First list for 2013

The Aesthete unleashed!

I am expanding the Petrolhead Aesthete this year to include listings from some of my favorite international sites. Many enthusiasts buy what they want and ship it here so why should we be any different? Of course this adds to the challenge of purchasing but what is life without risk? I will also be offering my own market analysis based entirely on my cheerfully prejudiced opinions.

The Trade Me picks for this week

1969 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia convertible. Most of the Karmann coupes have roofs so a convertible is a rare treat. This is a late example and marred somewhat by the oversized rear lights but it retains the elegant slim bumpers and steel dash of earlier cars. The steering wheel is on the correct side for those who care about such things. 

For: The owner has given up. Someone else needs to sort this out.
Against: Can a car this pretty be depressing? This one is.
Investment potential: 4/10. A good Karmann convertible should fetch 25K, leaving you some margin for body repairs, a new top, partial repaint and chrome. Parts are plentiful and cheap but it is out of registration and has no WOF.

1957 Jaguar 2.4 Litre Saloon. Retrospectively dubbed the Mk 1, Jaguar's small saloon was the company's first car without a bulky separate chassis. Its ride quality and performance set new standards although the handling was questioned due to the narrow rear axle. Hopefully, you will not be emulating Mike Hawthorne so sit back and enjoy the cabin ambience of this charming two-owner car. 

For: Rare in this condition.
Against: Can it be as good as it looks for the price?
Investment potential: 7/10. Based solely on the notion that restoration would ruin it. I can't see where you would have to spend a lot of money here. 

1955 Daimler One-0-Four. Daimler launched its mid-sized saloon into the market where it was competing with Jaguar and Armstrong Siddeley as well as the more sporting Riley and Alvis brands. The 3.5 liter six pushed it to the magic 100 MPH but I would not like to be on board when that was happening. The old Wilson pre-select gearbox is inclined to be a bit noisy and requires a certain knack for smooth progress but this is a most agreeable car for genteel day tripping. 

For: The price is right for once.
Against: Needs fettling and new carpets at the very least.
Investment potential: 5/10. While the Daimler Club is enthusiastic, the market for these cars is aging. Spend 10K on paint and interior and enjoy it.

1960 Austin Healey Sprite. These clever little sports cars are capable of extensive development and this example has intelligent modifications that do not spoil its character. I imagine it would be great fun on the open road and all the expensive work is done leaving the new owner to sort out the paint defects.
For: Don't buy that MX-5. Buy this.
Against: 30K is pushing it when it needs a repaint.
Investment potential: 2/10. Already testing the upper price limit for a modified car.

1989 Lotus Esprit Turbo. The chaos at Lotus in the 1980s did not prevent them from building great cars and the restyled Esprit Turbo carried them thought a dark period. The pricing of these high performance cars sits on a knife edge, however, and they may yet follow their Porsche 928 and Renault Alpine rivals into 250KPH banger territory.
For: Less complex and onerous than the V8 successor.
Against: The 1990s revival must surely come sooner or later.
Investment potential: 3/10. Provenance is crucial here. No point in buying a poor example when good ones are still reasonable money. 

International selection

1967 Fiat Dino Coupe. Hmm. A Dino for one tenth the price of the other Dino - the one that dare not speak its name. What could be the problem here? The big Fiat coupe was a conventionally laid out luxury tourer more in the Maserati mould than its famous mid-engined Ferrari sibling but the Bertone coupe looks are exquisite and you could drive the length of the country in it.
For: A golden age for GT coupes in my view.
Against: Scruffy details might arouse suspicion.
Investment potential: 5/10 At 82c to the $US you can shop there much as you might at home and I do not see many 22K Fiat Dinos for sale here. Proceed with caution when buying from the US, however. Cars are hardly ever inspected for road worthiness and many buyers have been caught by shiny paint.

1957 Lincoln Premier Coupe. Ford styling was a hit and miss affair in the mid-1950s with few large cars avoiding being hit with the ugly stick. This Lincoln escaped the studio unharmed however, and set a fashion for vertically stacked headlights. The two tone metallic grey is quite subtle and it could be yours for less than 10K.
For: One of the best looking designs from the Ford range.
Against: Original but needing some work.
Investment potential: 2/10 Very little is selling locally for anything near what sellers expect so be wary.