Cars with sentimental value.
Discussion
My Dad was always a Jag man. From an early age, I remember him pointing out Jaguar's and telling me what they where, and how much he wanted them.
Dad always had big cars, I remember a Capri, a Sierra, a Cavalier, a Citroën BX and Xantia. In 2008 he had the chance to spec a new company car.
After much fiddling with options and having to go for rubbish paint, he found he could sneak an X-Type into budget. It turned up on a brand new '58' plate and the phrase "pig in proverbial" does not come close to describing him! It was quite basic, and unfortunately a diseasal, but it was his Jag!
In Spring 2009 he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The company car was now used to run us on family events, to go fishing with and for him to try and get as much use out of it as he could! I wrote to Jaguar explaining the situation, and they very kindly offered a guided tour of the factory in Birmingham.
Dad couldn't drive that distance by then, but it was one of the best days we ever had as father and son.
Dad died in September 2009. The Jag was picked up and went back to fleet. I found that as hard as everything else at that time.
Yesterday, my friend and I went round fantasy car shopping. My friend is after an estate, or a hatchback, or something sporty, or something.... I digress. We found Dad's Jag at a Jaguar dealership. It's done a fair few miles in two years, and it's had some battle scars, but it's Dad's Jag.
Words cannot describe as to how I feel about wanting this car back!
It's well out of my budget, and I'm spending most of today finding out how much my kidney is worth. It's stupid, I know it's a base spec diseasal Jaguar in a rubbish colour, but I want it back on the drive!
Has anyone else ever found a sentimental car? Did you ever rescue it?
Dad always had big cars, I remember a Capri, a Sierra, a Cavalier, a Citroën BX and Xantia. In 2008 he had the chance to spec a new company car.
After much fiddling with options and having to go for rubbish paint, he found he could sneak an X-Type into budget. It turned up on a brand new '58' plate and the phrase "pig in proverbial" does not come close to describing him! It was quite basic, and unfortunately a diseasal, but it was his Jag!
In Spring 2009 he was diagnosed with terminal cancer. The company car was now used to run us on family events, to go fishing with and for him to try and get as much use out of it as he could! I wrote to Jaguar explaining the situation, and they very kindly offered a guided tour of the factory in Birmingham.
Dad couldn't drive that distance by then, but it was one of the best days we ever had as father and son.
Dad died in September 2009. The Jag was picked up and went back to fleet. I found that as hard as everything else at that time.
Yesterday, my friend and I went round fantasy car shopping. My friend is after an estate, or a hatchback, or something sporty, or something.... I digress. We found Dad's Jag at a Jaguar dealership. It's done a fair few miles in two years, and it's had some battle scars, but it's Dad's Jag.
Words cannot describe as to how I feel about wanting this car back!
It's well out of my budget, and I'm spending most of today finding out how much my kidney is worth. It's stupid, I know it's a base spec diseasal Jaguar in a rubbish colour, but I want it back on the drive!
Has anyone else ever found a sentimental car? Did you ever rescue it?
A while ago friend of mine bought for his first car a bright orange fiat punto 1.2. at the time he said "I'll keep it for a bit then get something more interesting".
Well, about five years later he still has it, I guess he grew quite attached to it in the end. Despite costing about what the car's worth again in various repairs he still won't let it go, even with some pretty chronic and expensive suspension issues now. On the one hand I think he's an idiot, on the other I kinda understand. I literally cried when my first car went away on the back of a lorry....
Well, about five years later he still has it, I guess he grew quite attached to it in the end. Despite costing about what the car's worth again in various repairs he still won't let it go, even with some pretty chronic and expensive suspension issues now. On the one hand I think he's an idiot, on the other I kinda understand. I literally cried when my first car went away on the back of a lorry....
Quite a touching story, and yes - most of my cars end up staying far longer than they should purely for that reason - I become attached and see nothing but the good points. I've kept my Monaro for 5 years (longest I've had a car) and despite having 10k on the clocks and never seeing daylight, I can't let her go - she's my baby!
Just a thought, but could this be in any way related to those people who have an old car rotting away but refuse to sell it??
A rusting pile of junk might mean the world to someone who probably had many happy memories associated with it, and better it stay there than be taken away and gone forever as far as they're concerned.....
A rusting pile of junk might mean the world to someone who probably had many happy memories associated with it, and better it stay there than be taken away and gone forever as far as they're concerned.....
XJ84 said:
Just a thought, but could this be in any way related to those people who have an old car rotting away but refuse to sell it??
A rusting pile of junk might mean the world to someone who probably had many happy memories associated with it, and better it stay there than be taken away and gone forever as far as they're concerned.....
Yep I have a 1983 Volvo 360 that has been sat in the yard for about 10 years and hasn't moved for at least 8 of those. Despite the yard being tidyed up around it it remains as it was the first car I ever drove aged 12 with my old man in the passenger seat.A rusting pile of junk might mean the world to someone who probably had many happy memories associated with it, and better it stay there than be taken away and gone forever as far as they're concerned.....
Th second car I owned was a Yaris, it was my first brand new car and I bought it solely because I had a Clio which kept having electrical problems and wanted something reliable.
