What's your "one that got away" car?

[FGII-XR6]

had this great XC 320 Fairmont . needed something I could drive as a rep and sold it to get an XD 6 manual . have always regrated that move

[BPXR6T]

XA GT coupe in 2003 for $3000. I missed it by a day but ended up buying an XB GT sedan for $3000 from the same guy instead, which I still have. Wish I was one day earlier.

[98fex]

it would the have to be my old XB GS saden I paid $1800 it had NO rust in it. It was a I one owner car I bought it from rockhamton ford dealer I own it for 2years it only had 98000 miles on clock when sold. I cryed the day it went. But the handbrake said it got to go. Sold that and bought a mazda 929 wagon. D*CKH**D ha .

[Alan D Segal]

It was 1998 or 1999 and there was a XA 351 4 speed coupe for sale at a local dealership for around $4,500. Didn't seem that good to me at the time, but sounds pretty good now.

Another one is around 2001 or 2002 there was a silver VK SS Brock for sale down the road for $10,000. Should've bought it too.

[ebv8]

when I was on my p's I drove a HZ 253 auto sedan and found an original HQ SS 253 M21 red with black and gold stripes at a dealer for $3500, the next weekend took my dad to go have a look and it drove out as we got there....and similar time a towie i knew had a HQ LS monaro and wanted $1200 for it, I offered $600 he said yes and I went to pick it up and he changed his mind, also happend a mates uncle had a yellow HQ GTS monaro for $2500 and went around with cash and he also changed his mind and 15yrs later its still in his garage.....they all should be in my garage

[ford71V8]

Landau.
My mates brothers car, tough 351, diamond white and 4 black buckets.
I love(d) that car and we were talking up a deal until mate got all weird and decided he should be the next owner as it was in his family. Problem was, he had no money and before I knew it the tough 351 was swapped out for a runner and the car was sold to a stranger.

Always, always, ALWAYS regret not pushing harder to seal that deal. Truth is, it was lost before I even had a chance.

I saw it about a year later and you could feel my jealousy and rage within a 5km radius. Felt like I was watching someone else driving my car, though it never was.

Never seen it since.

[BENT_8]

Way back in 93, when I was on my 'L's my old man offered to buy my first car.
At the time, I had a soft spot for TF Cortina's as the old man had owned one of the last sold in SA from new.
It was an '82, TF Ghia, metallic brown, vinyl roof 3.3l, 4sp with air and steer and was immaculate, until it was written off in '88.
After hunting around for a while he bought me a '77,TE, green, 2.0l, 4sp, with no air or steer and vinyl trim...not happy Jan.

Soon after we were wandering around a government auction in an old workshop when right at the back I spotted my dream car.
A 82 TF Ghia in metallic brown, 4.1l, 4sp, air and steer, with just over 60,000k's on it.
It was non running, missing its water pump and radiator and covered in an inch of dust but apart from that, immaculate.
I had to have it.

The old man bought it for $700 as no one wanted the old girl, the auctioneer directed us to the fella who was organiser who told us that the water pump had packed in on it and it was parked up and left unrepaired in about '87.

We spent the next few weeks getting it going but despite having the carbi rebuilt and numerous mechanics crawling over it, it never ran sweet.
A week later I came home from work to find it gone, the old fella sold it at the local farmers market for $2200.

I was devastated, he was wrapped with his small profit...

[CoupeKing]

Late 90`s i passed on buying an Ex Highway Patrol car from NSW. It was a white XA that had a matching number engine. Also had a speedo in the glove box for the passenger officer.

The guy selling it was from Melb, Airport West. Last i heard about it was a nearby Towing Company bought it and used the 351 in one of their trucks.

[QLD-Bluey]

Originally Posted by Perko

XD Falcon ute fitted with 351 Cleveland running all the good gear. Had XF Fairmont Ghia interior and I fitted a 5 speed manual. Came with the house when I bought it. Sold it 2 years later when I was given a work ute. It only went 20 metres down the road when I realised that I had made the stupidest mistake. Tried to buy it back but new owner wouldn't sell.

image

I dont know if its the same car but I saw this twice yesterday in the redlands area!!!

