Hooniverse Asks: What is your dream car that you know you have no chance of owning?

Jeff Glucker

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I would drive it. No, I would not rub it with a diaper. The Ferrari 250 GT California is a car itching to run, run run, run run, past the big city downtown. It’s a gorgeous, glorious creation, and it’s the car that got me into cars. I did not have a father turning wrenches every weekend. My automotive influences were forged on screens small and silver. So when Ferris Bueller borrowed the “Ferrari” from Cameron for a day of frivolous fun, my heart and soul were instantly stuck on this car… and I’ll never be able to afford one.

A perfect example crossed the Amelia auction block back in 2016. The final hammer price was over $17MM. Even if I found a janky one on Craigslist that was rusty and missing parts, it would still be worth more than my house. And that’s a bit sad because although it sits in the ever-rotating place of absolute dream cars in my head, I will never even drive one. It’s rare to simply see one.

I say ever-rotating, but it’s always on the list. Some of the other cars? A 1968 Dodge Charger, with ’69 taillights swapped into the back. I’d like a fully built replica of the Mad Max Interceptor, from the first film but with an actual working Weiand blower. And I think a nice Defender 130 double-cab truck with some manner of either turbodiesel or V8 swap would fit the bill.

The Defender may be possible someday. A ratty Charger isn’t out of the question. The Interceptor is tough, especially since old Falcon prices in Oz have skyrocketed. But back to the Ferrari… I have literally no chance.

So how about you? What is your dream car that you have zero chance of owning, yet you still dream about it?

(If it’s an Integra GS-R, you’re in luck)

About

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker

Jeff Glucker is the co-founder and Executive Editor of Hooniverse.com. He’s often seen getting passed as he hustles a 1991 Mitsubishi Montero up the 405 Freeway. IG: @HooniverseJeff

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55 responses to “Hooniverse Asks: What is your dream car that you know you have no chance of owning?”

  1. neight428 Avatar
    neight428

    The Singer Porsches are certainly beautiful, closest thing to a piece of art that I am likely to appreciate, so that’s one.

    Somewhere on the other side of this odd spectrum, I’d go with a street legal-ish Baja trophy truck.

    Reply
  2. roguetoaster Avatar
    roguetoaster

    A rust free Alfa GTV at a price point where I can drive it like a regular car, until it rusts…

    Reply
    1. Alff Avatar
      Alff

      At this point, I’d be satisfied to keep my S3 Spider roadworthy.

      Reply
    2. Batshitbox Avatar
      Batshitbox

      A lot of people’s dream cars are Alfas that don’t rust.

      Reply
      1. roguetoaster Avatar
        roguetoaster

        Yes, these people secretly want a Trabant.

        Reply
  3. P161911 Avatar
    P161911

    McLaren F1.

    Reply
    1. wunno sev Avatar
      wunno sev

      correct answer

      Reply
  4. caltemus Avatar
    caltemus

    Lexus LFA, in pearl brown
    https://cdn.motor1.com/images/mgl/lrYMJ/s1/lexus-lfa-pearl-brown.jpg

    Reply
    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      I spent 15 minutes behind the wheel of one, and it was pretty amazing even in that short amount of time.

      Reply
      1. caltemus Avatar
        caltemus

        I’m glad to hear it. I’ll never forget the ad where they used the exhaust note through a speaker system to shatter a glass. I love that they made the V10 at a F1 engine facility they just had sitting unused. Not to mention the development process, which started with an aluminium car, and culminated in new carbon-weaving tech being developed. It’s extra cool as Toyota started out as a loom maker.

        Reply
  5. neight428 Avatar
    neight428

    The Singer Porsches are certainly beautiful, closest thing to a piece of art that I am likely to appreciate, so that’s one.

    Somewhere on the other side of this odd spectrum, I’d go with a street legal-ish Baja trophy truck.

    Reply
    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      Yes. to both.

      Reply
  6. William Byrd Avatar
    William Byrd

    I’m still holding out hope that I’ll invent something or start some sort of successful business, so the sky is the limit!

    That said, that Ferrari is up there on my list as well. It is so choice!

    Also a host of super-hyper-cars like the F1, some Paganis, Koenigseggs, a Ferrari TheFerrari, a P1, maybe a Zenvo TSR-S to mix it up. haha

    Reply
    1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      Your collection won’t be complete without a Spyker. Perhaps a Laviolette SWB would be to Sir’s liking?

      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/cc4a2aacffa5c5da0fa03c88eb9326889186486a1e98cd8db5ee052a2d080782.jpg

      Reply
    2. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      Your collection won’t be complete without a Spyker. Perhaps a Laviolette SWB would be to Sir’s liking?

