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Another thread on here got me thinking about all those cars I went to look at for sale and never bought for one reason or another. Looking back the reasons were worse than the cars. Given those cars at those prices now I'd have them in a shot and thinking about it I should have gone for it back then. In 1987 or 88 I could have bought a 1957 DeSoto Firesweep for £795 ONO T&T. It was tripple tone pink, black and cream. It had a 383 V8 and it was in decent enough shape. But I was only 18 at the time and the insurance said "nah-ah" Last late 50s "forward look" Exner styled DeSoto I saw up for sale was £15K. About the same time a lass at college's boyfriend had a 1966 Dodge Corronet 2dr hardtop for sale. I reallywanted an early Mopar as I was mad on the Blues Brothers. Well this one was T&T, a little shabby but sound and was weathered red with a tired balck buddy seat interior. It was on the road at £225. But it was only the straight 6 and I wanted a V8. Ironically I could have insured this one... But I passed on it. Just like that one... You'd need £5K to buy the same car now. Double that if its in ice condition with a good V8... Anyway in the mid 90s I looked at and test drove and really loved a 1948 Chrysler Royal. The car was the size of a single decker bus! It was also absolutely mint. Superb example. It was up for £3000 but I just couldn;t bring myself to sell the car I needed to shift to get the money for the Chrysler. Said "unsellable" car ended up driven until it broke, parked up in a loickup and sold for peanuts to clear space. The CHrysler occasionally changes hands for ever increasing sums. It was up at £10K last I saw it. I was offered a really tidy, well built 100E Pop hot rod for £1200. I tuned it down as it had an oil leak! nearly 10 years later I paid £1200 for the same car after it had been driven into the ground and was rather rusty underneath. D'oh! In about 1988 I tuned down a beautiful Ford Granada (US model) for £500 ono (he would have taken well less than that, I bet £300 or less would have snagged it) but again it was the insurance which kaiboshed it. In 1987 I hadn't even passed my drving test but was trying to buy a 1947 Packard Clipper. I believe it was up for £1200 ono and I could get him down to a grand but only had like £600 - £650, and I couldn;t get my parents to stand the £350 and the bank wouldn't lend me money. It was a rhd straight 8 as well. Very rare. Perhaps my flirtation with the AC 2 litre was best left alone. It was £500 and needed work, had no MOT, but would have been a fine ride. This was 1987 and again I was looking for my first car. It was the hardtop version. In 1990 or so I turned down a 1941 Humber Hawk for no good reason. Stonking car for the WW2 staff car vibe. WIth a '41 build date it must have been a MOD car from new as civilian production was over by then for the war. £1000 asking, £800 deal price... I think it was because I couldnlt get it home from Birmingham. In about 1986 I was looking for my first car and my dad talked me out of a 1935 Austin 10 for £595 at a "honest john" type used car lot. T&T as well at that price. He was probably right, but hey... I also missed out on a Mercedes 220 fintail (coupe?) for £800 in very tidy condition, long T&T in 1987 or so because my dad wouldn't take me over to see it until after lunch "it will still be there after lunch". When we got there it had sold 10 minutes earlier... My brother could have bought a mint, fully restored genuine Mk1 Escort Mexico for £1200 but decided he wanted something more modern... That was a few years ago, early 90s I think. I also missed out on a Jaguar 420G, it was only 1/2 mile from my house but I never went to look at it. It was up for £1500 T&T, and then he dropped it to £1200. I heard he had sold it for £800. I thought it must be a nail for that but then I saw it when the buyer came to collect as it was left out on the road for the first time... And I passed it and gave it a good look over. It was in great condition. This was only 2000 or 2001 as well! And those are just the ones I can think of off the top of my head. Anyone else miss out on something and kick themselves later?
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Last Edit: Jan 4, 2007 15:02:02 GMT by akku
1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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Triumph Spitfire, for £200 - didn't have anywhere to store it. No, not the cheap 70's spit, the Mk2!
