As you are probably aware, the Aesthete's choices are determined by the earning power of a mid-career academic so I tend to avoid the wilder fringes of motoring mania. Hence no McLarens or Pagani Huayras for this boy. The real world of car ownership is much more interesting although some of these purchases may stretch the budget out of shape for a few years.
A 1940s streamliner.
Keep your monstrously over valued Bentley Continentals and give me a Packard Clipper Super Custom Coupe in gunmetal grey. Preferably the straight eight version although the short nose of the six actually helps the proportions. One of the last American cars with any sort of dignity and now available at laughable prices compared to where they were originally situated in the market. Alternative? A 1934 Airflow Desoto Coupe in the same colour.
A Gordon Keeble would fit the bill here although strictly it is of British parentage. Styled by the inimitable Georgetto Guigiaro and fitted with cheap Chevrolet running gear, the Gordon Keeble was the best looking of all the attempts to bring these two motoring cultures together. One of the only cars ever made to look good in white. Alternative? An Iso Rivolta would do.
Eteceterini are defined as small, hand built Italian sports and racing cars constructed in minute numbers. This Moretti 750 Grand Sport squeezed over seventy screaming horse power from its twin cam 750cc engine and the Michelotti styled coupe looked like a Ferrari built for a rich small child. Not cheap, needless to say. This one had an estimate of EUR135,000 on it three years ago. Alternative? For one twentieth of the price you could have a Fiat 850 Coupe.
Everyone wants to stick the key in and go sometimes so I wait with anticipation for the new Alfa Romeo 4C. Everyone seems to have forgotten that Lotus was doing this fifteen years ago with the Elise but it looks like their day is done, leaving the field to the company that invented the small grand touring car in the first place. Alternative? A Tesla probably.
I will reveal the Aesthete's true desire which is to own a Fiat Dino Spider. The Pininfarina styling is awkward rather than elegant but I would put up with that for the dynamics and rarity. A true Dino would be better but they have receded from my grasp, leaving far less interesting Ferraris behind. Why not have the most exiting Fiat ever built instead? Alternative? A Lancia Flaminia GTE 3C Touring Coupe.
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