Wildguzzi.com
General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: john fish on April 07, 2020, 09:32:44 AM
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There were definitely buys I passed on that I just should've bought. That Mustang mach 1 in perfect shape for $2500 back in the 80's. That Laverda with the desperate owner who dropped the price to about $2800, iirc. Oh, there was more. I did actually see the future of muscle cars but didn't have any money to buy those Mopars. Honestly, I thought they would double in price, not increase prices by a factor of 10 or more.
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John,
I started a thread about a year ago on a related topic; tools/materials you should buy now, because they'll be disappeared soon.
Examples; distributor/points lube, dwell meters, etc.
Any other suggestions?
Joe
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I could have purchased my crappy 350sq.foot apartment in Manhattan back in 1993 for $18K and now or it was worth about $500K. It was a really awful apartment, but at that time the rent was about $400 bucks a month and spending (cash) $18K seemed stupid. Oh, well......
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Utterly perfect BRG E-Type V-12 Jaguar (think it was 1974 model) offered to me around 1980 for $5K. Had no garage space . . .
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in 1978 a thoroughly thrashed 71 GTO Judge ragtop was offered to me by an old transient hippy here in small town usa.
it had some dents, barely ran, smoked, top and upholstery was shredded, bad tires, bent tie rod, cracked windshield, doors wouldn't shut right.drove like a Shriner clown parade car.
$400 and he would have taken $350
I passed and got a '69 Chevy Pickup for $1,005.
Should have got The Judge and kept the pickup, too.
(https://i.ibb.co/4pz2qMX/auctions-1971-Pontiac-GTO-Judge-2109179.jpg) (https://ibb.co/4pz2qMX)
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Antietam,
I'd like to hear some National Geographic stories.
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I have enough of these stories of my own that if I told half of them, I'd be thoroughly depressed and unhappy by the time I was done... So I must pass ....
Lannis
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A friend wanted me to buy his 1960 Corvette in perfect condition in 1970 for $2,000. It had both tops but had a 283 with a Powerglide trans. I had just bought a new R75/5 which depleted my cash reserves so I passed on it. At the same time I almost re-upped in the Army and with part of the re-up bonus I would have bought a '71 AAR Cuda, yellow with black razor stripes. Oh well, you know what they say about hindsight.
kk
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There's been few regrets about what machines I didn't buy. That's probably the problem. If I had bought fewer of them, I would probably have had much less turmoil in life.... Wife #2 said "if you come home with any more bikes tonight, I'm leaving." I came home that night with 4 Ducati singles, a Benelli single and lots of parts. She left the next morning and never came back.
The only one I do regret was in late 92 or early 93 here in Spartanburg. A local Ducati racer had an "incorrect" Ducati 750GT Roundcase that was complete but "all apart" for $500.00. He said he was tired of it cluttering up his shop. He offered it to me as I purchased pieces from him for my truly all-apart 1974 Ducati 450 Mark 3. The incorrect part was the bike had been fully kitted with all original bodywork and parts removed from his original 750S Roundcase that he had converted to a race bike. That wasn't a problem but I had already just bought my V7 Sport as a stuck-engine project for $200, plus others. $500 was too much for a project at the time. I didn't even go look at it.
I told a friend about it and he bought it. Then I learned the "all apart" only meant major stuff was unbolted, like wheels off, bodywork and seat off, engine set out of frame- not nuts & bolts in boxes disassembled like others I had. He had it together, running and riding in a short afternoon.
In 2000, My best friend sold his 750GT Roundcase that he bought new. Not original but done right and in turn-key one kick fantastic shape. I was here in SC briefly, in between TN and VT, no job and hoping to start cutting stone so reluctant to spend much on another bike. This was mid July. He ended up selling it for $1500 to the same mutual friend that bought my old P11A a few years later. Bob already had it in his shop in MA by the time i met him on the way to IMOC in Aug.
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Bev and I bought our first new car after getting married, a '78 silver VW rabbit with sunroof. We took a ride in 10 year old Porsche 911 that was about $1000 more at $5k.
So far as the Volvo 1800. This guy set the record for mileage on any car at 3.2M miles
(https://www.hemmings.com/blog/wp-content/uploads//2018/11/irv-1800.jpg)
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I passed on a K model Sportster and a Harley "boat" sidecar for about 300 bucks...in the 70s. I lost track of how many 100 dollar loop frame Guzzis passed through my garage for a modest gain. Ditto a V7 Sport, LM 3, choppers, old Triumphs, Nortons. Yamaha SR. I would not mind another chance at a cheap Eldo, but I don't care about the rest. Same with cars. Mustangs, Novas, Chevelles, Impalas. If I could make a buck, I flipped 'em. If I hit the lotto tomorrow, there would soon be a 64 Nova Convertible in the garage, or a 68 Camaro convert, or a 64 Chevelle convert, or a 64 GTO convert. I ain't picky... :wink:
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When I lived in England '74-'76 I was offered a decent Vincent Rapide with a sidecar for $2500 American. That was almost twice I paid for my one year old Commando. I passed. :embarrassed:
Larry
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In the mid '80's, I was shopping for another street bike. I went into a Yamaha dealer. They had a few, new RZ350's for I think around $2700. I figured they would be something special but I was a Suzuki guy, so I went and bought another Suzuki.