Anyway, I found out that I had a chronic illness, at times I was seriously ill and had to stay in hospital and I used to Yaris to get back and forwards for hospital days. It wasn't much of a car compared to what some people on here own but I loved it, I still think about it to this day and think to myself that I would've just kept it garaged and never used it again if I'd had the money. I still regret selling it.
Anyway, I found out that I had a chronic illness, at times I was seriously ill and had to stay in hospital and I used to Yaris to get back and forwards for hospital days. It wasn't much of a car compared to what some people on here own but I loved it, I still think about it to this day and think to myself that I would've just kept it garaged and never used it again if I'd had the money. I still regret selling it.
Dad always had MG's as a young man, apart from a brief flirtation with a Mustang during a 3yr stint in the US. He could rebuild a TC or TD with his eyes closed and one hand tied behind his back. Unfortunately, MG ownership was relegated down the priorities as us kids came along. 4 university educations later, he was finally in the position to rejoin the ranks, and to celebrate his early retirement, he bought this '72 B Roadster about 11 years ago. He daily drove it from the moment he got it, only putting the roof up if it was raining really hard. It took him all over the UK from our home in the NE. Down to the south coast for sailing trips, and up to the Highlands for mountain leadership training.
Sadly, like the OP's father, he contracted a terminal cancer in 2007, and died in 2008. We moved back from the US so that my kids could get some time with him before the end, and we now live about 1/2 a mile from the house I grew up in. The MG lives in my garage now, and my brother and I look after it. Nothing gives me a greater smile than taking her out for a spin on a sunny afternoon. The kids adore going for rides too, and even my wife has conceded that there is something special about tootling around the lanes with the roof down. It'll never be a 'sportscar'. It'll never set the world on fire. It'll probably never be a concourse condition classic. It will stay in the family for as long as we can possibly manage it though. Dad's on my shoulder every time I get in, enjoying the ride.
Sadly, like the OP's father, he contracted a terminal cancer in 2007, and died in 2008. We moved back from the US so that my kids could get some time with him before the end, and we now live about 1/2 a mile from the house I grew up in. The MG lives in my garage now, and my brother and I look after it. Nothing gives me a greater smile than taking her out for a spin on a sunny afternoon. The kids adore going for rides too, and even my wife has conceded that there is something special about tootling around the lanes with the roof down. It'll never be a 'sportscar'. It'll never set the world on fire. It'll probably never be a concourse condition classic. It will stay in the family for as long as we can possibly manage it though. Dad's on my shoulder every time I get in, enjoying the ride.
My Dad's (and now my Mum's) performance blue Focus ST225.
He always stuck with fairly economical company cars (Lex, BMW, etc.) but had always wanted the ST or RS, and when a fair deal came up locally he couldn't resist.
Drove it for a month before being diagnosed with a brain tumour, causing the DVLA to revoke his license for a year. Underwent an awake craniotomy and radiotherapy and constantly looked forward to the end of the year when he would get his license back. It finally came and he got to drive it for another month before being diagnosed with lung cancer with his health deteriorating too much for him to drive - the most he saw of the car was being a passenger of a 100 mile round trip to the chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments every day. He passed away last summer, 2 years from first diagnosis.
Can't see us getting rid of the car for a while (if ever), Mum mainly uses it as a 'special' car with a different run around car. My brothers and I can't wait to drive it in a few years, but insurance for a 19 year old is obviously not possible.
He always stuck with fairly economical company cars (Lex, BMW, etc.) but had always wanted the ST or RS, and when a fair deal came up locally he couldn't resist.
Drove it for a month before being diagnosed with a brain tumour, causing the DVLA to revoke his license for a year. Underwent an awake craniotomy and radiotherapy and constantly looked forward to the end of the year when he would get his license back. It finally came and he got to drive it for another month before being diagnosed with lung cancer with his health deteriorating too much for him to drive - the most he saw of the car was being a passenger of a 100 mile round trip to the chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments every day. He passed away last summer, 2 years from first diagnosis.
Can't see us getting rid of the car for a while (if ever), Mum mainly uses it as a 'special' car with a different run around car. My brothers and I can't wait to drive it in a few years, but insurance for a 19 year old is obviously not possible.
Edited by Diabolik on Tuesday 26th April 12:04
I feel a similar way about my Alfa. When I bought that car I had a half-decent salary and a nice flat, my MR2 had just died and I was actually looking for a Fiat Coupe to replace it with. After following up several bodge-repaired dogs described as 'immaculate', I ended up at an Italian car specialists (they were selling that yellow Ferrari 308GT4 Hammond once bought on Top Gear) and realised that for the money I had, I could either buy a timebomb Coupe or the best 155 widebody around.
Shortly after this, the economy went tits-up, I lost my job, went to work for another company who had hopelessly misadvertised themselves and their job, ended up working in education, trained as a teacher and re-trained as a journalist. There have been times when that car took me on a 90-mile a day round commute. It's endured petrol prices flying up and down all over the place, me having hardly any money, it's lived outside, putting up with some ghastly weather, and I've frequently driven it quite long distances on holiday. It's done Manchester-London-Goodwood-Manchester within a day before now and the temperature and pressure gauges haven't so much as wavered from their optimum zones.
