Two for the Road Staff recommends Jodie and Jeff

Who Should be your Spokesperson? In the auto business... Should the GM go on Camera or a professional talent?

A Savvy Spokesperson Far too often the company spokesperson is picked by default. They are available, they understand the ins and outs of the business or maybe it just comes down to the fact that they're the boss. But none of the above really makes for a good spokesperson. Choosing the person that represents your company in the media and public eye is one of the most important marketing decisions you will make. Set ego aside and take some time to make the best choice. Here are some tips to help: Look for someone that is a bit of a ham and will enjoy the attention. As annoying as they can sometimes be, these people tend to have the outgoing personality needed for a spokesperson. Yes they should know the company inside and out, but the real challenge is can they easily explain what the company does to someone outside the industry. A person that can easily and quickly break down complicated issues into layman's terms makes for a great spokesperson. Often the person that knows the most about the business, tends to have a hard time getting to the point and describing things simply. How do they handle pressure? You want someone that is passionate, but if they are a hot head and tend to fly off the handle when agitated, spokesperson is NOT the position for them. How do others react to them? Are they likable? The person that everyone seems to want to chat with at the holiday party? This could be your spokesperson. How well do they follow directions? Do they seem to want to change things up or add a little something different when given a task? This may not be your spokesperson. A good spokesperson needs to be able to follow talking points and stay on task. Finally, if you are the boss, consider that someone other than yourself may be the better spokesperson. You will always be needed from time to time, but if you are not the best overall face for your company, that's okay. You are busy running it! Be sure to check out our Blog for more tips on appearing in the media. All Our Best, Jodie & Jeff Heisner BottomLine Media Coaching

Two for the Road USA and Edsel Ford II

Two for the Road USA - Cathy Droz and Cathy Burford has the pleasure of spending some time with the great grandson of Henry Ford on Thursday, November 8th.  First at the fundraiser for the Salvation Army and later that evening for a dinner with the Phoenix Automotive Press Association. Both speeches given by Mr. Ford II were excellent.  The first about giving back and the later one involved NASCAR and how his grandfather got in to racing.

A GARDEN FOR RENTERS - TWO FOR THE ROAD

Grandparents on the Go.. loves this

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Gardening Without a Garden: 10 Ideas for Your Patio or Balcony Renters Solutions

Few things are more satisfying than growing your own food. Few things are more frustrating than being a garden lover trapped in a teeny-tiny apartment. What to do? Here are some gardening projects that will work on even the smallest patio or balcony...plus tips for growing citrus indoors if you don't have a balcony at all.
1. Increase growing space on a tiny balcony with this DIY pallet garden.
2. Canning jars mounted to the wall are cute and practical.
3. Possibly the cheapest and easiest gardening idea I've seen yet...re-purpose an old shoe organizer.
4. Here's another vertical solution. You could grow an entire salad.
5. Gutters easily mount to a wall or balcony railing for plants that don't have deep roots.
6. This patio garden is made from a couple of galvanized tubs stacked together.
7. How to make a container water garden.
8. If you're looking to grow larger plants, these self-irrigating planters made from plastic tubs are a great idea.
9. Linsey of LLH Designs planted herbs in wine boxes.
10. For those of you with no outdoor space, here are some tips for growing citrus indoors. Bonus: your apartment will smell amazing.

Automotive Shoes We Love

Grand Opening Peter Helle Shoes

Two for the Road Auto Journalists have been invited to the Grand Opening of the Peter Helle Shoe Salon at the Biltomore Fashion Park this Thursday. Since I don't pay more than $89.00 for a pair of shoes, it will be interesting to see what Mr. Helle charges. I hear his designs are beautiful. I would love to find a pair that had a car theme. Keep you posted. Cathy Droz and Cathy Burford are attending this one.

