Bulletin Board 32
The return of our Classifieds section, my cheap caviar hack, and style tips from a favorite Florentine
MY UNIFORM: Tommaso Capozzoli
Even if you don’t recognize his name, you’ve probably seen the man. Blessed with an abundance of floppy brown hair and a sense of style that’s both old-world and approachable, Capozzoli is a regular sight at each Pitti Uomo, easily spotted by his penchant for brightly colored knit ties and socks.
Of course, Capozzoli is more than just an aspirational snapshot. The Florentine native is a tireless entrepreneur who has had a hand in everything from bespoke tailoring and high end-shoemaking to custom travel itinerary planning. Amid it all, he somehow makes the time to participate in a rowing club located just under the Ponte Vecchio. - Eric Twardzik.
What is your standard color palette, and does it change seasonally? Brown and green sport coats with cream or gray trousers and blue shirts, dark brown shoes. Grey and blue suits with blue shirts and black shoes. Same colors just lighter shades in spring/summer.
Wardrobe basics? Always colorful socks and braces. In winter 6-ply wool double-breasted or three piece suits in blue and gray or vintage tweed jackets with their waistcoats matched with oxford shirts. The rest of the year cotton or linen suits or blazers with linen or seersucker shirts. Oxfords or tassels loafers in suede or calf leather and knitted ties most of the time. A Solaro suit is a must.
Favorites in the following categories…
Trousers: Cotton or wool bespoke trousers by Sartoria Vestrucci
Knitwear: Shetland by Campbell's and camel hair by William Lockie. I do not wear cashmere.
Footwear: Stefano Bemer, trainers by Superga and Venetian slippers by Piedàterre Venezia
Neckwear: Knitted and regimental ties by Atkinsons.
Outerwear: Double-breasted overcoats in camel hair or in orange Casentino wool. Old items such as a Barbour Beaufort or a Mackintosh riding jacket in heavy weight double texture.
Travel kit: For my site inspections a sport coat with cotton trousers and a wool navy suit.
THE CLASSIFIEDS
Our Maine-based motor-head contributor Peter Murnik gives us his listings of the most eligible—yet attainable—vintage drives and boats on the market today.
As I often tell my kids, the bad news is the good news. The bad news is: summer is winding down, and we are in the throes of a particularly volatile election year here in the States. Both of those factors can make it a lackluster time to sell vehicles, but a wonderful time to pick up some bargains—the good news.
The prices on boats and motorcycles and convertible cars take a solid hit this time of year, and I am considering putting a breathalyzer on my Facebook Marketplace account as I look out into my yard here in Maine. It's a good time to invest in a fun machine for "future you".
If you are feeling those American Gigolo vibes, on the West Coast we have this 1975 Mercedes Benz 450 SL. It is a rock solid, rust-free example finished in silver over red leather, with only 61k miles on it. Lots of power. Located in Montecito, California. Asking: $36,000.
Raymond Chandler has got NOTHING on you. Also on the West Coast is this exceptionally low-mileage 1950 Buick Dynaflow Super. Only 18,722 miles on the clock, and under the same ownership for the last 30 years, it has lived its entire life in the Los Angeles area. It was sold at Phil Hall Buick in Hollywood. Asking: $18,500.
If you are looking longingly at your fall wardrobe, this 1968 Rolls Royce Long Wheelbase sedan might go well with your camel hair coat. This is a celebrity-owned, low-mileage example with original sable paint and cream leather interior, and a divider to keep the riff-raff out. Located in Eastern Long Island. Asking: $65,000.
Does something practical and environmentally friendly sound good? This is a gorgeous 2018 BMW 530e plug-in hybrid sedan with only 49k miles. Beautiful orient blue over ivory leather. A very clean, no accidents-ever California car. Twin Turbo 2.0 liter motor, and comes with a Tesla Super Charger that plugs into a standard socket. Located in Rancho Palos Verdes, CA. $22,000.
Need a super clean rock solid RUNNER in the stable, for yourself or your college kid? This is a one-owner 2000 Mercedes-Benz 280 C, with only 65,000 miles, and no accidents or smoking or kids. Has the Sports Package, and has been garaged and meticulously maintained its whole life in the Los Angeles area. Clean California title. $6,800.
Porsches could NOT be hotter than they are right now. The resto-mods I have been seeing online are blowing my mind. This 1974 911 Targa "Long Nose" is all original except for one repaint, and has less that 100k actual miles. Contact me for the price.
I am still sitting on one of the cleanest 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S examples in the U.S. It has only 11,000 actual miles, 100% original except for the tires. Triple black gorgeous LOADED "Launch" car. Absolutely IMMACULATE. Located in Montecito, CA. $89,000.
Lately I have been obsessed with vintage speed boats and runabouts from the ‘60s and ‘70s. I picked up this stylish 1963 Glasspar Citation very cheap, and it has been a joy to have here in Maine. I also bought a 1970 Albin 25' Cabin Cruiser for under a grand, which will either become a guest house or a floating AirBnB. Anybody who needs a boat, please feel free to contact me—I can help with delivery.
Since birth I have loved the classic enduro and dirt bikes of the 60s and 70s, single-cylinder "thumpers" that are great around town and on trails. They are great looking, fun, and easy to work on. There are wonderfully preserved examples hiding in barns and garages across the country. If you have storage space, now is a great time to pick up a deal, and I am happy to assist in that quest. Email me on murnorama@gmail.com
CAVIAR HACK
I love fish eggs—caviar, as it’s called specifically. I love the salty, briny, nutty flavor, the pop of the egg as you crunch down on it and also, just the pure decadence of it all.
I have been lucky enough to have friendships with some of the world's best caviar providers (Petrossian and Russ & Daughters specifically) and yes, they have spoiled me beyond belief with the quantity and quality of product they have gifted me. That being said, with all the sampling I’ve done with some of the rarest and most allocated caviars in the world, I still have a very soft spot (and insatiable craving) for trout caviar!
Trout caviar with its small, firm, bright-orange briny eggs is significantly less expensive than sturgeon caviar—which means I can eat it more regularly in larger, guilt-free quantities and actually afford to pay for it myself. Both Petrossian and R&D sell trout caviar and it is a magical thing to behold. This summer I discovered it at my local supermarket in Médoc—8-ounce glass jars of trout caviar farmed in the Pyrenees—and yes, it’s cheap! Like, 5€ a jar cheap, and it is simply delicious.
My favorite way to have it at the house in France or—anywhere, actually—is spooned onto a crispy potato chip with a bit of crème fraiche (or sour cream stateside), and having fresh chives chopped and ready to sprinkle on top is a bonus. I serve them with an ice cold gin martini or an equally cold glass of toasty bubbles. I highly advise giving it a try next time you have a craving for fish eggs and the osetra is out of the budget! It’s a terrific midweek treat and a 250-500 gram tin opened at your next cocktail party will dazzle. Some of the other ways I like using it are on soft scrambled eggs, again with chive and crème fraiche, or topped on a baked potato or a hash brown with the same accompaniments. You can thank me later! -MH