Most car buffs have a story about the One That Got Away -- the car that you didn't buy and wish you had, or the car you got rid of and wish you hadn't. I want to hear about yours.
I've been thinking about this today because I saw one just like my One That Got Away -- a pink-and-white 1956 Plymouth. Mine was a '56 Plymouth Custom Suburban wagon, also pink and white, with a 270 cubic inch V8 and a two-speed PowerFlite push-button automatic. The asking price was $750, and it came with a rusty blue Suburban Deluxe parts car. In the end, I talked myself out of it. A friend who knew Mopars told me engine parts were hard to get -- this was long before eBay, mind you -- plus I was a college student and $750 was a lot of money. That was, oh, seventeen years ago, and I still feel a pang whenever I see a 1956 Plymouth -- like I did today.
What was your One That Got Away? Click the "comments" link below and tell us about it. -- Aaron Gold
Okay, I have two – is that okay? The first was my Dad’s 1976 yellow VW Bug. My parents “promised” me that car for 8 yrs., and one day up and sold it to some 18 yro. dude working on their roof! Then this loser turned around and abandonded the thing in DC one drunken weekend and my Dad had yet to transfer the title, so guess who had to pay the impound fees? That’s right. But then instead of actually going to retrieve it – he left it there!! To this day I’ve been trying to get a yellow bug in our garage…Secondly, was my 1995 silver Toyota 4Runner…5 speed! Now that was an SUV! Looked great; especially after the re-design into the “Ugly 4Runner” phase (plastic lower body cladding), could get through anything -water, snow, mountains, and just made me feel, well, powerful. Once we had the daughter though, the stick became impractical for me. There are times when I still would trade my ‘04 MDX for a later model, Limited 4Runner. Oh well, just have to wait for the always dreamed of 8 bay garage…
My 91 black alfa spyder. had to sell due to parking issues and my old condo. should have sold the condo instead. it was one of the best looking italian cars ever. they just got it perfect that year. drove great. just a pleasure. just cant find good ones like that anymore in decent shape.
Alas, there were two I wish I still had, and I had them one after another!
The first was a 1963 1\2 Ford Galaxie 500XL. I bought it used, and it came with a factory 4-speed, a 390 engine, bucket seats, and console. It was a magnificent car! However, I was dating a Ford dealer’s daughter at the time, and he convinced me that it would be better if his daughter was ferried around in a newer, safer car. Since I was all of about 20 years old, I bought into it and traded the Galaxie for a brand new Ford Torino GT. I sat down with her dad one Saturday morning, and we went through the options list, picking out what he thought was a good thing to have. I ended up with a 350 Cleveland, and 4-speed with Hurst shifter, buckets and console just like before. The car had a history of overheating (unlike his daughter), and I ended up trading it for a Fiat 850 Spyder. Actually, I’d love to have all three of them again (and no, not the daughter!!)
Back when I was in high school (in the 80s), I had a thing for VW Beetles. I was driving to the mall one day, and saw two Beetle convertibles in some guy’s front yard. They were well-worn, but $500 would take them both. I didn’t have the money, so I didn’t stop.
Later that day, I was over at my aunt and uncle’s house, and told my uncle what I saw. He told me that I should definitely get them, and that he’d loan me the money. I immediately drove back over to the cars, but they had been sold. I never got that close again to owning an old Beetle.
1987 Grand Nash w/t-tops 70,000 miles he wanted $9000 in 2002 and my dad thought i was crazy he sold it to some guy who wanted to drag race it, what as shame
In college I had a 1985 Nissan 300ZX that I miss to this day…
The one that got away from me was a 1976 Porsche 914 2.0. It was bright yellow, in great shape and reasonably priced. I was in college. When I pulled ALL my money together I was still $400 short. My dad wouldn’t help with the difference saying “and what happens in 2 months when it breaks and in 4 months and in 6 months…When you finish college and get a job you can get a cool car.” I had to walk away from the deal. It has been nothing but Subaru’s and minivans ever since.
It was 1969 and I had just failed my first drivers test at 16. I was so devastated. My Dad told me his 1969 Mercury Cyclone was too big of a car for me to handle so we went car shopping. Well I fell in love with 2 cars a Lotus Europa and a Jaguar XKE. Looking back my Dad probably expected my life to end in a week with either one, so he bought me a Ford Maverick. Yes a puke green Ford Maverick! The Maverick actually cost MORE than the Jag.
