The Aesthete says farewell

No, not to the blog but to the dear old friend I call the Other Well Known Aesthete who will soon be plying his trade elsewhere. He needs something appropriate to park outside his swanky apartment high up in the fashionable suburbs from where he will descend swift and deadly onto the national institution. They will not know what has hit them.

1962 Wolesley 1500. Swift and deadly? Perhaps not but reasonable light and quick for a small family car. Based on a Minor floor pan and therefore quite nimble, they are surprisingly modern to drive and were not disgraced on the track all those years ago. The slab of polished wood should appeal to his curatorial taste for fine English furniture.

For: Old school but with few drawbacks.
Against: A Riley is a bit more sharp.
Investment potential: 3/10. Keep it looking swish like it is and it should retain value.

1950 Buick 46D Sedanette. He would be the talk of the staff room in this tasteful man's rat rod. The Buick sedan coupe also has the most deliciously vulgar tail end of any of the post-war streamliners. It may have a little too much patina for the asking price but the vendor seems sincere about using it regularly. This is a pleasant change from all the parked up US imports we see far too often on our favorite trading site.

For: It just needs one of those door mounted spotlights.
Against: Not ideal for the tight switch-backs of Khandalla.
Investment potential: 1/10 when such things can still be had for far less in their place of origin.

1965 Ghia GT 1500. Not Carrozzeria Ghia's finest hour and it is a humble Fiat Crusader underneath so rarity is in the eye of the beholder. Even so, people will think it is very exotic and the slightly gawky looks are endearing in way that makes me think of Kirsten Dunst. I always feel sad when Spiderman is mean to her.

For: I think it would look better in the flesh.
Against: Getting close to Iso Rivolta money.
Investment potential: 2/10 on the basis that it would be cheap to run.

1937 Chrysler Wimbledon. A bar owning friend and I invented a drinking game where we invented cocktails and named them after London suburbs. We got as far as Croydon before passing out but imagine if we had got all the way to the Ws. These Chryslers were also made in London and were shipped out to the colonies in right hand drive. I am not that keen on the bottle green but the rest of it looks spiffy.

For: How could you not want a car called a Wimbledon?
Against: Some upper body strength required.
Investment potential: 1/10. Beware of anything sold as a museum piece.

1968 AMC AMX. Any serious man of mystery should drive a car named with a cryptic tangle of letters so what better than this? AMC products are woefully undervalued so the low start price for this two seater suggests the vendor's expectations would be reasonable. It has the power and the looks and I guarantee half of Guhznee Street will come running when you rumble to a halt and open the door.

For: Its orange.
Against: Improper pedigree. Nasty interior.
Investment potential: 3/10 if it stays under 20K

And finally...

1970 Ginetta G15. The Aesthete's ruinous urge to buy a Matra Djet could be assuaged more sensibly by one of these and it would be great fun for the other aesthete to tear around Wellington in. 998cc's of Imp Sport power is plenty in the light weight Ginetta frame and they are by far the best looking of the 1960s kit jobs, aside from the mismatched front and rear bumpers.

For: It is 100% British and I know that is important to him.
Against: Nothing, and they will freight it to your door.
Investment potential: 6/10. It should be less than 20K landed.

The Aesthete reveals himself

The Aesthete's Fleet

A fellow Alfa Romeo club member kindly sent a picture of the Aesthete in his borrowed Enzo Ferrari rig so I leave it to you to judge if it was an effective impersonation. I will not bore you with any more of my poorly composed pictures of Italian cars at rest on the Latins rally. I suppose it is true that you had to be there.

Donnithone house and studio

I don't normally post houses on the list but I am sure you will all agree that this is a special case. Sadly, the architect and Lancia enthusiast Don Donnithorne is selling his Christchurch property. He designed the house in 1952 and it is documented in a number of sources as a modern building of some significance. It is currently full of his books and the Lancia Flavia Sport is sitting in the garage. It would be wonderful if someone was in the market for a classic house and could keep Don's legacy intact. My informants tell me that the land is undamaged and everything is in good order. Find out about it at at Christchurch Modern or check out the listing on Trademe Property. 

1954 MG ZA Magnette. I have already revealed my weakness for Gerald Palmer's Italianate designs for the MG, Wolseley and Riley range with this Magnette being the most comely of all.  This is the early model so bereft of lurid sports car performance but the modularity of BMC engineering can help you here with an easy 1800 upgrade. This one has a low start bid so the vendor is under no illusions.

For:  Something that your friends can enjoy.
Against: Lots of rust traps and early unitary construction.
Investment potential: 4/10 if the price stays low. Nice ones should fetch better money than they do.

