The Aesthete takes the road less travelled

The Aesthete's Fleet.
Not much to say on the fleet except that the Aesthetette is rumbling ominously about her elderly Jeep which is also rumbling ominously. It is hard to say whether the louder noise is coming from the transfer box or her own grinding teeth as she opens the latest garage bill. I offered to buy her a Mercedes ML 430 but she saw through that straight away.

I keep forgetting the link to the song. My bad. Here is the incomparable Wire with another great single that inexplicably avoided the top 40 entirely in 1979. 

1969 Fibrefab Jamaican. The Fibrefab backstory is worthy of a movie with the originator dead of a heart attack in prison after shooting his wife – named Jamaica morbidly enough – and his empire in the unsteady hands of various shady investors. Even without the dime store novel narrative, the Jamaican was a better than competent essay in a Ferrari like GT based on British running gear, in this case Triumph TR4. The Aesthete is impressed that Dunedin has its own resident Fibrefab and if he was feeling reckless, a deal would definitely be struck.

For: I can see the advertisement for this in a 1969 issue of Playboy now. Grwwlll.
Against: Lacks pedigree but who cares at that price?
Investment potential: 4/10 based on the looks alone.

1947 Rover 16. Shortly to give way to the Raymond Loewy inspired P4, the post-war Rover range continued on from the mid-1930s and delivered a conservative but smooth and pleasant car. The free wheel gearbox offered clutchless gear changes and there was an aircraft style instrument display to keep the driver entertained. If your ideal mise en scene is the London blitz, here is your car.

For: Harris tweed jacket and a hat are necessary at all times.
Against: Pipe smoking too, sadly.
Investment potential: The market is limited by the infirmities of age.

1970 Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV. I blame my friend Terry for his vigorous spruiking of the GTV market as sellers are now bold enough to ask 60K for one. Bidders are not rushing forward in a frenzy as they might for some similar presented muscle car as originality is key to fetching that sort of price and the seller has taken some creative license there. Put it back on its original steel wheels and take the crackle finish off the engine and then we can talk.

For: I am sure it goes very well.
Against: What is wrong with the way it was originally presented? You can still buy basket weave vinyl.
Investment potential: 3/10 If you can't be bothered fixing up a wreck, buy this.

1959 Rambler Ambassador Custom. Ugly enough to make you cry out in pain, the late 1950s AMC range presents a unique challenge to aesthetics. It got worse the higher up the range you went so the continental kit on this Ambassador makes the rear almost as offensive as the front.  The pink/mauve metallic colour scheme is perfect of course and the seller taunts us with the information that he has a pillarless version as well. Just imagine what that looks like!

For: It has headrests.
Against: Its hideous!
Investment potential: 4/10. I can see a market for this if irony is your thing.

1970 Volkswagen K70. After Audi pounced on bankrupt NSU it had a modern front wheel drive car that duplicated its own 80 range so it was sold as a Volkwagen. Sadly, the Claus Luthe designed K70 was underdeveloped due to the unfolding disaster of the rotary engined cars and it did little for its new proprietor, selling in dismal numbers. Nonetheless, if you are attracted to sharply dressed orphan saloons as I know some of you are, empty the change jar, get the trailer hitched up and head for Ashburton.

For: Is this the last one in New Zealand?
Against: Is that so bad?
Investment potential: 2/10.


On some faraway beach...

1955 Vignale Frick Cadillac Special. What is this that looks like an American hot rodder's idea of what a Ferrari ought to be? Bill Frick specialised in repowered Studebakers that could achieve 150 mph with their transplanted Cadillac V8s and instructed Giovani Micholetti to build a coupe with a full length sliding roof for his rich timber mill owning client. The effect is strikingly handsome and available at the next Bonhams sale for a surprisingly modest price.

For: Do you want something to show at Pebble Beach?
Against: I do not need to hear your answer.
Investment potential: 6/10 but it should not vanish into a museum.

The Aesthete rummages around

The Aesthete's Fleet
I took some artist friends into Dunedin to see the band Marineville play at the Crown Hotel. "It has a nice growl to it" said Andrea about the Alfetta so perhaps I will delay the exhaust replacement and accept this as a compliment from a girl with taste. Or maybe she was being polite...

1955 Singer Hunter. Andrea's partner said it reminded him of his old Singer Hunter, an admission that I could hardly dignify with a response. Perhaps he meant that the GTV made noises, which apparently no modern car does now unless produced by a digital noise generator. He may know about tempera painting during the Renaissance but cars? I offer this one owner Singer Hunter as proof.