I had to wait until 2005 to finally buy my Jag an XType Vanden Plaus
Just prior to high school graduation in 1958 I saw a classified ad for a 1954 Oldsmobile 98 Starfire Convertible for $1200.00. With a $1000.00 loan from my mom and dad I got the car and was “KING OF THE HILL.” The memories of pulling into the corner Sinclair Station and getting $2.00 worth of HI-Test to cruise around with my favorite girl are irreplaceable. I’m now 69 and still have pictures of my last favorite girl in the “Starfire.” She is my wife Beverly and we’ve been married 46 years. I was smart enough to stay with her but not smart enough to keep “The Starfire.’
Three cars one company: Around 1967 I had a chance to buy a Porsche Speedster, I think a ‘55. No top, gutted interior but mechanically complete for 400 bucks. Didn’t do it, thought the restoration was well beyond my means. I think about that car all the time particularly when I see how much they can sell for now. The other two were a 1967 912 and a 1974 914 2.0 Special Edition (the black and yellow variety). The later I set my all time speed record of 127 MPH…without getting a ticket. Loved and wrecked both, never did get the hang of that trailing throttle oversteer!
1973 Plymouth Road Runner……..was in excellent condition, had it back in ‘76 when I was 21 yrs. old, couldn’t keep up with the ins. payments, so traded it in on a small econobox. Would love the RR back now!!!
The biggest mistake of my life was selling my ‘67 Shelby GT-350. I purchased it in ‘75 from a buddy who had bought it off a Ford lot slightly used.I kept it for ten years and sold it to another buddy. I tried to buy it back a couple of times but he wouldnt sell. Then he sold it to someone else about 3 years ago.
The 306HP – 289 had never been apart – the original white lettered Goodyear was still in the trunk ( never used)— what a dope I was
PS. I sold it for $5000
Three, one mine, two my Dads.
First, my dad bought a new car in 1956 and he should have kept it. A Bright red Corvette Convertible. DOH!
Second, a car I still remind him of to this day. A Bright Yellow Ferrari Dino for $15,000. 10 years later they were $150,000.
Myself…I had a bright blue first gen Mazda Miata that cost me diddly and I sold it. Evertime I see one drive by…grrr. Even though I’ve had MUCH higher performance cars (Z-06, etc.) that car made me smile.
Late 60’s VW type 3 ugly yellow. It was my aunt’s car. She sold it three month before I get my driver license.
80’s Porsche 928 (Red) for 15,000. The guy bought it for his son, he didn’t like it and preferred a Volvo… I asked if it was for sale, he said, if you have the money it’s yours…
2009 BMW 328. I was going to bought it as my 50’s birthday present… but I lost my job…
I miss my 1965 Checker Marathon. A doctor friend of the family bought it new and sold it to my uncle. I bought it from him. Had a Chevy six cylinder in it with a three speed. Wasn’t fast but it got great mileage – 25+. It had lots of rust (Could see the front tire through a hole in the floor) but it was cool. I could easily get a dozen people in it, but never more than three in the front seat – wouldn’t wanna break the law! It definitiely turned heads – and the rust was never the topic of conversation. Would love to have another one.
I should never have let my ‘61 Impala Sports Coupe go. It was a California car with one piece bumpers, royal blue, 283 2 bl powerglide. I bought it Dec 23,1967 for $650. I traded it even for a ‘62 VW Sunroof Sedan sometime in 1968.
I have had several that I let slip through my fingers. But the one that makes me ache is a 1968 Firebird from the original owner in 1982. He had restored it to better than new. Red ext, black int, 400 CI Poncho motor with a 4 speed and the tach on the hood. He wanted $3,500 and I instead fixed up my Honda Civic.
My first car I never should have let loose of. When I was 16 I bought a 1966 Mustang convertible, 289, 3 on the floor in 1972 for $600. It had 83,000 miles on it. Sold it 3 years later when I was in the Army, planning to get another when I got out. I couldn’t find one for less than $2000 then…and it was basicly stripped. I want my Stang back.
1970 Torino Cobra… Yes, it was a REAL one: shaker hood, 429 SCJ, C6, ribbon tach, rear window slats, Magnum 500’s, 31 spline 9″ diff. WHAT was I thinking??!! Sigh…
Well, there are two that I really regret letting go.
1). A 1995 Corvair corsa (180 hp. turbocharged. I ordered it sight unseen in Oct. ‘94, GM went on strike, car was delivered in Jan ‘95. I believe it was the ist. one sold in San Fransisco. It would still be a great car today with a modern turbo. and tires.
2). A 1969 MGC/GT. BRG with wire wheels. Stilll a beautiful car and becoming very rare.
