Finding cars you used to own

[Spinney]

Not much on today, so decided to visit the heritage transport and classic car show in Detling, Kent as the first car related outing of the season. We were walking through one of the indoor sections, saw a dark blue Cortina 1600E and I idly said to the wife, oh look there's a 1600E like the one we had. Then looked at the registration and blow me, it is our old car, the actual one we owned!😄 

Not looking bad for 49 years old is she? I was only the second owner back in the 70's, the car having been originally owned by a soldier, who bought it for use when he was stationed in Germany, hence it was export spec with a cream interior, not available in the UK. Current owner is, apparently, the 10th. It was great to fill him in on a bit of the cars history that he didn't know about and when he let me sit in the car, I was immediately taken back over 40 years by the interior which still smells exactly as it did all those years ago. 😄 We exchanged email addresses so I could send him copies of the pics I have of the car in period so he can add them to its history file and which he was highly chuffed about. 

He then said that due to ongoing health issues, he may be forced to sell in the near future, which obviously set me thinking....................🤔

What do you reckon guys?😉

 

[Alfa2Evora]

You need to ask?

If you don't, you'll only live to regret it.

[Spinney]

I know, I know, but I've only recently stopped my car buying habit and moved on a couple of old classics due to my own arthritic knees. But, I did love this car at the the time and it has been well looked after in the 40 odd years since.

I hate these dilemmas!!!!! 

[Spinney]

I've just realised why this car seems to be coming back to haunt me. My wife always gives our cars a name and because the letters of the reg plate on this one are the initials of her best friend, whose name is 'Christine', the car immediately became 'Christine'.

Anybody recall the Stephen King novel titled 'Christine'? 

[Alfa2Evora]

😈

[Stuart Monument]

A nice story. You will end up buying it back 🤪

[Spinney]

I'm sure if I do, it will be considerably more than I sold the same car for 40 years ago! 

[Bibs]

19 hours ago, Alfa2Evora said:

If you don't, you'll only live to regret it.

This! What a wonderful find though and you must have been pleased as punch it's in such fine condition. 

[Barrykearley]

No brainer - grab it 👍

[Spinney]

And there I was thinking my time with classic cars is done. It is one of those cars I’d always loved and after my previous Lotus Cortina, it was a lovely car to own in the 70’s. 

I’m away for a couple of weeks now so maybe I’ll express an interest when I get home. I know the current owner loves the car and I don’t want to push him into anything unless he’s ready to sell yet. 

I knew the car was still in use as, sad bugger that I am, I still occasionally do a DVLA check on some of my more loved cars from the past, just to see if they are in use. I must say I was pretty pleased to see it looking so good after all this time too.

And yes, I will regret it if I don’t. I guess the affliction never really goes away does it! 😁 

[mdw]

My old Excel se turned up in Holland  with a dead engine 3-4 years after I sold it.   I did offer to buy it back but the breaker over there  wanted too much once you add up the cost of getting it back here and a new engine.   Shame  because prior to the dead engine it was a nice car.  Always wonder about  my old Spitfire from early 90s, still insured and I guess in use but not seen it anywhere.

[PAR]

I have find my own solution to these kind of problem. Always buy more, never sell!

[mdw]

Oooooooooh look what  popped up on a search.  My old N/A.  I knew it went to Ireland about 3 years ago.    https://www.donedeal.co.uk/cars/Lotus/Esprit        Shame hes stuck a spoiler on the back as I always liked the uncluttered lines.    One for @Bibs as well as it was his 1st Esprit as well.  Not bad, its put on £8k in 3 years.

[Bibs]

Good spot! That's pretty much double what I paid for it 20 years ago!!