For: Nothing that I can see.
Against: Almost everything.
Investment potential: Bwahahaha.

1970 Fiat 850 Coupe. It looks a bit of a shocker but the vendor avers there is a restorable 850 Coupe obscured underneath the terrible brush paint job. This does not explain why the wheels and chrome have been painted blue, however. Or why it has been painted grey over that. Inspect with care.

For: A good car lies beneath we are told.
Against: What is all that paint hiding?
Investment potential: 4/10 if all goes well.

1967 Volvo 1800S. The restyled S coupe lost some of the idiosyncratic details of the earlier Pelle Peterson cars but looked a little more mature in consequence. The Italianate rocket car looks first seen in 1957 were always belied by the road performance which leaned more towards long distance reliability than pyrotechnics.

For: Swedish Italian.What could not be right about that?
Against: A bit ordinary underneath.
Investment potential: 2/10. Not flying out the door at 30K so we must be conservative.

1975 Mercedes Benz 280C. A similar summary judgement could be issued over this Mercedes coupe, pleasant though it is. Buyers may question why they should be expected to pay the thick end of 40K when other similar cars can be had for a substantial discount. The cost of any sort of serious restoration work is the inevitable answer so it you want to avoid all that, just pay the man his money.

For: That's quality, that is.
Against: Nothing, you cheapskates.
Investment potential: 3/10 but you will probably come out ahead in the end.

1958 Microplas Mistral. Built by the old coach building concern Emslie and Flocton in Dunedin and based on a British prototype, the Mistral shell could be supplied with a complete tubular frame into which you could siphon the mechanical parts from a side valve Prefect. You might not get to the ton with that wheezing old unit but the potential was there. This example is presented in period club trim and looks like a lot of fun.

For: Genuine local history.
Against: How genuine? Answers please.
Investment potential: 8/10 if it is real.

On some faraway beach...

1947 Lincoln Club Coupe. From that fascinating hinterland between 1930s streamliners and 1950s bathtubs comes this V12 Lincoln, almost the last of its tribe. The interior is brilliant with hectares of wool cloth and a dash to put Wurlitzer to shame, all swept majestically along by 130 silent side valve horses. The asking price is a modest 21K which makes you wonder about the sense of paying for some rusted out muscle car from the next era.

For: I see Lauren Bacall leaning across with an as yet unlit cigarette.
Against: And Bogie preparing to punch you.
Investment potential: 3/10 but should do better than that.

The Aesthete makes his picks for the week

The Aesthete's Fleet

Well, the Alfetta GTV is warranted and back in use, having sat in the drive for the best part of two months while its feckless owner stepped around it trying to pretend it was not there. Having put four new tyres on it there was no turning back and it is now prepared for the winter commute while the older GTV retires to its dry and secure lockup down the bottom of the hill. Now all I have to do is cut up the remains of the wreck and extract it from the garage.
I forgot the song again last week so here is a gem from the Iggy Pop back catalogue and a brilliant cover of that Monochrome Set number I subjected you to. Wait until the end and see if you recognise who gets the bottle over the head.

1963 Lincoln Continental. The four door open Continental placed Lincoln on top of the prestige car market during the period named Camelot when it seemed that the American dream was about to be realised. Elwood Engel's slab sided Lincolns were on the nation's screen nightly, carrying the president and his elegant wife up until their final ride together in Dallas. Rarely has a car conveyed hubris quite like this although that is probably not in the minds of people that buy them now.

For: Drop the top in Queenstown on a crisp winter night and wait for a round of applause.
Against: You are not that sort of big noter, are you?
Investment potential: 3/10

1938 Hupmobile E822. Unfortunately, Raymond Loewy's new Hupmobiles frightened off customers in 1934 although it is difficult to see why now. The faired in headlights were distinctive and the styling more acceptable to conservative taste than Chrysler's Airflow. Few models were offered in 1937 making this New Zealand new 1938 saloon a rara avis indeed. You will need to put the motor back together but no-one else will have one.

For: Big, handsome and practically unique.
Against: Not well regarded then, unknown now.
Investment potential: 6/10. This surely must be a 20K car if running.

1956 Mercury Monterey. It must be behemoth week on the blog but all the Aesthete's usual itches can't be scratched as no-one apparently wants to sell their special bodied Fiat or similar hobgoblin. This four door Mercury shares the good looks of the contemporary Lincoln Capri coupe, including a delightful gewgaw on the rear door that carries part of the rear pillar with it.

