The Aesthete's lost weekend

The Aesthete's Fleet

The long Easter to Anzac Day break has slipped by with little either attempted or achieved. I have learnt that the Alfa's disturbing self steering is due to some missing plastic spacers that stop the axle trunnion moving from side to side. As these were absent from duty they have never been included on the inventory of jobs but their replacement should firm up the handling and stop nervous nelly passengers from clutching at the dash as we descend our steep road. After that I will attempt to stop the Lancia's oil cooler from lubricating the entire engine bay and road way between Port Chalmers and the city.

1968 Triumph 2000 Estate. Most British attempts to craft an estate car from their mass produced saloons were awful bodges but the Triumph 2000 was an exception. Low roof line and narrow hips made for restricted load space but the luxury cabin and smooth six cylinder power made up for it. This rare Mk I model comes with the Micholetti-designed dash pod and clever engine modifications ensure strong performance. The Jasmine Yellow paint seals the deal. White roof optional (see below).

For: The best looking 1960s wagon, tastefully upgraded.
Against: Keep the rust at bay.
Investment potential: 3/10. You may not see another.

1956 Studebaker Sky Hawk. The first major restyle of the Loewy designed coupe delivered a handsome new nose but not yet the tacked on fins that spoiled the elegant lines. This Sky Hawk model achieved boutique level numbers but rarity is no big deal amongst Studebakers where falling sales kept production low. The owner seems to have given up at the sight of some floor rust so if you want one of the best looking American cars of the period make him a desultory offer.

For: Yellow and white roof. Grwwlll.
Against: Plenty of work to do yet.
Investment potential: 1/10. Much less if you have to pay someone to do it.

1971 Alfa Romeo GTV. Oh dear me. My advice to erstwhile GTV owners is to check carefully under the paint before you embark on a major restoration. There was a rather notorious racer in Auckland named Raspberry Ripple and then Strawberry Crush after its last and most violent encounter with the barrier and it could almost be this car. Never the less, good GTV prices are on the march and all the outer panels are available to repair the worst of this mess.

For: Apart from the real exotics, the most buyable of the 105 GTV family.
Against: I would be looking carefully underneath this one with a measuring tape.
Investment potential: 2/10. You will still spend all of 20K to get this to be a 30K car.

1996 BMW M3 E35 3.2 EVO  All the letters and numbers mean is that this was one of the most exciting BMW road cars you could buy in the mid-1990s and this rare six-speed four door car is still a top shelf performer today. Modestly high milages in one of these cars is a good sign, as is a fulsome maintenance record.  It is New Zealand-new as well.

For: Few ways of going more quickly for the price.
Against: Try and not have it blow up in your ownership.
Investment potential: 3/10

1967 Jaguar E-Type 2+2. As pointed out in the UK classic car press recently, extra seats and greater convenience can reduce the price of an early E-Type by half. So it seems with this very desirable S1 car with the covered headlights but 4.2 litre engine and much improved gearbox. It seems to have not been bodged in the past so it could either be the very expensive start to a full restoration or a usable car to be enjoyed as it stands. You choose.

For: Cor! You'll be fighting the birds off in that, guvnor.
Against: Same advice as GTV above. Bring your x-ray specs.
Investment potential: 2/10 as long as you do not attempt restoration. Otherwise -6/10.

The Aesthete's bargain basement classics

1961 Simca Aronde Plein Ciel Coupe. Like the Aesthete,  you want a Facel Vega but are cruelly denied the economic means to indulge yourself. You could have one of these instead. Facel made a comfortable living building coupes for Simca and they are rather under valued for what they are. This Aronde has some of the styling cues of the exotic French grand routier but draped over simple and reliable mechanicals. You could find saloons rotting under trees a short time ago but they have probably all gone now.

For: A Bardot body for a few sous.
Against: An Edith Piaf dash spoils the effect.
Investment potential: 2/10. For inveterate Francophiles.  

