Seinfeld vs. SCM: restore or enjoy the patina

**Nine17** · 01-24-2016, 04:15 PM

From what I'm hearing from my sources, it's mainly some of more track-focused cars that are going to be put on the block. He has some pretty choice racing Porsches, but the comedian apparently skipped his annual track day this year. My surmise is that he's probably focusing on stuff that doesn't require such elaborate preparations. Just grab a set of keys and drive.

-- David

**Richardnew** · 01-25-2016, 03:48 AM

Once you get to a certain number of cars it's a pain. I have 4 cars and I try to drive each of them once a month. That seldom works out.

In Seinfeld's case he probably has a staff to take car of them. Still, what's the point of having cars that you never drive?

Miles Collier has a staff of about 5 people to take care of his cars. I'm not sure about Fred.

JS might just be getting sensible.

Richard Newton

**sithot** · 01-25-2016, 07:46 AM

The four page rebuttal by Seinfeld and and Stephen Serio in Sports Car Market (Feb. '16) defending purchase of the Speedster. Previous commentary on the car regarding the auction, condition and price paid wasn't all roses.

In the same issue, next page, Miles Collier writes his rebuttal to the aforementioned rebuttal: Be That As It May.

The introduction line is: "De gustibus non est disputandum." He sticks to his guns regarding previous critiques of the car and does not believe the auction results could be repeated.

I'd venture a guess that the Fred Simeone book is in JS's library.

The Stewardship of Historically Important Automobiles

Ironically, Miles Collier is one of the contributors to the book.

Tom

**Soterik** · 01-25-2016, 08:37 AM

Seinfeld bought the car "because he could". The purchase and the price could be repeated by another person of like mind with the will and the $. I remember George Will talking about something similar one Sunday morning and he correlated to "us" (meaning the avg individual) going out and buying a "Dove Bar" (upscale ice-cream bar) vs. buying a typical avg price ice cream bar. Call it $4 vs. $2. Most wouldn't think about it if that's what we wanted on that day, and maybe you don't do it every day. So on that day that's what Seinfeld did.

In regards to Spyder being offered, the car has one paint, has about 9,000 miles on it, the interior is all original. The car was never truly "raced", may have been put on the track in it's early years for a club event. I don't believe it's changed from it's sold condition back in 2006/7. It's had a nice increase in price since the avg sold of a Spyder at that time was $1.2

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**Peanut** · 01-25-2016, 10:59 AM

After these threads, I purchased the SCM for this article. I was a bit surprised that many comments from Seinfeld went without any response, such as his confirmation of original paint, original panels, and no "massive needs". The reply also stated that the results couldn't be duplicated many many times, but that is probably true of many auctions, isn't it? At least three people were trying for this car that particular day.

Scott

**Milou** · 01-25-2016, 12:29 PM

One thing I noticed was the difference between JS who enjoyed driving the car "as is", and Collier thinking the chassis was too rusted to be enjoyed properly. I think both statements are probably true: On the one hand you have a weekend classic car driver (like I think JS) who enjoys the car in normal driving condition and/or for "cruising" occasionally, on the other a classic car racer who expects some serious sport performance regularly on and off the track (like Collier).

To cruise around on sunny days once in while, the blue Speedster is probably good enough in its current condition, but I don't think the car should be taken to the track or driven hard regularly.

Finally, I fully agree with Soterik, JS was probably the best candidate for this car, but other collectors with similar profiles are out there.

Is the car worth that much? intrinsically probably not, but it did command an audience, and underbidders are what define a hammer price at auction. If it came again to auction, it's hard to predict what would happen, but on the right day, I think it could fetch a similar price because it has the right ingredients that some current buyers are looking for.

**Richardnew** · 01-26-2016, 03:20 AM

The Stewardship of Historically Important Automobiles should be required reading. At times the book is a struggle but the information is great. You can order it from their website.

The other essential book is Porsche Unexpected: Discoveries in Collecting.

Richard Newton
Is It Really Original?