The Aesthete answers the call

Once more into the breach!

It is the start of the Latins by the Lake rally at the end of the week so all is in the hands of the gods now. Everything has been done that can be done to prepare the Lancia for a 1200KM round journey so I will provide a full report with pictures on my return next week.  I tested the recent repairs on a run to Ranfurly and can report a great improvement in hill climbing which will come in handy on the passes. There is an Alfa Romeo 1300 GT Junior coming so we will not be in the slowest car for once.

1925 40HP Lanchester. I do not normally go for this sort of thing but there is something about the gloriously mad products of the Lanchester brothers that makes me wish I was an independently wealthy estate owner in the Cotswolds. How mad are we talking here? 6.2 litre OHC six with a preselect semi automatic gearbox and 80mph for a start. The body has no front doors so you make your way to the driver's seat down a central gangway. Mad enough? I think so.

For: You will immediately proclaim your oaken motor house an independent republic with yourself as ruler for life.
Against: Oh, many trivial things I am sure.
Investment potential. 6/10 The sort of thing Jay Leno would buy on a dare.

1967 Jaguar E-Type FHC. Someone has considerately shoved the engine back in its hole so you can see that it has one. The rest of the car is apparently packed in those cardboard boxes but it is one way to acquire an early E-Type. The great advantage is that everything can be bought off the shelf and as long as the body has not been bodged you cannot fail. I will have it in gunmetal grey with red leather thanks.

For: Still unbettered as a car and not many left around at this sort of money.
Against: Check the quality of the repairs.
Investment potential. 3/10. You can spend around 50K on it before you start losing money.

1970 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia. Everyone wants to sell their Karmann Ghias now they think they might stand to get Porsche 911 money for them. This one has the unfortunate performance deficit dealt with by a two litre engine on carburettors so it should be entertaining on the road. The period alloy wheels look handsome with the red paint and your partner will probably quietly approve of your purchase.

For: A safe reliable investment. God, listen to me...
Against: Yes, what I just said.
Investment potential: 2/10. It should drive like a new car so expect it to depreciate like one.

1979 Ferrari 400. It is a V12 automatic on Webers so it will drink like my Aunt Sylvia but what a way to travel. No-one likes these impressive cruisers for reasons I do not being to understand. They all seem to think a Ferrari has to be 'sporty', whatever that means. Pop Sophie Ellis-Bextor in the stereo and give your Kia-driving neighbours the finger.

For: Looks, performance and impeccable pedigree for ridiculously little money.
Against: People will mock your pretensions and rightly so.
Investment potential. 2/10. There is no such thing as a cheap 12 cylinder Ferrari.

1957 Mercedes-Benz 220S. This is the luxury S version so you get a smooth six cylinder motor, plump leather seats and lots of polished solid wood. It is like a traveling Beidermeier dining room and you would arrive anywhere feeling somewhat superior and ready to take on the world. In fact, I am surprised they let them make them after what happened during the war.

For: Teutonic pomp and splendor.
Against: You will want to vote for that Colin Craig party.
Investment potential: 4/10. Essentially one owner pampered car.

En Francais...

1954 Simca Comete Monte Carlo. Something for the hopeless Francophile perhaps but the gorgeous  Facel looks alone would be worth having to put up with the slightly leaden dynamics of the side valve Ford V8. A few Comete sedans came to New Zealand and I added them to my adolescent catalogue of obscurities. They were worth at least 800 points in the back of the Observers Book of Automobiles if you spotted one.

For: Tres charmant, n'est ce pas?
Against: Looks aren't everything you know.
Investment potential: 1/10 asI doubt if there is a strong market for Facel bodied Simcas here.