Mazda RX-4 + BMW 3.0LA + Ford Ranch wagon + Lancia Fulvia - Ones That Got Away 438

By: Cliff Chambers

Date: 11.04.2020

Looking back through the Unique Cars classifieds...

Mazda RX-4 hardtop - Advertised December 2003

Surging demand and soaring values for early rotary-engined Mazdas mean this sleek-looking two-door will by now have repaid its buyer’s investment many times over.  Mazda launched the 929 and companion RX4 in 1973, with the rotary becoming its only model at that time to use the 1308cc 13B engine. 

Elegant, quick and well-equipped, the RX4 two-door was also expensive and not many were sold. Keeping the rust at bay and trim intact proved challenging and a car that survived in this condition for 30 years was a tribute to its owners’ dedication. Worth good money now as well.

Was: $12,500. Now: $65,000-70,000

| Read next: Mazda RX-4 Buyer's Guide

BMW 3.0LA - Advertised July 2004

Sad to report that when researching values for big BMW sedans from the 1970s we found more people hoping to buy one than wanting to sell. The long-wheelbase version of BMW’s outstanding 3.0S sedan was sold in Australia from 1976-78 and when new cost 50 percent more than a 3.0CSi coupe. A couple of 3.0LAs have been offered locally in recent times but the best of them was half the current cost of a CSi, so that’s not encouraging. In the UK and Europe where the cars are equally scarce, values are only slightly higher than they are here. Where did this one go?

Was $19,000. Now: $30,000-35,000

Ford Ranch Wagon - Advertised June 1986

The market was quick to describe these massive Fords as ‘tank’ Fairlanes and you only needed to see one looming in the mirror to work out why. Australian Tanks all came with V8 engines – we can’t imagine how slow the US six-cylinder version must have been – and as a sedan or wagon. Lots of Ranch Wagons became hearses without needing any extension of the load area,  but despite owners’ best efforts rust was endemic and very few lasted more than a decade.

This one in the NSW Blue Mountains might have been better protected and $4995 was sensible money.

Was: $4995. Now: $20,000-25,000

Lancia Fulvia S3 - Advertised June 2003

Sometimes called the ‘engineer’s Alfa Romeo’, Lancia’s classically-beautiful Fulvia came from an era of Italian automotive design that we are unlikely to see again. It was front-wheel drive with a flat-four engine (mostly 1.2 or 1.3 litres although the rally HF had a 1.6) and amazingly driveable. Expensive too, which is one reason Australia didn’t see many and also a bit tricky to maintain which kept the lid on resale values. A late-series car like this won’t make the same money as a 1960s version but overseas sales have shown Fulvia values tripling and continuing to climb.

Was: $9000. Now: $30,000-35,000

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