I know this is a bad idea. I understand this is not the smart thing to do when buying an old car. SCM’s John Draneas, in his many excellent “Legal Files” columns, warns us. I have read those words and completely agree. Yet here we are, doing something I know is wrong. This is not like me, but after some soul searching, I realize I can’t help myself. There is something magical about buying an old Porsche from afar — without seeing it, driving it or having it inspected. This is also very risky. Why would anyone who knows better do […]
I
know this is a bad idea. I understand this is not the smart thing to do when buying an old car. SCM’s John Draneas, in his many excellent “Legal Files” columns, warns us. I have read those words and completely agree. Yet here we are, doing something I know is wrong. This is not like me, but after some soul searching, I realize I can’t help myself.
There is something magical about buying an old Porsche from afar — without seeing it, driving it or having it inspected. This is also very risky. Why would anyone who knows better do this? The only answer I have is for the sheer excitement; the impact of having an unknown old car magically arrive at your doorstep is astounding.
This is quite different from an auction, whether online or in-person, where you are stuck with other competitors all wanting the same car. Or a dealer, who has many customers, of which you are just one. This is buying an old car directly from an owner who hasn’t driven it in some time. Or is in a hurry, and has no interest in answering a hundred questions. Or has a car that won’t start and may not run.
It’s wrong to be excited about doing something so stupid. I know that, yet this is fun for me. But why the big thrill? It’s not that we, my two sons and I, don’t have a Porsche. We have a bunch of old cars, mostly 356s and early 911s. It’s not that I haven’t been burned in the past, because I have, many times. So why can’t I learn this rather simple and obvious lesson? Because when that unknown car arrives, it can be love at first sight. The joy of my newest challenge is overpowering.
The thrill of the unknown
In stark contrast to other ways of buying an old car in today’s information-packed world, this is, and should be, the road less taken. Yet to me, this is where the thrills are, and I haven’t found any other way to get the same kicks. In some ways I’m taking on a fool’s errand. But looked at another way, my approach is a special challenge. Can I find a good car at a fair price by looking at a few pictures, maybe asking a question or two, but stopping short of heading across the country for a visit and a drive?
Although not convinced our latest blind purchase is a gem until we see it and drive it, the possibility that it might be a good car overwhelms my thoughts. Over the years, we’ve taken so many shots in the dark, and with plenty of elbow grease we’ve ended up with some winners. Some take a couple years to finish, others can take a decade.
Looks aren’t everything
Have a look at the photo of our latest conquest, a 1974 911 Targa. You should see it in person — it’s much worse. We got it from an estate that was tied up in court for a few years, the car banished to a storage unit. There’s no telling how long it has been immobile. The transport driver who picked it up didn’t even try to start it. When we charged the battery, it would only hold 6 volts. We also discovered quite a bit of loose wiring and various pieces of an aftermarket alarm system, which worried me. The paint was lousy, and I am being kind.
We are, perhaps, a bit different in that we love beaters. We like to use these old cars just as they were used half a century ago. We like cars that look a bit rough but drive like the wind. I can’t kid you — this one looked pretty sad when we pushed it into the warehouse. But this is where the fun begins. Can we get it to run? What amazing problems will we find that we’ve never seen before? What new tricks will this car teach us? And when we get it started, will it run well? Will it have that unique joie de vivre that great 911s have? Even though the smart money would be against this, it’s hard to have this much fun without taking a gamble. Perhaps the takeaway is not to call us smart, but lucky instead? Or do we make our own luck? Either way, I’m hooked on the sheer excitement when the truck shows up with another car we’ve never seen.
You might snarkily ask what could possibly go wrong. Instead, I’d venture, what could possibly be more fun?