[302 XC]

Too many to mention , but many only miss those "Fish that got away" because now they are worth something,but back then worth nothing hence they got away
15 year old working outback NSW, there was a 55 chev 4 door aus delivered,sitting in a paddock,amongst other country town gems,free if I took it away
Rang many tow companies ,$500 was about the rate,for a 15 year old buying something not complete,altho rust free in that state wasn't an option
Got offered a C cab 20s truck been in the same town since new for a few grand,again too much coin for a 15 year old ....

Theres too much old stuff offered cheap or free at the time,because that's all they were worth then ....
15 years ago,mother in law had an XY Windsor Fairmont she took ,legally,for unpaid rent on a property,it was left behind,big story,anyway it was stored at my place for over 12 months till the grub got it back,it could have been mine for the unpaid rent of a grand
Had the money but the sister in law wouldn't let it happen,should have slapped some brains into her .....

[supershifty]

Back in 1990 I learned of a workmate who had a real straight original Gossy under his house, he'd owned it from new and the motor was getting pretty stale, so he parked it up with the "one day" thought. I pestered him to buy it and he said he couldn't let it go for sentimental reasons but if he ever was going to sell he would give me first dibs. 4 years later he came to me, said he was moving and had nowhere to put the Gossy, did $3500 sound alright? Bloody oath it's alright!

That night I gently approached the bride about it, this was not a good idea. I was bluntly reminded that we already had 3 cars and a boat, and that her new kitchen wasn't going on the back burner for yet another one of my bloody toys. Damn!

[kate648]

Hate to admit it, but it was a H*****!! 1968 HK 186S 2sp powerglide... 13000 original miles! I bought it when I was 17 for 2000. Few years later, my boyfriend at the time sold it to buy a lift kit for his fourby. Could have killed him.

[H.G]

it was my Tj wrangler.. I sold it, never should of.. but I bought it back.. OH the joy from the reunion.. it was like a constant shower of happiness.. champagne flowed from the heavens, taste was amplified,every day was like a warm spring morning..

then....


rockhampton fun police came along and brought a new darkness to my life..
all of a sudden there was no warmth,no champagne or happiness..
Every day I walk out to the shed I see a *carpse* of my beloved..its heartbreaking..
although I do still have it..
but QLD are prudes when it comes to 4x4 modification, roadworthies are impossible to gain,and well money.. the root of all evil keeps dragging me further into the depths of darkness... the one that got away is now begging to get away from me as I cant give it the correct amount of attention it requires..

[2011G6E]

Originally Posted by H.G

i
but QLD are prudes when it comes to 4x4 modification,

Well...us four wheel drivers do have to kind of blame those in the four wheel drive community who see safety as an unnecessary requirement at best, and lift thier fourbies to the sky on ludicrous suspension lifts that mean they wobble around corners on the road like they're on stilts and do unpredictable things under braking (especially in an emergency), and remove sway bars so they have all the handling finesse on road of a Model T Ford...

Not to mention drivers getting around with tyres sticking way out of the guards who are all surprised when the cops pull them over.

There's ways of modding anything to be fit for purpose and stay pretty much within the road rules...after all, if an accident happens and someone is injured, you really don't want to have to explain to either the insurance or, worse, the courts, why you removed vital safety items from your suspension or made it that wobbly and top heavy it's dangerous to drive on city streets...

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by kate648

Hate to admit it, but it was a H*****!! 1968 HK 186S 2sp powerglide... 13000 original miles! I bought it when I was 17 for 2000. Few years later, my boyfriend at the time sold it to buy a lift kit for his fourby. Could have killed him.

Holden HK for a fourby lift kit
That's a fair trade .........

Theres a HG kingswood sitting in my mates shed now,bought about 5 years ago, still in the exact same spot I parked it in, panels are removed,again by me
He was goin to give it to the scrappie last crissy time ....
I stopped him, but I reckon a few beers on the right day and he will give it to me ......
Put the panels back on , quick check fluids,a permit and drive it home ....