Hmmm………… quite a few.When I was In Delhi as a youngster I wanted a Maruti Gypsy which was the Indian version of Suzuki Jimmy.It was hep in those days to have one especially with the roof down and a few mini skirted girls hanging out of it.Wishes had wings I wished.Then as a 20 something In NYC I wanted many cars like Cadillac deville,Lincoln towncar,Toyota 4runner and Nissan Maxima.At the moment I desire a Nissan GTR,Chevy 300,and a Bentley continental above all.Any good 8 cylinder moves me.A 12 cylinder would rock but thats dreaming too high.But then lets dream!!
I thought about buying a 1969 Camaro Z28 Indianapolis Pace Car. It was white with orange racing stripes, 302 V8 and 4 speed. I ended up with a SS396 Chevelle. Both were sweet rides, but I still think about the Z28.
I had just graduated college in 1970 and got a good job. I went shopping for a Cammaro Z28 until I found out the yearly insurance was more than the price of the car. I bought a RS with a 350 and heavy duty suspension, 4 speed, posi and proceeded to convert the engine to Z28 specs. I worked on it every chance I got. Finally it was finished, and it could fly (I got a speeding ticket in Canada when I was cruising at 135. but the constable took pity and wrote it up as 85).
About 3 months after it was finished the car was stole. It was Hugger orange too.
My 70 Dodge Charger R/T. Had a 440 six pack and Hurst 4/speed trans. One of about 357 made in that configuration. Had to sell for financial reasons.
In 1968, a Cord replica with a hemi. They were well built, sleek, and fast! I think my $3500 would have been well spent.
I bought a beautiful 1947 Cad. Convert. in 1960 for $50.00. I was a Jr. in high school.
A friend had hit a telephone pole with the car and my dad and I found all the parts we needed to replace the left fender plus any other parts we could take off a ‘47 Cad sitting in a back yard in town.
The car was beautiful, we repainted it the original creamy yellow and a new tan top. A great car for a guy in high school.
Later, after getting married and on the way to becoming a dad in 1966 I needed money and sold the car for $350.00!
I’m now 65 and still sick that I didn’t keep it. The $350.00 is long gone too!
In the spring of 1966 I took out a 427 Cobra, but the $7,900 price tag was too high, I thought at the time.
In 1971 I passed up a 1970 Plymouth Superbird for $2300.00. And I’m still sick about it to this day.
In High School I bought a 37 Ford Sedan Delivery for $100. Inside was done with white tuck & roll and black carpet with the outside in black. I drove the car for about 6 months and a fello offered me $500 so I sold it. I’ve missed that car ever since.
Got away? Are you kidding? I’m still driving it. 1978 Toyota Corolla station wagon. 465,000 miles. Total repair cost — just under $2500. Won’t stop running. Haven’t made a car payment in 27 years. Initial cost — $4000. It’s like a free car!
The one that got away was a 1953 Ford with a Chevy 348 big block and 3 duces, a friend of mine was selling it and at age 18 I still respected my fathers advice, and after taking him for a test drive he talked me out of buying it saying it was too powerfull and all I would do was get in trouble. He was right but still today, some 40 years later I regret not buying the “one that got away”.
Have not corresponded with you since our March 15, 2009 exchange. Cars have always been a very large part of my professional and leisure time life, and you could say, in regards to this article, there are a number of my previously owned vehicles that I would love to have back. Even though “at the time” I thought I had made a great sale!
Previously vehicles owned that I wish I had today; * full custom 48 Chevy Coupe with a 350/4-speed and all of todays conveniences.
* 1950 Mercury 2 dr. Coupe in perfect condition * 1967 SS 396 4-speed Chevelle with all options * 1969 SS 396 4-speed Camaro w/fold down rear seat and a front color-coded rubber bumper and every other option available * nine Corvettes (1959, 1964,1967-427 fuelie with real knock-offs and side-pipes, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1977, 1985 & 1990), 1965 Silver & Black DB5 Aston Martin, 1978 Rolls Corniche and a 1977 Rolls Royce short wheel base Silver Shadow w/17,000 miles. Do you think I’ve had a car or two that would be worth some bucks today or what!?
Keep up the great work Mr. Gold, your real life assessment of cars are refreshing and informative. Glad you and the family had a good trip.
Ron (from California)
My second car, a ‘69 Bug. First “cal-bug” ever created. Built by the original owner of Bugformance in Sacramento. Was in Hot VW magazine twice. Saw the one from ‘78. Adjustable lowered front end, one piece windows, two piece Enkie wheels, blacked out trim and a custom interior with a one piece dash and all 911 gauges and steering wheel. 1776 engine. Fast. Beautiful. Sold it to another teenager after I bought my Fiero GT. He wrecked and destroyed it. Never saw it again.