      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/cc4a2aacffa5c5da0fa03c88eb9326889186486a1e98cd8db5ee052a2d080782.jpg

      Reply
      1. roguetoaster Avatar
        roguetoaster

        Ah, my GranTurisimo fantasy garage is now complete.

        Reply
  7. crank_case Avatar
    crank_case

    The proposed Cappuccino replacement, the Suzuki C2 which was going to have a high revving 1600cc V8 in a tiny car which I can never own because Suzuki cruelly didn’t make it. That V8 probably would have never seen the production version, but still, what a tease.

    http://www.carstyling.ru/resources/concept/1997-Suzuki-C2-Concept-Frankfurt-01.jpg

    In terms of real cars that actually count I guess, probably an LCC Rocket

    https://www.classicandsportscar.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_inline_single/public/2019-02/Classic%20%26%20Sports%20Car%20%E2%80%93%20LCC%20Rocket%20%E2%80%93%20DSC_0389.JPG?itok=hagjxoSD

    Reply
    1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
      Peter Tanshanomi

      Perhaps a Blackjack Zero would be a suitable 5/8th solution?
      But then again, not really any easier to get hold of, I would suppose.

      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/44986690ca2d276a0adcfdd5083f37993bae11371bcbb04b301a61763ec6bc7f.jpg

      Reply
      1. crank_case Avatar
        crank_case

        It’s cool, but that”s more like a Morgan that’s melted in the rain than an alternative to either choice. The motor is too laid back to give a similar experience. Probably the best budget Rocket alternative is a Sylva R1ot which is rear engined and designed to accommodate a Yamaha R1 – a fraction of the price (of not only a rocket but stuff like an Atom) and only 30kg heavier than the Rocket and near 200kg lighter than the relative lardbucket Atom. The problem even with this is it’s near impossible to affordably register and insure (insurance is mandatory) a new kit car in Ireland these days 🙁 …I could bypass that by purely using it as a track car, but then I’d need to get a trailer and something to tow it with, which makes the whole thing kinda hard to justify financially.

        https://www.totalkitcar.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/news_1_xmoor.jpg

        Reply
  8. GTXcellent Avatar
    GTXcellent

    all of them?
    Hemi GTX, GT40, L88 ‘Vette, ’66 GT350, “swiss cheese” SD Catalina, ’70 Judge 4 speed convertible, ’70 W30, Cobra Daytona, Bill Thomas Cheetah….that’s just a quick 30 second jot of some of the American cars, let alone the Maseratis and Lambos.
    The list of dream cars I can’t afford is never ending (hell I can’t afford to restore the dream car that I actually do own).

    Reply
    1. outback_ute Avatar
      outback_ute

      Agreed, there could be a very long list. The first thing that came to mind for me is a Jaguar C-type, then a GTHO Phase 3.

      There are a couple of Defender 130 double cabs for sale now for US$13k now.

      Reply
  9. 0A5599 Avatar
    0A5599

    Dodge Diamante.

    https://static2.thethingsimages.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/untitled-95-1.jpg

    Reply
    1. caltemus Avatar
      caltemus

      Someone at Chrysler liked the Pontiac Banshee concepts

      Reply
    2. caltemus Avatar
      caltemus

      Someone at Chrysler liked the Pontiac Banshee concepts

      Reply
  10. Alff Avatar
    Alff

    This is a joke, right? There are many such cars. If I had the means I would daily irreplaceable cars to the annoyance of my inferiors. My street parked Alfa 33 Stradale would surely ruffle some feathers.

    Reply
    1. pork_rind Avatar
      pork_rind

      Browsing the Thule rack webpage looking for top box options so I can do Home Depot runs in my F40.

      Reply
  11. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
    Peter Tanshanomi

    The Honda 2&4 concept. It’s all the vehicles I love most, rolled in one.

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e8e6e4fca04885aa41e1bef3b32f86ccc8f7edb44a51bccb241054087499f5b9.jpg

    Reply
    1. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      That’s awesome, but I think I would feel uncomfortably exposed driving that. Never seen it before, though, so thanks for sharing!

      Reply
    2. Zentropy Avatar
      Zentropy

      That’s awesome, but I think I would feel uncomfortably exposed driving that. Never seen it before, though, so thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      1. Peter Tanshanomi Avatar
        Peter Tanshanomi

        “…I would feel uncomfortably exposed…”

        You haven’t been following along, have you?

        https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/418878fdc6c0f9f2572324349447a1fa05567fa73ec1bd8851f861eb1910a155.jpg

        Reply
  12. Batshitbox Avatar
    Batshitbox

    An Econoline that handles like a 911 while hauling an Alta Redshift, doesn’t rust, doesn’t break down, passes SMOG with lake pipes,…

    Reply
    1. Batshitbox Avatar
      Batshitbox

      https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9f300c897376e79ec3b7b1694b2c011ccd36b2be4edcb8ae40042b7109b8b410.gif

      Let’s study the ol’ diagram again, shall we?