1958 Jaguar 2.4-Litre Saloon. A good match for the MG, this 2.4 manual overdrive Jaguar has very low milage but has suffered from a well meaning but stalled restoration. One hopes that the work is up to scratch as this would be a very fine thing once the few remaining jobs were taken in hand. Any car with full rear spats will do it for me every time, I am afraid.

For: Unappreciated like the Magnette.
Against: My recent experience with platers makes me wince at the potential cost.
Investment potential: 2/10 with MkII prices all over the shop.

1976 Ford Capri Mk 2 John Player Special. I suppose the 33K asking price is more of an impediment than the wildly politically incorrect livery but I am still rather taken with this gauche example of Essex-man status seeking. I expect that you will be now rummaging in that box in the garage for your cream body shirt and tweed flairs.

For: Sexy ladies will dig it, along with walrus moustaches and having smoke blown at them.
Against: Unless you already look like an absolute git I would suggest another car.
Investment potential: 2/10. Now if we were actually somewhere in Essex...

1966 Honda S600. Apart from that Guigiaro-styled Mazda 1000 Coupe the other year, the Aesthete finds it hard to get excited about old Japanese cars. This, however, is a different prospect. The tiny coupe shell houses a jewell of a 600cc OHC roller bearing engine driving the rear wheels by long chains that act as rear suspension members, showing Honda's formula one and motorcycle legacy. They sound like nothing on earth so please note the 10000 RPM rev counter.

For: Completely unique.
Against: Something of a specialised calling.
Investment potential: 6/10. A solid investment in my opinion.

1951 Armstrong Siddeley Whitley. It all looked like it was going well for Armstrong Siddeley after the war. Sleek on the returns from aircraft building and retaining excellent engineers, they were early with a modern car and the slender Whitley four-light saloon was admired on its introduction in 1946. Failure to develop it and relying on the retired Brigadier market caused inevitable ruin.  It is normally a 2.3-litre car so this one may have had an engine swap.

For: Black and silver grey with red trim. Grwwll.
Against: No sports car but then not intended to be.
Investment potential: 3/10. It is a modest enough price given the cost of restoration.

And awaiting your shipping instructions...

1984 Lancia Abarth 037 Stradale. I do not normally go for competition cars, bearing in mind the cruel financial constraints we must all endure but still...  The Aesthete was greatly taken by the 037 replica taken on the Latins rally by the clever people at Carteroni, that central North Island hive of Lancia activity. Here is the more civilised but blindingly quick road version built by Abarth and all yours for a tidy US200K. Or you could import a Monte Carlo shell and get busy with the MIG.

For: You don't expect me to say, do you?
Against: A bit pricey, it has to be said.
Investment potential: 1/10. At 5X a sorted Lancia Delta Integrale?

The Aesthete reports

The Lancia leads the way from the start.

The Latins on the Lakes 2013 rally was a fine event with all credit due to the organisers who wrangled forty Italian cars into order and gathered them all together in Greymouth. We drove up from Dunedin in good company, enthusiastically sent off by a local Lancia fancia who screeched to a halt in his Mondeo wagon to bestow his blessing on the unusual road train. As usual, the route north was beset by roadworks and poorly driven camper vans. The road west from Christchurch was much less occluded and we made good pace following the Follands in their cute white GT Junior.

Descending Arthurs Pass, hands steady on the wheel.

As I rarely leave the city and am technically lost if out of sight of an espresso machine, I have not previously driven over Arthurs Pass. It is quite spectacular, particularly the downhill section that features some terrifying engineering to stop the mountain falling onto the road. Large divots on the surface show that this is not always possible and I expected to see roadside shrines dug into the cliffs to mark lost motorists. The Flavia demonstrated its hill climbing ability, tested in the Aosta mountains in northern Italy. The gear spacing was ideal with third available up to 120KPH if you could bear the racket. I wore my borrowed tweed jacket and sunglasses and attended the rally dinner to cries of "Look, Enzo is here!"

Flavia and Fulvia. Bellissima.

Aside from the scenery and the robust meals, there was much to capture the Aesthete's attention.  There was an extraordinary 1930 Alfa Romeo 1750 and the original London Motor Show Iso Grifo was also driven around with gusto. Ferraris formed a dense red cluster everywhere one looked. We pursued a Lancia Fulvia 1600HF at speed to Lake Brunner and its driver paid compliments to the Flavia which he possibly thought was a bit matronly to be driven that way. We ate like Roman senators at the charming Nelson Creek Hotel where the Aesthete was persuaded to go on a bush walk to look at old mine workings. As it was only the second time in adult life that this has happened, a picture was taken. The Flavia performed very well although everything in its engine bay is now well lubricated due to a persistent leak from the oil cooler. Nothing essential seems to have fallen off during the 1200KM trip.

