the First KEEPER.

[jphanna]

I always put cars in my life into categories as they appeared. The term KEEPER, never entered my vocabulary when it come to cars.

Learner Valiant (dads hand me down)
Cruising coupe (Celica. all looks….54kw!!!)
Hack 1 torana 4cyl (save the cruiser)
Family car XE falcoln
Hack 2 Mazda 929 (save the family car)
Family Car VL Calais
Small car corolla (smashed the family car……)
Big car VE OMEGA (towing)
Medium car CRUZE (downsizing)

Then we got to last week. I was in the market for a bigger car to tow again. I just needed a proven car to tow, and the falcon came up as my choice. I didn’t have a burning desire about the car, but I knew it was going to do the job. It came down to a black XR6 at a major ford dealer. Without even looking at it, I agreed to a price using Cruze as trade in, and was going to come down to the dealer to do the deal.

I told my son, and 2 hours later, he told me to hold off and sent me a pic of a Purple Fg with big non standard ROH rims. (when I found out 20” rims, I thought I turf them asap and get ‘normal’ people rims) Same price. Similar kms. I told him I already sealed the deal, with major dealer, but I would take a look at the purple one with big rims. After work, before I head to the small dealer, as it was only 4kms from my work. It was a stunning looking car. At that moment something took hold of me. I didn’t know what to do, I wanted out of the deal with black XR6, and get purple one. The purple car with those rims just affected me like no other car before.

As it turns out I was at ford dealer, late in the afternoon and the black car wasn’t a patch on the purple car, but I feel I couldn’t get out of it. I was there at the table about to sign the contract, when he added 500.00 to the price. Stamp duty…… this was my chance to get out of it as I asked for a final absolute changeover price. He didn’t budge. I bolted out of there and rang the other dealer asap. I said I will come there first thing in morning to do a deal with purple car.

As I said, no car in my history had the term KEEPER applied to it. They all had use by dates. This car was gonna rewrite history. Sat morning I was up at 2.00am I was that excited about this beast. I was at his doorstep 9.00 the next day. What a sight. Took for a test drive and came back. Signed the papers, hand over the cash, handed over the cruze, and then took the gleaming beast for a 260kms cruise through the hills with my family.

The car is not perfect, yet. Few scratches that will be fixed, and a full service for all components is already booked. I polished it that Saturday afternoon, and again Sunday morning, and took it for another 60kms drive in hills Sunday in the rain. Unfortunately it got dirty so another polish that afternoon…….to say its shiny, is an understatement.

For the first time in my life, I have a KEEPER. This car will be serviced and repaired when needed, economics wont be considered, and no use by date. Now I am complete.

amongst the member on this forum, i recon there would be more than a few KEEPER cars......

[98TLS]

Good on ya,had a lot of nice cars (mostly Falcons) in my time but not the forsight to keep any of them the worst being a mint XYGS that hardly a day goes by i dont regret selling Currently own a BA GTP and theres a place in the shed for that until i cant drive anymore,not the greatest car ever made but its a GT more to the point its my GT and wont be moving on,can sit in the shed with a TL1000S ive owned for 14 years and also wont part with.Enjoy your new purchase.

[CyberWasp]

Photo Please !!!!!!!!1

[jphanna]

Originally Posted by CyberWasp

Photo Please !!!!!!!!1

will do. once back home. (no access at work)

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

I have a few keepers,

Have had my XB GS Coupe for 31 years, had my XB GS ute for 2 years, and both are keepers.

Have had my XB GS Fairmont for three or four years also a keeper

Not sure about the other three XB's I have yet, will make some decisions later this year about them, I want to buy a new Ranger and a Boat, so something will have to give.....

[fordomatic]

Never had a keeper yet, I love all my cars and treat them accordingly but i've never had a car i won't sell.

[stang65]

Yep, Got her spanking new, missus won't let me get rid of it even of I buy a new stang.

[Mr Brooksy]

The second I saw the B series Falcons, I knew I must have one as a keeper (had 5 Bs at last count). But it wasn't till the F6 was released did I know which model I wanted.





Enough said!

