Five more ways to go broke

The Aesthete's Fleet

The Aesthete's brain chemicals are well out of kilter this week. I have been avoiding the workshop in the hope that if I do not look upon the Lancia I may soon forget that I own it and thereby be able to resume a more normal life. By that I mean not going back to the Dutch web vendor who has a Nardi performance manifold for sale at a price considerably higher than what I paid for my whole car. To no-one's surprise he is not getting many offers for it which simply increases the torment. If someone can suggest a cure that does not involve an ice pick being used to mangle my frontal lobes, please reply with a comment. Anyway, here it is, all three thousand dollars' worth.  

 

1962 Austin J2 Paralanian. If you are tired of management trying to cock up your day in whatever wasteful fashion they see fit you may want to combine work and pleasure in the form of a motorised business. There could be worse things in life than selling cheering bouquets from the back of an Austin J2 Paralanian. Or you could live in a cave somewhere and survive by scavenging. 

For: Say it aloud. "Austin J2 Paralanian"

Against: I would need at least 50K clear profit per annum. That is a lot of chrysanthemums.

Investment potential: As Rod Oram might say, negligible.

1969 Daimler 250. This slim-bumpered version of the V8 powered MkII looks handsome in black and the wire wheels seal the deal for a modest 19.5K. I could think of few nicer ways to get to Queenstown and back where the lack of power steering would not be noticed and you would feel like you were driving a proper car, not an electronically guided drone. 

For: An attractive combination.

Against: People will think you are the Grand Master at the Lodge.

Investment potential: 8/10. It would take the best part of 20K to tidy up a shabby one. 

1973 BMW 3.0 CSI. You might as well have the best if you are thinking about one of these so the 47K asking price seems reasonable if it is as good as it looks. Not as thrilling as the track-burning light weight version but these cars feel modern on the road – if modern means communicative handling and a great sound track from the engine bay. Forget that new sporty Toyota coupe thing. Buy this.

For: Enthusiast owned, known history.

Against: The vendor sounds a bit irritating.

Investment potential: 7/10. You should not need to spend a lot on it.

1958 MG ZB Magnette.Very few of these attractive cars see the market and my head is easily turned by the shapely flanks of Gerald Palmer's MG saloon. Palmer admired Lancias and studied the lines of the current Aurelia which featured a traditional grill  leading a smoothly streamlined body shell. The effect is slightly compromised by the suburban oak interior. I would have gone for round dials in a painted steel dash but I was not a BMC product planner.

For: Looks and not bad dynamics.

Against: I know. Its a wreck.

Investment potential. 0/10 if you have to pay someone else to finish it.

1960 Rambler American. The vendor rants all the way through his pitch so I would say you are in for an entertaining day if you venture off to Christchurch for a look. The more I think about American cars, the more I am convinced that they are only interesting at the extremes of the market so don't mess with Mr in-between, buy a compact like this or a top line model.

For: The vendor thinks girls might like it.

Against: US$800 tops in place of origin.

Investment potential: Bwahahaha.

Next flight to Washington, please Miss....

1954 Nash Rambler Club Coupe. As if to prove the point, consider this gorgeous Nash coupe that shares its good looks with it's little Metropolitan stable mate. If you want to appear unutterably cool at the wheel of an American car, this is the way to proceed.  

For: Front wheel spats!

Against: Am I the only person in the world who likes these things?

Investment potential: 6/10 but only if I can only find the other person who likes 1950s Ramblers.

and something from closer to home

My old friend Buck is selling his Lancia Gamma Coupe. It belonged to Bruce Wilson, Chris Amon's mechanic and Fiat and Lancia agent for the middle North Island. Bruce set out to improve what was a fine but flawed design, reworking the fuel system and ancillary belts to produce a more robust car that can stand up to daily use. It has a new clutch, is in fighting form and Buck wants 6.5K.  Actual photos next week.