The one that got away.
Discussion
I enjoy travelling, in our 10 years together, the wife and I have visited almost 40 countries. But for some reason I was never enamoured with the whole idea of visiting Italy. I cant quite explain why, it just didn't quite interest me. However two very good friends of ours live in San Felice, and we kept saying we would visit. At the time of our departure, we had a two car household, and the two cars were my daily S3 and an MG ZT-T260.
I had a plan before I left to get rid of the MG, it just wasn't a good second car, as to be honest the S3 is better in every quantifiable factor, and I just got bored of having to explain to everyone why the MG was special. I wanted something light on its feet, mountain pass, driving gloves, red and chrome, 60s rat pack, thin pillars. In sort, something Italian.
So I researched and had a shortlist of an Alfa Junior, a Fiat 124 BC, or Lancia Fulvia 1 or 2.
I kept an eye out during what turned out to be a lovely holiday. But as you may imagine, the streets of Italy are no longer flooded with beautiful cars.
Then one day driving to a market in Latina with our friends, I spotted parked by the road a red series 2 Fulvia. I screamed the car down and got my friend to stop so i could have a look. 1971 model. Red. Black interior. Intact dashboard. It looked dusty and like it had been standing a while, but it looked complete and solid. I sat down by the road and drank it in, it really is a beautifully designed car. And so, so SMALL. like they really are tiny. But the best thing? It had a for sale sign in the window. My friend called the number and an old lady came out of a nearby house. We chatted for a bit, she was really warm and friendly and nice. It was her sons car and she gave us his number. By this time I'm sweating and falling hopelessly in love with this car. Like I'm sure I want it. I'm as sure as I am that I want to breath. The son answers, yes it's running, it just needs the carb cleaning and adjusting. It probably needs two tires. Ok, not too bad, and nothing we cant fix in an afternoon. So how much? 5000€.
Ok we'll talk it over, and get back to you.
Now comes the begging. Darling, you must understand... I used words like opportunity and investment. I pleaded to her artistic nature, waving towards the car, I mean look at it. I appealed to her frugal side. How much cheaper to run a 1.3 than the 4.6 MG. We could drive it home to Finland, imagine what a memorable trip that would be. And where my dear wife is usually very reasonable with my pangs of insanity, this time she was unusually firm. First the MG had to go, then I could get the Lancia.
I mostly enjoyed the rest of the holiday, actually I totally did, but I'll be honest, it was hard to think about someone other than me sitting in that seat, gripping that perfect wheel, and driving away what was destined to be mine.
When we got home the MG went up for sale that week. It actually sold in just a couple of months for the asking price, a chap from Belgium flew over to Finland and drove it home. So I was pleased the MG went to a good home. The second the money hit my account I called our friends to call the owner.
The car had sold.
I'm sure we've all felt that sickening disappointment. This was an especially bad dose.
I searched the classifieds and forums. at least twice a day over the winter. Prices for a nice series 1 or 2 seemed to be about 12k. We'd used some of the MG money for other things, needed, but I resented having to do it. I panicked about not having a hobby car in summer. I bought a bike instead to tide me over.
I found another red S2 in England. Road rally prepped with beautiful big spotlights. He wanted 10k. I had 8. I just had to get to my next paycheck. The car sold before the month ended. Another disappointment.
Then corona happened. I checked how many Fulvias in Finland. 2. Not much chance of getting one here, and I couldn't travel to get one.
A blue S2 came up on eBay UK. I called my mum, can you store it till I'm able to come get it? No she cant. My brother? Its yours to drive until I can come. His wife said no.
So here I am, slowly getting priced out of the market. The world has caught up with these wonderful cars. I by chance found another teenage dream, a two door Triumph Toledo. I bought that instead. I love it. I'm looking forward to rebuilding it over winter. It will be in a similar 1960s road rally style.
But there's always one that got away, and for me, it's the Fulvia. So far, at least.
I had a plan before I left to get rid of the MG, it just wasn't a good second car, as to be honest the S3 is better in every quantifiable factor, and I just got bored of having to explain to everyone why the MG was special. I wanted something light on its feet, mountain pass, driving gloves, red and chrome, 60s rat pack, thin pillars. In sort, something Italian.
So I researched and had a shortlist of an Alfa Junior, a Fiat 124 BC, or Lancia Fulvia 1 or 2.
I kept an eye out during what turned out to be a lovely holiday. But as you may imagine, the streets of Italy are no longer flooded with beautiful cars.
Then one day driving to a market in Latina with our friends, I spotted parked by the road a red series 2 Fulvia. I screamed the car down and got my friend to stop so i could have a look. 1971 model. Red. Black interior. Intact dashboard. It looked dusty and like it had been standing a while, but it looked complete and solid. I sat down by the road and drank it in, it really is a beautifully designed car. And so, so SMALL. like they really are tiny. But the best thing? It had a for sale sign in the window. My friend called the number and an old lady came out of a nearby house. We chatted for a bit, she was really warm and friendly and nice. It was her sons car and she gave us his number. By this time I'm sweating and falling hopelessly in love with this car. Like I'm sure I want it. I'm as sure as I am that I want to breath. The son answers, yes it's running, it just needs the carb cleaning and adjusting. It probably needs two tires. Ok, not too bad, and nothing we cant fix in an afternoon. So how much? 5000€.
Ok we'll talk it over, and get back to you.
Now comes the begging. Darling, you must understand... I used words like opportunity and investment. I pleaded to her artistic nature, waving towards the car, I mean look at it. I appealed to her frugal side. How much cheaper to run a 1.3 than the 4.6 MG. We could drive it home to Finland, imagine what a memorable trip that would be. And where my dear wife is usually very reasonable with my pangs of insanity, this time she was unusually firm. First the MG had to go, then I could get the Lancia.
I mostly enjoyed the rest of the holiday, actually I totally did, but I'll be honest, it was hard to think about someone other than me sitting in that seat, gripping that perfect wheel, and driving away what was destined to be mine.
When we got home the MG went up for sale that week. It actually sold in just a couple of months for the asking price, a chap from Belgium flew over to Finland and drove it home. So I was pleased the MG went to a good home. The second the money hit my account I called our friends to call the owner.
The car had sold.
I'm sure we've all felt that sickening disappointment. This was an especially bad dose.
I searched the classifieds and forums. at least twice a day over the winter. Prices for a nice series 1 or 2 seemed to be about 12k. We'd used some of the MG money for other things, needed, but I resented having to do it. I panicked about not having a hobby car in summer. I bought a bike instead to tide me over.
I found another red S2 in England. Road rally prepped with beautiful big spotlights. He wanted 10k. I had 8. I just had to get to my next paycheck. The car sold before the month ended. Another disappointment.
Then corona happened. I checked how many Fulvias in Finland. 2. Not much chance of getting one here, and I couldn't travel to get one.
A blue S2 came up on eBay UK. I called my mum, can you store it till I'm able to come get it? No she cant. My brother? Its yours to drive until I can come. His wife said no.
So here I am, slowly getting priced out of the market. The world has caught up with these wonderful cars. I by chance found another teenage dream, a two door Triumph Toledo. I bought that instead. I love it. I'm looking forward to rebuilding it over winter. It will be in a similar 1960s road rally style.
But there's always one that got away, and for me, it's the Fulvia. So far, at least.
Edited by Jake899 on Tuesday 20th April 12:55
Edited by Jake899 on Tuesday 20th April 12:56
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