My second car after I got my license in the early ’60s was a black on black 1963 Falcon Futura convertible. It came out just before the Mustang. I drove the wheels off of the Futura and traded it in July 1968 for a new MarkII Cortina GT that racked up close to 20,000 miles its first year before the transmission began losing gears. !979 brought a Fiesta GT that we kept for over ten years followed by a 1990 Festiva that ran for over 100,000 trouble-free miles before being sold to a family of ten from Mexico a few years back. It’s probably still going. I still have have a 1985 Merkur XR4Ti that I bought in 1987. I wish I had kept all of the above.
(Sigh) I loved my 1998 dark blue Mustang. I bought it new (with less than 8 miles) and after six years I had driven over 165,000 miles, without a problem. I sold the car to my mother for a measly $1500 (she is my mother after all) because my father-in-law gave us a 1993 Lexus SC400 (beautiful car on the outside, but a lemon under the hood). My mother drove the Mustang for about a year when she sold it to her neighbor for $3000! During and after spending over $6000 in repairs on the Lexus, I nostalgically look back at my ’stang and sigh. Darn, I miss that car… “if only I had…”
I miss my 95 SHO Taurus 5 speed. The car was perfect: everything working, the engine was sweet in sound and operation. The interior and exterior were well maintained. I kept the SHO garaged by Florida’s sun and weather.
2005 was an active hurricane season in Florida. One tropical storm in July bought two palms down on our garage destroying the SHO.
I towed the wrecked car in two separate body shops hoping the car could be made new again. I had to say goodbye to my SHO.
Every once in a while I try to talk myself into buying another SHO. But it is so difficult to know how a car was treated through 2 or 3 different owners
Mine are a little more pedestrian than most…first was the 82 Datsun King Cab Diesel. My dad bought it new (traded my moms 72 Nova on it, but it was struggling hard at that point), gave it to me to drive in late 93 with 114k on it, and just had the stock clutch replaced. That little truck got 33 MPG no matter what we did, even in town with a cab-over camper on it. And it would do anything we asked. My dad made me sell it when I graduated (8 months and 14k miles later), only because I was moving cross country.
Number two was the best car I have ever owned. 1996 Saturn SL2, all but three factory options (no leather, no auto, no ABS). It had been returned under Saturn’s buy back program, so I got $500 off the no haggle price, plus the certified used warranty (either 4/48 or 5/60) free. All because it had 1106 miles. Drove it for 4 years and 95,000 miles. Never had a major problem and all minor ones were taken care of by the dealer. The stock brake pads were still good, as was the clutch. Only sold it because we were expecting and thought we needed a bigger car. Also another great mileage vehicle, rated at 27 city and 37 hwy under the old rating system, and I got nearly 40 on the road and only under 30 once or twice.
Nothing exciting, although that 1962 Pontiac Tempest would be nice to have…
Wow DarleneH, my two cars are also a 71 Lotus Europa (yellow) and a V-12 74 E-Type…I had the Lotus for a few months, but got greedy and sold it for a handsome profit…never saw another one and hated myself. 3 years later, my dad told me that I should but a conv. blue/tan Jag, but I thought $9100 was a ridiculous price for what I now consider the most beautiful sports car in history. Boy did that V-12 play beautiful music!!!
Man the car I miss the most was a 1967 camaro rally sport with a 427 big block & a rock crusher 4 speed with hide away lights painted metalic blue with silver stripes. It turned everyones head & I mean everyone young old male female & everyone in between. What a car I dont think anyone ever beat me in that bad boy it was scary fast.
it is a toyota hilux the Ln 106… got rid of it.. And i want it back….
1969 Dodge Charger R/T, 440 six pack, 727 auto trans, dana rear end
I was 19 years old sold it to a kid I knew for $1000.00 to buy a honda 750 motorcycle
Zustin Healey 100=6 That is all I will say. Loved it till I got on the Penn Turnpike and got passed by an 8 wheelers. The hubs on the front wheels where higher that where I was sitting! Sold it, for a profit, the next day!
The ones that got away? That would be my 68 Olds Hurst 442 I had traded my 73 Chevelle for back in the early 80’s. Sold it for $1000 to buy a Kawasaki 750. The other car was a 1970 Buick GS I had bought my ex wife. We broke up, the Buick broke down and instead of calling me she called Ecology Auto Wrecking and had it Junked. Well thats why she is my ex.
Kevijn, sorry about the loss of the Buick…not the wife!
1994 Mercedes 500e. Still wish I bought it.
In 1994 a 1991 bmw e30 M3 with 31k for $8k…just the thought sends me into a depression…couldn’t do it because I had 4 motorcycles and 3 had loans/notes on them (was just out of college and had just discovered the concept of credit)…ugh!