A right hand drive Iso Grifo on Borranni wires. Molto bellissima!

Get to the list, please.

Oh alright. Back to normal service with the five best buys from Trademe for this week, starting with...

1964 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Type 34. The vendor is right to point out that this is a rare edition. Volkswagen's efforts to update the original Ghia coupe received a mixed reception when new although the replacement car was dynamically superior. The futuristic cab-forward looks would have been great on a more exotic set of mechanicals but the gesture was lost on the market at the time.

For: Oh the looks, definitely.
Against: Unexciting performance.
Investment potential. 4/10 on the basis of quantity.

1966 Riley Kestrel. Apart from all the well known BMC pitfalls of howling transmissions and sagging suspensions, the Riley version offers many charms to compensate. You get decent seats and a twin carb engine for a start, and you can hang on to the bus size steering wheel when things get exciting. These small engined classics are a hedge against rising petrol prices. You can keep your bubble top Impalas.

For: Economical and fun to drive.
Against: You had better live close to someone who can fix the hydrolastic suspension.
Investment potential: 4/10.

1986 Lancia Beta Coupe Volumex. The vendor claims that this is the best Beta coupe in New Zealand which makes the price seem quite reasonable. Chastened by the rust scandal that beset the earlier cars, Fiat made more of an effort with the second series Beta and they are a fitting successor to the 124 Coupes that we all covet.

For: Clever and surprisingly modern to drive.
Against: If you buy it, please do not leave it outside.
Investment potential: 4/10. Good ones will hold their value as there are no bad ones left now.

1974 Alfa Romeo 2000 Berlina. I exhort all followers of this blog to help find this young man's stolen Alfa Romeo because if they are stealing these cars, none of us are safe. If someone sidles up to you and offers a cheap set of Webers you must report him to the authorities immediately.

2005 Citroen Hobster. Wonder Boy thought you should see this so I will now alert you. No, I do no not know what a hobster is either, perhaps a cross between a car and a kitchen appliance. The fertile mind of its inventor is not in dispute but the aesthetics certainly are. I bet it is a hoot to drive though.

For: Lawks-a-lawdy, what would the neighbors think?
Against: What would you do with it?
Investment potential: I think I will leave this one blank.

1994 Fiat Tipo Sedicivalvole. Look past the bland Tipo exterior and think of yourself being hurtled down the road behind what is basically a Lancia Delta EVO engine. These sixteen valve Fiats were very quick and a low milage example for 6K should be considered an essential purchase for any serious Italianophile.

For: You will laugh, I assure you.
Against: You will probably scream a bit as well.
Investment potential: 6/10 if it does not need any work.

And now for something completely different...

1964 Matra Djet. Those of you who have read the Petrolhead Aesthete for a while may recall my doomed efforts to buy a Deutche-Bonnet last year. Well here is its grown up sibling, designed by the Bonnet side of the firm when he left in a huff over something. Mid-engined and fearsomely quick in tuned form, it is yours for a fraction of the cost of a French Alpine.

For: One of the best French sports cars of the era, and there were some.
Against: The vendor seems a bit confused on the details.
Investment potential: 5/10. A great little track or hill climb car.

A quick one while he is away

The Aesthete's Fleet

There is just enough on our favorite auction site to justify a mid-week insertion of the Petrolhead Aesthete so here it is. I am off tomorrow to the wild west coast in the Lancia. I know you will all be thinking of me. I will be attending the rally dinner as Enzo Ferrari. A friend has loaned me a good Italian tweed jacket and I will be wearing my niece Eloise's sunglasses. I believe I look very fetching. Pictures next week.

1964 Plymouth Sports Fury. I am a bit indifferent to mid-range Americans, finding interest in the more lurid ends of the automotive spectrum. But here is a compact coupe with one of those lovely folded handkerchief rooflines (I am sure big block Plymouth owners know them as something else but what the heck. I don't write this blog for them). I am sure it would proceed very nicely with 440 cubic inches under its hood and the red and white decor is just right.

For: It looks quite handy.
Against: Fast but floppy in the grand American tradition.
Investment potential. 3/10. It is on here because of the price which is relatively sensible. And it is vinned and warranted.

