“The sands of time are eroded by the river of constant change”. I cannot think of a business where these words are more true- than the automotive business.

Today is the day that Creiver Classic Car Co. and I went our own separate ways. It is a good thing, though I will miss it. I must admit, getting the operations up and going from a start up was a cool thing to do and I did have a good time working there. Besides, it is not everyday that one has the opportunity to drive really great old cars, owned by really terrific people.

Did some marketing, got some exposure and things started to rock. Hell, I sold three cars just this week. Things started to pick up and significantly. Drove some great cars to Cars and Coffee (one of my favorite hangs) Took a couple of Donnie’s cars to The Desert Classic Concours d’elegance in Palm Springs and was awarded with a class victory. Sold a Shelby to Hungary, a Ferrari to Austria, a great little ex Briggs Cunningham Lancia to New Jersey, a Buick woody to Arizona, a Ford model A to North Carolina, a Packard to Chicago etc, etc, and- had the chance to meet and talk to some great people from all over the globe. I even got to brush up on my German on occasion.

I was also asked to go to Barrett Jackson; everyone should do that once, but only once. What a zoo!

Even though I had considered myself pretty damned knowledgeable when it came to classic cars, of all brands, it amazed me just how much had to be learned. Pick a car, any car, that you are unfamiliar with and research it. Who designed it, how many were produced, what options were available, how much horse power did it have, what is its current value, what was its value a year ago, is it collectable, will it become collectable, has the market peaked or has it just begun; add infinitum. Great stuff!!!!! Well, if you’re a car guy it is, rather like what E=mc2 was to Einstein; I suppose. It isn’t work, it is a passion!

But, everything must change. Change is good, it keeps us on our toes, it keeps automobile manufacturers busy with new ideas; it takes all of us down new and unexplored roads. It can also present us with new opportunities!

I want to take just a moment to thank Donnie and particularly Al (his GM and a real stand-up guy) for the fun.

Time to change…remember the opportunity thing? …stay tuned 

Klaus

O.C.C.E