The Aesthete's holy day of observation

The Aesthete's Fleet

I took the Lancia up to Cromwell to watch the Highland Park Festival of Speed on Saturday with the Aesthetette for company.  What are the odds then of parking next to the owner of what is evidently the only functioning Lancia 2000 saloon in the country? It lives with its chaming owners at the restored Pitche's Store at Ophir so I now have another reason to visit the countryside.

Highland Park itself is a odd thing.  There was a great array of cars including old favorites like the Lycoming Special but the drivers did not seem to be trying very hard and problems with the sound system and timing meant that no-one knew who was winning. There was a wonderful Maserati 3500 GT parked on the paddock so I took a picture. It was the highlight of the day.

1972 Bristol 411. You do not see too many Bristols on the Aesthete's list and that is not a joke for any of you secret Barbara Windsor fans. Admittedly, this 411 is a wreck but the exquisite shut lines on the doors suggest that the bespoke bodywork is in a reasonable state. The long and narrow 411 has a pedigree going back to the aerodynamic BMW based cars of the 1940s but the Chrysler V8 moves things along at a fair clip. The vendor does not mention the interior but be prepared to spend a lot of money if it is past saving.

For: A 140MPH gentleman's club.
Against: You could find a better one in the UK. They are inexplicably cheap for what they are.
Investment potential: 2/10 if you own a tannery and a herd of barn raised cattle.

1953 Chevrolet Belair Sport Coupe. The phenomenal success of the 1955 Chevrolet range with its light weight V8 has put earlier six cylinder cars somewhat in the shade. This well specified Belair coupe may have sufficient charm to overcome its dynamic shortcomings. The interior looks a pleasant place to be and I imagine the Billy Eckstine Orchestra rather than Little Richard flowing from the push-button AM radio.

For: Oddly chic. No, really.
Against: Not a driver's car, more of a passenger's one.
Investment potential: 1/10. I am still waiting for the US iron price meltdown. It must come soon.

1985 BMW M635 CSi. This is an exquisite thing not to be confused with the baggy old 635 coupes that proliferate for around 5K on Trademe and never seem to sell. The M635 was the master of the autobahn in the 1980s and, as the European versions were not governed, would run out to 250KPH. This one has a rebuilt motor which would cost about the asking price so you get the rest of the car for nothing. What are you waiting for? Schnell!

For: There is still little faster or more capable, particularly for that sort of money.
Against: The vendor has a few little things to explain to the buyer. Why does he not just fix them?
Investment potential: 2/10, dependent on the little things above staying little.

1972 BMW 3.0 CSi. Whether the looks and cachet of the earlier model warrants paying three times the price is of course up to the whim of the purchaser. This example is extensively modified and loaded with period bling that does little to enhance the elegant form. The fortuitous mash up of Giorgetto Guigiaro's early 1960s  rear section and an extended nose by Karmann is one of the best looking coupes ever made but another German once famously said "Less is more" and he was right.

For: It will be quick.
Against: Possibly the ugliest BMW E9 coupe available.
Investment potential: 3/10 but only if you undo everything the current owner has done.

1972 Lotus Elan +2S. Not every car could carry off a daffodil yellow bottom section and a silver roof. In fact the only one the Aesthete can imagine is an Elan +2S. This speaks volumes for the essential rightness of the shape that falls into the ugly/beautiful end of the automotive aesthetics range. It looks particularly gawky with the lights up, a fact that does not bother the vendor. I like his attitude and suggest one of you buy his car.

For: The Aesthete never tires of looking at these cars.
Against: But then he has never owned one.
Investment potential: 3/10 but possibly not as a daily driver

The Aesthete's Euro ugly bug of the week

1969 DAF 55 Coupe. I suspect the Dutch are celebrated for their automotive industry in much the same way as Italians are for their beautiful tulips. DAF was not deterred and trod an idiosyncratic path of its own producing clever small cars with constantly variable transmissions. Limitations on the amount of power that could be transmitted using rubber belts meant that none were particularly fast but this coupe has undeniable charm and I like the cheap Alfa-esque interior. I bet they trembled in Milan when they saw this.

