The Fictitious Stable

I flip between worrying about whether having a collection of old cars is all about a type of greed I don't realise I possess, or just simple passion. Why do I need to own these cars, and desire to own more? If ever there were a first-world problem,, this is it - the collector's addiction.

Over the years, in an attempt to instil some order, I've occasionally put one of them up for sale, to then immediately tell the first caller that it was no longer available; just couldn't do it. The only one I did manage to let go was a '74 Kamm Tail Alfa Spider, a few years ago; that decision was entirely driven by maxing out my overdraft and credit cards as I hit a wall while restoring the old farm house we're in.

The one that got away...

So apart from easing my guilt, which I shall admit isn't causing me too many issues, or to release some money in desperate times, the most likely reason for letting anything go would be to swap it out for something else. That's more likely. In fact, I can imagine letting the Quattro and GTV go to fund an E-type or A110. That could well happen despite the Quattro being a 'stable' car.

My list needs to be remortgage-money realistic

Buried somewhere in my random bonce is this sense of some sort of quest. Perhaps it's to recreate the Top Trumps feeling in real life; perhaps it's to bring joy to mine and others' lives; there's certainly a sense that if I can buy well, I could make some shrewd investments. Whatever the reason, I still search the market and still have plans. And I love the process; it makes the train ride to work every day something I look forward to.

And if those plans did come together, what would my stable look like? I'd love a Miura or Tipo 33 Stradale; I'd love a 250 GT SWB, a 300SL, or DB4 Zagato, but that will never happen. My list needs to be remortgage-money realistic. More recently I've found the looming pressure of tighter emission regulations has started to affect my decision to include a couple of models; certainly for now until.they move into the 'historic car' bracket of 40 years where their limited use will hopefully remain permitted.

Apart from budget naturally curbing my enthusiasm, the real challenge is to leave cars out. I absolutely love '60's  912s - slate grey / red interior; you know the one. I love Montecarlos, Turbo 2 Renault 5s, Maserati 3500s, BMW CSLs; I could go on. But if I start to think about including cars like that, my motive moves from one where the car has previously had a more profound impact on me at some impressionable moment in my life, to something that just happens to be lovely. Make sense?

So, with all that waffle dumped, here's the list, in no specific order:

Citroen DS - pre 1967 Alpine A110 246GT E-type 1 or 1.5 FHC E-type 1 or 1.5 OTS 190SL Duetto 1750 365 BB Classic 911 Cobra 930 Turbo - G50 Esprit Turbo UR Quattro Integrale Evo 2

The latter cars are those I bumped into after I started driving and remain cars I'm fascinated by. But I suspect they won't end up in the stable for the simple reason of budget over prioritised choice. And it's for that reason that I can imagine trading out the Quattro to help with one of those I feel a stronger affinity with.

I'd love to know what others think; what would a classic stable look like for you? Perhaps I'll set up a Soul Machine online poll and we can share our thoughts on it. I certainly plan to catch up with people I know with lovely collections to hear what drives their decisions.

Until then, I'm still dreaming : )