Thunderbird Convertible + Lotus Elite + Meadows Frisky - Ones That Got Away

By: Cliff Chambers

Date: 18.09.2023

The cars we should have bought or are delighted we didn't...

Ford Thunderbird Convertible - Advertised July 2013

This one was earmarked for Gotaways stardom well before our resident T-Bird tragic got the top job; knowing it will initiate heavy breathing in places apart from the Editorial office. ’61-63 Thunderbirds are an iconic car, celebrated in music and film, yet for a long time in the USA and other places they weren’t seen as especially collectable. Nor were they particularly valuable unless you happened upon an M Code, triple carburettor Roadster from 1962-63. Recently, though, cars like this nice-looking soft top have been enjoying surging demand and values that could soon be topping six figures.

Then: $37,000. Now: $85-95,000

Ford A Model Utility - Advertised April 1997

For decades it has been known that the late Lew Bandt’s Light Utility wasn’t the first ‘ute’ made by Ford. It was just more cohesive in its design. This A Model belonged to the ‘buckboard’ school of design, with three-seat roadster front bodywork and a shallow tray topped by timber ‘hungry boards.’ Various online videos detail US-built Model 66A pickups but finding one identical to this local version proved impossible.  Ford authority Norm Darwin lists Egans as a supplier of bodies to Ford but says they would also build to their own designs onto bare cab/chassis units.

Then: $10,000. Now: $30-35,000

Holden LJ Torana SL - Advertised March 2001

Always wanted an XU-1 Torana but need four-door access? Buy this. Back when you could source new triple Strombergs on manifolds compatible with most types of Holden motor, conversions like this were common and affordable. So too the brake and suspension upgrades that would make this SL a fun car at minimal cost. Not to mention the saving on insurance when compared with the mega-premiums being charged when covering real X-U1s. Should this car survive today, it will have lots of admirers and a string of potential buyers should the owner decide to cash it in.

Then: $4900. Now: $50-55,000

Cadillac Eldorado Seville - Advertised August 2007

The fabulous King Fin Caddy: the most outrageous production model devised by a US manufacturer and still one of the most desirable American cars of all time. The Seville in 1959 was Cadillac’s most expensive and exclusive coupe, costing exactly the same US$7401 as a Biarritz convertible but selling only 975 in 1959 against the soft-top Eldorado’s 1320. Few, if any, would have arrived as new cars and been required to undergo RHD conversion. This LHD example would be a more recent arrival, with its value mirroring US sales which since 2022 have climbed past $70,000.

Then: $65,000. Now: $100-120,000

Lotus Elite - Advertised April 1991

The Elite that appeared in 1959 was a significant addition to Lotus’ range and one of the most beautiful cars of its time. Sadly, this Elite which appeared in 1973 was notable for a whole range of other reasons. It replaced the quirky Elan+2 but managed to elude that car’s charm or semblance of reliability. The 501 Series was a commercial disaster, using the same flawed engine as the Jensen Healey, while adding body problems and electrical niggles. During six years in production, only 2398 were made, few sold here and they are rarely seen. If you bought this one it probably cost money.

Then: $27,000. Now: $25-30,000

Fiat 124CC - Advertised April 1998

At a point in local history when money was tight and cars hard to sell, this Fiat at half the price of an excellent example must have been tempting. Sadly, that new paint could be hiding deep-seated corrosion of the kind that sent many of these excellent cars to the metal recycler. CC versions like this were the first 124 Coupes to use 1.8-litre engines and they would manage 175km/h. That wasn’t enough to make an impression in the world of rallying where the 124 Spyder was a contender, but coupes were nice road cars and survivors in top condition can make $30,000.

Then: $3950. Now: $25-30,000

Meadows Frisky - Advertised August 1996

Students of Aussie automotive failure might also recognise this 1950s British microcar by its other name; the Lightburn Zeta Sports. Not content with fitting wheels to one of his industrial washing machines to create the Zeta sedan/wagon, Harry Lightburn bought rights to produce a doorless version of the Frisky and is thought to have built about 30 before the project sank without trace. Hardly any Zetas remain but back in Blighty the Frisky has its own website and way more than a cult following. Cars like this one have sold for around £15,000 over there. Here, who knows?

Then: $12,000. Now: $15-20,000 (maybe)

From Unique Cars #482, August 2023

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