Which cars got away from you?

[gcg2503]

XA Fairmont GS
Wild Violet
White Trim
302
One owner - Albion (Victoria St)
Less than 20000 original miles
$3000 in 1996

[UU TS50]

Late 80s was admiring a John Goss coupe with 351 4 speed (yes i know they were supposed to be 302) around 9 grand i think but was still an apprentice so could not raise the cash.A few years later i became the owner of cobra #140 and also had the opportunity to purchase Bathurst cobra #10 for 10 grand that was very rusty and despite having funds approved i passed on it.

[FERG_51]

Have been working at a Ford dealership since 1978, you can imagine the numerous GTs coupes RS escorts and the like that i past up because they were unpopular at the time and slightly out of reach budget wise. Wish i had a crystal ball.

[Vincenzo]

Car didn't so much get away as I sold it without really knowing why it was special.

Bought from original owner 1968 XT GT, White with a White interior. Owner was Dealer Principal at Ford Dealership in Canberra and was a special order apparently. 36 Gallon fuel tank and I drove from Canberra to Brisbane without refuelling. Had it a month then sold it.

Car lasted a month or so with the next owner before it left the road on the way from Yass to Burrinjuck and struck a big gum between 6' to 10' off the ground.

Cheers Vincenzo

[cosworthfreak]

Being a car guy most of my life, there have been a few. But some of the most memorable (that I wish I could forget) are:

Late 80's: HG 350 Monaro - $10k; XA GT coupe (red pepper) - $10k ono

Early 90's: XB GT (emerald green I think) - $8k; various SLR Toranas.

Early 00's: XA GT sedan (red pepper), low miles - $12k; Phase 3 in bits for resto - $20k

Late last year: LC GTR Torana from deceased estate (original owner) - $12k

These days, I've tried to be more financially prepared for opportunities (not always easy), but sometimes it's more about being first on the phone.

Cheers
Jamie

[2011G6E]

I recall a "black and brass" Model T tourer, covered in a thick layer of dust and with flakey paint and faded brass, which a mechanical shop used to have sitting in their entrance on flattened perished tyres for several years back in the early eighties. Something had happened and the wiring all burned out, and it had a "for sale" on it. I had gone there from work to book in a couple of the tractors from the farm I worked on at the time, and asked how much. He said "$3000...it used to run just fine, but then the wiring went".
I was only about 19, freshly married, and while I did have the money, I could see my wifes face if I dragged that old thing home which didn't even run!

Of course, back then you couldn't just ring up and order a full wiring loom as you can now. It meant taking it to an auto electrician and spending a fortune. Seeing how simple the system was on one of those old girls, looking back, it would have been a bargain.


I always keep an eye out on those farm and estate auctions...the listings are usually long and closely typed, and won't go into a lot of detail, sometimes just saying "Ford Falcon"..."Holden Kingswood"..."Falcon van", or something like that. You never really know what they could be until you turn up...to keep the advert short as possible they aren't going to go into huge detail. Hell, sometimes it just says "assorted farm vehicles".
The auctions are sometimes on a weekday as well to try and keep "the general public" and gawkers out and farmers in...worth going to if you have time off work or are on holidays. You never know what you might stumble across. I went to one farm auction with a guy from the motorbike club we used to be in as the listing mentioned old stationary engines which he was right into. The advert mentioned "three farm motorbikes". Two were old Honda Ag bikes, but the third was a ratty BSA M20 ex-army bike, with some of the army paint still on it. He bought it for $1000.

[Falco GT51]

1988 a Red XW GT for 5.5k went for a test drive and ended up pasting it up for my old XD that I still have today.
I paid 10k for the XD. Wish I had brought the XW now!

[irpacaus]

It was 2009 and I had approval from the minister for finance to purchase a 2006 silver Aston DB9 manual with black interior. I had negotiated the price (£48,000) with the dealer. All I needed to do is drive over and put the deposits down. I ha even worked out how to get the kids car seats to fit (sort of). Had the money in the bank. Couldn't just being myself to spend all my savings. Lucky really as 6 months later the wife was pregnant with our third. Still should have bought it. Even if I only had the enjoyment for 6 months

[stev3n]

[QUOTE=2011G6E;[RIGHT][/RIGHT]

* Dumb-*** brother in law worked on a farm in the early 1990's, and had several old cars he had bought for peanuts from surrounding farms. He'd drive them around the farm until they stopped and just left them behind the farms shed. The cars included such rarities (today they would be anyway) as a Gemini Diesel five speed manual...a coupe yet!.