For:  If you get bored driving it, just open the rear door.
Against: Yes, I know. I am getting desperate.
Investment potential: 1/10 despite the clever doors.

1968 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe. This is more like it but will require the new owner to be good with the mig welder or own a panel beater's shop. Most AC series Fiats vanished years ago and now fetch good money due to their good looks and rarity. Styled in house by Mario Boano, few now are aware that more of the single light early coupes were built than the later restyled cars.  The 124 was fast, modern and sophisticated, and will still seem so today.

For: Everyone should experience one of these.
Against: Look at the pictures.
Investment potential: 17/10. Yes, really.

1959 Borgward Isabella Combi. A different type of Combi and markedly better value than its VW namesake, Borgward's mid-sized wagon was a smart and practical load carrier with a lively character. If retro dealers still exist and have actual shops that require the occasional box of stock to be brought back from the auction, here is your car.

For: Yes, I know I am hopelessly naive.
Against: Either this or a Triumph 2000 Estate. You choose.
Investment potential: 4/10 but there is a bit of work to do yet.

On some faraway beach...

1967 Abarth OT1000. Imagine the  primeval forces contained in the tail of this 850 Spider with almost three times the original output of the original 903cc engine. This much power in a car that weighed little more than a paper bag promises lots of perilous fun and this would be just the thing to run on the Targa to show those Mustangs a thing or two.

For: Completely irresponsible.
Against:  Yes, but it has a roll bar, look.
Investment potential: 3/10 as it has been on the market for months.

The Aesthete finds five more cars

The Aesthete's Fleet
Things have been dull on the Alfa front since my excitement in Christchurch. I cannot thrash the GTV up the North East Valley hill until I see to its floppy steering swivel so I have booked Wonderboy who will have to put the 911s to one side for a minute while attending to that little task. In the meantime I will see if I can stop the rear end creaking and knocking like Garibaldi's ghost.

1980 Berkeley Ibis. A what's that you say? Long after the British firm went bust in the 1960s the Berkeley name was briefly revived in Auckland for a front wheel drive sports car based on BMC parts. This cunning concept was clothed in an extended body shell that looked only remotely like its motor cycle engined ancestors. The complete ensemble looks entertaining and definitely worth your attention if Britceterini is your thing.

For: Britceterini, def: A small British sportscar, artisan built and resembling in outline and principle those made in Italy and known as Etceterini.
Against: Nothing that its advantages could not make up for.
Investment potential: 8/10 and rising with the cost of fuel.

1977 Lancia Scorpion. As the vendor points out in his helpful pitch, this is an early Montecarlo, produced before Lancia suffered the ignominy of withdrawing the car from US sale and attending to a number of engineering defects. Do not let this put you off as this Paolo Martin designed and Pininfarina built mid engined car is the cheapest piece of genuine Italian exotica you are ever likely to see. Only 400 built in the year of production.

For: Remove all the crash test addenda and it is a fine looking car.
Against: Nothing that a 16V turbo Thema engine could not fix.
Investment potential: Oh, I don't know. 28/10

1970 Mazda 1800. Weren't Japanese cars better looking when they were not designing them? Not surprising as Giorgetto Giugiaro was still at Bertone when the job came in and the new Luce was amongst the sharpest looking saloons in the world at its launch in 1966. It still looked good in the 1970s until it was replaced by a petrol powered gargoyle.

For: Elegant.
Against: A bit pedestrian, like most of their competition.
Investment potential: 3/10

1934 Riley Kestrel. Like whiskers on kittens and warm woollen mittens, vintage Rileys are amongst the Aesthete's favourite things. Even though this is a terrible wreck it has many desirable features including Rudge wire wheels and a preselect gearbox although this is not high on the list for Riley enthusiasts. Pfft. What do they know?

For: Best small car of the period. Unless it is a Lancia Augusta and have you checked the price of one of those recently?.
Against: It is in bits and 80 years old.
Investment potential: 9/10 but only because I am partial to them.

1989 Lancia Thema. Yes, I know I have featured this car on the blog but it is still there and I have to keep drawing your attention to it until someone buys it.

For: Compare to the equivalent 2K BMW and you will see what I mean.
Against: Nothing but you would expect me to say that.
Investment potential: 3/10 but all your sins on this earth will be forgiven.

On some faraway beach...

