The Aesthete ponders another week of Trade Me offerings

The shortest day approaches

They say the middle of winter is not the best time to sell a car but you have to wonder why not. The worst type of tyre kickers are out stealing other people's firewood to fuel their illegally installed log burners so only the hardiest and noblest amongst us are driving around in the snow to look at old cars. Now is surely the time to buy that 1937 Phutney-Creech Land Yacht you have been promising yourself since the 1970s.

1971 Fiat 124 Coupe. Failing that, you could have this Fiat 124 Coupe with a number of interesting modifications for 7.5K. Nothing will touch it for that sort of outlay, unless you are the cap-on-backwards sort but then you would not be reading the Aesthete's blog anyway. The BC version is the one to have. It is the most handsome of the three variants and this one is fabulous in the striking but original blue.

For: Its rust-free! (in so far as any old Fiat can claim to be)
Against: I prefer my BCs straight, thank you.
Investment potential. 4/10. If it is as good as it looks, this is a keen price.

1965 Ford Mustang. I prefer my Mustangs on the plain side as well so this pale blue notchback on standard steel wheels appeals to the Aesthete's particular weakness for effeminate American cars. Everything is available for refurbishment and parts are cheap as they made millions of them. The owner appears to have done useful work during his stewardship of the car and it is not expensive.

For: If you want one, this is may be it.
Against: Tired ones are sad and floppy.
Investment potential: 1/10. There are so many in New Zealand now they may possibly depreciate.

1959 Rover Three-Litre Mk 1. The true Rover aficionado will recognise this as something special so the poor vendor should not have to suffer the silly bids that are being placed on it. One of the first customer cars sold, this very early saloon features the slim pleated seats that make the interior seem airy and the delightful glass deflectors on the side windows. Low milage, tidy and most likely unrepeatable.

For: That's quality, that is.
Against: Later versions ironed out some mechanical issues.
Investment potential: 4/10 as long as there is still a living breathing member of the Rover Club.

1965 Buick Riviera. It has to be a Buick Riviera if you want to capture the genuine Madmen atmosphere of the period without spending a million dollars on a Chrysler Ghia LG6. This 1965 model is the best looking of them all from its moulded stainless steel sill covers to its crisp roof line. And a black interior...

For: I think your partner might like this one.
Against: You know you should be buying a Suzuki Swift.
Investment potential; Lets say 8/10 but we both know it is not so.

1978 Ferrari 400. Someone has emptied this Ferrari of all its expensive bits leaving a right hand drive New Zealand new shell behind. Surely someone has a horrid rusty Jaguar XJS lying around that could provide the necessary donor parts? It would not be worthwhile finding the correct bits, even if you could guarantee they were fit for use. That is sadly why people strip them.

For: An opportunity for the brave.
Against: Will always be a bodge.
Investment potential: 1/10 and a lot of hard work.

On some faraway shore...

It's that Land Yacht I was telling you to buy! Found on my favorite alternative to Bring A Trailer. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/