I think my mate bought that diesel engine from the Gemini for his old wooden boat. I don't think there would be to many diesel Gemi coupe comversions.

Two cars have passed me by.
1990? I went and looked at an XB coupe. It had had a hard life but was complete, black 351 four speed, asking $2000. I didn't buy it because it had a fuel leak. It would have taken $5 and ten minutes to fix, but I walked away. I was there with my Holden loving mate who was showing a little interest. If we ever go to a car show I get a reminder from him.

[becko27]

Had the chance to buy a genuine Phase 3 for $18000 in 1991. Also an XA GT RPO 83 IN 93for $7000. There isnt a day that goes by that i dont regret buying one of these two. Oh well life goes on.

[stev3n]

Second one that got away, I read the paper's Saturday motoring section (remember?). I had been looking for an XE EFI wagon, anyhow in the paper I see an XE 351 4speed wagon advertised at $5000. So I ring the bloke at 7am, get abused for being too early. I get over to his house and he takes me to the shed, inside is a XC 351 manual wagon. I tell him I'm not interested as it was advertised as XE. He says have a closer look, it had been a show car, absolutely schmicko. I tell him nice car but not what I'm after. But I walked away as I was looking for XE. Got a boring XE wagon instead

[Thornie]

Hq 1 tonner off my mates brother inlaw 35k in receipts ground up rebuild and all the good stuff needed brakes exhaust and the tray lining put on to be complete 10k couldn't get finance on the grounds i hadn't been at my current job for more than 12months still spewing to this day i didn't buy it.

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

I think there would be a lot of stories dating back to the eighties and early to mid 1990's of what we would call "expensive classics" getting away, as back then they were just "old cars". Interesting, but plenty of them around.

My mates XYGT was purchased in 1980 for $4000 in excellent condition. I bought my 1972 VH Charger with the 265 hemi and four speed in late 1982 for $1700 from a large Holden dealership car lot. You used to be able to pick up Monaros and GT Falcons for not that much more than a tidy "normal" V8 Falcon, and there were plenty around.

Go to a second hand lot today, and if you are in a higher population area chances are you will see ten year old cars like SS Commodores and FPV Falcons and yes, they're more expensive than normal Falcons and Commodores, but you pass them by with maybe just an interested glance or two, because there's plenty for sale.

...and in twenty years time you'll be telling stories on the internet on how you passed up a fantastic deal on a GT/SS/whatever...

Totally agree ......
Look at late X series, the,XDs, XEs, XFs, go E series, people are throwing them away by the dozens,or there so darn cheap
Local scrappie gets dozens and dozens a week of these,so in as we all say "20 years time" there will be none,but i cant see them being anything on the demand,investment list,even many top end just wont cut the mustard
There was a VN SS in town coupla years ago, ridgy didge $700 ....
Desperate sale was needed ,he genuinely needed the money ,it got sold within a coupla hours,got regoed next day and flogged to death for the next year or so,till it did die
But on the other side many get all hooked up on buying that muscle car for ego
Young bloke i knew inherited a house when the oldies died,at the time ,pre housing boom,it was worth 50 grand, oldish house in a good area, but 50 large worth
This fella wanted a new commodore V8,so he sold the house and spent the lot on a commondore
He still drives his ,antique commondore,but the house is now worth in its current state 400 grand
Borrowing against the house to buy the car , yes
Selling the house to buy the car .....
What was he thinking ....

[XT302]

In 1990 I had a XY Fairmont, ultra white, 302 windsor, black trim a mate said give me the Fairmont and $1000 and you can have my Vitamin C E38, so he could go to Greece for a Holiday, it had a cracked front rail (would have cost $50 to fix) I said NO

In 1995 I went to the bank to borrow money for ultra white, black trim PH3 $45000, bank said BAD investment (only a few years before the BIG boom I got rid of the letter they sent me, wish I had it) so they lent me $54000 on EFXR8

1996 While still owning the XR8 I bought a ultra white, 351, fmx,black trim XYGS (factory) - notice a pattern here LMAO, to fill the void of the PH3.

