Last year I posted two lists of My Favorite Things (Part 1 and Part 2), and while I’m not going to redo the blessed things — as I said I wouldn’t — there are a couple of substitutions on the list, mainly because the items are no longer available or I’ve found something I prefer. Here’s an example:
which has been replaced by the CZ 600. But upon reflection, I think I’d rather go with this one:
Anschutz 1761 DHB Classic — $2,985
Yeah, it’s kinda spendy for a .22 — but it also comes in .223 Rem, for those extra-special varminting excursions — and the quality thereof is matchless. Remember, this list is all about beauty and quality.
Interestingly, as I peruse both lists, I find that all the items are as alluring as they were a year ago. But as I suspected may happen, I’ve found an alternative for a couple:
I know I said they were scarce, but sheesh. “Unobtanium” about covers it. But here’s one that is available, albeit at a Silly Money price:
1964 Alfa Romeo Giulia Spider — $104,000
And while the exterior is lovely, it’s the interior that gets me all a-twitter:
None of that stuffy wood nonsense here: if that doesn’t scream “FUN!!!” at the top of its lungs to you, you’re deaf and we can’t be friends. And as with most cars sold at E&RClassics, this one has been completely resto-modded and restored to what it should have been back in the day, but wasn’t. A hundred grand is spendy, mind, but let’s not compare it to today’s “exotic” sports cars, shall we? And as an added bonus, there is not a single computer chip or electronic transmission device anywhere to be found, which means your Spider won’t be a Spyder, either. (I know, I know: I should be ashamed of myself.)
One more, for fun:
Now I have nothing against the 686, no sir not me. But I think I prefer this one over it:
S&W Mod 48 .22 Win Mag — $1,100
Blued steel, long barrel, chambered for my favorite rimfire cartridge… sorry, I need to get something to wipe the drool off my keyboard. Second-hand, they run about $700-$800, depending on condition.
Those are pretty much all the changes I’ve run across, so far.
Feel free to browse the links and make some suggestions of your own.