Back in the 1990s, I met a man named Don Ricardo. A legend among petrol heads, particularly with Mercedes-Benz enthusiasts, Ricardo had a garage that put many others to shame. When I met him, it was Car Night, a Southern California institution assembled by a group of European car enthusiasts in the late 1970s – an group that grew organically, it began as a way for car friends to gather at one another’s homes and help each other adjust carbs, clutch cables, and so on to keep the finicky cars going smoothly. As income levels and ages rose, the amount of mechanical engagement declined and more wine and cheese and conversation became the norm. It was great. Ricardo hosted one and there must have been 100 people there. This was long before Garage Style was a thought, and there I was, with my buddy, Mark, and the trusty Fiat 124 amid all the other cars and bikes. Matt Stone tells his account below of time with Don Ricardo and it’s remarkable.
Meanwhile too, enjoy a look at the Miles Through Time Automobile Museum in Georgia and a step back to the ’80s as we delve into the Iacocca-era Chryslers and peek at some of the results from Mecum and GAA auctions. Good stuff, I hope you enjoy this edition of the newsletter!
The Island of Dean – Follow Up
You might remember in our March 22 newsletter The Island of Dean, we featured the work of Dean McLaren of McLaren Restorations who loves putting together full-scale gas pump islands and sold his latest through Mecum Auctions’ Glendale, Arizona sale. The Esso Gas Pump Island, Lot Z418 Esso Gas Pump Service Station Island, took a cool $20,060.
Meanwhile, Lot Z421 1928 Shelby Boyle Dayton Lighted Visible Gas Pump, Dean’s 1928 Boyle Dayton lighted visible gas pump, customized with illuminating paintwork and Shelby Cobra livery, took a sweet $12,390. See more results from Mecum’s Glendale sale here Road Art Auction Top 10 Results
When Iacocca Led ChryCo
When it was first issued late in 1988 as a 1989, it stickered for about $33,000 – roughly $84,000 in today’s money, a price that prompted many a journalist to coin the “TC” as meaning “Too Costly.” Built on the new and exclusive Q-platform, few dared call it a modified K-car, but indeed, it was. Regardless, it was one of those halo cars built to attract attention and bring people into the showroom. Find out more about some of the Iacocca halo cars here The Iacocca Era Chryslers and take a listen to the Break-Fix podcast reviewing Iacocca’s book at the end. By the way, speaking of Iacocca, GSM will soon be showcasing a stunning collection in Southern California that contains Iacocca’s personal 1981 Chrysler Imperial, a car publisher Don wants to acquire very badly.
Thanks for stopping by!
