Just before I get into my weekend travels, here’s a quick update for you.

A glimmer of hope for SBX? They've finally sold a vehicle at auction - and surprise, it wasn't a Cybertruck. The 2006 Ford GT we mentioned last week found a new owner through their platform.

In an unexpected move, SBX also distributed a survey seeking input on improving their service. One wonders if they've been reading our suggestions all along. Could this indicate a shift in strategy from the top brass? Are they finally empowering their team to drive change?

It's too early to say for certain, but these small steps could be significant. We'll have to wait and see if this marks the beginning of a real turnaround for SBX.

Last weekend was a car filled extravaganza around The Bridge VII in the Hamptons. Although the Summer has begun to wind down, the weather was perfect and the cars were all out in all of their glory. The Bridge, now in its 7th year, is an invitation only celebration of fine and unique automobiles. Set on an exclusive golf course that has been built on the former site of the Bridgehampton Race Circuit, an incredibly curated display is arranged by color palette, by type (with off-road capable vehicles parked in sand traps) and with groupings of some of the rarest models, rarely - if ever - seen together. Multiple Gullwings, F40s, F50s, Bugattis, RUFs and Porsches, Ferraris, Lamborghinis and more, as far as the eye can see artfully arranged on a picture perfect golf course. 

WIth an event of this caliber drawing so many fine automobiles, a few rally and other driving events help to deliver the cars and celebrate them in their natural and intended environments. For those arriving from New York City, groups like Paddock NYC offered a rally with private lunch and dinner for members. The 24 Heures du Montauk has been a crowd favorite and is in its fourth year. Beginning at an undisclosed location in Bridgehampton, a parade of cars wound their way through the back roads of the Hamptons, all the way out to Montauk. An F40, an F50, a 959, two RUFs, a Singer Turbo Study (that was delivered new to its owner at the rally), a Gullwing, a DB6, a Jaguar low drag E-Type reimagined by Eagle and countless other incredible cars spent the morning winding their way through picturesque towns, beaches and neighborhoods. I was along for the ride, burning hydrocarbons with reckless abandon and taking in all of the sights, sounds and smells along the way.

Among the treasures that were on display, there were certain cars that just stood out. In particular, on the way to the 24 Heures du Montauk and the secret starting point, we stopped at a stop sign, only to get passed by a 1 of 25 paint-to-sample 959 with no license plates. We figured that this car was headed in our direction and boy were we right. It turns out that this car was purchased in 2020 and just recently returned to the road. Here at The Daily Vroom we have seen our fair share of 959s over the years, but this one looked different. It turns out that we have never seen this one before, because almost no one has. With 3,300 kilometers on the clock, this one owner car was always serviced at the Porsche factory, was purchased in a private sale and has rarely been seen in the past 36 years.

It is experiences like these that keep pushing us to dig deeper. Finding the cars that have been hidden in plain sight, and rediscovering the cars that have led new technological advancements and inspired whole generations of models and the enthusiasts who love them. The curation, positioning and sourcing of cars that are on the field is spectacular. Unlike many of the large events that focus on on-site auctions, these cars are selected for their uniqueness and for a curated exploration of designs, colors, and innovation that is not based upon a sale catalogue or a sponsored opportunity.

Funny enough, the 959 was not even included in the main event on Saturday, but that doesn't mean that it didn't steal our heart... This year's Bridge event was a triumphant return after last year's event that had to be cancelled due to a large tropical storm that threatened safety and put these cars and guests at risk. For those who are passionate about cars, racing and history, there is no finer garden party to attend. I suggest that you plan a September trip to head East and to source an invitation to The Bridge VIII in 2025. 

After the sunset bathes the course in magical golden light (making for great photos) the cars make their way off the course and back to their trailers and garages. However, just like the days where the Bridgehampton track was operating, the town of Sag Harbor fills with cars and people from The Bridge. Car watching and socializing continues until late in the night. With a few friends, I gathered for pizza and then went for a spirited drive, lighting up the night sky on back roads with wastegate flames in a celebration of hydrocarbon excesses. 

Sunday morning brings a new day and new activities. The morning kicks off with an open to all Cars and Coffee at the Bridgehampton Museum that gets larger each year. Many of the cars from the weekend are there, along with collections of cars that you expect to see in the Hamptons. Was that Jerry Seinfeld in the Mets cap? It sure was... I must have counted at least a dozen Land Rover Defender 90s and, of course, the 959 appeared behind us as we rolled into town. After that, the official brunch party of The Bridge was held at the Topping Rose House, with a curated selection of cars from the previous day, food from Jean Georges and a chance to connect in a more intimate setting. 

While it is the cars that bring us together, it is the people that make this hobby so special and memorable. Sometimes, we lose sight of that from behind our screens while we scan multiple sites every day to ensure that you don't miss key listings or sales reports. We are working hard on solutions that will make it easier for all of us to monitor and stay active on these sites, without always feeling FOMO. In the meantime, The Daily Vroom hopes to bring you more dispatches from our travels. In the coming weeks, while the leaves start to fall in the East, there are a few weeks left to enjoy great weather and unsalted roads. A number of events have intrigued us and we will be attending an upcoming BaT Alumni Reunion hosted by 1600 Veloce and the final New Canaan Cars and Coffee of the season. If you plan to attend, or if you think of other events that we should make sure to add to our calendars for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025 please let me know. 

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