I had breakfast with an automobile enthusiast friend of mine and he realyed this story.

Last week his partner in purchasing investment grade cars was traveling through a rough part of town here in Chicago on business and happened to spot a 1940s vintage Jaguar sitting way in the back of a lot that deals in $3K run-'em-until-they-die cars.

He paid $5K cash, called a flatbed and stayed with it until they both left the lot.

Yesterday it appraised at $175,000.