A Family Love Affair With Cars

by Jed Rapoport

My dad’s life-long love of collector cars lives on in me. Dad took me to my first car show—the AACA Fall National meet in Hershey, Pa.—as a three-week old infant. We continued to enjoy the world of cars together for 47 years.

Decades ago, we were receiving a steady stream of requests from collectors and non -collectors seeking assistance with old cars ranging from appraisals to referrals for reliable service. My business grew organically as a resource that now provides services, expertise, and information to collectors.

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What I’ve been up to for the past 30 years…

Advisory and Board Positions — 30 years

  • Advisory Board Member N.A.D.A. (National Automobile Dealers Association)

  • Exotic, Collectible and Special Interest Car Appraisal Guide

  • Board of Directors, America On Wheels Transportation Museum

  • Co-Chairman of the Collections Committee, America on Wheels Transportation Museum

  • Board of Directors, Radnor Hunt Concours

Appraisals — 25+ Years (Collector cars and trucks)

  • Provide court room testimony in support of appraisal work in eastern Pa.

  • Court-appointed appraiser in Lehigh & Northampton Counties in Pennsylvania

  • Estate and divorce related appraisals

  • Appraiser for America On Wheels Museum in Allentown, PA and for the Simeone Foundation Museum in Philadelphia, PA

  • Special Situations including:

    • 1912 Cretors popcorn Truck (1of 5 in existence)

    • 1929 DuPont Sedan—appraised for bank

    • 1927 BNC—part of massive car fire insurance company litigation suit

  • One-of-a-kind Rolls Royce customized for handicap access as a charitable gift

Concours d’Elegance Judging — 25+ years

  • New Hampshire International Speedway Vintage Celebration Invitational 1993-2006

  • Philadelphia Vintage Grand Prix Concours 1994

  • Hilton Head Island Concours 1994 and 2003

  • Radnor Hunt Concours 1996-2009

  • Radnor Hunt Concours Co-Chairman of Judging and Chief Judge 2009-2013

  • Greenwich Concours Assistant Head Judge 2001-2015

  • Greenwich Concours Head Judge 2016-2017

  • Boca Raton Concours Judging Administrator 2011-2015

Event Management — 30+ years

  • Team member of Allentown Auto Fair benefitting the Allentown Art Museum

  • Co-Chairman, Steering Committee, Burn Prevention Foundation

Concours d’ Elegance

  • Advisor, Greenwich Concours d’ Elegance

  • MC, Greenwich Concours

  • Executive Director, The Elegance At Hershey

National Awards and Restorations

  • AACA Ransom E. Olds Memorial Award 2019

    • 1972 Oldsmobile 442 Convertible

  • AACA Grand National Winner and Special Award 2003

    • 1920 Briggs & Stratton Flyer

  • AACA Grand National Winner 1999

    • 1952 Jaguar XK120 OTS

  • AACA National Senior Winner 1981

    • First restoration — 1937 LaSalle convertible coupe

Published Work

Books

  • Private collector catalog chronicling a 110 car collection

  • Guides for Hagerty Classic Insurance including pocket guides, “The Restoration Survival Guide” and “Collection Management.”

Magazines

  • Car Collector Magazine

  • Architectural Digest

  • Cars & Parts Magazine

  • Tribune Publishing

  • Sports Car Market Magazine

  • Via Corsa

Club Memberships

  • President, British Car Club of the Lehigh Valley

  • Lifetime Member, Antique Automobile Club of America

  • Classic Car Club of America

  • Bugatti Club of America

  • Horseless Carriage Club of America

  • Jaguar Club North America

  • Allard Owners Club

  • Renault Club USA

  • Society of Automotive Historians

  • Cadillac & LaSalle Club

  • Buick Club

  • Oldsmobile Club