1997 Could have bought my father inlaw (RIP) 1 owner 351 4spd white XD ESP $10000 (most probably BIGGEST regret due to sentimental reasons.

1998 SOLD XYGS $4000 and XR8 $24000, bank was no where to be seen for BAD investment????????

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

* Dumb-*** brother in law worked on a farm in the early 1990's, and had several old cars he had bought for peanuts from surrounding farms. He'd drive them around the farm until they stopped and just left them behind the farms shed. The cars included rarities

Must be an era thing ...
I worked at many local farms when mid teens,and even on brissie northside the old farms were full of ol cars
Many youd be walking threw 6 foot of lantana to get to them ,most of the time they were glad youd take them
I got many from the farms i worked at,and got plenty of contacts for other gear close by .
I bought an old austin ute,late 80s, $20,this one was parked up behind the shed,turned up with fuel and a battery and drove it the 20 Ks home ....
That went to a collector who travelled 1500Ks to collect
Next was a squire wagon,that was alot ,thinking around the 50 mark ,late 80s,got it towed home , the old man flipped, and said, "If thats here when mum gets home,you better back your bags ", that got sold quickly and to a collector, who travelled a distant for that
Got a MK1 zephr not a dozen or so houses away,that was another cheapie ,even had the Q plate on it still,sold within a week, the bloke bought it for the number plate, and helped him take the rest to the tip,i didnt care id made a few bucks
There were countless early holdens,FJs,FXs,FCs, farms were full of them, you just had to scope them out
It was the thrill of the chase and what youd find ,and a few extra bucks for friday nite beers,good times

[zx10]

2 door 351 XB red with blackouts for $3750 from a car yard in 1996. Took it to a mechanic to get it checked out, decided to buy it. Took it back to the car yard to tell them yes and give the cash over only for them to tell me that they took a deposit 30 minutes earlier. I ended up working with the bloke who bought it about 10 years later

Year 2000 2 door yellow XB GT, 351 4 spd but the engine had been modified and I didn't think the $9500 asking price was worth it for a modified GT

[justrod]

in 1978 Saw a 1964 Sunbeam Tiger going for $8500 had the money but...........

[Giant Cranium]

ive only had one and it was when i was getting my first car in 03 and the neighbour wanted to get rid of his old falcon. it was a red xb fairmont gs with a 302 that had had all running gear rebuilt in the last 2 years and 2k was his asking price. i asked mum but got the old no v8 till off p's, ended up getting a xf ute for 4k and spending 14 on it over the next 3 years, thanks mum

[Bearman]

1986 and I was in the box seat for XC Cobra 009 for $5.5K. My XA GT had been stolen not long before and the finances were not good. Could have stretched to get this but I whimped out!! D'oh!!!!

Mid '90's and I had the option of an XC Fairmont Sedan 351 with all the goodies and had only done 40,000km. White with Black vinyl roof and Black interior really looked the goods. $4K and I walked away!!

[Pedro]

My one that got away was the Bill Bourke Special Falcon.
It was advertised in Unique Cars for something like $30k or so over a few issues and I kept thinking maybe it might become collectible, but couldn't quite convince myself.

[2011G6E]

Out here I work with a guy who owns more than a dozen XF Falcons...he calls them "carton of beer cars", as most of them cost bugger all. He does have some rare stuff and scarce parts such as one of those odd looking old Ford manifolds with what looks like a set of four downdraft Webers on it...Autolite carbs? Can't remember the name of the setup. I've only ever seen one of them for sale at a swap meet, a manifold only, and the guy wanted nearly two grand for it.

XF's used to be extremely common, and now they're starting to disappear, which means the ones that are very good or have special options and trim will be worth money on years to come...possibly not a lot of money, but if you can pick up a nice S Pack or something with good options for under a grand, it will be worth more in the future.

[ford71V8]

I let a 74 Landau slip through my fingers a bunch of years back.

Owner was mate's brother and mate was getting all upset that I was looking to purchase and I remember him ringing me to tell me he was now buying. I was upset but there was nothing I could do.

I dont know what happened but the end result was the car was sold to some unknown for $7k before I was aware I had been lied to.