XR4x4i bought on ebay for £80 - then the seller told me it was no longer for sale and was still listed by accident!
Loads of others too....
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The ones that got away...BenzBoy
@benzboy
Club Retro Rides Member 7
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Scarily, I've never walked away from a car I've gone to see. This little statistic is always in the back of my mind when I'm on my way to see another car I don't need, can't afford or have no clue why I'm drawn to it. I have a distinct feeling of doom every time I make a journey... ;D
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I have a feeling i'm repeating myself in bits of this. totally gutted missing out on a custom local V8 MK1 Granada for £450, I was only 20 and just started uni couldnt get insurance (at the time). would probably be knackered now anyway. after seen in street machine for £200 not quick enough though So I nearly got involved with this about 5 years ago after my mate spotted it online; It was and is £1000 and is in millions of powdercoated pieces in a secret garage somewhere 250 miles away, decided it was too much work specially as it needed that door stretch in lower pic IMO. still happy about missing this one. at 18/19 I was Bored to tears of my first Micra (twas basically a long term crash replacement car) a mate of a mates dad was selling a 1275gt for only £500 he took me out great fun, but I was scared off it mainly as I had only a part time job. wish i'd got it now. again it would be broke! Cant think of any more right now
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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I have a distinct feeling of doom every time I make a journey... ;D Know that feeling all too well. I have a tendency to come home with the 'goods' too although i'm getting better at it. However i'm off to see one on Saturday I cant get it without usual hassle like....
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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Early T25 VW Bus, rejected as I'd have rather owned a 'bay'.
My neighbour had offered it to me with full ticket for £100. I R A BIG FAT STUPID HECTOR!
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A local garage had a Riley RMA for sale in lovely condition for £1500 for about 2 - 3 months and I never had it. Reason? I'd rather have the 2.5 litre version. Twit. Mid/late 90s. I also missed out on a 1968 Buick GS400 for £1995 ono. I could afford it, I could insure it, and all that was in my way was it had been reaprayed "the wrong shade of blue". This was 1998 or so. I also passed on a 1967 Chrysler 300 because I thought that a 7.2 litre engine might be "too much". £1200 in 1998 / 99 But in a 4 door and not quite so shiny... and about the same time or 2000 I passed on a 1964 Oldsmobile 98 in very tidy shape for £1600. Instead I bought a ropey Plymouth which ended up scrapped and the Olds was a beauty. Needed nothing.
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1941 Wolseley Not Rod - 1956 Humber Hawk - 1957 Daimler Conquest - 1966 Buick LeSabre - 1968 Plymouth Sport Fury - 1968 Ford Galaxie - 1969 Ford Country Squire - 1969 Mercury Marquis - 1970 Morris Minor - 1970 Buick Skylark - 1970 Ford Galaxie - 1971 Ford Galaxie - 1976 Continental Mark IV - 1976 Ford Capri - 1994 Ford Fiesta
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ive only ever owned 2 cars and i once went to look at a free mk2 golf. it was a complete shitter, it had a 1.8 diesel conversion and u had to fiddle about with this button under the dash to get the glow plugs going or something like that, glad i didnt take it really.
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I semi regret not going for oldskoolcortinas late Starlet at £500, at the time i was fighting the idea of a 3rd car! and all itdi is inspire me to buy one anyway!!! things have changed dramatically since the 80's 90's. anything 60's 70's muscle has gone mad. but then it is 2007. and all the people who like these old bruisers, us and our peers are snaffling em all up. gonna pick a random street machine classifieds up...
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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Early T25 VW Bus, rejected as I'd have rather owned a 'bay'. My neighbour had offered it to me with full ticket for £100. I R A BIG FAT STUPID HECTOR! And of course there was the Linde bus
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May1992 still looks a bit steep... 4 door 57 and 59 chevys £5-6k
dodge challenger 1970 r/t 383 nubers matching £8k
custom car july 1987(£1.10)
mach1 mustang 71, 12 months mot + tax,good body and engine. £2250.