[Stefan]

I like to sample different cars......I'm actually thinking of moving my F6 R-spec on....but they do look nice and go like the clappers, will I miss it? I'll probably just look back on our time together with fondness.

I have a real nice and real original XW GT....it should be a keeper, but I tend to get bored with stuff eventually.

[jphanna]

[DFB FGXR6]

These are my two "Keepers". Both ordered from the factory. Both the very first of the breed (The FG is a May 08 build and the FGX is a Nov 14 build). Both "mine". Both now irreplaceable. I now have a Mustang, which I am telling myself that I will sell when needed. The two Falcons, circumstances permitting, will never leave my possession.

[Rallye Sport]

The RS2000 is my keeper... It was my first car and I've had it 21 years now which is longer than I've been without it. I went to tafe, pashed my first girlfriend and went to my first real job in it. Over the years its taught me mechanical skills a plenty. Last rebuild, I've done it thrice now, took five years to do nut and bolt and taught me welding, body, painting and upholstery. Its my beast and I love it...

[Sar4890]

I think my ba xr6 is my keeper I've owned it longer than any other car I've had 11 years and counting.I usually get bored with them way before that.could be that there are other cars in my life now so it doesn't get driven that much so it still feels crisp and new.

[.:4:.]

Rewind back to 06. Seen a bf2 ghia on the road. Subtle yet a hint of aggression in the front styling. I'll allow that I thought to myself, but being 19 wasn't going to happen on $9 and hour. Come 2010, a year after starting a family and a year before getting married (self funded wedding) I dabbled in the option of a turbo or v8, but insurance companies asked for a kidney a year for cover and I only have 2 of those. Being the best time for financial outlay (worst timing ever but enough on that), on the lot, 08 ghia lightning strike imaculate. Had to have it. It's my keeper

[asagaai]

Originally Posted by Rallye Sport

The RS2000 is my keeper... It was my first car and I've had it 21 years now which is longer than I've been without it. I went to tafe, pashed my first girlfriend and went to my first real job in it. Over the years its taught me mechanical skills a plenty. Last rebuild, I've done it thrice now, took five years to do nut and bolt and taught me welding, body, painting and upholstery. Its my beast and I love it...

Envious, I had a Mk 11 GT Cortina, with a rally prepped 1600 with twin dcoe 40 side draft webbers and a 4sp close ratio box.

The car had lots of faults, but on a dirt road was just so good.

Just so direct, cable operated throttle, no electronics, just raw seat of the pants driving that is so real. Like flying an open cockpit biplane compared to a sealed jet, these cars compared to modern computerised heavy sealed bubble vehicles.

From my end I think I will keep the FGX XR8 indefinitely, because it is the last of the line and what can I replace it with which has linear grunt of a 5 litre v8 with factory supercharger, as well as a manual box and ability to turn off all the nanny aids.

Seems to get that you would now need $$$$ and go exotic European, as even the M3 does not meet the criteria for linear grunt given it is turbo with laaag.

[PG2]

My keeper is an AUII XL Falcon Ute 5 spd manual.

She has 290,000k and has a lot of battle scars with peeling off everywhere.

But gee she is a good ol' girl.

[FairmontGS]

My two GTs are keepers, especially the FG. It's a reminder of how good things got here at Ford Australia.

My wife doesn't know that yet

[XB GS 351 Coupe]

Since people are posting up photos of their keepers I may as well join in

My XB GS Coupe, I have owned it for 31 years, and it won't be going anywhere, and my son and daughter are already fighting over it, for when I am gone Big Block 4 speed manual, black on black:



My other keeper and daily driver XB GS 351 Ute, toploader 9":

[ivanflo]

I was in high school when the FG F6 came out. Would often see the NSW highway patrol boys with three of them together cruising around all the time.

High school life goals was to become an architect and own an F6, in silver and manual. A couple more years for architecture and finally got the F6 last year.

The other keeper is an 83 xe Fairmont Ghia, which is currently undergoing a 393/t56/9 inch conversion. Has been resprayed a year or two ago and had been in the family for a long long time

Sent from my XT1572 using Tapatalk

[GO FURTHER]

Originally Posted by XB GS 351 Coupe

My XB GS Coupe, I have owned it for 31 years, and it won't be going anywhere, and my son and daughter are already fighting over it, for when I am gone Big Block 4 speed manual, black on black

Beautiful car, and one of my favourite Fords!

