The Aesthete surveys the scene

Not much is being offered on Trademe that is new or of interest so apologies for returning to old and familiar territory. After five years of blogging about the one subject, the Aesthete sometimes catches sight of the younger version of himself ridiculously aiming not to mention the same car twice. There are limits to what he can bring himself to write about and so some repetitiveness must be endured if he is not to start elegising about Nissan Enemas and the sport of drifting.

Dinner at Cucina is on. Saturday 12 November at around  6.00 to be seated at 6.30. I have booked for 12 people. I will attach the menu to another message.

1978 Fiat X19. An X19 immediately whisks me backwards in time to the doorway of Club Mirage from whence I would reel out into the cold evening having used up my Brandy Alexander budget on young women with ridiculously high standards. There was always one of these parked close by as if to remind me of what I was being deprived of.

For: A certain louche charm still.
Against: They were never meant to last five years much less forty.
Investment potential: 8/10 as there can't be many left like this.

1968 Daimler 250. Much loved by retired heads of harbour boards, a number of these slim bumpered late model V8 Daimlers came equipped with wire wheels and manual transmissions making them an attractive alternative to the smaller engined Jaguar 240. I am assuming this is an auto but the wheels get you half way and the price is modest and the dark colour most comely. The current owner is unmotivated to sort it out and you should probably try and find out why.

For: A cut above a common MKII.
Against: Is that enough today?
Investment potential: Sink 50K into it and see for yourself.

1960 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. As the vendor hopefully points out, 1960 saw some useful upgrades to Volkswagen's suave coupe but it was still as slow covering the ground as an invalid chair.  Carefully take out the matching numbers motor and store it somewhere dry while making enquiries about a 2 litre Weberised engine is my advice.

For: The looks, most definitely.
Against: Looks like a rocket ship, goes like a 2CV.
Investment potential: 'Restored in the USA' always puts me on edge.

1965 Mini Cooper. Taking a leaf out of the Wood and Pickett era customised Mini handbook, this locally built example should never be returned to original order. It looks like an entire speed shop was ransacked in the effort and a Humber Supersnipe dash may have also been involved if that speedo and slab of burr walnut are to be trusted.

For: Just the thing for a '60s themed rave up.
Against: Yes, I know you are in your 60s now.
Investment potential: 8/10 for local significance.

1956 Riley Pathfinder. What can I say? Riley's make me smiley.

For: Everyone knows what I think of these.
Against: Why don't you buy this one then I hear you ask.
Investment potential: Not a car to restore but to use in a committed and gentle way.

On some faraway beach...

1963 Fiat 2300 Speciale ASA. Italian coach builders ASA produced a luxury version of Fiat's already elegant 2300 Berlina, generally for state clients. The grey wool cloth interior almost looks Lancia quality and extra sound deadening and a stretched wheelbase add to the feel. Big 1960s Italian saloons are rare beyond commonplace Ferarris and other exorbidantly priced exotics although this example is already at lesser Maserati money already.

For: Lusso indeed.
Against: You either want them or you don't.
Investment potential. At whatever it would cost landed here, possibly not great.