Tag: Tom Sakai

Monterey CA, August 22, 2011 8:00 am:   The results from the Monterey Peninsula for Big Bear were impressive in more ways than one.   The Concourse Italiano was well attended and the presentation and setting at the Laguna Seca Golf Ranch was better than any previous year.  The cars were the best collection of Italian cars found anywhere perhaps outside Italy.  Besides such names as Ferrari, Lamborghini and Maserati one of the brand marks that attracted a lot of attention was the Fiat Abarth of Sam Cabiglio of Big Bear City.   Sam, who is a renowned sports car collector, exotic car dealer and Porsche expert along with his son Gianni spent most of the day delightfully describing their small Italian gem.   If the day was not long enough, later that afternoon Sam was called upon to help verify the authenticity of the serial number of a very rare and valuable 1973 Porsche 911 Carrera RS.  This perticular RS serial number was questioned in an on-line chat room prior to it’s possible sale at the RM auction.  High drama is created when hundreds of thousands of dollars are hanging on such verifications.  In a weird twist a very similar 911 RS was being auctioned the next night at Russo and Steele and then with several helpers in tow, Cabiglio was able to get access and compare the serial numbers appearances.  As the...