[302 XC]

Originally Posted by 2011G6E

Well...us four wheel drivers do have to kind of blame those in the four wheel drive community who see safety as an unnecessary requirement at best, and lift thier fourbies to the sky on ludicrous suspension lifts that mean they wobble around corners on the road like they're on stilts and do unpredictable things under braking (especially in an emergency), and remove sway bars so they have all the handling finesse on road of a Model T Ford...

Not to mention drivers getting around with tyres sticking way out of the guards who are all surprised when the cops pull them over.

There's ways of modding anything to be fit for purpose and stay pretty much within the road rules...after all, if an accident happens and someone is injured, you really don't want to have to explain to either the insurance or, worse, the courts, why you removed vital safety items from your suspension or made it that wobbly and top heavy it's dangerous to drive on city streets...

This is the exact reason my patrol shorty will never be road regoed
Its modded way outside any road laws in Australia
The rules are on every state website ,yet people are dellusional thinking the laws don't matter to them ...
Heavily modded or not, its a thinking process to ensure things still work right , don't break and occupants safety is paramount
Mind you ive seen 4x4s modded within the road laws and they are as dangerous as hell .....
Even some of the 2 " body lifts that are a common mod, are unsafe,but its good they need to be inspected now for road use,theres some shockers out there

[MrsTyphoon]

My classic 98 WRX :(

[macman]

My one that got away...

One owner "Banana Blush" XB Fairmont wagon. Factory 302, 4 speed $1500.

[hendrixhc]

when i was a teenager i was ready to upgrade from the P plater car, Ke Corolla, and had picked out a nice freshly rebuilt 1600 mk1 Capri for $2000. I wasnt "allowed" to have it cause my old lady didnt like the person seling it.

So i picked out a car from a car yard on North East rd, $4999, which i later found out was most likely a phase 5 XD falcon. Mum was already to sign the documents ( she had to go guarantor ) then with a few little words i was sunk - "You do know its a V8?"

I think it has left me psychologically scarred cause i keep wanting to bring home Clevo powered falcons now!

[grandpa_spec_F6]

VT Commodore
- 5 speed manual
- Red
- Holden by Design bodykit

I was 18, went to look at a car on the south side before I decided to put a deposit on it. Came back and the dealer put me in her, started backing it out and just as I was about to get in the manager goes "They're early! They said they wouldn't be back till late arvo"... he looks at me "Are you so and so?" ... nope... "someone already put a deposit on this one about half hour ago...

The silver lining is I ended up with my AU Fairmont Ghia And my newfound appreciation of Fords

[RSgerry]

I had the nicest Escort Rally Pack that I sold for an EF XR6. That was where I actually learnt that a slower car can be more fun than a faster one. I still miss the Escort. Occasionally I check to see if it is for sale somewhere.

[JC]

Russ' T-series with the 5.6 Herrod stroker in it; insurance wanted me to fit Quicktrak to it,even though they didn't monitor Canberra. Ended up using the money to extend the house instead.

[Blue Oval Mopar Man]

there have been a few over the years , but 2 really good ones were !
(1) In late 85 I was in the market for my 1st car , found a nice 253 4spd VC SL/E commodore . Dad wouldnt go guanartor on a V8 fro me , so I found a nice 4.1 ltr man 6 cyl XE falcon in blue with lots of extras and had a couple of signatures on it , some bloke called "DJ" or something ! Fairly cheap still in very good condition. The oldies let me drive their XD Fairmont ghia 6 cyl , so the old man was ready to sign the Dotted line ................. Till the seller mentioned something about a turbo ! DooH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Damn it . almost pulled it off ! Next day waiting in the driveway was an LH torana sedan 4 cyl I had to pay $1500 for back to dad ! RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIpped offfffffffffffff!

