IN THIS COLUMN Trying to buy a Ford GT The magic of the GT Third time of trying

Three times in my life I have tried to buy a Ford GT. The first time was when I was 16 years old, when with my learner's permit I went to our local Ford dealer to ask about the new Ford GT, which was the road version of the car which had just won at Le Mans. I'd been working in McDonalds for six months. I'd barely saved enough money to afford even to eat at McDonalds, but reason never prevails when you're in love.

As I approached the salesman he didn't seem thrilled to see me. "Could I have a sales brochure of the new GT Mark III?" I asked. "Do you know anything about the car?" the salesman said. Proudly I exclaimed, "Yeah, I know everything about this car!" "Good," he replied, "then you don't need a brochure."

Ford built the GT40 to beat Ferrari at LeMans

Stung, I walked out and went home. The second time I tried to buy a Ford GT was about 20 years later. I got a little closer. I'd heard that a Ford GT was for sale at a local exotic car dealership here in Hollywood. One of those places that hires a kid from Liverpool as a sales manager because they think Americans believe all English people are related to the Queen.

It was a yellow Ford GT40 with black racing stripes. A real one! The car had good history. In fact it's still on the cover of a number of GT books and magazines. This time I'd done my homework. I knew the car to be genuine. But it was expensive at $440,000. Falling for the old 'We've already had a number of enquiries on the car' story, I agreed to the price. I told Prince Edward I'd be back Saturday with a cheque, and asked him to please make sure the car is ready and in working order. No problem, he said.