1969 Alfa Romeo Guilia Super. Not everyone gets these upright Italians, perhaps not realising that the Guilia cuts through the air as efficiently as a Porsche 911. 180KPH from a 1.6 with four wheel discs and a five speed gearbox was unequaled in the 1960s but sounds like the standard specification for a modern car today. Make this your choice here and now, I say. You can own a Kia Sportage at any time of your life.

For: The best small sports saloon of the 1960s, without a doubt.
Against: Its getting rusty so you will need to move fast.
Investment potential. 3/10. It has some rough edges but looks original. Buy with care.

1962 Cadillac Ambulance. Most likely bodied by a classy outfit like Superior Coaches, this little restoration project avails a number of opportunities after being baked in the Texas sun for a couple of decades. I would leave the body as it is, put a bed in the back, grow a long stringy beard and camp on the roadside outside the homes of the rich while distributing pamphlets about Colin Craig's new political party.

For: Oh come on. We like a challenge don't we?
Against: Oh, lots I am sure.
Investment potential. Bwahahahaha

1939 Chevrolet Master 85 Utility. I was talking to a retired media figure recently who said he needed a vehicle to go deep into the wilderness so he could escape from his many admirers and find solitude. Here it is. Coachbuilt in Christchurch, wheel on the correct side and mean as Kim Hill, all for less than a knackered Nissan. Put a camp stretcher and your picnic hamper in the back and your weekend preparations are complete.

For: The national museum should buy it if one of you doesn't.
Against: If you want air conditioning, massaging seats and electric windows in a truck, this is not for you.
Investment potential: 4/10. If you can have it for under 20K, I would say your money was well spent.

1989 Alfa Romeo 164 3.O All big Alfas end up in the doldrums for a while until people begin to realise what fun can be had with a fast, sharp handling and comfortable saloon. Then there are none left because they are all upside down with the wheels off in less desirable parts of Balclutha. This 164 is an import manual with low milage. A better car could not be had for less than 1K.

For: The 1990s are coming back, if they have not gone past with a blast already.
Against: Too much hard grey plastic of a type that looks like Clint Eastwood's neck.
Investment potential. 2/10 but at least you have only paid 1K for it.

Far, far away in a distant land...

 2002 Lancia Thesis 2.0. I can break my no moderns rule if I want to and this Lancia Thesis makes me want to, quite badly in fact. Can a car have too much character? Not in a world that puts up with the maddening devices they add to Citroens. So I say make room for the Italian version, only seen here during the Italian film festival being driven around by sinister Vatican officials bent on world domination.

For: Look at that interior. Oh God...
Against: Yes, I know. I have to get myself sorted out.
Investment potential: -10/10. It will halve in value on the way here.




.

The Aesthete answers the call

Once more into the breach!

It is the start of the Latins by the Lake rally at the end of the week so all is in the hands of the gods now. Everything has been done that can be done to prepare the Lancia for a 1200KM round journey so I will provide a full report with pictures on my return next week.  I tested the recent repairs on a run to Ranfurly and can report a great improvement in hill climbing which will come in handy on the passes. There is an Alfa Romeo 1300 GT Junior coming so we will not be in the slowest car for once.

1925 40HP Lanchester. I do not normally go for this sort of thing but there is something about the gloriously mad products of the Lanchester brothers that makes me wish I was an independently wealthy estate owner in the Cotswolds. How mad are we talking here? 6.2 litre OHC six with a preselect semi automatic gearbox and 80mph for a start. The body has no front doors so you make your way to the driver's seat down a central gangway. Mad enough? I think so.

For: You will immediately proclaim your oaken motor house an independent republic with yourself as ruler for life.
Against: Oh, many trivial things I am sure.
Investment potential. 6/10 The sort of thing Jay Leno would buy on a dare.

1967 Jaguar E-Type FHC. Someone has considerately shoved the engine back in its hole so you can see that it has one. The rest of the car is apparently packed in those cardboard boxes but it is one way to acquire an early E-Type. The great advantage is that everything can be bought off the shelf and as long as the body has not been bodged you cannot fail. I will have it in gunmetal grey with red leather thanks.

For: Still unbettered as a car and not many left around at this sort of money.
Against: Check the quality of the repairs.
Investment potential. 3/10. You can spend around 50K on it before you start losing money.

1970 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. Everyone wants to sell their Karmann Ghias now they think they might stand to get Porsche 911 money for them. This one has the unfortunate performance deficit dealt with by a two litre engine on carburettors so it should be entertaining on the road. The period alloy wheels look handsome with the red paint and your partner will probably quietly approve of your purchase.

For: A safe reliable investment. God, listen to me...
Against: Yes, what I just said.
Investment potential: 2/10. It should drive like a new car so expect it to depreciate like one.

