1966 New Yorker

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With three young daughters, Ray and Dot Montgomery back in the 1960s did what many other parents had done before them -- they bought a station wagon.

The wagon of choice was a 1966 Chrysler that the dealer turned loose for an even $3,000. The car soon became a valued member of the family. Through good weather and bad the car performed every task it was asked to do.

"We sat behind that dash for 202,000 miles," Mr. Montgomery says. "All three girls -- Judy, Kathy and Beth -- learned to drive in that car."

After 26 years the wagon was still in good condition but Mr. Montgomery offered it for sale to determine if anyone was interested. Even with all those miles and all those years, an airline pilot paid the asking price and snatched it away.

Mr. Montgomery regretfully let it go in August 1992.

Seller's remorse set in, he says, "The first time I bought a sheet of plywood and had no way to take it home."

However, the wagon was gone and there was no turning back.

Almost two years later, July 1994, Mr. and Mrs. Montgomery traveled to an antique-auto gathering in Carlisle, Pa. While he combed through the booths of the vendors offering a myriad of parts, she strolled through the corridors of old cars for sale.

She was the one who brought to his attention the 1966 Chrysler New Yorker four-door hardtop sedan she found on the field.