Jensen GT + BMW 2002 + Jaguar XK150 - Ones That Got Away 419
Uncle Cliff takes a look back through the Unique Cars classifieds...
JENSEN GT - Advertised April 1988
By 1975 Jensen was a shadow of its former self and the hatchback GT was the last new model to come from its West Bromwich factory. Only 473 were made and very few would have been sold outside the UK. Looking at the UK market revealed none on offer but one enthusiast was willing to swap two Jensen-Healey Roadsters for a GT. One was advertised in the USA, complete with garish paisley print seat trim, at US$25,000. Looking back at the 1988 price and considering the cars’ relative anonymity, that US price is probably pretty close to the mark.
Then: $15,000. Now: $35-40,000
BMW 2002 Tii - Advertised July 2001
The chunky two-door that brought BMW international attention in 1968 was not this one. Early 2002s had carburettors and round tail-lights and sold to enthusiastic drivers who overlooked their sparse cabin and absence of sound-deadening. The Tii arrived in 1971 ahead of a minor restyle in 1973 and seemed to sell reasonably well in Australia. Only 7400 were built including rare Cabriolets that today seem less valuable than the coupe. At $8500 in 2001 this tidy-looking car would have represented good buying and whoever has it now should be happy.
Then: $8500. Now: $28-35,000
JAGUAR XK150 - Advertised July 1997
The internet and my own bookshelves creak with detail on classic XK Jaguars yet nowhere is it (apparently) listed just how many XK150 Dropheads were built with automatic transmission. ‘Not a lot’ would be as accurate an estimate as any. Fixed-roof 150 autos are fairly common but going in search of similar cars being offered for sale in the USA where most would have been sent when new proved fruitless. So where is this exceptionally rare XK and what enjoyment has it bought during the past 21 years to whoever gave it a home?
Then: $80,000. Now: $190-215k
Reader's One That Got Away
1995 Volvo 850 T5 R
Eddie Suarez - Corowa, NSW
My old LOTE teacher had a stunning red 850 R wagon from new. He always boasted about it and seriously loved that car. One day he came to school disappointed telling us that the Volvo was at the wrecking yard as he was in a bingle and all the airbags had activated but he walked out without a scratch. The damage was minimal and would have been worth saving, try to find one now!
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