1979 Ferrari 400. It is a V12 automatic on Webers so it will drink like my Aunt Sylvia but what a way to travel. No-one likes these impressive cruisers for reasons I do not being to understand. They all seem to think a Ferrari has to be 'sporty', whatever that means. Pop Sophie Ellis-Bextor in the stereo and give your Kia-driving neighbours the finger.

For: Looks, performance and impeccable pedigree for ridiculously little money.
Against: People will mock your pretensions and rightly so.
Investment potential. 2/10. There is no such thing as a cheap 12 cylinder Ferrari.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 220S. This is the luxury S version so you get a smooth six cylinder motor, plump leather seats and lots of polished solid wood. It is like a traveling Beidermeier dining room and you would arrive anywhere feeling somewhat superior and ready to take on the world. In fact, I am surprised they let them make them after what happened during the war.

For: Teutonic pomp and splendor.
Against: You will want to vote for that Colin Craig party.
Investment potential: 4/10. Essentially one owner pampered car.

En Francais...

1954 Simca Comete Monte Carlo. Something for the hopeless Francophile perhaps but the gorgeous  Facel looks alone would be worth having to put up with the slightly leaden dynamics of the side valve Ford V8. A few Comete sedans came to New Zealand and I added them to my adolescent catalogue of obscurities. They were worth at least 800 points in the back of the Observers Book of Automobiles if you spotted one.

For: Tres charmant, n'est ce pas?
Against: Looks aren't everything you know.
Investment potential: 1/10 asI doubt if there is a strong market for Facel bodied Simcas here.

The Aesthete's random wanderings

The Aesthete's Fleet

Random because Trademe is experiencing another mild slump in interesting cars, meaning that the Aesthete must roam through the dark backroads of our favorite trading site until some sort of list falls into place. I can tell you I am not going near the 2000–2010 era again. Life is just too damned short for that.

I have been attending to minor fix-up jobs on the Lancia that make open road driving a bit more enjoyable. Sealing up the quarter-lights has reduced the wind roar at 100KPH so now I can hear the final drive whine in the gearbox even better. Oh why do we ever start these jobs?

1960 Berkeley B95. Good grief. Everyone is dragging their Berkeleys out from the shed since I pointed one out a few weeks ago. A three cylinder Excelsior two stroke example popped up briefly but has found a new home already. This one is even more mad with a stonking great Royal Enfield aircooled twin filling its rather Roman nose. Go on. I dare you.

For: Imagine the noise.
Against: If you can hear it above your own screams.
Investment potential. 8/10 These have not caught the micro car boom but surely will. Forget a Messerschmit. These are much more fun.

1951 Sunbeam Talbot 90. The vendor has let this car fall into ruin following a substantial restoration but it looks salvageable and the price is not silly. Rust is the bane of Sunbeam Talbot 90s but they rest on a stout chassis so are generally repairable. Open the boot lid. If it comes off in your hand haggle a bit harder on the price.

For: The Aesthete has a weakness for rear wheel spats.
Against: A lesson to us all. If you are not using it, put it inside or sell it.
Investment potential: Even the good ones are cheap so watch the outgoings.

1979 Fiat Spider. This is a US car converted to right hand drive so someone has spent decent money on it at some point. The rose hued trim is not to the Aesthete's personal taste and one hopes that it is not carrying its anti-smog setup otherwise you will be able to run faster. I further advise you to whip off those awful side repeater lights and wave a can of black vinyl spray at the interior.

For: The wheels largely, and the great Tom Tjaarda styling.
Against: Still a bit of fafffing about until you get it right.
Investment potential: 3/10. Most will still prefer an MX5.

1986 Citroen CX. The second generation CX lost some character but was still more interesting than any other family car on the planet. Wonderboy tells me that the dynamics are a bit queer with more mass in the nose than is sound engineering practice but that just means you point it in the direction of Wanaka and have a nap while it drives itself.

For: Gallic high tech classic.
Against: They take a bit of getting used to.
Investment potential: 3/10 if the price stays under 1K.

1958 Ford Country Squire. Was ever the fertile genius of the plastics industry put to worse use than making these things? Whiggish snobbery aside, this is quite a handsome example and with nine seats no-one need miss out on the fun when you go for a drive. You could also sleep in it on trips and save on motel bills.

For: A nine seater, five door Thunderbird!
Against: Where would the other seven sleep?
Investment potential: 2/10 The vendor says it is rusty. Caveat emptor I say.


Anything on Bring a Trailer then?

Nope. That has died the death as well.