qtlow

Anyone here care to own up to the deals in the past that you let slip through your finger tips and still beat yourself up about today? It could be parts or cars or whatever. Don't be shy. Let's here them and we can all grieve together.

For me, about 2 years ago I came across a C3 jack and handle at a garage sale for $10 in decent condition. I don't know what the date code on it was because I wasn't all that interested. At the time I didn't have a spare tire or carrier so I passed on it. How stupid is that? Now I have since purchased a spare tire and carrier and need a jack and handle. Anyone have one they would sell me for $10 to make me feel better and remedy my shame? I didn't think so.

Easy Mike

1970 or 71, I had the chance to purchase a worn, but stock, two top, 4 speed, matching numbers, carbureted '58. It was running Cragers and had a flame job on it at the time. $1800 and a free Michaelis catalogue.

I passed on it.

longbros

Not so much that it got away, as I gave it away! In 1977, I sold my 70, all original, numbers matching, 4spd, big block coupe that was in great condition for $3000 to help with the down payment for my house. I am still living in the house, and the car is still alive and well, living in Wisconsin.

noonie

In 85 a guy needed money badly, $5000.00, turned down a perfect 78 real factory 930 Turbo Porsche with the wide flares and whale tail etc.
Entered the on ramp to I95 at 30mph and merged onto 95 at 140.
Probably would have gotten me into a lot of trouble anyway.

Alan 71

Hi,
In about 1968 I passed on a yellow with black, 65, 396, Convertible, for $2100, because I didn't like the color.
It was a one owner, low mileage, car, that I had known since it was new!
Regards,
Alan

qtlow

Ouch! That one must hurt Alan. If there's a bright side though, if you would have bought that one you may not be the original owner of the 71 you have now.

kwik68

Its funny that this thread has started...Im right now looking at a 1972 Mach I, 3 owner car, all original albeit taken apart. Very solid car stored in a heated warehouse since 1982 when it was dis-assembled. Im hoping it's a 351C and not a stock 302 but it's never been hit and no sign of rust. Could put this in the garage to keep Marilyn company( 1968 Conv.), so long as my wife doesn't find out! (BTW garage is off property). Can be had for 3K and I was wondering if this exactly the type of find you wished you'd bought later...

From Rhode Island

garage-ghost

I don’t remember the exact year but it was in the mid 80s, I passed on a 1972 ZR1 in excellent condition for $18000.00. Around that same time an original owner of a 1954 came up to me at a car show and told me he wanted to sell me, his car because, he could see that I know how to take care of a vehicle. His price was $24,000.00 and the car was show room new. I still kick myself for passing on both of these vehicles. KICK,KICK!!!!!

Go Vette Go

In the mid 90's I passed on a 63 split window coupe basket case - $5000. Two kids in college at the time! Love the SWC!!!!

Patrick73

I gave one away once. I was the original owner of a new 1970 Chevelle SS 396 with Muncie four speed. Blue with white stripes and white vinyl top. Black interior. Paid $4,200 for car new. Pampered the car for 10 years and drove it for over 100,000 miles. Sold the car for $1,200 in 1980. Still miss it.
When I purchased the new 1970 Chevelle SS I traded in to the dealer a 1967 Chevelle SS 396 that I had purchased used in 1968--the original owner had wanted the new 1968 Chevelle body style. That 1967 is another car I wish I still had.

gbvette62

I've screwed up a couple times on 69 big blocks.

In 1976, I went to look at a 69 that a friend was selling. It was a 2 top, 427/435, 4 speed, LeMans Blue, black leather convert with 21,000 miles on it. The car was very nice and original, but it had had a fire in the dash harness and needed a harness, dash top, windshield and a few other under dash parts. The asking price was $2,000. I wanted to look into what it was going to cost to put it together, so I asked him to give me a couple days. On my way home I passed a 62 for sale and bought it instead. I called the next day, and passed on the 69. About 3 weeks later I sold a 60 Impala convertible I had, and called to see about buying the 69. It had been sold the day before.

