Welcome to the Petrolhead Aesthete blog. I have been trialling various formats and, as usual, the simplest is the best. I will be adding some features as we go and updating every week. I welcome your feedback and look forward to spirited correspondence and an ever increasing readership. Please pass the URL freely to whoever you think may be interested. Click on the red text links to visit other sites and find out more about the cars. They are all on the market. The basic criteria are no wrecks, no trailer queens, no '57 Chevrolets and nothing that costs more than a modest annual salary.
Nick Laird suggested a twist for the first list which takes the form of a favorite cocktail, girl's name and a tune. I am game for that so here we go with some of my favorite things:
Margaritas, Lancias and Big Star
Margarita (freshly squeezed limes of course, none of that disgusting cordial mixer), Lancia Flaminia GTE 2.8 3C by Touring and something great from the lost hope of American radio pop Big Star.
Oddly enough, the search for great car songs led me to places you really don't want to go although I have a few stacked carefully to one side for future listings. The first two Big Star albums would be great on a long drive anywhere. They were a Memphis band with a Byrds-like twang that complicated a British invasion rock sound with unique song structures. You might know them by In The Street, the theme to That 70s Show, sadly traduced by the ham-fisted Cheap Trick for the TV series. Big Star's original is better in every way with its invitation to "steal and car and bring it round", a line left out of the TV version. In The Back of a Car comes from their second album and captures the awkwardness of being in that situation and not knowing what to do, the antithesis of the usual themes of car songs.
The Lancia Flaminia GTE is one of Touring's finest moments when they were at their peak of creativity in the early 1960s. Drawn up by Carlo Anderloni, it combines the straight through wing line of the DB4 with a centrally placed cabin and long boot. The rear is particularly striking with a bold triangular wedge matching the angled headlights and Lancia grill. They were made in small numbers but have not yet hit the stratospheric prices of their Aston Martin and Maserati competitors. Here isone to buy in Italy for 45000 EUR.
1964 Buick Riviera. Almost anything in lemon yellow gets my attention and when it is a Riviera with black leather I feel an almost uncontrollable urge to release my wallet. This is one of the finest looking cars of any era but oddly unappreciated here. The two that have been advertised on Trade Me have been there forever and both appear more than acceptable. The terse two line pitch does not tell you if it is registered and it has a starting price of 33K. For: sixpackphil the vendor describes it as "pretty" so he gets it as well. Against: I need to see this sixpackphil.
1934 Chevrolet Junior Six. I usually avoid heavy iron from the 1930s but there is something pleasing about this two door Chevrolet Junior Six. These were 'colonial' models and featured the smallest of Chevrolet's overhead valve six cylinder engines in lighter bodies. The tight proportions are delightful on the wire wheels and you would have something unique to New Zealand although 30K is a bit optimistic in these straightened times. For: Appeals to the social historian in me. Against: The vendor says it needs a repaint.
1966 Triumph TR4A. The Triumph TR4 was the outcome of the fruitful relationship between robust British engineering and Italianate styling, courtesy of Giovanni Micholetti. The TR4A made a feature of Triumph's independent rear suspension but very few customers noted the difference. The clever Surrey top which was a sort of half length roof with detachable centre was a worthwhile improvement, however. This one looks good in white and is NZ new but the asking price in almost 40K which might be a stretch. For: Good history. Against: Can be tiring.
1966 Sunbeam Alpine Series 4A. TRs were always thought to be 'hard' cars and appealed to those who put comfort and ease as secondary considerations. Those other buyers went for the Sunbeam Alpine and who would now say they were wrong? And 17.5K is less than half a TR. Designed by an ex-locomotive designer from Swindon, Kenneth Howes, the original styling model was painted Carnival Red, as is this one. For: These cars have subtle charms. Against: A Hillman Husky lies beneath.
