A question of ettiquette?

[Jim 68cuda]

It doesn't hurt to call or write. But expect to be disappointed even if they still own the car and would consider selling. If they restored or modified it, they may want alot more than you're willing to spend. If they didn't restore it then chances are that its deteriorated over thirteen years while prices have gone up. If the car is in worse shape but they want more than double what you sold it for, then you will not only be disappointed, but that could make you somewhat bitter.
Unless the car has significant sentimental value, or unless there was something really special about the car, I would cherish the memory of how it was when you had it, but move on and search for something else.

 

[1971MonacoGuy]

I kind of agree with "cherish the memory but move on". I say this because I wanted to buy back my childhood house. My parents built it in 1963, then they sold it in 1987, I went back to see it in 1994. The new owner had removed all the front yard trees. I was pretty upset about that. The rest of the place looked original so I asked if he would sell the place back to me. He said no. I drove by the house again last year and it's not being well maintained. That owner is still there. I asked him again. He said no. So that's the ball game. Wife and I are staying in the house we bought a few years ago and won't look back at my childhood house anymore. Some things are too upsetting to look back on when are no longer available, like former houses and former cars.

 

[polara71]

I've learned a long time ago some things are better left a memory. Things like a parents house can be legendary , usually distorted for the better with time.

 

[commando1]

And never, ever, look up a gal that you had a crush on 40 years ago.
Big mistake.

 

[300rag]

And never, ever, look up a gal that you had a crush on 40 years ago.
Big mistake.

Is it HOLY ****, or oh **** ?

 

[commando1]

Is it HOLY ****, or oh **** ?

Neither. It's more like:
"Hi. This is [fill in the blank here]. We went out a few times back in the... "
" Who?? "

 

[Big_John]

And never, ever, look up a gal that you had a crush on 40 years ago.
Big mistake.

Yep...

Aside from that, I bought back a car once, sight unseen. One of those cars I kicked myself for selling. 1969 Dart 383 4 speed.

I made two huge mistakes... first was selling it... second was buying it back. It had been taken apart and pushed outside. The guy tossed a lot of parts and scrapped the good parts car I gave him. The 383 car had fenderwell headers on it before I got it and was hacked up pretty bad. The plan was to cut the parts car up for these parts, but he didn't bother. The only thing he managed to hang on to was the NOS exhaust manifold that I gave him. On top of that, his kids had been using the car to play on.

I was pretty upset when I got the car home... and it didn't stick around long. It went to a flipper and then on to Canada. At least I got my money back and the car got saved.

Aside from all that, I paid him what he paid me...

 

[65 500]

And never, ever, look up a gal that you had a crush on 40 years ago.
Big mistake.

 

[BigCRig]

I've wondered,more than once about a couple of cars that I've sold. The first would be a 69 galaxie sportroof 429 N code 4bbl. dual exhaust,very dark green, what sets this car apart was the factory chrome on this car. While it had the standard fare of other cars,this had the chrome by the fuel filler door, chrome valve covers Power by Ford, and chrome hood hinges and springs,and somethin else but I can't remember. The other was a 69 Coronet R/T black on black with a white tail stripe,well optioned,sold the car for all the wrong reasons. I've bought plenty a car by knocking on the door. I would pay the owner a visit. You had mentioned they were collectors,you may be pleasantly surprised.

 

[GJS]

Thanks for all the input, folks. I think I'm gonna hang up the gloves on this one.

It'd be so much nicer to wait everything out, search for my ultimate (68 300 hardtop console bla bla bla), see where I end up and start a whole new journey.

In the meantime, I'll just live vicariously through ya'll!

Thanks, dudes!

 

[Snotty]

My answer to your question is this: you sold the car, it's not yours anymore, let it go. What happened to it is really none of your business.

I get letters and emails all the time for people offering services, products, etc. If I'm interested in any of them I call back. If not, I trash their stuff. I had a guy call recently wanting to know why he had not heard from me? I told him it was because I was not interested in his product. The reality is I owed him nothing.

If these people are not returning your calls I would imagine they are speaking quite clearly.

Leave them alone.

 

[polara71]

I've learned a long time ago some things are better left a memory. Things like a parents house can be legendary , usually distorted for the better with time.

And never, ever, look up a gal that you had a crush on 40 years ago.
Big mistake.

That's the type of legend I speak of. . So many things you can never go back to. You've changed, it's changed or its not what you thought it was. Regardless, the memory is best left a memory or you're almost guaranteed disappointment.