Buying Your Holy Grail Car Is Something You Never Regret
Almost everyone likes to give advice, myself included.
So here’s my simple advice, informed by personal experience: Always buy the best car that fits your needs, desires, budget, and garage. And by “best” I don’t just mean condition. I’m talking about a car that, by your definition, has the perfect combination of colors, equipment, options, history, and condition. In the watch world people refer to Holy Grail watches, or “grail watches.” I’m telling you to buy your grail car.
Only you can define what your grail car is. Not your co-workers, your buddies, the guy who runs the shop where your current car is serviced, or a “Ten Best” list.
I have made more than my share of bad automotive decisions over the years, but I’ve also made good ones, and have discovered a few things. One of them is this: If you buy with as few compromises as possible, your chances of being happy increase immeasurably.
Without going into the gory details, a couple of years ago I bought a car that was always, for one reason or the other, unobtanium my entire adult life. It was a perfect combination of all the factors I was looking for. Purchasing this one, single car put to end my pursuit of lesser versions of what is basically the same car, but without one super-important (and expensive) option. To me, this defines a grail car. It’s the best example of the best version of an automobile I’ve loved, bought and sold for years, and there’s a sense of achievement in that ownership.
This is actually the second time this has happened to me, so I just might be proof positive of my hypothesis. Back in 2015 I fell in love with what was then a brand-new, special version of a high-performance import. Only 99 were built for the U.S. market. I wanted one with low-ish miles, “No Stories”, up to date maintenance, and in one of two choices of colors.
I had to wait until it became more affordable. Then, when it was three years old and I decided to buy, it took me close to two more years to find the best example (again, as defined by me). Now I am the owner of two collector cars that completely cured me of any itch to buy a “better” example. The feeling is actually quite liberating, knowing that, should all other factors remain equal, I can enjoy these cars until I am (shudder) unfit to drive, or, well, have left the (metaphorical) building, in Elvis-like terms.
With regards to what your grail car is, let’s start by talking brand. Ford or Chevrolet? Porsche or Ferrari? Cadillac or Packard? MG or Triumph? Stanley (steam) or Detroit Electric (electric, obciously)? With brand vs. brand, you are the only one who can define what will make you happy. Will driving BMW when you always wanted a Mercedes-Benz, or an Oldsmobile when you’d really prefer the Buick, eventually compel you to question your choice? In the appraisal business, we talk about something called the principle of substitution. Briefly, that is “If Mr./Ms. Buyer can’t find/afford/wait for a Model Z, what others will satisfy their wishes?” While it often works in real life, for some buyers of collector cars, it might not. We are talking that one, that Holy Grail, after all.
If colors and options factor into your Holy Grail, then holding off until the right combination comes along can be a nearly impossible task. This is particularly true of classic muscle cars and Corvettes, where the color range is wide and the list of original options long. If you have a very specific combination in mind, this is where patience, and maybe a small compromise or two, start to come in.
Condition can and should be a factor as well, of course, and again this depends on the person. I’m not a skilled mechanic. My wrenching skills are legendary, as in legendarily bad. That knocks me out of the market for a good number of cars that I will see in my search for a grail car, but the same need not be true for you. If you are able to make a car better with your own hands and tools, then your choices have expanded. Like that house-hunting couple on TV, if you are looking for a fixer-upper, you can save money by doing it yourself. Do not, however, follow in my well-tread footsteps and buy a car thinking it’s a bargain because it “only” needs (fill in the blank). I have spent thousands on such mistakes, and have come to the conclusion that restorations are expensive for a reason.
There are all sorts of considerations outside of the car world to weigh, too. For example, I’m 6’4, so that is a factor, as is the fact that getting in an out of some cars is a strain on my high-miles body. There may be some small, low-slung cars that I love, but if I can’t really enjoy them then they’re not perfect for me. Your results, as they say, may vary. Your spouse, your bank account, or even your credit rating could all be a limiting factor. Buying wrong while pissing off a significant other or draining a bank account will bring a different kind of feeling, the opposite of happiness.
The quotable Sir Henry Royce (one half of Rolls-Royce) had a few things to say on this subject. The first: “The quality will remain when the price is forgotten” and finally “Accept nothing nearly right or good enough.” Dude might know something, as the company that he and Rolls started is now 120 years old.
Wise counsel, if one’s financial resources are in line with the desired grail car.
“if you don’t get what you really want, there is no such thing as a good deal.”
Yes that’s the truth. I ended up spending more on almost the one than I finally did on the correct one. Would have saved some expense and regret had I bought the original spec in the first place.
