Five to make looking at Trademe worthwhile

Aesthete's fleet

I loosed the dust covered Flavia from the lockup and gave it a good scrub before heading up the Pigroot to Ranfurly. For those not blessed to live near Dunedin, this is an old miners' trail that winds up into the Central Otago foot hills and is one of the best open road drives in New Zealand. I left at a reasonable hour in the morning and counted precisely four cars using the same route – that is going in either direction. The Lancia was built in Torino and it is said that the gearing on these cars was tested on the mountain roads rising out of the Aosta Valley. It certainly feels that way and it was a real pleasure to open it up in its ideal environment. I have been doing some design work in Ranfurly recently including new welcome signs as you approach the town. These were illustrated by the peerless Stuart Medley in Perth. Keep an eye out if you are in the vicinity.

 

1962 Plymouth Fury.  There is something heroic about the early 1960s Chrysler range. It is as if they got sick of making the best looking cars in America and set about to design the ugliest, possibly with George Jetson as principal stylist. This Plymouth looks like it has been given a good fright with its mismatched front and rear styling and madly staring lights. I would like to own one just to see if the looks could grow on me.

For: You will not have to hunt for it in the supermarket car park.
Against: Not really ugly/beautiful. Just ugly.
Investment potential: 2/10. The looks hold the prices down so always a limited market.

1959 Rover 105S. For Rover fanciers in the know,  this is the pick of the P4 range. Launched in 1957 alongside the hapless 105R with its awful semi-automatic transmission, the S featured the same upgraded motor with twin SUs and luxurious interior with separate front seats. The P4 was never a sporty car but this was as close as it got.

For: This is cheap for a good car.
Against: Keep an eye on the body condition. Even though they have a strong chassis, rust can attack the door pillars.
Investment potential. 8/10 Do the brakes and double your money.

1935 Rover Sports 14. This must be the week for interesting Rovers because this rare and attractive close-coupled saloon is one of only a few left in the world. I have admired at it at a number of events over the years and would almost have it in preference to a Riley Kestrel. The quality of design and fittings is superb and the interior would give away little to a Bentley, if they had been inclined to make a smaller car.

For: The best of all worlds. Decent open road cruising speed and fantastic looks for a tenth the price of a Bentley.
Against: Alright. I know its not a Bentley.
Investment potential: 7/10. The market for 1930s cars is aging along with the cars but this should appeal to almost anyone.

1958 Lotus Seven series 1 Climax. For about the same price as a used Ducati you could scare yourself silly on four wheels in this recreation of Colin Chapman's working man's race car. The hand formed alloy body looks superb and the delicious confection is powered by a proper overhead cam Coventry Climax motor, not a feeble Ford side valve.

For: Picture the drive to work in this.
Against: Nothing I can see for that price.
Investment potential. 8/10. This has to be value for money.

1964 Chevrolet Corvette. People miss the point with these cars and seem to want them with the big block engines, side pipes and other addenda that generally spoil their usefulness. Despite Zora Arkus-Duntov's best efforts the chassis was never really fit for 300 HP and the smaller engined cars are much nicer. This two-owner car looks correct and the hardtop is a desirable feature.

For: Little red Corvette indeed. One of the more inspired metaphors for a feminine special place.
Against: Not a lot I can see.
Investment potential: 3/10. Without the thumping engine, one for the rare breed of tasteful Corvette owner.

Unnnguuragha!.. You know the rest.

1975 Maserati Khamsin. Maserati was part owned by Citroen in the 1970s and produced some startlingly modernist designs with high pressure hydraulics taming the slightly brutish qualities of their big V8 coupes. The Khamsin's asymmetrical air scoops and tight wedge profile is pure automotive pheronome and the Aesthete is starting to perspire with his finger over the buy now button.

For: OMG
Against: Looks like trouble...
Investment potential. 2/10. Could be a 100K restoration, easy.