So now that I'm thinking I might actually do this, I need to figure out what vehicle will work. My first thought is to buy an older Corvette. I've always wanted one, they have a fiberglass body, and it's a Corvette, say no more right? Sort of... With the help of my better half, I set my budget at $3000.
With the spending ceiling in place, I set out to find a car. I start with searching for Corvettes exclusively, but broaden my search for a short time to include older Mustangs, BMW's and even a Camaro or two. Soon enough though, I'm back to Corvettes. They seem to fit the objective well. Parts are available, the few older examples that are in good shape are fairly valuable, and people who are looking to purchase a Corvette may not be thinking completely rationally. These cars are more of an emotional purchase. So I'm hoping, at the conclusion of this project, I'll be able to make a little profit off the sale. Try that with a Mustang or Camaro... Might be a little tough. Now that I'm set on a Corvette, I need to find out what I can buy for $3000. As I search, I find I'll likely not be able to get one in the 90's, and I want to avoid the pre-84's due to the cross-fire injection, or so I hear... note to self, I should really do some research... I should, but I don't. I'm set on the '85 to '90 Corvettes, what more do I need to know? It can't be that tough right?
I start out on Ebay and look a little on Craigslist, but mainly use Ebay. I find what looks like a nice '85 Vette located a couple hours away, so I make arrangements to take a look at it. From the pictures, it looks decent, just a few mechanical issues to repair, some new tires and a comprehensive detailing and it'll be good to go... right? Not so much... I show up and find the car is in rough shape and it keeps getting better, the current owner has started repairs, but they haven't been completed, and they aren't completed to my standards, so I'd have to basically redo them... I'm a bit bummed out at that point, but maybe it would work out, if I could get the price down a bit. I sleep on it and go back and forth, in the meantime, I continue searching. I find a promising '91 that has some title issues, but it has fresh paint and only needs a little work. I'll give it a shot, the current bid is over my original price limit, but not enough over to keep me from bidding.
The auction doesn't end for a couple days, so I add it to my watch list and go about my business. So now it's Friday, and I'm flying home, I have forgotten about the auction until I get in the air on the first of two flights, that's when I figure I'll get my Wife to help me out. And Her, being the wonderful and supportive woman that she is, agrees to help me with bidding. I get on the phone and have Her check the auction, it's still got some time left, so I give Her the bid amount I'm willing to work with and I bid Her farewell and board the next plane. She performs flawlessly and gets my bid in at the last minute... Now I'm a little terrified that I might actually own a '91 Corvette, but at the same time, I'm really excited to be able to start this whole crazy project...
I get a text, didn't win it... I'm equal parts relieved and bummed out, but life goes on. I'll resume my search next week...
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