Generally agree completely. I always try to understand the entirety of the model line for whatever car I’m interested in. Every single color and trim that was available. Then I identify the one I want, and buy that one. Sometimes it takes years for that one to pop up.
The only caveat to this approach is that there is a risk of waiting too long, and foregoing other automotive experiences as a result. Or being disappointed in the car when it does finally arrive, which would have been a much less expensive and time consuming lesson if you had purchased a “lesser” example first, one that wasn’t the keeper.
I am one of few people that can say I never purchased a mistake. Some of it was luck but the rest was wisdom I was taught or learned from others and their mistakes.
It is rare mist can afford that holy grail car depending on expectations and income.
But generally you can buy cars to enjoy with great satisfaction. In other words the F40 is not coming home soon here.
Only buy what you like. This way you will only enjoy what you have.
Buy the best example of what you want you can afford.
Do not get in a hurry.
Investigate upkeep and ownership costs. Many can afford a 308 Ferrari only to find the service costs are more than they can afford.
Learn a car inside and out before you buy to know the hood and bad.
I too often see people buy cheap and spend more to fix up the car. Worse they get a car that looks good but becomes the car from hell for them.
Be informed, be smart, take your time, understand or know what you are getting into.
Like the Car Wizard showed the other day just brakes and belts on an AMG cost $5,000 even if it was an older model that only cost $13K to buy.
I bought one of my Dream cars last year. I found the right condition, color and options at the right price. It needed a couple things but I knew the costs going in. I was flexible on generations. It is the perfect car of new enough to get the modern things but old enough to be easy to care for myself. Parts are easy to find and affordable.
Agree 100%. Lots of good advice. You should have co-authored the article! I bought my first classic because it was cheap and had recently been out-priced on one that had 100% of the options I was seeking.
Over two years later, I’m afraid to total all the $$$ I’ve put into it (and I do most of the work myself). And though the color has grown on me, it is missing one option iconic to the model that I really want. Although the option can be added—parts are very hard to source.
My advice is: Don’t be in a hurry—but when you see “the one”—jump on it!! Bid the highest price you can afford! Especially if it’s in good condition.
I agree to a point, and then I absolutely don’t. Happiness is relative. And time is fleeting. If you set your bar too high and just wait until the “grail” car comes along, you are going to miss out on a whole lot of fun. Sometimes we are just too demanding of “the perfect one” and we can’t realize that we often can adjust ourselves to be happy with – gasp, dare I say it? – SECOND PLACE. As one of the tunes I often listen to says, “If you can’t be with the one you love, love the one you’re with.”
Yes, time’s passing is a factor, but less so if you’re, say, forty than seventy (not that the forty year old’s time is guaranteed longer than the older fellow). But the pursuit is also a factor and for some, myself included, the hunt is fun and challenging and educational. I am almost disappointed when the search is over and the recently acquired car is in the garage. Thus, time’s passing is not so much a factor for me and I’m definitely not forty.
But as they say about the Olympic medals, Silver is for the first loser.
I am going to have to check my phone for “hagerty hacks” because last night I found my “holy grail” car (a 1 of 3) after 15+ years of searching and owning 30+ “close enough/I settled” cars over the years. Message went to seller this morning and impatiently waiting for a response. Even more coincidential, my 60th birthday is less than a month away, a mental target. Retirement funds be damned!
Maybe it wasn’t hagerty spying… maybe the car gods are sending clear messages?
Agree. After 5+ years of looking found my “holy grail”, 2016, 1 owner all maintenance records, Porsche 911.
At 69 years old, no more waiting !
My criteria for my holy grail vehicle was pretty forgiving…an American made V8 rear wheel drive with a manual. Eventually the right car presented itself and I have owned it now for 5 years. Turn-key was the next important criterion as I did not have the time/space for a project. I selected the best example for the money; a 25 year old, overly maintained 9k mile Mustang GT 5 speed convertible. For me it’s the epitome of driving fun.
Who in the heck would illustrate a holy grail article with a dumb ol’ Avanti?
Well, me, that’s who. And a few of my closest Studebuddies. Thanks for playing along.
That Avanti appears in two articles in this edition. I spent many years in Hamilton, Ontario, Canada which was the home of the last Studebaker assembly factory.
To keep them busy all the city vehicles were replaced by Larks. At this point they had Chevrolet engines, 235 six and 283 eight. The Mayor had an Avanti with a Paxton supercharger as part of the effort to save the company. Rumor had it that a 327 4 speed Lark was made, but this was at the point the final plug was being pulled. The city had a large Studebaker population at one time but they quickly vanished. Can’t say I even had a ride in one.