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I'm not a Ford guy but I passed on a 63 Galaxie 390 3x2 4 spd convertible back in the late 70s. Also a 65 Sport Fury 426W 4spd. Both under 1k. I already had a 65 SF 383 auto.
Plus a 66 383 Charger and a 68.
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Bitcoin at $5.
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forget about the could have / should have bought.
concentrate on the stuff you did buy that would make most people jealous today.
32 ford coupe C/A 301 small block with Hilborn injection running high tens in 1969,
57 Chevy two door 283 4 speed Muncie with 4.56 rear end,
1969 Z28 Camaro red with black stripes bought it for myself on my 21st birthday.
1966 Suzuki X6 Hustler bought new.
1967 BSA lighting new
1970 750 Honda new
1972 850 Eldorado new....
Crap no wonder I'm broke!
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This reminds me of the Ducati 750GT for $1200 and Guzzi Falcone for $600 that I passed on. Both were mentioned to me in front of my (now) ex-wife and the look I got was easy to interpret. Couldn't have bought them anyway since she found new and inventive ways to spend my money.
My first wife was usually pretty cool with me buying & selling bikes like candy, but I wasn't making much then as a culinary apprentice. I flipped a lot of stuff and if I had any good deals in the works that would have covered the price, I would have gotten that 750. I had visions of split cases with cans & boxes of nuts, bolts, loose shims, etc in mouse nests,,etc. it's my fault- I should have gone and looked at it. There were so many good bikes around here in the $100-$500 range back then that a $500 for an average non-runner was really pushing the limits.
My second wife wasn't as consistent in her support, had a much bigger temper and spent our money+credit like water. She really wanted new furniture at the time and was livid I was taking (only) profit from selling just one bike to buy a bunch more bikes instead of getting her the furniture she deserved. She really did leave exactly like I said. Funnier now than then.
Life is very good now, probably because I married my greatest friend ever and I'm not like I used to be...
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TBH buy vehcile X 30-40 years ago by the time you pay rego insurance housing upkeep a set of tyres and battery every 5-7 years etc etc and the big assumption you keep it well enough it doesn't rot away. Buying one now for the ludicruious price people are asking now in a lot of cases would be cheaper. Possibly in these current times the bottom may also fall out of some of these markets and there may be some deals to be had.
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Orange and black big valve 1000S from the original local owner circa 1995. :violent1:
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Henderson. At an auction when I was in my early 20s. Apart, but apparently all there. It went for 75 bux. Of course, I didn't have 75 bux. <shrug>
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All of mine happened between 1988-1991 ( high school) my budget was never higher than $3,000.
Here is a list and the reasons I passed.
1968 Roadrunner 383 magnum - needed interior work
1968 Dodge Charger - original engine gone, 318 in its place
1970 Charger RT - all the bushings were missing. scariest test drive ever
1967 barracuda fastback - it was nice. big regrets
1969 Firebird 400 - it was converted to a manual, and the auto shifter was still on the column
1973 Mach 1 - engine was a 302 and C4 tranny. I wanted a big block. nice car
1973 mach 1 351 4bbl 4 speed manual - don't remember why. not as nice as the 302 car.
1969 GTO - engine was a 400 out of a late 70's T/A
1970 Buick GS 350 - maroon on maroon.
Senior year I really discovered Motorcycles and found out that even a slowish bike could smoke most "fast" cars ended up with a 850 T3 and a 650 pantah. Didn't own a car for years.
It was some time in the early 90's I passed on a Pantera because I couldn't fit ( and the engine was missing. thought I could go over to autozone and get a long block and have the thing up and running. HaHa... dummy) Thank god I didn't fit.
1998 bought a 1969 Galaxie XL Should have kept it. Nice car.
Then I passed on a gold 1967 AMC Marlin 343 4 speed for a 69 Torino GT that had all kinds of issues.
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The Mighty Scura now in the hands of Chuck in Indiana. My Credit Union wouldn't go for a bike owned by an Ozzie the was registered in Texas.
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Bitcoin at $5.
Shouldn't feel bad, plenty of people bought it at $20K thinking it was going to $100K...big time gamble! Not me, I think it's a Ponzi scheme, but...
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Should have bought the Landshire ham sandwich at the LOVE's store in Comanche, Ok. in 1983 instead of the burrito with blue fuzz inside.
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If it's and but's were candy we would all have a merry Christmas.
I don't regret turning don the complete Vincent for what would have been US$11000 nor do I regret selling my 1978 CBX for what would have been US$900... I got it as a 23 year old and rode as such for over 7 years.
In US$.
Glad I kept the.......
1973 750 GT @ $1500
The complete 1982 bevel 900 rolling chassis (spares) @ $600 and a 500 kms round trip.
