My Vehicle Wish List

My Vehicle Wish List

I get the occasional request for a blog topic but it's almost always political and I try to avoid those sort of things as much as possible.  I usually blog about cars and travel - I like both subjects, and neither is likely to get me in any trouble.  When I got a request for a "wish list" of cars I'd like to own I was thrilled.  I like cars.  I like lists.  Perfect!

I initially sat down with a note pad and started jotting down all the cars I just have to own one day (but haven't yet).  I ended up with a War and Peace length sheet.  I decided to set some ground rules for myself, so here is a top 10 list of vehicles that I plan to (and realistically can) own someday.  

In 'Alfa'betical order:

Alfa Romeo - ANY Alfa Romeo

It's hard for me to believe that of the over 200 cars I've owned, not a single one of them has been an Alfa.  The lads on my favorite TV show Top Gear are fond of saying "You can't be a true petrol-head until you've owned an Alfa Romeo".  Their reasoning is that no car will bring you such pleasure and heartbreak - sometimes on the same trip.  All Italian cars are, shall we say, odd.  Reliability isn't a strong suit, but they have a passion about them that you just don't find in a German car, for example.  I almost bought this little Spider at the Carlisle, PA, spring event a few years back but chickened out and bought yet another Corvette instead.  There are always Alfa's available, and most models aren't particularly expensive, I just need to pull the trigger.

BMW M6 (1983-1989)

I've always wanted one of these shark-nosed 6-series cars, and the M6 is the ultimate version.  When BMW's M Division worked on the original 635, it created one of the most elegant grand tourers of the period - and one of the fastest!  I'd like to buy one of these on the east or west coast and road trip it back to Texas.  You can buy the more common 6-series, like the 635, for just a few grand - and they're great cars in their own right.  I want the muscle car though, and a good one will cost around 20K or so.  It's worth every penny, as these are an appreciating classic.

Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (1971-1978)

Cadillac has been building Eldorados since 1952, but the ones I covet are the 8th generation behemoths from the seventies.  They're shockingly slow, and almost comical to see on the roads today, but I think they're awesome!  The good news is that Nel (who is pretending to be gored by one in the picture above that we almost bought at Mecum last year) is, for some reason, on board with this one.  She humors me on most of my vehicle purchases, but she genuinely wants one of these too.  There are plenty available, and a good one can be found for 15-25K.

Chevrolet Corvette Convertible (1968-1972)     

I've owned 13 Corvettes, but the oldest one I've ever had is the 1986 Pace Car we have now.  I've always had this idea to get one of these chrome bumpered Stingrays and sort of do a resto-mod on it.  I'd like to keep it as original looking as possible, but have modern running gear and suspension.  Original examples with the right engines are very expensive, but I just need a nice roller to get me started.  It's tricky - I could probably find one, but it might take me years to build it the way I want it.

Delorean

 

Yes, Deloreans are horribly built, slow cars and if not for Marty McFly you probably would never have heard of them (Bricklin, anyone?).  They only built about 9200 of these, but they manufactured parts to build more than twice that many.  You can also get just about any OEM part for one that you need, and the company that sells and works on them is right here in Houston, so good for me.  The bottom line is that it's odd and quirky - and I love odd and quirky!  The key is to buy one with a perfect body.  You can work on the terrible Ford or Renault engines, but trying to take a parking lot ding out of stainless steel is a massive task.

Ferrari ?

I'm torn here.  I'm not sure which model I want, I just know that I want a Ferrari in my life.  I've owned a 308 and a Mondial Cabriolet in the past, and I've thought I wanted a Testarossa for years.  The Testarossa is a dinosaur though - incredibly impractical and expensive to maintain and not even that much fun to drive.  I LOVE the 550 Maranello.  It's a much better car and I feel like I could drive it to the office without looking like a complete tool.  On our last trip to Italy, Branelle and I rented this fantastic 458 Italia.  I think it's the best mid-engined supercar ever!  It was refined, and that's not something you say about a supercar often.  The California is growing on me as well.  I'm sort of late coming to the Ferrari party, but I want to take a girl home.  I just need to pick one.

Lamborghini Espada

I've wanted one of these rather ugly four-seater Lambos for as long as I can remember.  I've come close a few times as well.  Unfortunately for me, collectors have started snatching them up so instead of being able to find one for 40K or so, you need to be willing to go to 80 or even 100K.  I'm willing, but buying one is just the beginning.  It's not like I can work on a 12-cylinder Lamborghini motor myself (and it will need work) and parts are no bargain either - if you can find them.  Still, I want one.  The one I'm admiring in the picture above is in the museum at the Lamborghini factory in tiny Sant'Agata Bolognese outside of Modena.  

Pontiac Trans Am

I want a 2nd generation TA - basically a 1970-1981 model.  To be honest, a Camaro Z28 from the same period would be fine with me as well.  I'm not sure why.  These cars aren't fast, they don't handle well, and they aren't particularly rare.  I just want one some day, and I want to drive it around.  I want to embarrass my wife by picking her up for lunch at her office.  There are plenty available and a good one can be had in the teens.

Porsche 911 Turbo

The new 911 Turbos are amazing cars, and I'd love to have one, but what makes my list is the older models from the '80s.  These beasts were the car to me growing up.  I've owned a few 911s, but never a Turbo.  They were crazy fast for their day, but very challenging to drive.  It was a car that's actively trying to kill you (and who wouldn't want that).  This is sort of a bucket list item as well.  The 911 is the greatest sports car of all time in my opinion, and as a car guy the 911 (or 930) Turbo is the pinnacle of true car aficionado ownership. 

Volvo P1800

I was a little surprised that the P1800 made my final list to be honest.  There's something about this little Swedish Coupe that I enjoy though.  It's not a quick car, nor were they well built, but they look fantastic.  Don't tell my wife, but I secretly want the wagon version a little more than the coupe.