Who has climbed their automotive mountain?

[Stick Legs]

Inspired by the ‘what inspired you thread’ who has actually managed to own their ‘dream’ car?

For me growing up I had a massive love for the Mk.3 Capri & Jaguar XJ-S.

I have owned both.

I also have a love for Range Rovers, when I was younger it was 2 door Classics I fancied, but I have had a P38 & L405 so not ticked that box really.

I have also deeply lusted after V8 Aston Martins, so having conquered my personal Snowdon & Ben Nevis (to torture the analogy) I am currently working towards my Automotive Everest, a Tadek Marek V8 Aston Martin.

If you have done it did it disappoint or live up to your expectations?

[finlo]

Driving a manual non pas classic Range Rover certainly burst my bubble about them!

[Super Sonic]

Accord type R.

[Mr Tidy]

I always fancied a V6 Capri and managed to buy a 1982 model in 1984 and loved it!

But after just a year it had to go as I had the chance to buy my first home and I needed a deposit.

A couple of years later after working all the overtime I could get I bought another one as it felt like "unfinished business" and I kept that one another 2 years. Loved that too but it was time for a change.

[P5BNij]

There are lots of exotics on my dream list but one constant has always been the dream of owning a Mk1 Cooper S, preferably the 1275 variety, it took me almost twenty years of owning lesser models before I eventually bought one. A late '65 built / early '66 registered Morris Cooper S came along almost by accident in 2008 thanks to a member of the Mini Cooper Register, it had never been restored and came with twin tanks and the rare 'factory recliners' in gold brocade trim, I was over the moon when I bought it but after just two years it had got to the point where I had to make a decision about the bodywork, it was starting to go in all the usual Mini places - should I restore it or leave it alone and let it deteriorate even more...





Despite being a little rough (a lot of 1275s can be) it drove really well and I had loads of fun with it. The day I sold it I instantly regretted it as I Watched the new owner drive down my road in it. I've since owned two Mk2 998 Coopers and have a Mk2 1275 Cooper S now, but i still fancy another Mk1 S some day.

[vixen1700]

Nope, haven't managed an SM.

Will never manage a Facel Vega either

[MitchT]

Mixed bag...

In my early 20s I wanted an E36 BMW M3. Bought a new 318is in Techno Violet because I couldn't afford an M3 and wouldn't have been able to insure it even if I could. Had the car 23 years now. Needs a full restoration which I'd love to do one day.

Want an F32 BMW 440i M Sport in Snapper Rocks Blue. Can afford one but other matters mean I won't be pulling the trigger quite yet.

Always wanted a Ferrari Testarossa. If I win the lottery, or I experience some other unprecedented financial gain, or the classic supermarket collapses to early 2,000s prices, I might stand a chance of getting one. Long shot though!

[Newscuttlepanel]

Great thread, my own personal vehicle mountain is (relatively) humble, an S1 Exige, owned an S2Exige, Europa and an Elise over the years, S1 in the next 12 months.

[300bhp/ton]

Stick Legs said:

Inspired by the ‘what inspired you thread’ who has actually managed to own their ‘dream’ car?

For me growing up I had a massive love for the Mk.3 Capri & Jaguar XJ-S.

I have owned both.

I also have a love for Range Rovers, when I was younger it was 2 door Classics I fancied, but I have had a P38 & L405 so not ticked that box really.

I have also deeply lusted after V8 Aston Martins, so having conquered my personal Snowdon & Ben Nevis (to torture the analogy) I am currently working towards my Automotive Everest, a Tadek Marek V8 Aston Martin.

If you have done it did it disappoint or live up to your expectations?

I thought about posting a similar thread... Dream cars, did you?

I think dreams change though. And of course money (or lack thereof) is always the major player for most.


I did have a thing for Ferrari's when younger. A 308GTB would have been my choice. But I kind of went off Ferrari's a bit when I got older. And while I still think the 308/328 look awesome. I'd probably not have one. I prefer the visuals of the Mondial and 308GT4.


More realistic dreams.....

Triumph TR7's. Not sure why or when this happened. I had a couple of Matchbox models of them when very young (mid/late 1980s). I think it just sort of stuck. In 1999 I bought my first one:



Then in 2001 I bought this one, which I still own. Although it has a V8 in it these days.



Next dream car was the Jaguar XJ-S. I had a model of a TWR racing one and always liked them. My Dad was into Jags and had a couple of XJ40s before buying a 6.0 litre V12 XJ12. I used to visit the local Jag dealers/specialists a lot. So for a princely sum of £700 I picked up a 5.3 XJ-S in 1999.




There are some TV/film cars that I lust and dream over. Such as the '32 5 window Ford Coupe in American Graffiti. But more notable would be the 1977 Firebird Trans Am from Smokey & the Bandit. Really really wanted one of these. £6000 would get you a nice one back about 20 years ago. Sadly now beyond my budget. But this dream sort of side stepped to Fbody's in general. On a family holiday in 1995/6 we visited a Pontiac dealer with a gorgeous bright red new Trans Am on the forecourt. I was hooked.