Another bevel 900 @ $2000
750 H2B @ $900. (1980)
H2A @ $420
H2A @ $600
Should have got that F4U Corsair when it was for sale at $42000 but I was only 11. :laugh:
Good deals come and go, some you don't know are good deals until decades later.
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A daily driver 1955 Chevrolet 1/2 ton short box for $800 in 1991. I was 22 and had the money but no place to park it/store it.
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1980 and I needed to get out of my pickup because driving distances was killing me. I was looking for a GT350H. So I test rode a 1965 original ($8,000) with Detroit lockers and the exhaust just behind the doors. Talk about a brutal ride.
(http://1u4we0207ruc34o1s412c2ca.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/05/Screen-Shot-2019-05-12-at-1.58.34-PM.png)
If I had been smart I would have kept the pickup and bought the '65 Shelby Mustang for weekends.
Then again the first wife would have just taken it in the divorce. :thewife:
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Toilet paper, tomato soup, canned vegetables beef/chicken stock, pasta sauce and distilled water.
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A small frame Vespa a few years back for $700 AUD (about $10 US) :azn:
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1984 I was offered a bone stock 47 knucklehed with 3000 miles on it for $2500. Damm I couldn't come up with the money since I just bought a house. I know the guy that bought it and lts sitting in his living room. He said I'd have the first shot when he sells it but I'm sure it won't be for $2500
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1980 and I needed to get out of my pickup because driving distances was killing me. I was looking for a GT350H. So I test rode a 1965 original ($8,000) with Detroit lockers and the exhaust just behind the doors. Talk about a brutal ride.
If I had been smart I would have kept the pickup and bought the '65 Shelby Mustang for weekends.
Then again the first wife would have just taken it in the divorce. :thewife:
1980 NZ$5600 off a car yard. (US$3300) factory S code 390/4 speed.
As a 20 year old I drove it like I owned it and 20.......... Would I want it now (I still have bits of it) at 60, no thanks, to many laws, the cops would not just say ' knock that $hit on the head and send you on your way with a warning.
A mint one would be the best part of $90k car these days and babied like it was never meant to be, light it up, go to jail, 40 over the limit you are walking.
(https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/1968%20390%20GT.jpg)
The rear wheel cut outs tell you where it spent a good deal of its life with a 427 or 428CJ with its rear cylinders under the dash.
Glad I got the ride as a young person.
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1980 NZ$5600 off a car yard. (US$3300) factory S code 390/4 speed.
As a 20 year old I drove it like I owned it and 20.......... Would I want it now (I still have bits of it) at 60, no thanks, to many laws, the cops would not just say ' knock that $hit on the head and send you on your way with a warning.
A mint one would be the best part of $90k car these days and babied like it was never meant to be, light it up, go to jail, 40 over the limit you are walking.
(https://photos.imageevent.com/time_warp1959/misc/tr5t/1968%20390%20GT.jpg)
The rear wheel cut outs tell you where it spent a good deal of its life with a 427 or 428CJ with its rear cylinders under the dash.
Glad I got the ride as a young person.
Very cool, Les. What a great looking Mustang.
When I was younger, I built a 1967 Ford Galaxie, adding a full 428PI driveline before driving it like the kid I was. It and all the parts eventually went away. In 2012, I got a chance to spend $2500 and get another 67 Galaxie- this time with an original 428, unrestored & running great with 66K original miles. It's the big red car often visible in the background near & behind my Guzzis. I know it's not the desirable money car that a 67-68 FB Mustang is but I couldn't be happier. Always liked my 67 Galaxie better than my 67 Mustang, but never had a FB Mustang... Here it is in the driveway, soon after I got it home-
(https://i.ibb.co/ngfFSWK/galaxie1-03252012.jpg) (https://ibb.co/ngfFSWK)
and parked beside a parts car that's the identical ghost of my old white 67-
(https://i.ibb.co/y0DQWp4/twogalaxies1.jpg) (https://ibb.co/y0DQWp4)
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A couple of hundred dollars of Microsoft stock back in the 70’s
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I met mid 80’s man I getting old
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In high school, (80's) I had a chance to buy a 63 split window Vette in decent condition for $1000. Parents said no, as I had a 442 (daily driver) a 68 Charger (rat car with egg crate for a seat ;-)) and a 62 Ford Pickup. Shoulda sold it all for that Vette... Shoulda also kept the Charger, but College and all that......
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Well right now I'm thinking about things I should have sold in February - - - -
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Staying at home so getting some reading done. Peter Egan writes in Garage Ikebana in May 1988 about buying a:
"'67 Triumph TR6C 650cc, stock, classic, immaculate, 13,000 mi., $1,295obo"
man, I can't even remember the number of Brit bikes that I passed on.
All this begs the question of what will be valuable in the future. The Japanese classics of the 70's and 80's will be next and are already appreciating.
Honda CBX
Original Suzuki Katana
All the turbo bikes
The original Suzuki GSX-R