The Aesthete's festive selection

I know I promised quizzes and games but if you are anything like me you will be relieved to find that there are none. What is that I hear you say? You want quizzes and games? Alright. Complete the Aesthete's ABC. The first correctly filled out ABC wins a year's free subscription to the Petrolhead Aesthete. Its already free, you say? You are way too smart for me. 

A is for Alvis, B is for Berkeley, C is for Cisitalia, D is for Deutsch Bonnet, E is for Etceterini...

1973 BMW 2002. The rally-ready 2002 should have appeal to those wanting something more sophisticated than a Corolla with which to relive the 'seventies rally scene. The preparation looks professional and the period rally accessories add functionality and period charm. Find that red corduroy zip up jumpsuit and the gold framed aviators and you will have your opponents writhing with envy.

For: It looks handy and the price is right.
Against: Nothing as far as I can see.
Investment potential: 5/10. There is always room for a tasteful toy like this in a wealthy owner's garage.

1971 Austin Mini Moke. The art informed readers of the Petrolhead Aesthete – I am assured there are some – will enjoy that this Moke was owned by Austen Deans who would have cut a racy figure in it at the time. The Prisoner was showing on TV so I imagine him shouting "I am not a number! I am part of a dwindling few that can still do a proper watercolour wash". Or something. Please return it to its lovely 1971 dungheap hue and get a new top made, fringing optional.

For: Truly a car of its times.
Against: It has a heater. You will need it.
Investment potential: 8/10. I am not pulling your leg.

1985 Cadillac Seville. Another perfect car of its time, the Seville looked like a much larger Cadillac restyled using Luke Skywalker's Light Sabre. Inside is typical mid-80s swank with materials so vile that even the cruelest pimp would reel away covering his eyes. The garish two tone paint job and fake wire wheels complete the effect superbly.

For: Anyone seen in this car is there for immoral purposes.
Against: Could your reputation take it?
Investment potential: 0/10 unless they are shooting a remake of Miami Vice in Wellington and want you for Huggy Bear.

1965 Chrysler Valiant Safari. The lack of Australian cars on the blog comes down to their essential ordinariness although some of the variations are worth paying attention to. Huge purple Valiant VH Coupes with brocaded interiors built on the saloon platform that nobody bought for instance. This Safari is more sensible than that and might actually be usable if you could find a good period roof rack.

For: A cut above the average Aussie.
Against: Only my unreasonable bias.
Investment potential: 4/10. Keep it looking smart though.

2005 Alfa Romeo Spider 3.2 V6. Recent Alfa have often committed the arch sin of being a bit ordinary. The odd precambrian eyeless styling of the 1990s Spider was given a final punch in the nose for the runout model but it is the best of them all, particularly in six-speed manual mode. With almost the whole Italian industry reduced to building Chyslers, this is it until the brilliant new 4C arrives.

For: Ugly/beautiful in the grand manner
Against: Big and heavy.
Investment potential: -2/10. You will lose 5K a year until you roll it into a lake.

Deep in the dark forest where nobody goes...

1967 BMW Glas V8 Coupe. You cannot say that the Aesthete stints on finding the most hopeless orphan exotics to bring to your attention. This Glas V8 3000 Coupe has it all. Marvelous mini-Maserati looks by Frua, a fragile hand grenade of an engine made in laughable numbers by a company almost bankrupt, no parts back up or specialists anywhere outside Bavaria and the most gorgeous instrument array imaginable. I want it so badly I am getting metallic tastes in my mouth.

For: The most perfect car imaginable for the Petrolhead Aesthete anyway
Against: I would have to learn passable German.
Investment potential. 2/10. Kim Dotcom springs to mind as a potential buyer. No-one else.

I went to see 20 Feet from Stardom the other night, a great documentary about backing singers. These two lit up the screen and managed to transform David Byrne from an autism  ravaged high school misfit into Mr Ray Charles for a few magic moments around 2.23. Watch and learn...

The Aesthete drives himself to ruin

The Aesthete's Fleet

I was down at the Port Chalmers shops today when the Lancia was surrounded by excited children. "I really like this car" exclaimed one sharp faced  lass while the others made enthusiastic steering gestures and engine noises. I was looking around for the secret camera crew but no, it seemed to be genuine. My day was made. 

My week was made when I saw the Laird of Excelsior in a bar. He has been posting comments on the blog and I think you all should as well. The Aesthete is planning something special for the end of the year and it will involve quizzes and games. You have been warned.  

1963 Lancia Flavia Convertible. A sharp eyed Alfa friend spied this on a Japanese import site and although you have to faff around a bit to get logged in, it is worth it. These Vignale-built Flavia 1800s are rare enough in left hand drive form but here is one with the wheel on the correct side and with its factory steel hardtop. It has a worrying rust hole in the floor but looks solid everywhere else. There is only one other in New Zealand so you may have to beat the Aesthete to it.

For: I know where there is a saloon, sport and coupe if you want to complete the set.
Against: Let us hope the rust is contained in the floor.
Investment potential: 2/10. At 20K+ landed it is looking a little bit pricey.

1960 Riley 1.5. The Aesthete is feeling omnipotent this week because all he has to do is write in this blog that he wants a particular model to appear on Trademe and – behold. It is a little more expensive than the Wolseley featured last week but it is worth the premium. Great sport is guaranteed with the MGB engine conversion and there appears to be little to do but to fettle and enjoy it.