Russo and Steele - Two for the Road Checks it out

For Immediate Release

Scottsdale, Arizona (October 17, 2012) – As one of the most radical factory-built weapons conceived during the Super Stock wars of the early 1960s, Pontiac’s outrageous “Swiss Cheese” Catalina Lightweight was purpose-built just for one mission: to maintain dragstrip supremacy. To do this, 14 full-size Catalinas were plucked from the assembly line, stripped of all sound deadener and insulation, and relieved of one inside frame section. Aluminum body and mechanical parts were used extensively. Some 120 round lightening holes drilled into the sides of the frame rails at John DeLorean’s suggestion begat the famous “Swiss Cheese” moniker. As completed at the Pontiac assembly plant, the Super Duty 421-powered cars were some 800 pounds lighter and easily produced low-12s at about 115 mph on the quarter-mile. Now, as then, the “Swiss Cheese” Lightweights reign among the quickest, rarest, and most coveted muscle cars in existence. Just nine remain today.

The example that will be sold at the 13^th Annual Russo and Steele Scottsdale auction event January 16-20, 2013 is one of the 14 original “Swiss Cheese” lightweights built by Pontiac and one of the 12 originally finished in Frost Silver. After being tested by Pontiac stalwart Arnie “The Farmer” Beswick, whom already had received his own car, this particular “Swiss Cheese” Catalina was instead delivered new to Wilmington, Delaware’s Union Park Pontiac.

During 1963, popular Union Park salesman and driver Harold Ramsey raced it to great effect against Mopar’s finest Super Stockers including Bobby Harrop’s “Flying Carpet” and Bud Faubel’s “The Honker”. Next, Ramsey altered the car’s wheelbase for A/FX, the forerunner to today’s Funny Cars. In May 1965, Ramsey ultimately achieved a blistering low ET of 8.91 seconds at 148.00 mph with the Catalina, which continued racing into the late 1960s with Larry Johnson as the “Funny Tiger”.

The current owner acquired the big Cat, still wearing its late-‘60s livery, in 1997. Thorpe’s Body and Corvettes Shop of O’Fallon, Illinois executed a complete, concours-quality restoration with the painstaking 3,000 man-hour job returning the car to original appearance and specifications. In 2010, the restoration was completed and the Catalina dominated the show field; achieving a perfect 400-point score that year at the June 2010 Charleston, West Virginia POCI Nationals, followed by Concours and Gold Certification at the November 2010 Corvette & Musclecar Nationals. During 2012, its winning streak continued with Senior Gold at the St. Charles, Illinois POCI Nationals and First Place at the Norwalk, Ohio Pontiac Nationals.

The 1963 Catalina Super Duty “Swiss Cheese” example offered at Russo and Steele Scottsdale is confirmed, documented, and pictured in the definitive book, Pontiac Musclecar Performance 1955 -1979, by experts Pete McCarthy and John Angelis. As one of the 14 known original, factory-built “Swiss Cheese” Factory Lightweight Catalinas produced for 1963 and one of just nine remaining today, the provenance of the Union Park Pontiac Catalina is simply beyond reproach. Restored to award-winning perfection, it is more than worthy of headlining any serious collection of American high-performance cars.

For further supporting documentation, high-resolution images or more information on this 1963 Catalina Super Duty “Swiss Cheese” Lightweight, please contact Stephanie Quinn at Stephanie@russoandsteele.com.

About Russo and Steele Collector Automobile Auctions

Russo and Steele Collector Automobiles is one of the nation’s premier collector car auctions; specializing in the world’s finest European sports cars, American muscle cars, hot rods and customs. Its auctions each year attract clients all over the globe not only because of its reputation for stellar collector automobiles, but also unique auction experiences unattainable at any other collector car auction in the world. Its auction events take place with its signature auction in Scottsdale, Arizona every January, and Monterey, California every August. For additional information please visit www.russoandsteele.com or call 602.252.2697.

Media Contact

Stephanie Quinn - Stephanie@russoandsteele.com

602-252-2697