74 camaro with period tat and 250ci engine needs mot £600ono
sept 87
buick special 1961 215ciclean with lakes pipes etc £1950.
xr4i janseed turbo(3yr old) 210bhp £8k
Mk2 escort sport 1600, rs wheels etc new bits £800!
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it doesn't matter if it's a Morris Marina or a Toyota Celica - it's what you do with it that counts
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filmidget
East Midlands
Mostly Lurking
Posts: 1,652
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ONly two I regret not buying after viewin (and instead bought the Midget)
Nice straight slightly 'played with' Mk2 Escort 1600 for £500
Immaculate AE86 Corolla for £800
I R joining the hector club.
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'79 MG Midget 1500 - Still patiently awaiting attention '02 Vauxhall Astra 1.8 Elegance(!) - Better than you might think '03 Mazda MX5 - All new and shiny looking (thanks to Antony at Rust Republic) '09 Renault Clio - Needs to go.
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stinkwheel
Posted a lot
Doctor Of Gonzo Journalism - One of gods own proptypes, never even considered for mass production.
Posts: 2,280
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I've pretty much bought everything i've ever gone to see, i know i cant help it. But the one or two i have wlalked away from have always been really nasty POS, so i never have had one get away. i've sold a few that a later really regretted though.
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1973 Citroen Dyane 6 1980 Citroen Acadiane 1992 Citroen AX 1990 Citroen BX 1997 Citroen XM 1993 Citroen BX 1997 Citroen Xantia 1977 Citroen Ami 8 1996 Ford Escort 1989 Citroen BX 1997 Suzuki RF900 1988 Yamaha TDR250 1979 Honda CB400. 'I need less vehicles'
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VW golf 16v GTI.......oak green, 90 spec, 3 door - 50 quid buy it now on ebay i go downstairs to ask my dad if i can borrow #50, come upstairs and itd sold. checked back a few days later on CGTI and the car was aparently a goodun rics oak grun jobby oh - my friends harrier - umming and arring to sell it, finally decided he wanted 3k for it...... won best of show at some show or other - now its up for sale for 6k , absolutely concourse mk2 harrier in silver with a 1760 140bhp crossflow and rs1800 bucket seats worth a grand on there own
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tigran
Club Retro Rides Member
In rust we trust. Amen.
Posts: 6,444
Club RR Member Number: 142
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The ones that got away...tigran
@tigran
Club Retro Rides Member 142
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Scarily, I've never walked away from a car I've gone to see. This little statistic is always in the back of my mind when I'm on my way to see another car I don't need, can't afford or have no clue why I'm drawn to it. I have a distinct feeling of doom every time I make a journey... ;D Yeah same here. If I see a car I like I must have it, no matter how i have to scrounge, beg or steal the money
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1964 Rover P5 i6 1987 BMW 525e - The Rusty Streak 1992 Micra K10 2001 BMW E46 316i 2002 BMW E46 330Ci 2013 BMW F31 320d 2018 BMW G31 530d
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Mark
Club Retro Rides Member
Posts: 2,097
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Saw a freshly restored early 90's Mini Carb Cooper with the John Cooper Garages "S" conversion for £2750 at Mini In The Park 2006. Absolutely immaculate and what I'd been looking for. I was just out of Uni and already in £3k worth of immediate debt, so it was a nono. As soon as I left, it turned out that it was just as good as it looked - It'd been a while since I had bought Mini Mag, it was Mini Mags car. I still regret it Nearly walked away from my current project because it needed an engine rebuild, but the fact that its absolutely MINT in every other way meant that I couldnt and 2 days later I went back and got it even cheaper ;D Apart from that the only other cars that I've gone to see and walked away from were a completely rotten and unmoveable 1977 Mini for £150 which I ran from as quickly as possible and a mk4 golf for the mother which was owned by 2 chavs and not in good nick at all. Bought every other car I've ever gone to see!