For: A gear for every occasion.
Against: Could not pull a sailor off your sister.
Investment potential: 1/10. Put your money in cinnamon biscuits.

The Aesthete surveys the ruins

I must have been asleep and missed the terrible flood that swept through Trademe and washed away all the interesting cars so this week's selection is made up from the bedraggled survivors. It would have to be bad to reach us up here on the hill overlooking Port Chalmers but I can hear them calling out down on the flat "Oh no. Its got the Nissan". Good.

1966 Oldmobile Toronado. You do not have to pay very much to get a decent example of the most daringly engineered American car of the 1960s, also one of the most dramatic coupes ever to command the road. The styling in watered down form was passed on to the first series Holden Monaro. Try getting one of those for 10K now.  I imagine these cars as they were illustrated in period, in the rain at night with a smudgy eyed companion in a little black dress pulling away from the best party that has ever been thrown.

For: The Aesthete's dream car.
Against: Could easily be a nightmare.
Investment potential: 3/10 Tread carefully though when they are still so cheap in their home country.

1971 Sunbeam Rapier. Here of course is the English version of the same dream, although the magic is wrought from humble Hillman Hunter parts rather than Cadillac ones. The Aesthete can normally resist the charms of these cars but the deep bottle green paint, vinyl roof and stainless steel sills sets this Rapier above the more humdrum Alpine version. Now, picture yourself pulling away from an Accrington semi after a night on the Double Diamond, Deidre with her head out the window.

For: Oddly attractive, like an old copy of Men Only.
Against: Semidetached suburban Mr James, as Manfred Mann once had it.
Investment potential: 3/10. The price is about right for once.

1967 Austin A110 Westminster Mk II. BMC's old war horse was looking rather tired by the late 1960s and was about to be replaced by the peculiar Austin 3 Litre so the marketing office threw all the nice parts into the so called Super Deluxe model. Separate leather seats, picnic tables, twin carbs and lots of cheap  veneer wrapped in handsome Pininfarina lines is an attractive combination but anyone with any sense would have bought anything else, surely?

For: Reverse snobbery makes it better than a Wolseley.
Against: Show it a corner in the rain and find out.
Investment potential: 3/10. Rare enough to be interesting.

1960 Auto Union 1000. These ugly bugs sold for more than the price of the aforementioned Westminster so it is a surprise to find them in New Zealand at all. They tended to be owned by fanatics who appreciated the smooth three cylinder engine that felt more like a six due to its unearthly ability to fire on each stroke. The charming interior with white plastic steering wheel and painted metal dash has a Bauhaus feel about it that pleases the Aesthete's perverse sensibilities.

For: The odd source from which all modern Audis sprang.
Against: The reeking cloud of hydrocarbons that will follow you everywhere you go.
Investment potential: 2/10. Only loved by an aging band of sympathisers.

1957 Lotus Super Seven S1. The Aesthete has long yearned for an alloy bodied special in which to streak in and out of the city on fine days. This replica Seven is just the thing although the fragile Coventry Climax motor is possibly taking authenticity a step too far for everyday use. Anyone who thinks that Lotus Sevens are ugly are surely thinking of the fat later versions. The tall, narrow hipped cycle winged S1 is utterly sublime.

For: Wind in the teeth and up many other parts of the body.
Against: Nothing. Roll it inside for the winter and use it for a coffee table.
Investment potential: 4/10. 20K seems quite cheap for what it is.

One for the real Italianophile.

1950 Siata Amica. I hope my Queenstown based Toppolino driving friends are reading this as the Siata Amica is indeed a special bodied Fiat 500. With a performance upgrade to 20 horsepower you are not going to frighten any Maseratis but it has all the charm in the world and would be just the thing to take down to town for a pizza from Bella Cucina. I think they would give you one for free just for the boost you would give their business.

For: Oh come on. Look at it.
Against: 100 KPH flat out may not be enough.
Investment potential: 1/10. Once you have got it here, nulla, sadly.


