"alexotics" (alexotics)
10/29/2014 at 20:56 • Filed to: Harrismonkey, Chris Harris, E30, M3
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"alexotics" (alexotics)
10/29/2014 at 20:56 • Filed to: Harrismonkey, Chris Harris, E30, M3 | 8
| 18 |
By now we all know that Chris Harris has left the Drive/Drive+ network to start his own free channel. !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . In short, here's what he's attempting:
1. Review unattainable car in typical Harris cheeky sideways style
2. Edit footage and post video on own monetized YouTube channel (goes live on November 12th, 2014)
3. Wait for automotive outlets and subsequently social media to blast said YouTube video
4. Collect big $$$ from YouTube views (conversion is approx. US$3,000 per million views)
5. Repeat
It's a popular formula. But even "budget" high quality videos can be costly when you factor in the cost of transportation to exotic destinations and events, track rentals, a camera man, film and sound equipment, and loads of fuel. Since the money may not start rolling in right away, Harris has decided to sell some of his most recently acquired assets to keep him afloat during production.
He's opened up his shed and he's holding a garage sale.
Here's what's for sale (both bought in 2014):
Honda SP2 w/ 3,200 miles and Akropovic exhaust - 9,500 GBP
!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! , for sale again at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!
Here's what's staying in the shed (for now):
2010 Range Rover 5.0 Autobiography
1986 BMW E28 M5 w/ 120,000 miles
1988 Citroen AX GT w/ 68,000 miles, completely standard
1997 Mercedes Benz (W124) E320 Sportline Convertible w/ 90,000 miles
2014 Audi RS6 Avant (Press Car on long term loan)
1990 Peugeot 205 XS w/ 95,000 miles, completely original
1992 Ferrari 512 TR, his second one in a short period of time
1st Generation Soft Dash Range Rover Vogue SE
Plus the odd rusty old LR product or dirty VW/Merc wagon
For anyone who loves peeking into other people's garages, !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . He also explains his obsession with hot French hatches.
Full disclosure: I wrote this post to let other Jalops in on what I think is an incredibly exciting collection. I love that Chris goes out and buys things out of nostalgia, then puts them in his shed next to his house (he lives in the Welsh countryside, basically in the middle of nowhere). He buys wheels that were unattainable to him as a younger chap and then uses them on a semi-regular basis the way they were meant to be driven. He doesn't care much for clean cars, and will occasionally use clever market timing to make a quick buck while never foregoing enjoying the cars he buys. Think Porsche 993 GT2 and Porsche 997 GT3 RS 4.0. Both of which he made a nice buck or two.
BONUS: For Chris Harris fans, I've compiled my top reviews of his. I've been following him since his Driver Republic days, so there may be some old ones in there...
Driving shotgun with the camera facing himself to avoid immediate imprisonment of recently revived rally legend Francois Delecour.
A lex Roy and Chris Harris meet to chat about cars and drive a 997.2 GT3
Chris Harris teaching us how to drift in his (at the time) personal E39 M5
JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
> alexotics
10/29/2014 at 21:03 |
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I think it'll be awesome, but perhaps short-lived. I have no idea how he's so rich but I do know he spends his money properly.
SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
> alexotics
10/29/2014 at 21:05 |
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Doesn't he have a Scaglietti as well?
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alexotics
> JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
10/29/2014 at 21:07 |
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He's never shied away from spending money on fun wheels. When they didn't loan it to him, he bought it. He owned a 997 GT3.1 for a long time. Before that there was a 996 GT2, 993 RS, E39 M5, Ferrari 599 GTB, 612 Scaglietti, FF, 2x 512TR, Lamborghini Gallardo,... He had a nice dark blue SLS AMG as well, but that was a loaner.
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alexotics
> SmoresTM Has No Chill (O==[][]==O)
10/29/2014 at 21:08 |
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He had one. He's had lots of Ferraris. Currently has a 512 TR. Most recently had a dark blue Ferrari FF and before that a Ferrari 599 GTB.
StingrayJake
> JayZAyEighty thinks C4+3=C7
10/29/2014 at 21:28 |
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Yeah I'm a little stunned he had so many cars. I get it's all a matter of what you choose to spend your money on, but was he really making that good of money from DRIVE? Or any other auto journalism job he held before? I work in print journalism. I can't imagine there's a whole lot of money in the automotive review world.
snowplz
> alexotics
10/29/2014 at 21:37 |
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Great cars but the guy seems like a total douche.
MountainCommand
> alexotics
10/29/2014 at 22:20 |
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I am just overall impressed with his commitment to the production of cinema. Most of us, if we were in his shoes, would have kept the toys. Without a doubt. But he wants to give up all that, which is commendable.
Hopefully he comes out with a line of clever tshirts as well. I would love to support him like that, or similarly. Keeping viewing free is an uphill battle these days.
davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
> alexotics
10/30/2014 at 11:04 |
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Hope he doesn't regret the decision. I know of many who have sold an E30 M3 at some point in the past that do...
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alexotics
> davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com
10/30/2014 at 13:11 |
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Same here! Hell, I regretted selling my plain vanilla '87 325is Coupe so much I bought it back from the guy I sold it to haha.
syapol54
> alexotics
10/31/2014 at 05:20 |
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$12,000 Cash, take it or leave it.
Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
> alexotics
02/20/2015 at 16:35 |
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I like Chris Harris as much as the next person...
... But selling that E30 M3?
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alexotics
> Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
02/20/2015 at 16:36 |
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A man's gotta do what a man's gotta do. He's sold rarer things.... think RS 4.0, 993 GT2...
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Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
> alexotics
02/20/2015 at 16:38 |
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ljselkflsenfliwnglow vwiognglwn golwngpwngp4noi2ngo02ng0im30t0p3wnrpmn3opn3m2tpimw
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alexotics
> Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
02/20/2015 at 16:40 |
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I know.
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Satoshi "Zipang" Katsura
> alexotics
02/20/2015 at 16:42 |
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Every single time I stare at my Honda 919, I ask myself if it helps selling her. If the ensuing emotion is endless pain and suffering....
RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
> alexotics
02/20/2015 at 17:53 |
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Wish more of the Drivers Republic content was still around .. I remember reading a review of the FN2 Type R, I think.
Built BMW Tough
> StingrayJake
02/20/2015 at 17:56 |
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Neither could I...but look how much Harry Metcalfe has got. Now he makes YouTube videos for fun, not for money. Still scratching my head on that one.
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alexotics
> RiceRocketeer Extraordinaire
02/20/2015 at 17:58 |
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I'll second that. That was some blurry ass magic.
