Welcome to MMR

Welcome to 2010!

Ah January! And at its end, we will have broken Winter's back! We begin a new decade and MMR will shortly introduce its new face and services to you. In previous issues we have discussed the interactive Motorsports Resources and Racemaker Book Forum to come. Hey, we all must spend money on non-motorsports goods and services, why not spend it with people who share our motorsports passions? The MMR Community Resources will offer MMR Community members an opportunity to offer non-automotive goods and services to fellow MMR Community members. Categories are unlimited and will include legal and financial services, home painting, property security, bicycle sales and TV repair. Interested?

At a recent auction in England, a 1967 Ferrari 250LM Sports Racer Replica sold for over $364 K and was deemed, "inexpensive". In its catalog description, this car is considered "more symmetrical" than the original, and "correct in every detail". Begs the question, is there a price point at which these recreations become "coachbuilt" and acceptable rather than just "replicas" "fakey-doos" and "Tupperware" cars?

As I write this, I am listening to the second night of the Barrett-Jackson Auction in Scottsdale. Years ago, I was a fan. In recent years the show has changed a lot. The cars are mostly highly restored muscle cars and I have limited interest. However, my attention is now caught by a bright metal-flake-gold Chrysler Prowler towing a matching trailer/box as it creeps across the block. It has 9K miles on it and was one of the last 30 Prowlers built. B-J's are pushing this puppy to make $45K. I admit that I have never understood this car or the people who would buy one. This car is an oxymoron. A Factory Hot Rod! Now hot rods are, by definition, unique. Parts borrowed from different sources are modified, shaped, fitted to produce personal automotive statements. Quicker than originally intended and no two the same, hot rods say "Look at me! I am fast and loud and damned close to illegal". But this is a V6 production line "hot rod" for the guy whose input doesn't go past the color chart. It's a pretty car, but no hot rod. As the old rodding adage goes: It wouldn't pull a greased string out of a cat's ass. And that's before you shove a trailer tongue up the aforementioned orifice and asked that anemic little V6 to pull that gold hatbox too. Oh my Gawd! A nice lady bought it for $45K! Hopefully, she wants it for herself and doesn't mean to give it to some poor bastard with a weak heart. "Honey, where have you been? You said you were going for my medicine hours ago! Aaarg!"

Next up, a 55 Ford station wagon with bubbling wood vinyl sides! Bring on the commercials for the lawyers who want you to call them if you or a relative has Mesothelioma! Please! Rolex 24 hours on January 30-31. Can't come quickly enough!

Peter Bourassa