Then in 1997 the Grand Turismo game also featured a Camaro. I had also learnt that GM was intending on importing the Camaro via Vauxhall dealers.


I test drove a Camaro at my local Vauxhall dealer. But sadly way more than I could afford. It took many years before I got one. And I still have one today.




Haven't regretted any of them. But also haven't quite dreaming either

[Sporky]

Pretty much but it's the new A110 not the 60s one.

Then again, I don't think I'd actually like to own and use a 60s one as much.

[Stick Legs]

That XJ-S video!

Everything about it, including the wallow on the 1st to 2nd change up made me smile.

Brilliant!

[300bhp/ton]

Stick Legs said:

That XJ-S video!

Everything about it, including the wallow on the 1st to 2nd change up made me smile.

Brilliant!

It was a great car. Certainly for a 19 year old in that era. Mates had things like Nova, Seirra's and Escorts.

The Jag was super smooth and in a straight line quicker than a mates 2.0 converted Nova. Another mate had an XR4x4 with a rebuilt and modded 2.9 V6. One evening some mates Vmaxxed it at an indicated 135mph. The XJ-S just put on a left indicator and motored on by. Saw a max of a 156mph in it.

Just don't ask me about fuel consumption.

[Stick Legs]

300bhp/ton said:

Stick Legs said:

That XJ-S video!

Everything about it, including the wallow on the 1st to 2nd change up made me smile.

Brilliant!

It was a great car. Certainly for a 19 year old in that era. Mates had things like Nova, Seirra's and Escorts.

The Jag was super smooth and in a straight line quicker than a mates 2.0 converted Nova. Another mate had an XR4x4 with a rebuilt and modded 2.9 V6. One evening some mates Vmaxxed it at an indicated 135mph. The XJ-S just put on a left indicator and motored on by. Saw a max of a 156mph in it.

Just don't ask me about fuel consumption.

Sounds like parallel lives.

My mate had an X plate ratty XJ-S we did similar nonsense in.

HOT22X

We all messed around in Capris, Mk2 RS2000’s, Cavalier SRi’s, Jags, Rover V8’s and the like.

All pocket money.

I suppose today’s equivalent would be £3000 XK8’s.

[soxboy]

Fortunately I’ve had 3 of my ‘bucket list’ cars when they were cheap as chips, there’s no way I could afford them now (actually it’s not a case of not being able to afford them, more that I couldn’t justify spending the sums they go for now on them when there are other boxes to tick at similar values).

First was a mk1 Golf GTi, had it when values were in the hundreds rather than teen thousands.
Followed this with an Audi ur quattro, again bought for buttons (£2500 full Mot), great car but couldn’t justify at the time the monies needed for a rebuild.
Then mk2 Golf 16v, another 80s icon for me.

Still got other boxes to tick but I’m obviously getting on a bit as these are mostly for wafting:
Mercedes SL r107
Mercedes G Wagen
Early Range Rover (think I may have to test drive one given comments above)
Porsche 993

The other ones I wanted (e30 M3 and Audi RS2) are definitely unobtanium!

[PositronicRay]

I've managed a few but always been too practical/Skint/Garage size.

So no to
Rover P5b
Plymouth Barracuda (or any yanks actually)
Willys Jeep
Alfa Romeo spider.
Merc R107
Mid century yank pickup.

[bobsavage789]

Interesting thread.

I have two dream cars: AC Cobra and TVR Tuscan. I’m very lucky that last year’s jump in used prices allowed me to purchase the latter.

Picture for attention:

[300bhp/ton]

Stick Legs said:

Sounds like parallel lives.

My mate had an X plate ratty XJ-S we did similar nonsense in.

HOT22X

We all messed around in Capris, Mk2 RS2000’s, Cavalier SRi’s, Jags, Rover V8’s and the like.

All pocket money.

I suppose today’s equivalent would be £3000 XK8’s.

[Harji]

Climbed it, I bought a cSAAB 900 Turbo, it was my dream car and I owned it, spent thousands on it and sold it for less than I spent on it, but I loved it.

[Stick Legs]

300bhp/ton said:

Stick Legs said:

Sounds like parallel lives.

My mate had an X plate ratty XJ-S we did similar nonsense in.

HOT22X

We all messed around in Capris, Mk2 RS2000’s, Cavalier SRi’s, Jags, Rover V8’s and the like.

All pocket money.

I suppose today’s equivalent would be £3000 XK8’s.

Even more coincidentally:

YA plate.

So a Taunton car (which is where I’m from).

Probably Whadham Stringers when they were up near Trinity Street.

[sjabrown]

Climbing, not climbed.

Peugeot 104 - got and keeping

Citroen DS - actively planning on buying.