1951 Lancia Aurelia B50 Michelotti Vignale Coupe. Those of you who know the Aesthete's liking for Gerald Palmer designed MGs and Rileys will immediately see why this special bodied Lancia is on the list as it was clearly the model for his lovely ZA Magnette, including the hockey stick chrome strake above the front wheel arch. The front is a different story and I will leave you to judge the aesthetic success of that.

For: A bit like Grace Kelly dancing on a table.
Against: Oh, you had to be there I suppose.
Investment potential: If you can afford it you don't care.

The Aesthete rounds up another five cars

The Aesthete's Fleet
Since our holiday in Manapouri the Alfetta has been sitting unloved and unused in the driveway while a slowly deflating tyre frustrated further movement. On dragging the wheel off it was apparent that driving around on radials as old as a Korean temple is inviting the car gods to smite you good and proper. The tyre was dividing itself into five neat sections through the tread and a look at the others showed similar deterioration. Off to the tyre shop went he with a tidy sum in his vest pocket and returned with a car wearing matching tyres on each corner. This may well be the first time this has ever happened. Given that the tyres cost more than the whole car did I had better start using it.
Meanwhile the new owner of the Flavia Coupe sent me some pictures and a great update on its new life in Christchurch. I am sure he will not object if I share...

Whoops. Almost forgot the song again. Great but totally gnored band Jellyfish drive another town car out to the desert to do God knows what.
 

1955 Willys Jeep Wagon. Something draws the Aesthete to these early Jeeps that make such an interesting alternative to Landrovers and their Austin Gypsy ilk. Here are two in distressed condition but seemingly complete, leaving the imaginative restorer to decide how to repower them. Quaint as it is, the old four cylinder would be best as a mooring for that kauri mullet boat you have been fixing for  the past 30 years.

For: Chiselled good looks.
Against: But will they ever run again? It is up to you now.
Investment potential: 5/10. Get the two for a couple of K and you should be pleased.

1957 Berkeley SE 328. These clever little sportscars made the best of their Excelsior two stroke engines by driving the front wheels and they have a very competent chassis. They were keenly competed in America where groups of them could barely be seen on the track behind a rich trail of fumes. If you are over 1.75m and 90kgs you will feel faintly ridiculous but at least your almost adult children will not be begging for the keys. Look upon that as a real advantage.

For: Hilarious!
Against: Hilarious!
Investment potential: 3/10. Real microcars are ridiculously over priced. Anything remotely useful, not so much.

1956 Volkswagen. Having confessed last week that a well turned out rod can turn the Aesthete's head, here is an early Beetle that has been hit with the California custom stick. I am not sure about the seats but the rest of it appears quite tasteful and it should get along well enough, squeezing three times the original output from its tweaked rear end.

For: Shiny black beetle.
Against: I am no judge of these things really.
Investment potential: See above.

1969 Skoda Sabre. They understand irony in Wellington where heavy bidding is already pushing up the price of this highly desirable Skoda Sabre. It will no doubt soon be seen parked outside a barbers' premises in Cuba St as a sign that nothing should be taken too seriously in life as long as the tufts of hair growing from your ears have been seen to.

For: They laughed and then they all stopped laughing.
Against: A good bad car nonpareil.
Investment potential:  Will this be the first Skoda to crack 10K since they were new?

1960 Lincoln Towncar. Looking like a hypertrophic Thunderbird and possessing one of the best instrument pods ever seen, this Lincoln would stop then in their tracks in that hipster hell. Their eyes would lift from their ristrettos and they would bestow the single eyebrow lift that passes for hysterical excitement in the capital of cool.

For: Who would not want that?
Against: You will need to do a lot of expensive fettling and vin the monstrosity first.
Investment potential: -17/10.


On some faraway beach...

1947 Bristol 400 Pinin Farina Cabriolet. Having spent the past weekend enjoying the company of Andrew Fletcher and hearing about his Pininfarina Jowett Jupiter, this Bristol may induce a bout of reminiscence for exotic Italian bodied Brits. While the Jowett looked a bit like cousin Olive in a tight party frock, this long limbed beauty is only one step removed from a BMW 328 and was so early in the Bristol story it was marketed as a Fraser Nash, as were the prewar German sports cars sold in Blighty. It will fetch a good price I am sure so may fall outside my cost ceiling of a year's salary for a mid-range academic. Oh well...

For: Its gorgeous.
Against: Only the probable cost.
Investment potential: Out of our league I think.