You know you’ve had a good trip when a 1958 Aston-Martin DB Mark III drophead coupe is relegated to “leftover” status. But when you shoot 2,800 images, covering nine cars, an auction and a concours, it’ll happen.
This was a challenging midday shoot (in 90-plus degrees and high humidity, blech), but the car was sufficiently exquisite that it forgave many missteps and will make a fine Sports & Exotic feature. An immaculate restoration, it was at Driver Source in northwest Houston, and had been shown at Keels & Wheels the day before, so it didn’t need much detailing. Thanks, Jose! I really, really wish I could show some photos of their vault, but they were serious about the anonymity of their clients. Let’s just say, I’m contemplating an Enzo vs. McLaren F1 comparo next time I’m down. Does that make any sense as a comparo, a two generations of hypercar sort of thing?
One of the showroom floors.
Tesla at Driver Source. The first one I’ve seen, it resembled a Lotus for some reason.
There was plenty of other fun that won’t make it into print. While up in the Austin area, I was reminded it was Lance Armstrong country, and while shooting the ‘71 Charger R/T, had a chance to practice pan blurs on passing cyclists. They all seemed happy about it, too, I felt like Darryl Cannon.
Also on that shoot, this bad ass one-ton (?) stopped by to see if we were broken down. The owner was of the fast disappearing Texas Hill Country type, and looked like he’d been welded into the truck about 15 years ago.
This Model A buzzed around quite a bit, and he made a good turn of speed up the hills. It sounded stock, though. I’d guess someone in Hemmings Nation knows who it is – tell him I say “hi.”
Back at Jeff’s Resurrections, he had two Russo & Steele tent collapse cars in the shop for repair, a Nomad and ‘Cuda. As I recall, the ‘Cuda was a 440-6 with billboards.
Before I came down, Jeff Snyder had suggested I shoot this Mercedes-Benz 220 SE. A white Mercedes didn’t sound all that appealing, but it was one classy, elegant car in person, and I’m sorry I didn’t have time. Here they were just getting it out of the way of an XK150 roadster.
I mentioned it rained when shooting the SS comparo; fortunately, we’re a first-class organization and I had my chamois crew with me. We roll in style, yo.
The other comparos came from the Munday collection; this is one of the heaps we had to get out of the way to get at the good stuff. That’s my stylin’ Altima rental in back. Good ride and handling, really nice mileage, needs better seats.
That two-day adventure wouldn’t have been possible without Steve and Scott. Here, Steve keeps a close eye on his baby, the fuelie ‘57 Chevy. He looks good in that car…hint, hint, Bill.
Steve, smoooove. Amazing how well a Fuelie can run when set up right.
Scott Stark and Jeff Snyder with the Imperial and Cadillac at the South Point Chrysler Dodge Jeep dealership. Can I get the undercoating on that?
Clive Cussler was Grand Marshal of Keels & Wheels (he also brought a 1930 Packard 734 speedster), and the combination of a concours and yacht club location meant he had more than a few fans on hand. Among those was Master of Ceremonies Keith Martin, from Sports Car Market.
Putting on a major auction in a temporary location, especially one with limited access and tight confines like Lakewood Yacht Club, is a potentially nightmarish undertaking. The WWG crew was justifiably proud.
Rod Eagen, far right. Ag, the indefatigable John Aguillard, far left, with John Kruse. Thanks again to Jo Snyder, kneeling, R, for making a successful trip possible.