These are folks who listen to the symphony made — yes, they call it a symphony — when 12 Aston Martin cylinders snap, crackle and pop. By Sunday, I heard the music, too. People admired the vintage tool kits that must be intact with each auto in order to qualify — judging classes are arranged by type, manufacturer, coach builder, country of origin, or time period.  Judges select first-, second-, and third-place finishers for each class in the event, and confer the “Best of Show” award on one car from the group of first-place winners. There’s more — folks who have made significant contributions to the automotive industry or motor sports award a number of subjective awards to recognize standout vehicles regardless of class ribbons, and memorial awards are created, handed out. You see auto bodies so bright they gleam, learn automotive trivia, view an original condition Mercedes covered in hay and hidden in a French barn for 15 years; a car still bearing World War II headlight covers (to hide light during air raids); Pierce-Arrow cars and two P-A 1918 touring vans with sinks, beds and bathrooms that beat the Airstream by about 20 years; Packards and Duesenbergs and Studebakers and Bonneville Racers. I learned that you pronounce the “u” in “Jaguar” and that prior to World War Two, the British-manufactured Jaguar was called the “SS”;  I saw vintage Jags with “SS” emblems on the trunks and you can bet those were never seen again after WWII. If Jaguar could shed such a horrific image after 60 years, there’s hope for AIG and Goldman.  More than 250 impeccably-groomed vintage autos and motorcycles were on display, which reminds me: there was quite a Dallas crowd in attendance: for the first time ever, a Dallas company, Heritage Auction Galleries, was a Concours sponsor. I saw  Heritage’s Heather Walther, appraiser Meredith Meuwly, Tim Layzell and Nick Earl manning the booth. Dallas-based interior designer Trisha Wilson, who told me she has a home in the area she just remodeled, was there, along with Sherry Hayslip and Cole Smith. Ken Schnitzer, chairman of Park Place Dealerships, was also enjoying the cooler temps and checking out luxury autos he’s fairly familiar with such as McLarens, Porsche and Maserati.  Ebby agent extraordinaire Joe Kobell also has a house in Pebble Beach that I intend to hijack for next year’s Concours. Joe was supposed to be in attendance, but had clients in Dallas. Also in the high net worth crowd, Ratan Tata, the man who bought Jaguar, director Roger Corman, Jeremy Piven, Erik Estrada and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger. Personally, I think I found the best. And now Jay knows  he can pick up an 11,698 plus square foot home with 12 -car garage in Dallas…  for less than $6 million.

Turns out she’s a huge sweepstakes addict, which only an ex-spouse would know.

Even better, if you’re not shy, send yourself!

Well, in my head he did. Through his music. (Full disclosure: I emailed Live Nation last week to get an interview with Paul, never heard back. Told them we could talk “flats”.) But I think he liked Dallas, our energy, and our insistence at last night’s concert that he give three encores, which he ever so graciously did. But if Paul McCartney ever decided to move to Dallas, I think  Braden Power’s sexy home at 3816 Turtle Creek Drive would be the one. The two kitchens would be quite helpful for partying and late night, post-concert snacks, he’d think about Linda in the spa off the sweet master suite, write songs on the piano in the library, lyrics inspired by the black swans on Turtle Creek, and that gigunda master closet would hold all the guitars and the ukulele George Harrison gave him. But best of all, that pool in the foyer would sure keep Heather Mills out of his house and might even deter requests for increased alimony. Oh by the way, 3816 Turtle Creek is listed this week with Dave Perry-Miller at $7,900,000.

D Sale this week is a lease deal so good I just had to spill the beans. The home is a trumped and tricked unit at The Vendome on Turtle Creek Blvd., just under 2,000 square feet, on the 15th floor with glorious views of the city overlooking Lee Park. The two bedroom, three and a half bath sky home is currently being leased by uber radio personality Ron Chapman and beautiful wife, Nance. (No, you don’t get to move in with the Chapmans.) The Chapmans have purchased a home in Dallas, have one year left on their lease and want to sublease this unit. And here’s the great deal: they are willing to take a major hit on their lease, offering this baby up for $4500 per month for a year. That includes all HOA dues and tips — the Vendome has a no-tipping policy for it’s beyond superb valet and delivery services. You cannot get a better address on Turtle Creek. You get quite simply everything — even, for those who need them, “mistress elevators” or so urban legend claims.

Now about that 50-yard bonus. The Chapmans own seats at the new Cowboys Stadium on the 50 yard line. They are offering two tickets to one Cowboys game to the realtor or agent who brings them a qualified tenant who fulfills the terms of the lease. Other stipulations also apply. Like the exclusion of the Cowboys season opener with the New York Giants — the Chapman already have plans to attend that game.

There you have it — would have been criminal to hold this in. Someone out there must need a chi chi home for a year and for $4,500 a month — well, the deal itself is so good it’s almost criminal. Your contact is Mike Kelly in Judy Pittman’s office at: 214.871.1110.

To get a better taste of Lake Highlands, check out this article I wrote for D Home: Neighborhood Spotlight: Lake Highlands

Saw this sign on the back of a pick-up truck while driving. Which can mean only one thing —Baby, it’s back!

Indeed!

A.H. Belo Corporation, publisher of The Dallas Morning News, is investing in Sawbuck Realty, an online real estate broker that will bring its services this year into A.H. Belo’s territories in Southern California, Rhode Island and North Texas.

Sawbuck is expected to announce today that A.H. Belo has joined Sawbuck’s two co-founders, Guy Wolcott and Steve Barnes, in a $2 million round of investment in the young company. The individual contributions were not disclosed.

I’m in a conference call with A.H. Belo and Sawbuck Realty right now. As soon as it’s done we’ll get you audio from that call. Until then, jump for the interesting part of the DMN story:

As a real estate broker, Sawbuck will be able to list all Multiple Listing Service properties, [Chewy] Redding said. At present, visitors who go to dallasnews.com may see only 70 to 80 percent of the listings, he said.

He described the reaction from Dallas-Fort Worth area brokers briefed on the new arrangements as mixed.

Sawbuck refers any sales leads to agents or brokers locally in exchange for a 30 percent share of the commission. The Dallas Morning News will not share directly in that commission, although it would benefit indirectly from its investment in Sawbuck, Redding said.

The News will continue to sell advertising to local brokers and agents who want to enhance their listings with logos and contact information. In those cases, customers would contact that agent or broker directly, and Sawbuck would be bypassed.

“Our advertisers won’t see a lot of change when Sawbuck is on our site,” Redding said.

David R. Ellett, A.H. Belo senior vice president and president and general manager of Belo Interactive Media, said A.H. Belo’s investment is not huge, “but I think it is a strong signal that we believe that this is an enhancement to the real estate solution we bring to the market.”

In addition to search and referral, Sawbuck also touts lower mortgage rates and closing fees as part of its package of services.

$2,049,000

Becky Frey for Briggs Freeman

972.380.7787