The Aesthete's big swinging crank

The Aesthete's Fleet

The other aesthete and I took his Daimler Majestic out for a run up to Clark's Junction with the local Daimler owners club. The Majestic is truly a wonderful thing. Not so much a magic carpet, more of a magic armored troop carrier that flattens out the road ahead with its sheer mass. Any foolish motorist that got in the way would be dispatched instantly with just a loud pop to announce their voyage beyond the earthly vale. You can see why horrid old tories liked them so much. It is like the British Empire never ended.

Just a thought. The previous post titled The Aesthete's Secret Shame has logged more than the three times the views of any other post. This one will be called The Aesthete's big swinging crank and we will see if the pattern is repeated.

1936 Morris 25. A bit of work to do, I grant you but this big and rakish Morris saloon would be an interesting project. Rare in the UK, a number were exported to distant places where the old horse-power tax did not apply. The 3.8 litre side valve six moved things along nicely and they would do well over 80 mph which was flying in the thirties. Built in hydraulic jacks and a nicely detailed leather interior will keep you busy through the long winter evenings.

For: Big, handsome and cheap.
Against: No, you cannot make a rat-rod with it.
Investment potential. 3/10 and you could always ship it back to Blighty.

1961 Morris Major Deluxe. No, it is not Morris week on the list but I should draw your attention to this rather sweet product of the Australian side of the industry. More familiar in its Wolseley 1500 and Riley 1.5 guises, this version sports a unique Pininfarina style front on the same mid-section. That means precise Morris Minor rack steering, torsion bar springs and the smaller version of the B series engine. They are lively and surprisingly nice to drive.

For: An antipodean rarity.
Against: A Riley would be preferable.
Investment potential: 5/10. It looks very usable as it stands.

1965 Ford Lotus Cortina. You might think 45K+ is cracking on a bit for a Cortina but original early twin cams are probably inflation proof for the time being so it does not really matter when you climb on. This one has the early and slightly troublesome A-frame axle location and coil spring rear which was dispensed with on later cars. It has been in New Zealand from new.

For: The Aesthete's retirement plan if I could just afford to buy it now.
Against: Like all Lotuses, fast but fragile.
Investment potential: 4/10. Depends how high the bidding goes but how much is too much?

1967 Prince B200. You are correct to point out that there are not many Japanese cars on the Aesthete's lists. This is not due to any lingering ill feeling about the war but more that I just don't find them very interesting, early Datsun 240Zs to one side. This is worthy though. Most think of them as Datsuns but they were an independent marque until the late 1960s. The engines were similar to the OHC Mercedes sixes, de Dion rear axle and Italianate styling. What is not to like then?

For: Quite handy on the track in their day.
Against: The drab interior, mainly.
Investment potential. 3/10. When did you last see a nice one?

1967 Fiat Dino Coupe. If it was a Ferrari and not a Fiat it would be worth ten times the asking price so what are you getting for your measly 25K? A timeless Bertone coupe shape with four decent seats and the smaller V6 from the Dino for a start. These big Fiats are widely misunderstood. Never a cheap option, they were a showcase of Italian technology and hugely undervalued. The Aesthete says buy this car now before I get to the bank on Monday.

For: Nothing. Terrible car.
Against: No. you definitely don't want it. Totally unsuitable in fact. Dreadful.
Investment potential: 0/10. Certain dire financial catastrophe.


Waiting for you in Greece...

1967 Simca 1000 Coupe. What is this that looks like a cross between a Fiat 850 Coupe and an Alfa Romeo GTV, I hear you ask? Another one of Giorgetto Giugiaro's lesser known efforts for Bertone and very svelte  it is too, despite the lack of power to match the looks. I am a bit soft on these small engined Franco-Italian hybrids and this would be a pleasant alternative to that madly overpriced Singer Chamois I listed the other week.

For: Good looking, simple mechanicals.
Against: Would the looks be enough?
Investment potential: 1/10. Negligible.