The Aesthete's picks for Labour Weekend

The Aesthete's Fleet

Well, the Lancia has been fettled to a high standard and is showing its appreciation by reporting all engine functions through the correct warning lights and instruments. I spent a long night under the dash panel with Gary the auto electrician. We got to know each other quite well down there and discussed modern philosophy while trying to get the fuel gauge to work properly.  Having dismissed the hopeless relativism of most post-modern theory, the gauge now works perfectly. 

1966 Humber Scepter. The Aesthete has always had a weakness for these attractive variations on the standard Rootes Group theme. It is probably something to do with Sunbeam Talbot 90s for which the Sceptre was the much more modern replacement. The four door coupe roofline is charming and the interior looks like a stray black Maserati has got at old Aunty Minx after the stable door was shut.

For: Smooth, great looking and surprising fun.
Against: Nothing much really. Would you rather have a Ford Corsair 2000? Thought not.
Investment potential: 3/10. I think these should be worth more but no sporting pretensions keeps the prices low.

1976 Peugeot 204 Estate. The pictures do not really do it justice for here is one of the sweetest driving small cars of the period and engineered to within an inch of its life. The 204 was an alloy OHC front wheel drive berline that remedied all of the design problems of the BMC range but at a cost. Buy one for the superb road comfort and pity the poor benighted Brits having to drive around in their preposterous Vanden Plas Princesses with sagging suspensions and howling gear trains.

For: Formidable!
Against: The vendor says parts are easy to get. On the distant frozen planet Peugeot perhaps.
Investment potential: 5/10. This is so cheap.

1972 Lotus Elan Sprint. The Elan coupe does not have quite the Emma Peel hair blowing in the wind despite the French silk scarf and sunglasses factor of the open cars but you may appreciate that when the weather is inclement and your partner will not move away from the fire. Which is why you never use your sports car, isn't it?

For: NZ new, etc.
Against: Nothing. Shoot him please, Mrs Peel.
Investment potential: 3/10. The price matches the international going rate.

1990 Audi Quattro. The restyled second series Quattro is less of a 'Take me as I am' proposition than the earlier cars but they are also a lot cheaper which makes me like them more. It depends if you see yourself as Walter Röhrl kicking up great plumes of gravel or Frau Röhrl on the school run. With this model Quattro, both roles could be yours. Bwahaha.

For: NZ new, etc.
Against:  Check carefully for expensive mechanical noises.
Investment potential: 2/10. Will never be as desirable as the ugly ones.

1966 Rover 3 Litre Coupe. The dream road test that I have never read would pit a 3 Litre Coupe against a Lancia Flaminia. They are remarkably well matched in terms of refinement and market niche and I would have either in my shed in an instant.  I could even stand the Tory accusations. If I was inclined that way I would paste a little picture of Margaret Thatcher onto the inside mirror. Yes, you know what I am talking about, don't you? Naughty boy.

For: All that aromatic leather. Grwwwllll.
Against. It is an automatic so you will create no mayhem on the dragstrip.
Investment potential: Approaching top money for a six cylinder but nothing outside a Flaminia would do instead.

On some faraway shore...

1965 BMW 700 Coupe. If you have looked at the new Alfa Romeo 4C you will have gathered that small is the new black. Working backwards from that point you get to my favorite era for European buzz bombs where the combination of slinky Italian styling and two cylinder engines causes me to fidget with my finger over the 'Buy' button. I almost bought a Deutsch Panhard, remember?

For: Getting close to the Aesthete's ideal car.
Against. Noisy, slow, queer looking and no parts. Perfect.
Investment potential: Oh, I dunno. 3/10 but less when you factor in shipping.