I cannot imagine anyone being able to keep a modern car like an FG with all its computerisation for 30 years as a keeper.

The trouble with modern post emission cars, is the electronics are likely to fail long before the mechanicals and those replacement parts might be a problem 30 years from now.

I think that's the beauty of the cars made in the seventies, pure mechanical and easy to fix, before OBD, computer chips and emission laws.

Looking back now, I wish I had keep my XB sedan.

As they say "Classic ... Not plastic"

[jaydee]

My keeper, been 36 years now.
Seen off one wife and if this one keeps banging on about rego and insurance costs then she could be next.

[arronm]

I got this pair. And an awesome 2010 TTG. I don't tend to sell anything.

http://www.fordxr6turbo.com/forum/up...8b8cdc2547.JPG

[g650]

Haven't had the 3v Ghia long, but I've let go of a few good cars before and regretted it. I plan to daily this for at least 5 yrs, and I'd rather keep it for the engine alone than sell it for next to nothing down the track.

[XR6WGN]

I guess my wagon would be my "keeper" Purchased it in 2000 when wife was pregnant with our third child - ESP grew a little small as we also had two Old English Sheepdogs, the sedan was out - but not then got rid of.

The Wagon had 75,000 kms when I got it and over the 17yrs I've owned it, it now has just over 500,000. (Reliable - well, Yes & No but I have fixed or improved everything that has pretty well gone wrong - never smashed though)

Reason I've still got it?? It's the carrying capacity!! It's now used by my wife as her Seca Corolla is no longer comfortable - her elderly mother finds it hard to get in and out of something so small. Also with 1 grandchild and another on the way - the wagon will soon have two child seats in the rear again - talk about a round trip!!

[.:4:.]

Xr6 wagons are cool regardless of the situation.

[Lunch]

Unfortunately I've never really had the opportunity for a keeper, the 1 car I had that I would've loved to have put in a garage and let get covered in dust was an LC GTR with a 253ci but when my brothers ( now ) ex girlfriend decided to take it out ( without permission ) and tear the front end off it, that dream kinda died

[OzJavelin]

Had a lot of cars .. a lot of which where probably "interesting" .. but never really thought of them as keepers.
Only reason I'm keeping cars longer now is because the newer ones last longer, the older ones I have the space to store them, cash to maintain them ... and can't be bothered dealing with potential "buyers".
Longest I've owned a car is my '69 Javelin which I've had for 17 years .. I never really intended on it being a keeper, but I've never had a reason to sell.
I'm a bit jealous of people that find a make/model/specific-car they love and buy that .. seems easier than buying a lot of different junk that you kind-of like ..

[ebv8]

almost all of my cars/bikes are keepers unless i get offered the right money
BA GT no.9, 1 of 1 colour
VZ LX8 (very rare combo with full options)
HX 50th Anniversay Holden
GS1000ST (Wes Cooley)
Vitara Soft top (its a matchbox toy that owes me nothing and i can't sell it)
but the FG i'd sell tomorrow as long as i got enough cash to buy a better one
and the TT250 i'd sell too after i get my P's
i just struggle with storage

I still have a few keepers i'm yet to buy
VN V8 Calias
Hyundai Excel
C4 Corvette
BA XR6T
FG 335 GT
GSXR1300
TL1000R
300ZX
R32 GTR
NA MX5
MV Agusta F4
CBX1000

i'll get there one day, i think $160k will get me there plus the shed to put them in

[jphanna]

Originally Posted by Lunch

Unfortunately I've never really had the opportunity for a keeper, the 1 car I had that I would've loved to have put in a garage and let get covered in dust was an LC GTR with a 253ci but when my brothers ( now ) ex girlfriend decided to take it out ( without permission ) and tear the front end off it, that dream kinda died

a factory (make that Harry Firth built) built LC torana with V8 would be one of the all time most valued possessions (along with one the the 4 phase 4 built).

hope your brother is satisfied to let his 'chick' ruin a piece of australian irreplaceble history!!!

[Lunch]

the v8 wasn't factory