I’ve always been a bit of a gear head since the days 40 some years ago when I had a ’67 Camaro. Sold it when I was going to school in Virginia in 1972. Took me 6 months of patient waiting before I got $1,000 for it.
I know, I know.
That time reminds me of a friend’s car I considered getting – a 1962 Porsche 356B. I took a test drive, the car was a faded red being 10 years old, with a spot of surface rust on the rear fender.
The seller wanted $1200. I decided to pass on the Porsche.
I end up getting….get this….a brand new Ford Pinto.
Before you judge me, I have to say in my own defense that it had the optional made-in-Germany 2 liter OHC 4, with a 4 speed. It was sporty to drive, even if the body was so flimsy that when washing the car I could push in the fenders.
Anyway, I went into the Army just 6 months later and sold the car.
I tell you this story because yesterday I am in a parking lot and see an immaculate 1962 red 356B. I walked over to peer inside – trying to keep the drool off the new paintwork, and the owner, a nice couple, was inside the car.
They said a restoration costs about $150,000 – and up – and they had just come back from a 356 get together in San Luis Obisbo.
Daily Drivers these days are going for $80,000. The car above is a reasonable facsimile. I have to get a smart phone.
Don’t know what the Pinto would be worth.
I’ll have to tell you my Corvette story some time, but I am worried that you will seriously question my judgement if I tell you yet another story of opportunity missed.
The Lexicans 
My college roommate owned a royal blue one. Most people don’t know that the entire undercarriage is almost totally sealed by metal skid/plate so that it can (and WILL) act like an airfoil if one goes over something like RR tracks set on high embankment at HIGH speed and the critter WILL become airborne! We once did and landed about 20 yards on the other side with a noticeable thump and kept on truckin’ Thank God for German suspension engineering! LOL
PS: My Father bought a used white 57 Thunderbird in PERFECT condition in 1964, but sold it a year later to buy a new MG Sprite convert! GAAAA! I could have killed him!
$1,200 into the S&P 500 in 1972 would get you about the same $80k as that daily driver. Factor in maintenance and insurance . . .
No, really! Index investing will get you chicks!
1972 was a very memorable and somewhat traumatic year. I made Chief. Got married. And traded my 1966 Corvette Stingray 4speed 350hp Blue for a Pinto station wagon (woody). Had orders to Rota, SP.