      Reply
      1. roguetoaster Avatar
        roguetoaster

        Dreams cause reality? I knew we lived in the Matrix.

        Reply
        1. crank_case Avatar
          crank_case

          It’s a Father Ted reference 😉

          Reply
          1. roguetoaster Avatar
            roguetoaster

            Ah, I’m more of a Vicar of Dibley & Ballykissangel man.

  13. I_Borgward Avatar
    I_Borgward

    Ford GT. Either one. Thank you.
    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/58281739f595f9ca6aaaca781e614cbef010f3bef5698589153f1ae3dc91a400.jpg https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/1f6685b14ba8cff5b13396c16e3f8b3ca64eb11374630e573435632ac7ef673a.jpg

    Reply
  14. Richard Scroggs Avatar
    Richard Scroggs

    The Red Pig…..not the replica that Mercedes Benz commissioned a few years ago, but the actual car that Heyer and Schickentanz terrorized Spa-Francorchamps with back in ’71 (which was subsequently destroyed by Matra Aerospace, who used it to test tires used on fighter planes). https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/9fc88f56c77a2c3cef3df8f576114aa574c14091109ba461dda60948cab909cd.jpg

    Reply
    1. Jeff Glucker Avatar
      Jeff Glucker

      I would occasionally day dream about turning my W114 into a Blue Pig tribute car.

      Reply
      1. Richard Scroggs Avatar
        Richard Scroggs

        W114 at Spa, 1977 https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/cb080e164d1f68c519349c45c32a82d4fc1f219a6530362364654f6d0bf0969a.jpg

        Reply
  15. nanoop Avatar
    nanoop

    Most of them. I could start saving, and regularly compile a list sorted by price, and when there is an offering I might be able to buy.
    At some point I might get the bottom of the list done, especially when selling the currently owned car, and eventually, when I stop pursuing the project, you’ll have my answer.
    There are obtainable cars like VW Scirocco, Hillman Imp, NSU Ro80, Jaguar SJX, Corvette C4 on the list, so I can have fun for the rest of my life. The higher the price bracket the fewer cars come to my mind,though.

    Reply
  16. Zentropy Avatar
    Zentropy

    I’m not one that pines over rare or expensive vehicles. I tend to like cars based largely on my personal feelings about the design, or nostalgia/sentimentality/etc., so most of my “dream cars” are pretty tame and therefore attainable (well, attainable if I’m willing to get a divorce). I can’t think of anything on my want list that would exceed $30k. Most I could probably find for less than $15k.

    Reply
    1. Fuhrman16 Avatar
      Fuhrman16

      My thoughts are the same.

      Reply
  17. wunno sev Avatar
    wunno sev

    i think this question is really hard to answer because if i were a person with infinite money my dreams would be different. when i think of the cars i like, i can’t quite tell how much of that list is how it is because i’ve spent the last many years browsing craigslist for what i *could* have. sure i daydream about cars costing under $30k a lot, but that’s because i could really make that happen. it’s fun to think of what ifs. but if you just raised that ceiling to the sky, would i still want the same things? i’m not sure. maybe a piece of exotic machinery my brain totally skips right now (918, LaFerrari, etc) would be more appealing if i knew i could afford a team of mechanics to maintain it and a private road course to use it on.

    Reply
  18. spotarama Avatar
    spotarama

    a MK1 capri, safe in the knowledge that i don’t actually fit in one, it will however always be my dream car that i can never have

    Reply
  19. Pinkerton9 Avatar
    Pinkerton9

    I’ve always had a soft spot for the everyday small cars that get lavished with money to develop them for racing, especially the Group B cars. The Peugeot 205 was a classic design, and the homologation cars look even better. The road-going Peugeot T16 pictured below “only” has 200hp, but there is way more to this car than merely going fast.

    https://cdn1.snaplap.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/24165341/Spotlight-Peugeot-205-T1621.jpg

    Reply
  20. Pinkerton9 Avatar
    Pinkerton9

    I’ve always had a soft spot for the everyday small cars that get lavished with money to develop them for racing, especially the Group B cars. The Peugeot 205 was a classic design, and the homologation cars look even better. The road-going Peugeot T16 pictured below “only” has 200hp, but there is way more to this car than merely going fast.

    https://cdn1.snaplap.net/wp-content/uploads/2015/08/24165341/Spotlight-Peugeot-205-T1621.jpg

    Reply
    1. crank_case Avatar
      crank_case

      there is way more to this car than merely going fast.

