The Classifieds Indulger: Fezzas, Astons, Fords & the avoidable
Ace automotive tweeter and blogger Charlie Johnson has been engaging in an activity that seems to come very naturally to us petrolheads. The art of whiling away many hours trawling the classifieds, dreaming of new metal and building a new fantasy garage in our head. Historically, the garage would be built via a copy of AutoTrader in the downstairs cloakroom, but today you're just ask likely to be using your iPhone. He's picked out four cars in particular, ranging from a prancing horse to a brown Princess. I'll let Charlie take over from here.
I don't know about you, but I spend many hours of my day looking through the classifieds, even if I have no intention of buying what I come across. You could say this is extremely pointless, and that I'm bored, or you could call me a dreamer. Then again, you could call me an enthusiast or petrolhead.
So why do petrolheads and enthusiasts spend time do this? Well, nine times out ten we're always looking for our next car, so like to get some ideas while drooling over the classifieds. As an example, I'm on the hunt for a Morris Marina, or an Austin Allegro, but will delve further to see what rarities are for sale and what possible project I could take on while I'm at it.
Ferrari 308 GTB Race/Track Car
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While in my childhood I used to watch Magnum PI. This would see Magnum would drive around in his 308 GTS to different cases as a Private Investigator. Since watching the episodes I could, I've always lusted for a 308 GTS, or even one in race specification. The 308 lust was also triggered when I read in an article of Octane Magazine about Ferrari racing, so have been on the hunt ever since. Okay, I can't afford one, but the whole procedure of going about finding out to the right specification, and then watching the classic YouTube clips when the 308 took part in the rallying which gives me a real buzz.
I'm sure some of you are thinking at this time, you're a bit odd? Then again, if someone you do it yourselves you might not want to admit it.
You can see the car for sale here: http://carandclassic.co.uk/car/C30773/
Aston Martin DB2/4 Vantage
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I've always yearned for a British tourer, usually an Aston of sorts. It was a very dreary day at Lyddenhill racing circuit, when a mate and I were quite bored of the racing so decided to venture towards Chessons Drift (furthest corner of the circuit near the entrance) and came across an Aston Martin DB2/4. Before I had come across the DB2/4, I saw the Aston Martin V8 Vantage X Pack as the one to have, but the DB2/4 is quite frankly stunning. So I've been on the look for one to see how much they are selling for, and hoping that one day I can one. This is, of course assuming I win the lottery.
You can see the car for sale here: http://carandclassic.co.uk/car/C164769/
Ford Granada Cosworth
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Onto the Granada Cosworth, a sleeper that was too late to catch up with the competition. I spotted one of these about four to five months ago at the BHP Performance Show at Lydden. On first appearance, these aren't showy, nor out showing any signs of what lurks underneath. The 2.9l Cologne V6 24v packed 210bhp, which in today's performance saloon market isn't a great deal, but as a package it's very much a case of the underrated. You see, I'm a bit of a sucker of the long and forgotten. The unloved Cosworth, which deserved much more credit that it got.
Austin Princess
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The Princess. The name alone makes you wonder enough as to why you go searching one. As previously mentioned, I have a thing for the underrated and neglected. The build quality isn't even worth talking about, it wasn't the greatest era for BL and the ride is a bit spongy, but I adore its honesty and brownness.
So to conclude, you can have a lust for many a thing and want to search the classifieds for a number of reasons. You may, may not buy that car you've been looking at for the last few months drooling over, but one thing remains. The yearning for the car, you can't afford, or dream of.
The Princess is for sale here: http://carandclassic.co.uk/car/C174707/
You can follow the brilliant Charlie Johnson via his twitter feed at http://twitter.com/retroandclassic and also via his excellent blog at http://retroandclassiccars.wordpress.com/.
Images courtesy of Charlie Johnson and the respective ads.