 

The Aesthete is restored

You could also have your spirits lifted by the prospect of owning anything on this week's list. In contrast, last week's offerings were cruelly dismissed by various readers who pronounced them to be execrable. One thought the Isuzu was nice but then confessed that he needed help. Let us see if we can do better with...  

1986 Lancia Beta Coupe. Yes, it needs a repaint and it has been laid up for a while but this Beta looks like it is worth the effort of dragging back from the edge. The in-house styled angular form has aged well and you will find it a sharp performer with the excellent old Lampredi Fiat twin cam here in late model fuel injected mode. No pictures of the fragile cloth interior but one must take the good with the bad, particularly with Lancias.

For: Quick, sophisticated, good looking and cheap. Where do you get that combination except Italy?
Against: The numbers do not stack up for full restoration so buy with care.
Investment potential: 6/10 if you can get it for less than 1K.

1983 Lancia Gamma. This will get you running off to the bank on Monday if you are remotely serious about old Lancias. The Gamma saloon should have sat at the top of the Fiat range although it was pitched oddly below the Fiat 130 in price and luxury. The actual competition was the NSU Ro 80 or Citroen CX, designs of real character where a certain degree of mechanical misadventure went along with the pleasure of ownership. There are almost no others to buy in New Zealand so this is your chance to acquire something highly desirable once owned by a real gentleman enthusiast.

For: Elegant, sophisticated and cheap. See comment above.
Against: Should be used daily but at your own risk perhaps.
Investment potential: 3/10. What else provides those attributes for less?

1933 Riley Monaco. The products of brothers Percy and Stanley Riley  provided the mainstream industry with an example that sadly was not widely followed. Their light weight 9HP saloons were powered by efficient twin cam engines allowing this alloy bodied Monaco to trot along happily at modern open road speeds and therefore be quite usable. Just the thing for the next Ranfurly Art Deco festival.

For: That side window profile. Grwwlll.
Against. Don't get casual with the grease gun. They need a bit of maintaining.
Investment potential: 4/10. A small engined classic that is fit for the open road.

1988 Lincoln Continental MkVII. There is little to redeem American cars of this period, so far had the industry drifted from any concepts of good form. This lethal rot finally ended with the Mk VII Continental that looked like it had been designed by someone with a college degree at least. This LSC model abjures from the terrifying bordello decor of the competition and prepares to confront the BMW 7 series for the sake of American pride.

For: Just about the only example from the entire decade that the Aesthete can look at directly.
Against. Heavy with a lot of primitive electronics.
Investment potential: 1/10. Just about valueless at home so tread carefully.

2009 Citroen C6 Exclusive. The Laird of Excelsior tipped me off on this glorious Citroen. The swingeing depreciation keeps me off the dealers' yards but I did view one of these when they were new to the country and they are utterly sublime. It is like the fastest and most comfortable leather sofa in the world. The experience could only be improved by an open wood fire with pine cones in the cabin and the right sort of passenger.

For: The only modern saloon that really counts for anything.
Against: Finding that someone will only pay 6K for it when you want to sell.
Investment potential: 0/10. Who cares?

On some faraway shore...

1967 Alfa Romeo Sprint 1600 GT Veloce. The whole idea of the mid-1960s Italian GT is looking appealing for many reasons. Plentiful parts, a booming restoration scene and the drawbacks of later cars hampered by aging electronics sends buyers looking for something both attractive and usable. With the price of a good Porsche 356 bounding towards 100K, how about an 80K Sprint for size? My advice? If you have a good one, hang  on. If you want one, buy soon.

For: Oh, that grey metallic paint and the red hide interior...
Against: The price, unsurprisingly.
Investment potential: 2/10 now but do the sums and figure out if you could restore one to this level.


What has happened to the Aesthete's Dream Car?

If you recall, this was a special spot on the list for cars so vile, wrecked or overpriced that no-one in their right mind would consider them. These are the sort of cars that go on the list anyway so the whole idea is redundant.