More distractions from the Aesthete

The Aesthete's Fleet

I have got to say looking through the later years on Trademe is a godawful task. The cars sound either like a notifiable disease (HSV), your alcoholic auntie (Sylvia), an unsavory part of the body (Eunos), a dodgy therapy (Emina). someone blowing their nose into a handkerchief (Ciferro) or squeezing a spot (Vitz).  I am not sure how long I can keep it up so I am going back to my old ways.

 

1988 Lotus Eleven. This is a worthwhile sort of thing for those of you that have the time and a decent workshop at your disposal. The fruit of your labours will be one of the best looking race cars ever conceived although the box of bits that is being offered here has a somewhat chequered past. It looks like your 12.5K will buy you the right to register your creation as a Lotus 11. The rest of the hard work is up to you.

For: Look upon it as a Lotus 11 starter kit.
Against: No mention of an engine, wheels or gearbox.
Investment potential: 4/10. Depends how you go about it.

1960 Dadbuilt Special. The vendor's father got busy in the shed one afternoon and turned out this delightful special based somewhat loosely on the lines of a 1960 Corvette. He was going well until he got to the nose where a grill of unknown provenance produced an unhappy effect. Is it worth 5K? Perhaps not but individuality is yours for the price.

For: There has not been another and never again will be.
Against: Many things, I imagine.
Investment potential: 2/10. Te Papa may be interested for their shed collection.

1968 Volvo 122S. This comprehensively re-engineered Volvo is just the thing for the gentleman racer who might be right now rifling the small sum of 17K between his fingers and wondering what to blow it on next.  Look no further, James Hunt wannabes. Here is your car.

For: Lovely old thing. Might be decently quick too.
Against: More a classic rally prospect than a track car.
Investment potential: 6/10. The engine must have cost that to build, surely.

1951 Studebaker Champion. It looks like it needs a bit of finishing but then you would have a modern design classic of impeccable credentials that you could also drive. The jet nosed Studebakers knocked them dead in Turin, producing imitations on Lancia chassis that sell for a vast fortune. I suggest that if you showed up in this today, they would still whistle and throw their hats in the air.

For: Oh come on, look at it.
Against: The vendor is yelling something about a rare car. No price. Bad combo.
Investment potential: If he won't name a price I cannot say.

1964 Bond Equipe GTS. These smart little fastback coupes were based on a Triumph chassis and scuttle so are something like a cross between a Herald saloon and a Spitfire. Still with the rather scary rear axle location that made wet weather driving a life and death adventure, they are capable of development. I would like to see this on wire wheels with a 1500 engine and overdrive gearbox with the later rear end.

For: Fun for those that can see its charms.
Against: Can you be bothered?
Investment potential: 3/10. Parts are cheap.


For the brave...

1965 Glas GT 1300. Now all but forgotten, Glas was an independent German maker that was snapped up by BMW for their toothed belt OHC engines. Prior to that, they made modest numbers of these pretty Frua styled coupes. I only bring it to your attention as there is a very similar looking ASA coupe elsewhere on Bring a Trailer for a cool US195K. That's what a bit of Ferrari heritage will do for a car's value. No such luck for BMW though.

For: Beautiful, rare and cheap.
Against: Club evenings will be lonely.
Investment potential: 2/10. You do the work and I may buy it off you.