The merry, merry month of May

The Aesthete's Fleet

I took the Flavia for a tentative drive today and tested its Frankenstein gearbox, composed as it is from the remains of other dead Flavias. It did not feel like a new car exactly but rather  a fifty-year old one that has had quite a lot of money spent on it. Anyhow, all the earlier screeching, grinding and rumbling has vanished from the tortured item and the gears shift like a rifle bolt, both up and down. Meanwhile Wonder Boy is preparing his fee account...

I will shortly take over a 1967 Triumph Tiger 100T from a dear old friend who has long had it mounted in his parents' billiards room like a trophy head. It needs a rewire and a tightening of its various loose parts that tend to vibrate off and fall on the road when you least want them to. I have been reading the website of a Triumph Tiger obsessive who can tell me what type of Lucas rear light it should have for the frame number within the particular model batch. Not the sort of person you would want to be seated next to at dinner but useful from a safe distance.  

1956 Daimler Century. The 2.5-litre Daimler was more adept on the road than the upright looks indicated and was built to a high standard. This example appears complete and previously well cared for with a decent leather interior and carpets. Be quick though as it is standing outdoors and will soon decay into a moldering ruin.

For: Better that you would think, especially the twin-carb Century model. 

Against: Expensive to restore for little financial reward.

Investment potential: 1/10 but don't let that put you off.

1955 Austin Princess SWB Saloon. As the well informed vendor points out, this is a rare owner/driver car fitted with separate front seats and without a limousine division. Powered by an almighty Austin truck engine, these impressive conveyances could keep out of their own way and make a stylish alternative to a Mk7 Jaguar.

For: Beautiful details. The petrol filler flap alone would make you weep.

Against: Not for hurtling around the countryside.

Investment potential: 4/10. A glorious mode of travel.

1939 Fiat 500 Topolino. Forget Austin Sevens and other similar primitive devices. Here is the design that began the small car revolution. The tiny but smooth four cylinder engine powered a streamlined and well sprung steel shell and it will feel twenty years more recent than its date of creation, as with most Fiats since. 13K is a bit stiff seeing as the engine is in parts but we shall see what the market says.

For: One of the most significant cars of the century.

Against: Lots of work do do yet.

Investment potential: 3/10. Small and light enough to work on with basic equipment. One of you should step forward now and take up the challenge.

1967 Aston Martin Vantage. I don't know about you but 325K is more than I have to spend on a car, even with old Aston prices climbing faster than property. The Rosso Corsa paint is a bit shouty for a car like this, even if the lovely Touring lines seem to be able to carry it off.  The vendor threatens us with the prospect of sending it back to Blighty if we don't meet his terms. Yawn....

For: The seats fold down so you could live in it at a stretch.

Against: You will risk being called a big noting prick.

Investment potential: 3/10 depending on the quality of the work now being carried out.

1989 Alfa Romeo 164. On the other hand you could rummage around under the sofa cushions and find enough money to become the owner of this Alfa Romeo 164 with the desirable 5-speed manual gearbox that goes so well with its mellifuous V6. The milage is right for much further use and the flaws look mainly cosmetic so save yourself $323,800 and buy this instead.

For: Classic Pininfarina looks and great dynamics.

Against: Most of them are past saving now.

Investment potential. 10/10. For that sort of money who cares?