Well, members of the Hamilton Chapter of the Studebaker Drivers Club could have given you a ride yesterday! We had a meeting at the Canadain Warplane Heritage Museum and had a number of interested folks looking at our cars in the parking lot who seemed to be impressed with the 3 Avantis we had out.
And we were impressed with the “fly bys” performed by a C47 Dakota, a Canso, and the jewel of the museum’s collection, a Lancaster. “Engine music” from the air!
just picked up a 1962 Hawk Grand Torismo with the 289 v8 anyone out there know where I could find an automatic trans for it ?
My holy grail was pretty much always a moving target. So always a “few” days late and many dollars short.
My father’s hoil grail car is a Ferrari 250 GTO, sadly I did not make it as a rock star or pro athlete, so would found the nicest model and paint of the exact car is has always listed after!
I am 71 and hopefully approaching 72. Don’t wait too long. And don’t let perfection be the enemy of really good.
Around fifteen years ago (2009-ish) I began the search for mine. It started when I attended an Army Unit 20-year reunion in Helena, Montana. One of my good combat friends, who knew I was looking for a C2, told me about a contact he had in town. We decided to go see Mark (the Contact), and he was a mountain of a man with lots of C2’s and an assorted lot of others in one of his garages, yes, one of his garages. I was happier than a gofer in soft’ dirt. Toys galore everywhere!
A 65-fuel injection car in the left corner was where my gaze settled. She was ermine white with a black leather interior – just what the doctor ordered. Tried my best not to tip my hand that this would fit the bill perfectly – but waiting in vain for something that will never happen was not my style. He explained it this was his late wife’s car – her daily driver for many years.
So, I went ahead and asked if it was for sale. He responded with “they’re all for sale”. How much was laid out, and he said “oh that would be well over 50 ($50K at the time). We went back and forth a few times and settled on him ending with “Lemme do some homework, and I’ll call you in a few days”.
He did call the following week and said he had a number. My wife and I were having lunch some where in the Northern Virgina area, where I live, and asked what it was. “He said $65K” – I didn’t hesitate and responded with “sold”. There was an uncomfortable silence followed by a groan accompanied with “I’ll call you back in a few days”. It was an emotional event for him, I get it, and decided to give him space.
The following year I called him back around the same time, had some small talk and then asked if it was still for sale. He said yes, but hadn’t decided to let it go yet, and to call him again. I did this for three years, with the same ending.
Year four came around and had to shake him off the fence because if this was not going to happen, I had plans to go in a different direction. So, I decided to write him a letter detailing the buying this car was also an emotional event on my side, as I was using the inheritance my late Mother had left me. Adding the car would never be sold or modified as long as we had it, which again, would be for the remainder of my years and that of my Daughters. I even included a standing invitation to visit the car whenever he wanted.
This was a four-page, handwritten letter. How many times do you get a four-page handwritten letter asking to buy your car? Must be a record of some kind. In closing, I signed it, my wife signed it, my Daughter’s signed it, I even put all three of the cat’s paw prints on it for good measure – figured this would do the trick.
Well, a week later, Mark called, laughing heartily. He told me it was the best offer letter he had ever received for any of his cars and promised me the right of first refusal should he ever decide to sell. I’m still waiting.
This does have a happy ending.
Fast forward to 2018 – the C2 itch came again, in earnest this time. Thought to myself, now is the time as I won’t be coming this way again. Doing business with a shop in southern Virginia at the time; I asked the owner if he had any leads on a C2. After just a few weeks of visiting and seeing photos of beautiful examples, he came upon a lead in Ohio. It was a 1963 Coupe, four-speed. Daytona blue with riverside red interior and power windows option. When I laid eyes on her, I knew she was the one. I was happier than a gofer in soft’ dirt. Bot it just before Christmas and have been loving every minute since!
Great article, but as a counter I feel it’s better to get close to your grail car than look at an empty spot in the garage that may never be filled for one reason or another. It’s a nice feeling to enjoy what you have, even if it’s not your grail.
Agree – and according to some of these stories, some folks look at that empty spot for 15 years!
Bought My Holy Grail car when i turned 50 ( 26 years ago!) when I sold a rental house in So Cal..took 1/2 the money and bought the Ferrari Daytona that was like the sales brochure i picked up 25 years earlier at the Ferrari Dealer in Newport Beach ca and had taped to wall above my bed! Still have that brochure around somewhere, but drive the Daytona monthly…” There’s No Time Like Now” don’t wait folks
Great article, Mr. Kinney! Well said and said well! Interesting car for the main image… an Avanti? Do you have a passing interest in those? 😉