I'm always scanning the used car ads. Occasionally I'll buy The Bargain
News which has a large photo section of used cars. Mostly ads by the
dealers, but few pages are still devoted to private sellers. Now and
then one will see various British cars for sale.
I was scanning The Bargain News last week and came across two photos that
caught my attention. Argh, the agony.
The first was a 1966 Austin Healey 3000 Mk III. British Racing Green,
wire wheels, 79,000 miles. Stored since 1985. $16,900.
It was at a Porsche-Audi dealer in New Haven. The other day I had to pass
by that way and I couldn't resist stopping to look for it. I spotted it
in their service area, exactly as it appeared in the photo-ad. It was
simply gorgeous. My heart was pounding. I wanted the beastie. Sixteen,
nearly seventeen thouw knicker for it though. Blimey, even if I could
dicker them down I still couldn't afford it. I hate to deal with sales
people of any kind (especially Porsche sales people, eh wot?), so I wasn't
going to linger around too long. Ann said the sales people did see me and
were checking me out... just as well I left. Oh Lordy, I'm in love. Why do
I do this to meself?
The second was a 1980 MGB Limited Edition. Low Mileage. Was in storage.
No colour mentioned, but it looked black -- weren't all Limited Editions
black? It had the special Limited Edition five spoke alloy wheels and
a light coloured rag top. Also, didn't all Limited Editions have the
special graphics allong the bottom of the car? Silver on black showing
a Silver/Black Union Jack? This car didn't. If so, the previous owner(s)
had either removed it or the car has been repainted.
This car just happened to be at a Foreign Car Specialist dealership near
to where I work. They specialise mostly in Mercedes-Benz and BMWs though.
So I drove up there the other day. I didn't want to go in the dealership
(Salesmanphobia again), but I just wanted to see the car from the road.
It was black and the top was a tan colour. I thought the top was an
unusual colour for the Limited Edition though. The nice thing about this
car is that because it is black, the black bumpers don't look half too bad.
I don't like the luggage rack on the boot lid though. Overall, the car looks
pretty. Me heart began to pound again.
No asking price, and I'm a scaredy-cat to call and ask since, yet again
I have Salesmanphobia. My best guess is that they would ask at least
$6000 and probably more. I always thought that to be too much for
an MGB, even a 1980 Limited Edition with low miles. Opinions anyone?
What is the value of this car?
In the end, me dear wife Ann doesn't like the thought of two-seater sports
cars. Not that she doesn't like them, but with two little boys she
figures she would never get to ride in it with me...
I tell you, its tough being in love, broke, too shy of Salesmen
and limited in choice to a four-seater!!!!
--
Garry Archer Esq. {yale, uunet}!hsi!archer -OR- archer@hsi.com
"There's a Mr. Death at the door... he's come about the reaping..." - M. Python
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