Why is it so hard to get to six cars? Perhaps because each car we are considering speaks in its own distinct language and creates its own excitements and trepidations.
Each model also is a key for entry to marque activities. The Jaguar E-type V12 gets us into English car events. The Land Rover Disco lets us hang with the Rover gang. The Alfa Romeo S4 Spider lets us tour with similar Italian cars.
I’m going to rewrite my own rules here and simplify things, limiting the collection to cars that I can actually drive. As fond as I am of my Lotus Elise (the best sports car ever built) and my 1965 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider Veloce (an heirloom, purchased before my daughter Alex was born) I will never be able to drive them.
This brings us to the last car to consider, our 50k-mile, Sahara Beige 1975 Porsche 911S Sportomatic.
Despite being safely stored for many years, it has needed nearly $20,000 worth of work to make it a reliable car for touring. (And it still has a list of needs.)
I specifically wanted a Sporto, so I could have the experience of actually shifting the gears. With no power brakes or steering, and a light weight of just 2,300 pounds, the 911 is an unfiltered joy to drive. It’s the favorite car of my son Bradley and my partner Schön. (I’m sticking with the Jag and its bone-chilling A/C.)
So with the Giulia Spider Veloce and Elise put aside for a moment, next week we’ll see my final picks.
Thanks For Voting!
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Keith. There is more Upside and fun with the Sporto 911 ! Keep it. Dismiss the Jag, it will only bleed you of money and give you anguish and oily floors ! Get to no more then 2 cars and make your life much easier . Take up sailing ! Start a new venture ! It’s time !
What an interesting conundrum, and one must conclude a privilege at the same time. My thoughts are you have the only reliable V12 E type in the nation with cold AC. Keep it for its ‘one of one’ status, plus I can read between the lines that you enjoy it.
The Elise is/was/will always be a toy; a noisy, spartanized, over-caffeinated yellow jacket whose joy extraction is on an exceedingly limited basis, even with full ambulation. Let it ride.
Two words on the 911: Air Cooled. You’ve enjoyed it plus there’s just something about it, and Bradley clearly gains use, joy, with some fine memories made and yet to be. Keeper. For the Alfa…
Gulp. That car darn near personifies the very DNA of SCM. Any likely heirs to the Milan treasure? Can it go into a deductible trust for said future claimant? Otherwise, you may have to go full Marie Kondo* on it and thank it for its many years of service. And sure as I’m writing this, whomever gets it will love it and become a friend. Not a bad transaction. Didn’t say it was easy, but a good outcome either way.
*the decluttering queen
Great post Adams. I do enjoy the Jag immensely. It just turned 31,000 original well-cared-for miles and has good, stock bones.
The Giulia Spider Veloce is a conundrun I am still musing about.
Collecting cars, or any other items, is about the things you want to have, not those you have to use.
“Why is it so hard to get to six cars?”
Depends which direction you’re coming from!
Why is it so hard to get six cars? Good question! In the case of my six-car collection, they’ve mostly fallen into my lap. All but one was bought from a local owner who I either knew or had a friend who kew about the car. Each car was on my “list” of cars I’d like to have, though not necessarily at the top on the list or the exact model. But, they were each nice enough or cool enough, and offered at a reasonable enough price, that, well, how could I resist?
The hardest part in each case, as always: breaking it to my spouse as to what I was up to. Better to beg forgiveness than ask permission, right…?
I have a had a number of collector cars! I purchased my 74 E-V12 Roadster in 1978. These cars are easy to work on once the smog B/S is removed. Move the electrical relays, change the ignition out and they are a beautiful and dependable car to drive with a great AC. I have 88K miles on my Jag car and love it.
Larry