The Aesthete hits a century!

Well, one hundred posts under the Petrolhead Aesthete banner anyway. That equals almost six hundred  cars reviewed while, to the best of my knowledge. only one reader has followed my advice and actually bought anything I have recommended. The rest of you have shown uncommonly shrewd judgement. Keep it up.

1963 Buick Riviera. The main problem the Aesthete has with these fine cars is that they are often owned by people you would not wish to sit next to at a dinner party. So it is with this gorgeous Riviera. the vendor drawing your attention to the little figure on the boot lid inviting you to plant one on its posterior. I would love to but I am washing my hair that night. Oh, and get rid of those wheels, please.

For: A sybarite's playground. But its a car.
Against: It has style but not all will get it.
Investment potential. 2/10. Still surprisingly cheap to buy in the US so not yet a bargain.

1972 Alfa Romeo GT Junior. Its a looker in the wonderful hue of Giallo Fly but your attitude may depend on whether you want quite so many modifications. There is something good and true about the rubber mats and 1300 engine that the Junior came with. They made the elegant Bertone coupe seem a bit more like a racer and you were tempted to wring their scrawny necks for all the available performance. 35K is pushing on but I am happy to see the value of these cars going up for completely selfish reasons.

For: After one hundred posts, do I have to tell you?
Against: Marque purists may demur.
Investment potential: 4/10. People may realise one day that this is the perfect car. Until then...

1947 Rover 16. With its helmeted front wings and bodywork slung over the back wheels, Rover was a bit cheeky trying to sell this after the war. On the other had, it was smooth and quite modern to drive without the quirks of a Riley or Jowett and a reminder of the wide choice buyers had, even in those benighted times. I would buy it for the dash which is like something out of a De Havilland Dragonfly.

For: The interior, mainly
Against: You will be the youngest person on the rally, I can assure you.
Investment potential: 2/10 but I do not think you will lose anything.

1987 Lotus Excel. The least mad of Oliver Winterbottom's 1970s wedge shapes for Lotus. the Excel survived through a number of updates that still did not persuade buyers out of their Porsches. And why would you want one now? If you want young folks to tip their hoodies to you and say 'cool car, dude', this will probably do it.

For: Only if you like to bask in the attention of hoodie wearers.
Against: They cost a lot to put right. And it will go wrong.
Investment potential. 3/10. Just wait for the hoodie to get a decent job.

1982 Alfa Sud Ti. 1.7 16V. "No such thing" I hear you snort. Maybe but there should have been. The great thing about small Italian cars is that the handling and brakes were so good that you could safely double the power and have twice the fun. Try it in an Allegro and you would be dead before you left the driveway.

For: What a clever thing to do.
Against: You will lose your right to drive on the roads, I suspect.
Investment potential: 8/10. So much for so little.


Ya ya, das ist gut!

1966 NSU Prinz 1000. Whether your heart gives a little skip when you see an NSU Prinz 1000 depends on how glazed your automotive palette has become. If you still get excited by Toyota Starlets this is not your thing but if you want the German equivalent of a Sunbeam Stiletto, form an orderly line to the left and no crowding. Oh, whoops. Someone has already paid 25K US for it.

For: The Aesthete's pick of 1960s buzz bombs. Look at its cute little nostrils.
Against: YOU PAID HOW MUCH FOR WHAT?!
Investment potential: 4/10 and you can get three into the tray of a Dodge Ram