Cinque automobili belle and one not so much

I was trying to make it a consistent selection this week but the odd one out is so interesting that I was swayed from my usual inclinations. See if you can guess which one it is. The correct answer can be found at the end of today's list.

1989 Fiat Panda 1000S: Ask Giorgetto Giugiaro about his favorite car designs and he will most likely tell you about the Fiat Panda. Making anything look good with flat glass all round is a challenge and one from which Italy's most gifted stylist did not shirk. The outcome was much loved by cardigan- wearing retired professors of sociology and you can still earn your carbon credits by saving one from the scrapper.

For: 1980s poverty chic.
Against: You will want to grow a beard or stop wearing a bra. Perhaps both.
Investment potential: 3/10. Cheap then and cheap now.

1969 Fiat 850 Sport. 12.5K is a little optimistic for one of these but a fair price if it requires no further work. It makes poor sense to pay Fiat money and follow it with Ferrari restoration costs so I recommend that you swallow hard and pay the man his money if you want one of these pretty and increasingly rare coupes.

For: Girls think they are sweet and will probably go for drives with you.
Against: Nothing. Get over yourself, tough guy.
Investment potential: 5/10. Keep it spic and span though.

1980 Fiat Spider 2000. Fiat's long-lived Spider was a popular alternative to an MGB in the US and I have always wondered how the British sold any of their sports cars at all when you compare their respective merits. Designed by the young Tom Tjaada at Pininfarina it was effortlessly elegant and powered by Fiat's modern and delightful twin cam motor. Even the big rubber bumpers can't ruin it and this one has had the wheel put on the right side for you.

For: Fun, capable and great looking.
Against: Can get shabby quickly. As this one is doing.
Investment potential: 2/10. Should always be worth more than a B but seldom are.

Fiat 130 Coupe. Ungrrnggggghah! I MUST NOT BUY THIS CAR!! I tell you, the Aesthete's responsibilities as a good husband and home repairman weigh heavily on him at times like this. The glorious Pininfarina designed Fiat coupe is a Ferrari in all but name and has the best interior ever placed into a car that a mortal being could afford. The steel quality was another matter and there are very few left in a drivable state.

For: I have said enough.
Against: I have said too much.
Investment potential: 6/10. 22.5K is cheap when looking at the competition.

1951 Jowett Jupiter. You can't buy it as it is sold already and I am not surprised due to its rarity, attractiveness and modest price. Those are three qualities not often seen together and further evidence that New Zealand is a fruitful place for the Aesthete to peddle his twisted views on what constitutes a classic car today.

For: No-one else has one or even knows what it is.
Against: Gawky looks.
Investment potential: 8/10. Woolly caps are being flung in the air in Blighty over this one.

Far, far away in a foreign land...

1971 Fiat 850 Bertone Sport Racer. It may surprise you to know that Fiat produced coupe versions of its own coupes but that is how the bespoke production culture of the Italian industry worked. The lower body is similar to the 850 Spider but the closed coupe roof-line makes it look an entirely different car, albeit not as visually successful as Fiat's in-house effort.

For: As for the Jowett above.
Against: Ditto.
Investment potential: 2/10. You would have to love it. As I do.



The odd one out: The Panda of course. It's a saloon.