(2) in late 86 I was in the RAAF in Melb , and spied something out of the corner of my eye as I drove past City Mazda in south Melb . Went back instantly and there parked near the workshop entrance was number 42 Peter styvesant backed RX7 , driven to 3rd place in the 83 James hardy 1000 by Alan Moffat and Greg Hansford . $ 10,000 dollars was all they wanted for it as it sat , complete and still with the set up and battle scars of the race ! I went straight to my Bank , Applied for a personal Loan and got it waited till the next day for an answer . I was at the bank as fast as I could move when I was told it was approved . Bank cheque in hand I turned up to City Mazda to see it being loaded onto a tilt tray ! Already sold , gone , end of story ! I am still dissapointed about that one to this day !

[Kachowie]

A nice one owner XB wagon, 250 three on the tree. It was parked on some guys front lawn and I was driving past it every day to work, one evening I pulled in to ask him about it and if it was up for sale.. Yes mate 1500 and a battery and you can drive it away. I went home and convinced the handbrake it was a good idea, thought I would get the cash the next day and buy it on the way home from work. Spent that night dreaming about the usual dump it on its guts, paintjob, tints, big grunter under the GT bonnet I had stashed away for it.. Went to work got the cash spent the longest day ever at work (I considered pulling a sickie haha) knock off time rolls around I head straight to the blokes place to pick up my big beautiful coon AAARRRGGGHHH!! Its gone!! "Some guy came around today and took it off my hands" the guy says.. I nearly bloody well wept I tell ya...

[Kachowie]

Then there was the 1991 Mitsubishi Galant VR4. 2.0 litre turbod 4x4 rocketship.. Gawddam that thing was fast.. Saw off many a SS Commonwhore and XR8.. In a moment of stupidity I swapped it for a TF Cortina with a 302W in it.. On the way home the tranny gave up the ghost. the gangster I did the deal with didn't want to know about taking his heap of junk back.. I still kick myself hard about that...

[MercurySilver]

Guy I worked with was selling his two door xb that he had spent about 25 grand on over twelve years ago now.
Tried to get twelve or thirteen for it and no one seemed interested
Offered it to me for ten
I went to the bank and they wouldn't give me the coin as I was a casual and had only been working in the job for a couple of months.

Had gt specs from memory was dumped and was painted gun metal grey.
Was schmick....I always wondered who got that bargain.

Sold an xm two door with a stuffed interior And no motor as I dumped it behind an old chook shed on a farm I was renting
Sold it to a bloke that had his own xm 2 door.......for $400.

[groupcboost]

The one that got away from me was a 2001 a xb coupe 351 4speed black been well looked after no rust $5000 guy wanted my dad talked me out of it by saying u by that u will always be working on it and fixing stuff my reply was that's why I want it but all to no avail.....:(

[paule11]

Brought my first car in 1987 rusty hq Premier 2 weeks after I brought it neighbour from 2 doors down is at my house. She says I did not realise you wanted a car my son in law wants to sell his car (same price as what I just paid for a worn out 253) but you would not like it its noisy and not an automatic, only has 2 doors and makes a horrible noise when you change gears. HK GTS Monaro still feel sad every time I think of that

[Interceptor]

2 cars, both at the same time.....

VP HSV SV91, build #002 (first production, sydney motor show and press car)

XE ESP, 302/4 speed, rebodied in '87 under insurance after getting t-boned, everything went into a shell that Ford donated by DJR after DJ's off into the trees at bathurst... facts, history and provenance were checked, bank approved the loan....

And I bought an XR8 Sprint instead..... Figured I needed a half sensible daily driver..... the VP isnt so much of a loss, still kicking myself for not buying the XE.....

[JayD]

In 1992 I was going to a car yard to pick up my first car, a poo box toyota crown, and the yard owner picked me up in a ht monaro, green with a gold stripe down the bonnet/roof etc. he had just picked it up from a deceased estate. I thought about buying it, but he wanted $2500 and I only had the $1500 I needed for the crown. And besides, it had a broken tail light, so that would have cost me!! What a dill. The crown blew up after about 20k and I sold it to a wrecker for $100