In the early 80's, I bought a very nice silver 69 427/390, 4 speed convertible for $5,500. Before I could even bring it home, a friend called looking for a Vette for a friend of his. I told him about the 69, and told him he could have it, just buy the car and give me my deposit back. About 2 years later, the guy who'd bought it got in money trouble, and needed to sell it. He was looking for $8,500. He'd put some money in it, but it wasn't worth $8,500, I offered him $7,500 which he passed on. A month later he sold it for $6,900, when I asked him why he didn't call me, he responded with "I didn't think you really wanted it". I had originally found it, bought it, then let him have it, and then tried to buy it from him, and he didn't think I really wanted it.

calif phil

When I was in High school age 16 I tried to buy a 67 coupe that had a 327 in place of the original big block. $3000 for it and the bank would not give me a loan. I did buy a '69 Charger RT with a blown 440 for $100 I put a motor in it and drove it for a year and sold it for $500 to use as a down payment on a 68 Vert.

Tally Ho

Three since I've been into Corvettes and one prior to my interest.

Prior to my interest: 64 coupe 72K miles rode hard but drivable $700 in 1973 (Palm Beach, FL)

The one that hurts the most: 69 conv. 427/400 4 speed two tops red/black int. $7200 in 1984 (Lincoln, NE).

Scottsdale, AZ 1993: 90 ZR1 Turquoise/black full optioned 1800 miles, $35500.

This one I should have jumped on: 90 ZR1 turquoise/black all ZR1 options 2800 miles. $28900 in 2002 (Orlando, FL)

Honourable mention: 78 Pace Car 750 miles L82 4 speed $17500 in 1985 (Hastings, NE). Three months later I did buy an 82 CE with 2700 miles for same price. Sold the CE in 1992.

KapsSA

1979, sold my 70 big block Nova to help with the new house down payment

1984, looking to buy a Corvette. Wanted the 78/79 style after falling in love with the Pace Car. My buddy was having his 76 painted. Painter had a nice Vette for sale. $18000. Too much money
Couple weeks later bought a 6K mile black 79 that I STILL HAVE for $13000.

Oh, the one the painter had?!! Fully restored numbers matching 67 L89/4speed coupe! That's what prices were like then!
How I wish I could say that's the one I still have

wydglydrydr

I returned from my first oversea tour in Germany in 1978 and went straight to the Chevy salesman that my family did all their business with to order a new car. Sitting on the showroom floor was a white on blue 67 coupe. I can still see it today. The asking price was $6995, but our salesman Dick told me I could drive it away for $5995. I was going to buy it but passed because I was a 21 year old single male and my monthly insurance payment on that car was going to be almost double the monthly payment for the car itself. If I only knew...

udornf4

This is one I SHOULD have let get away. I have 30K in it (Chassis / Interior done) - but not painted. Buried...

Money pit

75+78 Corvettes

1988 BMW M5 for $3000. Didn't run because of a missing MAF. Seen a few weeks later running. Very rare car (500 in the US) and run like a raped ape with just a chip and exhaust.

1988 Porsche 911 Targa with whaletail I could have gotten for $10k. AC didn't work which is a necessity in Houston for a DD. Can be fixed pretty cheaply as I found out later. Went back and the car was gone. I would have had to give up my track prepped BMW M3 for that but I would have.

TheSkunkWorks

I sold the incorrect ZR1 below before they became worth stupid money. Thanks for reminding me.

croaker

About 1980 a 70 Mustang fastback A guy didn't want to pull it about 50 miles he thought the trans. was fryed 100 dollars I didn't have it he put some tranny fluid in it and drove off

another-user

i my self have nothing, my dad on the other hand...

early-mid 90s, some one he knew from work was selling a 65 tanker. he wanted like 2500 for it, and my dad turned it down. had no place to store it.