The one that got away...what's your story?
 

I'm sure there's plenty of these stories out there, but I have a really good one that I'm still relatively in disbelief over, and wish it had been better times when the opportunity came along.

I walked into a different NAPA than I usually frequented to get a part for my wife's car, and I happened to be wearing a t-shirt with an original on it. The guy behind the counter said "Hey, my brother has a tractor like that, he's been thinking about selling it. Do you want to check it out?" He gave me his number, and sure enough, he had an original that had been his fathers, and he wanted more room in his garage. I went to look at it, and it was clear it was well cared for. it was in original shape, save for homemade headlights mounted at the top of the grille, a stack style exhaust, and a newer engine with a paper filter. It had fenders, hydraulic lift, rear lift, wheel weights, the timed deck, the original engine still in running shape (his father had decided after about 10 years he should buy a new engine for it, even though it hadn't failed) with the oil bath air cleaner, a lawn sweeper, an unusual lawn roller that was driven by the tractor's wheels (the rear lift raised the tractor off the ground and pulled the roller into contact with the wheels-reverse was forward, etc.) a push blade, and spare belts and mower deck blades. he wanted $1000 for it, which I thought was fair for everything that came with it, but I could in no way afford it at the time because I was working part time and the baby was a couple months away, so every cent counted. I told him to keep me in mind, and he did call me a few times every couple months to see if things were better, but i just couldnt afford it. I sure wish I had jumped on it, but priorities are priorities. The only upside is I have never seen it pop up on craigslist, so maybe he's still hanging on to it...

What's you're "one that got away" tale?

About 25 years ago I passed up an Original that was mowing grass weekly for $200.

13 years ago I passed on a 982. It had a bad motor and everything was froze up on it. Plus he was selling it without rear tires/rims. Only wanted $75 bucks, but I was young n dumb so I passed on it and he cut it up for scrap. I'm still kicking myself for saying no on it.

When I was in high school, there was this beautiful, smart red-head gal that I really liked....but she moved away......

oh wait, this is supposed to be about cubs.....:bigeyes:


I got nothin.... :BlahBlah:

2182 for $350, running and working. Still kick myself over that one considering it's up for sale now for $1300 :bash2:

First machine I ever went to look at (3 hour drive out-of-state one way) on craigslist in 2011...a beautiful 1641 with 127 hours on the clock in showroom condition WITH hitch and blade. The listed price - $450. We talk about the tractor and I'm thinking...this is my machine. Then I ask him how long has he owned it? Two weeks. He then goes on to say that one of his customers couldn't pay their bill on time so he took the machine in lieu of payment. (he was a landscaper) We talk some more about Cubs in general then he proposes that since he needs to get rid of the Cub that weekend, I can have it for $100...but only IF i take it that night.

I walked.

I asked a neighbor about 15 years ago about her Farmall A and mower just sitting in her yard if she'd sell it. No deal. Fast forward to last year and my brother is hauling it home. Guess she would sell after all. That being said, the A motor was stuck (I think) and the mower was beyond shot, so I don't feel too bad.