Behold the Trade Me Five!

The Aesthete's Fleet

Here is a picture of the Flavia's gearbox almost finished on the bench. It is certainly a thing well made and will hopefully now be without the accompanying rumbles and whines that troubled me before. Broken first gear has been swapped, new bearings and seals fitted and the best set of synchro rings selected for smooth changes. I will report after the road test. 

1973 Skoda 110 Coupe. This was snapped up surprisingly quickly at $1750 so the link is dead, I regret to say. Not everyone is enabled to see the positive side of owning a 1970s Skoda but the coupes were a surprisingly good rally car and still look purposeful with their rakish front screen and long tail. Bear that in mind when viewing the next choice.

For: Cheap, fun and rare.

Against: Nothing. And look at the colour. 

Investment potential: 8/10. As long as the body is intact you can have spares for nothing.

1971 Lotus Europa. Early Europas had the pure if idiosyncratic high sided body that made them look like a Le Mans racer for the road. The Renault 15 engine and transaxle was an interesting choice of power plant but the combination was all alloy and reliable. It is running a turbo which should make for interesting motoring so let us hope the conversion is well engineered.

For: It should be quick.

Against: Improvised explosive device.

Investment potential: 3/10 for as long as it holds together 

1975 Fiat 130. It has been a long time since I have seen a viable 130 so it behooves the Aesthete to remind you of what fine cars they are. Fiat had Lancia in its grasp by the 1970s but could not convince luxury car buyers that a flat four Gamma saloon was what they needed so threw all its nice bits into the 130. Silky V6 with a plush interior and a body like a Mussolini-era apartment block. Genius.

For: A rust free low milage 130 will afford great pleasure.

Against: Or unalloyed woe if the above is not the case.

Investment potential: 3/10 but for the brave owner. 

1982 Fiat 131R. It looks a little garish even for one of these but nothing says classic Fiat like the combination of a tuned Lampredi twin-cam four, velour trim and bright orange paint. Find that purple shirt in the wardrobe and release your true Milanese style. Like a piece of Memphis furniture but much cheaper to buy these days.

For:  It is what it is.

Against: Loud.

Investment potential: 3/10 now that most of them have disappeared into sheds or turned into them.

1973 Citroen SM. I can recall when the sight of a Citroen SM wafting along would have onlookers laying down their coats so that those glorious wheels did not have to touch the road. No longer now that almost every car you can name seems to be available in New Zealand and you could have this one for 20K. Wonder Boy tells me it is possibly not the best SM in existence but this is surely not much for the coolest car in the world.

For: Tres magnifique!

Against: Le bills!

Investment potential: 2/10 and slipping.

Still thinking about selling things from a van?

1959 International Harvester Metro. I guess this is the US equivalent of the Austin J4s that we knew in days of yore. This example is essentially new from the wheels up so should provide many years of loyal service. I think if you are in Nelson or Russell and fancy selling crepes in the summertime this is your vehicle. 

For: Eye catching.

Against: Long way to go for a part.

Investment potential: 0/10. There goes the business plan.