For: A proper little car.
Against. Nothing serious that I can see.
Investment potential: 5/10. A sensible buy at this time.

1975 Ford Transit Camper. The lack of fenestration might not appeal to those who think a camper should be a road going ocean liner but I am quite taken with the look of this long nosed Transit. The cost of the camper conversion would have bought you the best house in Huntly at the time so 3K now seems fair. At the rate they are closing mines down you might be able to get the vendor's house too.

For: More Canvey Island than Rhode Island.
Against: Lock, stock and two smoking exhausts.
Investment potential. 1/10. Knackered old campers have yet to find their feet in the market.

1957 Ford Thunderbird. The Aesthete's weakness for big American cars painted in effeminate colours is well known amongst the psychological community so this Dusk Rose Thunderbird fits the bill exactly. The wire wheels, white hard top and interior set the whole ensemble off so I see strong potential for hiring it out for use at same sex weddings.

For: Dusk Rose! Has there ever been a better name for a car colour?
Against: You may be called cruel names if you are a bloke.
Investment potential. 1/10. Great colour but...

1975 Ferrari 308 GT4 Dino. You don't get much classic Ferrari for 42K so if a big V12-engined 400 is not quite you, look no further than the other orphan of the range, the Bertone Dino. These cars simply look better every year with the cab forward wedge design appearing more modern than what followed with the dreary Mondial being the only cheaper alternative. The dark blue finishes it off.

For: One of you out there, please buy this car now.
Against: Disuse is the bane of all high performance Italians. Just ask Silvio.
Investment potential: 5/10. Odds on you will not lose money on this.

Anything on Bring a Trailer this week? 

Nope. Still asleep over there but it is the middle of winter. You could watch this great Brian Eno clip though.

Oh perfect masters, they thrive on disasters

They all look so harmless

Until they find their way up here

The Aesthete welcomes the festive season...

... at least the part where I do not have to go to work. Instead, the summer opens out before me with a large overhang of uncompleted jobs, both domestic and car related. The Alfa still languishes without a clutch when all I have to do is whip the master cylinder out and send it off to get sleeved. I am beginning to feel like one of those hopeless types on Embarrassing Bodies where the doctors are asking "How long has it been like that?"

1955 Austin A105. This is a bit of a novelty amongst mainstream 1950s British saloons and would fit the bill for someone wishing to drive overland to the old country on one of those staged television challenges. This is the rare short boot model produced for one year and they were deceptively quick with over 100bhp available. Faster than their Farina replacements in fact. Look at it as a four door Austin Healey 3000.

For: More fun that it looks.
Against: 14K is a bit optimistic even if it is a rare old bird.
Investment potential: 2/10. You would not consider restoring one.

1961 Chrysler Imperial. It has been a while since I featured one of these behemoths but it is newly listed and with a reasonable start price of 22K. Not quite the mad Baroque peak of Chrysler styling as the headlights are still sitting securely in the wings rather than flying free alongside but a bravura performance regardless. I particularly like the roof cutaway for the door tops.

For: Like the Playboy Club but a car.
Against: For looking upon rather than driving in.
Investment potential: 2/10. I do not predict a great future for big Americans.

1969 Mercedes Benz 300 SEL 6.3. It looks like someone has got out of his depth with this rather brutal Benz which is not surprising as they were a technical tour de force with airbag suspension and lots of electrics for the period. Check the wiring in the rear door in the pictures. The fuel injection systems tend to malfunction with lack of use so the 'unknown mechanical issues' are probably not that hard to deduce.

For: Something for the more retiring plutocrat.
Against: If it was an early short wheelbase XJ12 no one would want it.
Investment potential: 1/10. A new front bumper is equal to the asking price so watch out.

1972 Bedford. Throw away the silly stock car and get to work on the transporter I say. You will never be short of offers as people always need transport to and from events and you could paint it in your own race team livery. In fact I would want to live in it as a homage to James Hunt and the great era of race track paddock shenanigans.

For: A blank canvas for your own creativity.
Against: A great lumbering money pit.
Investment potential. 6/10. Find someone to buy the stock car and you could have it for nothing.

1968 Toyota Corona RT55 1600 GT. The vendor is a bit full of it but we should consider the case for his rare Toyota coupe. The motor is certainly a gem with a twin cam head designed by Yamaha and fitted with weber style Mikuni side drafts giving a very sporting character. The slab sided and shovel nosed looks of the coupe body would need to grow on you but the interior has typically great '60s Japanese style. Is it worth 30K? Yes, probably.

For: It takes a certain kind of Japanese car to stir the Aesthete.
Against: You paid how much for what?
Investment potential: 4/10. I can see it going for more once sorted out.

Awaiting shipping...

1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder. I would prefer primrose yellow and standard wheels but the standard of work on this Monza Spyder looks more comprehensive than the usual American spray booth blowover.  This example has been reengineered with the handling quirks tamed so you may be able to risk stamping on the turbo without being flung off the road at the first corner.

For: Italianate looks and Germanic layout from the good folks at GM
Against: Just remember. Power on in the corners.
Investment potential: 2/10. Expensive for a Corvair.