There have been times when I've been so skint I've probably spent the majority of the money I made maintaining it, but as it's looked after me, I see no good reason to stop looking after it.
It has never let me down. The only times it's actually broken down I've been able to fix it myself with the toolkit I keep in the boot.
People regularly knock on the door asking whether I wouldn't mind selling it to them for banger-racing. There is absolutely no way I'm letting this happen. When It does get sold, it'll go to either an Alfa Romeo enthusiast or a dealership in whose best interests it is to make sure it's in good condition in order to sell it.
Shortly after this, the economy went tits-up, I lost my job, went to work for another company who had hopelessly misadvertised themselves and their job, ended up working in education, trained as a teacher and re-trained as a journalist. There have been times when that car took me on a 90-mile a day round commute. It's endured petrol prices flying up and down all over the place, me having hardly any money, it's lived outside, putting up with some ghastly weather, and I've frequently driven it quite long distances on holiday. It's done Manchester-London-Goodwood-Manchester within a day before now and the temperature and pressure gauges haven't so much as wavered from their optimum zones.
There have been times when I've been so skint I've probably spent the majority of the money I made maintaining it, but as it's looked after me, I see no good reason to stop looking after it.
It has never let me down. The only times it's actually broken down I've been able to fix it myself with the toolkit I keep in the boot.
People regularly knock on the door asking whether I wouldn't mind selling it to them for banger-racing. There is absolutely no way I'm letting this happen. When It does get sold, it'll go to either an Alfa Romeo enthusiast or a dealership in whose best interests it is to make sure it's in good condition in order to sell it.
I purchased a two year old 1.8 75 when I was 18 with the intention of upgrading it to a V6 when insurance got a bit cheaper.
Through the first early years, the car was used for a couple of final (although I didn't know it at the time) family holidays and family trips. It also became the place where I finally got round to telling the love-of-my-life (who I'd been in love with since comprhensive school) my true feelings. However, shortly after, my parents divorced, my brothers moved away with their respective jobs, I never saw the love-of-my-life again, the family house was sold, relatives and pets who had been ferried around in the car passed away over the years and so forth.
So after six years of being filled with some very happy and some very unhappy memories, this car has been the only thing to remain constant in my life. I can't ever imagine ever selling it now and have resigned myself to the fact that I can't ever replace it.
Through the first early years, the car was used for a couple of final (although I didn't know it at the time) family holidays and family trips. It also became the place where I finally got round to telling the love-of-my-life (who I'd been in love with since comprhensive school) my true feelings. However, shortly after, my parents divorced, my brothers moved away with their respective jobs, I never saw the love-of-my-life again, the family house was sold, relatives and pets who had been ferried around in the car passed away over the years and so forth.
So after six years of being filled with some very happy and some very unhappy memories, this car has been the only thing to remain constant in my life. I can't ever imagine ever selling it now and have resigned myself to the fact that I can't ever replace it.
Edited by red_rover on Tuesday 26th April 12:11
I bought a T-Reg Lexus IS200 in 2004 and loved every minute of it. Ended up trading it in for a Peugeot 607 diseasal in 2008 which had to be the worst car I've ever had (reliability, cost of repair wise) so when that got written off, I popped back over to my friendly Lexus dealer and although I was looking at the IS220d, I did end up with another 200. Still love every minute behind the wheel, despite needing a mortgage to fuel it for the 112 mile commutes I regularly do.
red_rover said:
I purchased a two year old 1.8 75 when I was 18 with the intention of upgrading it to a V6 when insurance got a bit cheaper.
Through the first early years, the car was used for a couple of final (although I didn't know it at the time) family holidays and family trips. It also became the place where I finally got round to telling the love-of-my-life (who I'd been in love with since comprhensive school) my true feelings. However, shortly after, my parents divorced, my brothers moved away with their respective jobs, I never saw the love-of-my-life again, the family house was sold, relatives and pets who had been ferried around in the car passed away over the years and so forth.
So after six years of being filled with some very happy and some very unhappy memories, this car has been the only thing to remain constant in my life. I can't ever imagine ever selling it now and have resigned myself to the fact that I can't ever replace it.
Sad story, depressing even. A Rover 75? At 18! FOR THE REST OF YOUR LIFE!! Through the first early years, the car was used for a couple of final (although I didn't know it at the time) family holidays and family trips. It also became the place where I finally got round to telling the love-of-my-life (who I'd been in love with since comprhensive school) my true feelings. However, shortly after, my parents divorced, my brothers moved away with their respective jobs, I never saw the love-of-my-life again, the family house was sold, relatives and pets who had been ferried around in the car passed away over the years and so forth.
So after six years of being filled with some very happy and some very unhappy memories, this car has been the only thing to remain constant in my life. I can't ever imagine ever selling it now and have resigned myself to the fact that I can't ever replace it.
Edited by red_rover on Tuesday 26th April 12:11
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