I saw it on the road a few months later and I was ****ed and a little jealous. I've never seen a nicer one.

[castellan]

In 1983 a HG GTS Monaro 308 T bar. i took him for a test drive and came back and said yes i will buy it. but some other dude had just came in to buy it when i was out thrashing it. i needed $500 more to buy it and the dealer said we two could go out back and fight for it, so if i had the $500 it would of been mine still remember trashing it like it was yesterday 100MPH up a dirt road and doing burnouts taking off, the noise and no B pillar ..

A WB Caprice in 1989 white with light blue leather, i did not have the money. and my mate sold it.

A HZ Sandman P van worked 308 T bar 9 inch 4 wheel disc with air and decked out in 1987, no money mate sold it.

[pottery beige]

63 EJ Holden, norman supercharged 138 grey, three on the tree crunch box, unique old 70s hotrod.. wouldve pasted a few GTs back in the day...

early 90s not enough brains or $$$ at the time.. hindsight so much funky for $2800

norman blower went for $8k on egay last year...

[DOA4]

1987 I saw a low K, snow white XC 351, manual, houndstooth interior, very straight coupe for sale at a car yard in Wollongong. Price $6500.
I was a second year apprentice F&T at BHP with money ready to go but the owner of the car yard wouldn't let me buy it. So I went home and got my Dad and he wouldn't sell it to him either. He said he doesn't want to be responsible for me killing myself.
I didn't understand it at the time but looking back he probably did me a favour. Although I did go out and buy a 351 sedan a few months later and I survived....Just!!!

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Out here I work with a guy who owns more than a dozen XF Falcons...he calls them "carton of beer cars", as most of them cost bugger all.

The days of the carton cars are few and far between nowadays
Local scrappie was paying $70 a car,and he collected,thats near 2 cartons just for scrap
Seems to be the latest catch cry
"Its worth XXX amount in scrap,so thats the minimum ill take "
$80 a tonne is the goin rate for the local

[FPV8U]

I think I was around 16 hunting for my first car, always loved XW GT Falcons, I found a replica for around 7K with a built Cleveland making about 400Rwhp, had the money from years of saving and missed out on it by a matter of days.

Probably a good thing for my health that I didn't get it but ill forever wish I had, it was far from perfect but what awesome beast it would have been.

[XR6T0Y]

When I was looking around for my 'new' used car, a dealer had a BF2 Fairmont Ghia with all the bells and whistles. Had 15k on the price and was willing to go for it. Had a knock in the exhaust which would have been changed anyway

Asked to go for a test drive, they said not unless you leave a deposit on the car.
Got out and walked away from them not saying a word

[LightningStrike]

Burgundy with gold stripe HT 350 Bathurst Monaro with original purchase receipts, only mod was a, set of Simmons, $5800 in 1992. I was 16, that is my only excuse. Still unforgivable though........I would have had half the coin. Better than the 85 camira I bought later the same year eh?

[westoftown]

Something a bit different from the usual muscle car tales . . .

2006: A lot of my mates had junkers for first cars on their P's in high school: like old lasers or corollas that we used to thrash around in. The short walk from the bus stop to school was made eventful for me as i was about 2 months off getting my P's and someone had parked an 87 Telstar by the side of the road with a for sale sign, $500 (obviously in the hope that someone like myself was after a cheap first car). I fell in love with it straight away, it was faded dark blue, with a black bonnet, and a interior door trim missing, the sort of car that only a lad of 16 could enjoy to its fullest potential.
I walked past this car everyday for 2 months until i got my P's and decided bugger it: i'm gonna give this bloke a ring. It was a done deal until my sister overheard me on the phone, blabbed to the folks, and they shut the whole operation down on the premise that i couldn't afford the car/petrol/rego/insurance/maintenance etc.
I had a part time job and definitely could have afforded it if i really wanted (which i did), but at the time wasn't strong willed enough to go against my folks on this one.
I did eventually buy my first car, a mint EF manual, at 18 when i was in uni and sick of borrowing my folks car.

Nowadays when i see a P plater in school uniform in a crap car i think back to how much fun me and my mates had at that age in cars like that and always wish that i just told my folks to shove it and bought that Telstar.