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Last Edit: Jan 4, 2007 20:26:30 GMT by Mark
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I didn't buy an almost immaculate 1800GT Marina Coupe (at least I think it was an 18GT), it was in that lovely purple/navy colour and had a black vinyl interior. It was about £800 which was more than I had at the time, but knowing what I know now means an offer of about £550 would've got it. I didn't buy one of these once: It was at a car dealers out into Kent about 10 years ago...I knew a lot less about Japanese cars then, but the dealer said that it was reputedly the first Toyota in the UK. It was up for £1200, which made it quite expensive at the time. There was also an HB Viva, which was absolutely immaculate until you looked in the boot where it was as rotten as a pear - I guess it must have been parked in a short garage for a few years! ;D I've no regrets though - something else always comes along. There's a lot more stuff I shouldn't have bought than should have!
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tofufi
South West
Posts: 1,458
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I have never ever walked away from a car I have been to look at buying. I bought my first car off eBay, having seen it in the dark for about all of 10 minutes and without driving it. My second car, I bought off ebay again, 200 miles away this time and without even having seen it. Never sold or scrapped a car either.
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st182
Part of things
'yota man
Posts: 585
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Some good stories I'm gonna get laughed at for this one........... not so much a car I looked at but one I GAVE away for spares in 99 ish................. my grotty but modified Mk1 escort 2 door It breaks my heart just thinking of it! bought it when I was 16, and used it for my first year of driving. Had structural work done in that time, sills- inners / outers, new spare wheel well, plating on inner wings. I took it off the road with the intention of doing the "new" grotty bits (rear inner arches, strut tops, general tarting) a year later, and leased a brand new rover 214i. Time got the better of me, and I was spending far too much time doing college work or drinking beer / trying to get laid. Lived at home and ma and pa wanted the "wreck" off the drive. It went to a good home though- gave it to a local garage who rallyed escorts, bits of stuff, like trim and nuts and bolts and odds and sods went to an RS1600 restoration project (the car has been seen in the local area recently, said to be a cracker- and apparently it gets driven "properly" too) and the engine (1300 crossy) went into the new owners "wifes jeep," as the 1600GT sat in it was "too good for it" and that engine was sold on to a rally contact. I hear it's still in the yard as a bear shell, but believe me I don't want to find out for myself! Think of all the free mods they got- 1600 sport mk2 front legs and brakes, gas spax adjustable rear dampers, mk2 rs200 recaro's and steering wheel, the list goes on........ As for cars that got away, I viewed a Mk1 rally car, when I was running the Mk1 above. It was a 2.0 pinto, GRP bubble arched, full cage, exhaust tunnel, wide revo 5 spokes- a genuine ex rally car, scabby round the eges but strucurally sound. I thought £895 was a bit steep, and I'd stick with the one I had for the time being. That was in 1998, spot the idiot. EDIT> just remembered another very recent one. A fellow celica club member bought and resto'd a gold and brown 2 tone 1984 ish Gen 3 celica liftback, and got as far as dropping in a 4AGE and box from an AE86, it was running webber carbs but with MSD ignition. It was dropped on 14" celica-supra rims. I was offered it for £850 on the club forum, where it didnt sell- it sold a week or so later on ebay for just shy of £1100- and theres even a video of it on you tube doing doughnuts in a car park. Wish it was me that was doing the doughnuts in it Reason for not buying- mainly no space, already have two cars. Shouldda sold one.
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Last Edit: Jan 5, 2007 5:56:30 GMT by st182
Dan '93 JZA80 '79 TA40 '99 SCP10
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Bioshock
Posted a lot
It aint hip to be square.
Posts: 1,861
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Mk II Escort RS2000 with an original Ford X pack and hooge three piece split rims. It had loads done to the engine,full roll cage etc My mate stu wanted £600 for it back in about '92 Reason I didn't buy it- It needed an outer sill (Now wheres me gun ;D)
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Almera GTI = ugly bird who turns out to be great in the sack = Win
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