I once found a M3 lee tank that was cut down at track level in a local quarry.
It was to far gone to be rebuilt into a tank and had gone through a flood (killed the engine and gearbox)
but the tracks and idler wheels fitted were mint.
Told the manager of the quarry I wanted to purchase it (the whole tank) but at the time they didn't want to sell, fair enough left my number with them and headed off home.
A few months later I bumped into the manager and asked about the M3, turns out they had a clean up and got a scrappy in and he ended up taking it with a pile of other stuff.
I was so mad, I did like the look on the managers face after he told me what he got for it then me telling him I would have doubled it easily.
His and my loss