      There is also the thrill of snap oversteering into a hedge. 🙂 …I mean the regular 205 GTI I had, while not the widowmaker people make out, was lively enough in terms of being able to rotate and that was FWD, now imagine RWD, rear engine, and the linearity (or lack thereof) of an old school turbo. To describe this as a regular car with money lavished for racing is only partially true, lots of money but has as much in common with the 205 hatch as a Camry does with Toyotas Nascar entry, it’s a silhoutte car really. Most the “road” cars got sold to privateers the minute the FIA homolgation people left the building to to be converted to competition spec.

      If you want a “regular” 205 designed to go racing, then your slightly more attainable obtion is an early mainland western europe spec (except Germany) 205 Rallye – not a lot of power, but about 100kg lighter than the GTi due to a lack of creature comforts and it’s pretty much tailored to be a 1400cc class clubman rally car you could buy from your dealer.

      https://www.motoringresearch.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/01_205_rallye.jpg

      Reply
      1. Pinkerton9 Avatar
        Pinkerton9

        Thanks for the 205 Rally education. Good to know there is a lightweight sharp handling alternative to
        the GTI. The 205 is on my mental short-list of attainable gray market cars that we can get here in the US (side note: I would love to have a Renault Clio Williams as well). We have that pesky 25 year import rule, but Americans are usually
        anticipating importing their favorite Japanese cars instead. The Peugeot 405 and 505 were the last cars they brought here. Few people bought them, and hardly anybody bothered to keep their orphaned Peugeots on the road. The most common French cars here seem to be Citroen 2CV, Traction Avant, DS, and the Renault 4. AMC and Renault had their ill-fated marriage in the 80s, which really soured our taste for French cars in general.

        Reply
        1. crank_case Avatar
          crank_case

          My Dad had a Renault 9 (alliance) and in fairness, I can see how that’d put anyone off.

          The Rallye, especially the early versions would be rarer than the GTis, but more attainably, the 205 XS was a lot of fun too. A “warm” sub GTI model that was more insurance friendly for young drivers but not a special like the Rallye.

          Reply
  21. SlowJoeCrow Avatar
    SlowJoeCrow

    My dreams include most of the Goodwood festival of speed but I’ve thought the Ferrari 250GTO and Porsche 911 Carrera RSR oro SC-RS were awesome for decades and a McLaren F1 would definitely be won the Powerball sort of car. I’d also throw i a few motorcycles, starting with a Krauser MKM with the 4 valve heads and a Dresda Triton.

    Reply
  22. sunbeammadd Avatar
    sunbeammadd

    https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/f5e146b07516fef3bcdafd98c6eff0656abb799ca15537d860def7d500bf34c0.jpg

    I long ago had to concede that I will never have the means to buy a Sunbeam 3 Litre Super Sports.

    As my I’m soon to commence my 6th decade and need to be squirreling away for retirement I’m beginning to think the more attainable 205GTi, Fulvia HF, Tiger and Sunbeam Lotus are all looking pretty iffy. Maybe one of them if things go well, but definitely not all.

    Reply
  23. salguod Avatar
    salguod

    There are so many, but I’ll just mention the 1937 Cord 812 supercharged Phaeton because my grandfather owned one and auctioned it when I was in college, I think. Never got to drive it and only rode in it a few times.

    Reply
  24. Eric Rucker Avatar
    Eric Rucker

    I’m gonna pick a weird one, one that’s nearly mdharrell levels of weird.

    The 2002 Volkswagen 1-Liter-Auto concept: https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/c5f3f661150f1e6ef55a1f29815713b1de0d33dd6b358c3484999f91801f9ac5.jpg

    I don’t actually want it exactly (I want something faster than an 8.5 hp 300 cc diesel, and I don’t want a diesel at all any more, I want an electric), but that damn thing has been my white whale, just due to the sheer efficiency. It’s a layout that most people have no desire for and therefore won’t be made except in the most desperate scenarios, like those that made the Messerschmitt Kabinenrollers that were an inspiration for this (and the production Volkswagen XL1 was a side-by-side instead), but it’s something that I want, damn it.

    Reply
  25. Gurdil_the_Dwarf Avatar
    Gurdil_the_Dwarf

    A split window VW Camper or Bus.

    Reply
  26. Troggy Avatar
    Troggy

    Anything Moto Guzzi, or a dry-clutch Ducati.
    I want one badly, they look deadset gorgeous, make all the right sounds but I prefer medium-weight sports-tourers to actually ride, and neither manufacturer does that. Or, when they did, they didn’t appeal to me. I’m the wrong shape (and temperament) for all-out sports bikes, Don’t like cruisers, not keen on nakeds either.

    But I still want an Italian motorbike. I’m just not sure why. Maybe I one day I will buy one to find out, I’m just not sure if the happiest day of my life will be the day I buy the bike, or the day that I sell it again.

    Maybe I’m picky. I love my VFR800x too much.

    Reply