the terms "troll" and "reeducation program"; the importance of adhering to one's standards no matter how times change; one inescapable truth about any car collection; and absolute faith in the next generation's love for cars.

Follow along! Links for the listings discussed in this episode:

1:00 Sports Car Market magazine

8:42 Keith Martin’s 1966 Alfa Romeo Spider Duetto

8:50 1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint Veloce Confortevole

9:24 1971 Jaguar E-Type 2+2 V12

24:45 McPherson College

35:37 1971 Citroen DS21 Pallas

45:39 From the BaT Stable: Clean 1972 Saab Sonett III

45:57 BaT Exclusive: Keith Martin’s Melee-Veteran 1960 Mercedes Benz 190b

45:59 BaT Exclusive: Keith Martin’s 1973 Land Rover Series III

50:54 Puffery (noun) Merriam-Webster

54:52 Jon Norman: Alfa Parts of Berkeley, CA

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