The Liberace Museum

Way before in another life, I was in the shopping center business. Every year there would be a convention, the ICSC (the International Council of Shopping Centers) was held in May in Las Vegas. At one time it was Las Vegas’ largest convention.

Since we were a small developer (much like the our car company of today) we used to try to make the most unusual displays. We actually hired Vanna White one year and literally emptied out the other displays when she appeared at our booth.

Needless to say, location was a priority, and we always had a great location because we knew a very nice man who was head of the union at the convention center. So I used to travel months before the convention to have dinner with “this nice man” and discuss our location.

Now if you know me, you might say I dress rather differently to other folks. So I’m on this flight to Vegas, in first class, when a rather attractive woman spots me an says, “it’s really quite a shame that we lost him, isn’t it”? I say, “yes it is.”

Now I have no clue what’s she’s taking about but I go along. It’s only about half way through the trip so what else can I do? ”Are you going to the ceremony,” she asks. I say, “Yes”…I still have no idea what she’s taking about but she was rather familiar looking.

After a while, the flight attendant comes over and remarks, “So you’re in show business, do you know Linda Dano well? I love her.” Now it’s starting to come together, she’s not some leasing agent I know, but a soap star and that was the week Liberace had died.

Not a great story, but like most of my stories, yep, there’s more… So I get into the limo and pick up “the nice guy” and proceeded to tell him the story about what happened on my flight.

He says, “you know, there’s a Liberace Museum here. So we go and enter a strip mall center with a nail salon, waterbed store, etc and there it was… sort of sad.

Some folks think of our dealership as a museum... maybe even a little like that Liberace Museum, which of course would make me somewhat like the "Curator of the Liberace Museum."

Goodbye to Gary Temple & Richard Beattie

It’s never easy saying goodbye... Two very important people that I’ve known for almost 20 years have retired from Jaguar Cars, Gary Temple, President of Jaguar/Land Rover, N.A. and Richard Beattie, EVP of Jaguar Cars.

I’ve spent many hours with both of them personally and professionally all over the world… We’ve talked about family, business, but never golf…

I love you both very much, it would take so long to describe the many experiences over the years, thanks for putting up with me, thanks for your patience, and thanks for teaching me the car business…

Happy 50th Birthday Jaguar XKE

That big cat on the high end

Dennis Squitieri, president, Bergen Jaguar in Paramus and Madison Jaguar in Madison, said that sales of new cars in 2010 at Madison were up 32 percent, and those in Paramus were up 17 percent over the previous year.

“There are three reasons that consumer confidence is better,” he said. “We have a lot of new product, the product is reliable, and consumers’ perception of where the country is at is better.” He draws the analogy of Neiman Marcus removing its logo from its shopping bags during the recession because customers didn’t want to flaunt their wealth. “They also didn’t want to drive a brand new car like a Jaguar into the parking lot while telling employees there would be no raises, bonuses, or a Christmas party,” he said. “That’s over with.”

Other pluses are a new five-year, 50,000-mile warranty and two new luxury sedans, the XJ and four-door XF. One thing Jaguar always has going for it is aesthetics. Says Squitieri: “It’s low, sleek, feline, ready to pounce, agile like a jaguar.”

In fact, the XK-E, on display at the Museum of Modern Art, is celebrating its 50th anniversary. Enzo Ferrari himself dubbed it “the most beautiful car ever made,” according to Squitieri. “That,” he says, “is like Mario Batali liking your tomatoe sauce."

Read more: Hudson Reporter - What’s in your neighbor’s driveway Local dealers say car market improving

The XJ and Jaguar Just Keeps Winning Stuff

On both sides of the pond…okay so our 2011 Jaguar XJ won the very presgious UK “Top Gear’s Car of the Year” award. Hometown Pride…? Guess not, how about the 2011 XJ winning Automobile Magazines, “2011 All Star Award”…hmmm maybe the secret is out…

Beautiful, fast cars, always in style with the best in class Platittum Warranty…leave your wallet home when you bring in any 2011 Jaguar for service… yep better than BMW’s, and of course Lexus and Mercedes doesn’t even come close to our 5 year 50,000 warranty, free scheduled maintenance, and $0 for wear and tear…

Well it’s not just like Tina Fey winning so many awards this year, more like Sir Paul…271 cars that are sold in the United States qualified and we won…just a note…the XF won the All Star Award for 2009 and 2010…that’s makes 3 years in row…by the way did I mention number one in JD Powers Sales satisfaction…I quess I just did….

J.D. Power's Sales Satisfaction Award Goes to Jaguar... Once Again

Wow, JD Powers Sales Satisfaction Award for 2010 goes to, “Jaguar”… 6 out of the last 7 years… Jaguar has won more awards this year than Tina Fey and we didn’t even have to dress up like Sarah Palin…



What a proud accomplishment. Over 25,000 individuals were survived and we won…

The study is a comprehensive analysis of the new vehicle purchase experience. 52% of new buyers cited dealer treatment as the reason to purchase while only 38% cited final price.

It not only the price but the experience and Jaguar Dealers are the “Best of the Best”…. Congratulations to all my fellow Jaguar Dealers and a special thanks to everyone at Bergen and Madison Jaguar who helped make this possible… Nice work…

The day I met Tony Curtis

I met Tony Curtis one night at Nicky Blair's in Beverly Hills about 20 years ago. I was attending a 40th Birthday party and I was wearing a lime green Comme des Garcons sport jacket I had just got at Barney's NY... he commented how much he liked it, I offered to him, he declined graciously, we chatted and then went on my way... I remember thinking how much he looked like a movie star and seemed to enjoy being one...



Tony did love his Jaguars... read this.

Happy 75th Birthday Jaguar!

Happy Birthday Jaguar! Jaguar this month is celebrating its 75 years in the automotive business. Always exhilarating to drive, stunning to look at & now worry-free (with best in class platinum coverage).

Jaguar is back as a fashion icon, along with Ray-Bans & Converse sneakers. With a sense of theater & innovation the Jaguar line-up, that Ian Callum & his team have designed, has been well received not only by the press, but by the folks who have made Jaguar sales & market share increase double digits. Good for us! So I say thanks Ian.

Jaguar celebrated at the Paris auto show with its concept all aluminum CX75. Pictures & a link are available on our website at BergenJaguar.com. It has never been so exciting, in our 17 years of being with Jaguar, so thank you Mr. Tata, Happy Birthday Jaguar & here’s to another 75 years.