The Aesthete's random wanderings

The Aesthete's Fleet

Random because Trademe is experiencing another mild slump in interesting cars, meaning that the Aesthete must roam through the dark backroads of our favorite trading site until some sort of list falls into place. I can tell you I am not going near the 2000–2010 era again. Life is just too damned short for that.

I have been attending to minor fix-up jobs on the Lancia that make open road driving a bit more enjoyable. Sealing up the quarter-lights has reduced the wind roar at 100KPH so now I can hear the final drive whine in the gearbox even better. Oh why do we ever start these jobs?

1960 Berkeley B95. Good grief. Everyone is dragging their Berkeleys out from the shed since I pointed one out a few weeks ago. A three cylinder Excelsior two stroke example popped up briefly but has found a new home already. This one is even more mad with a stonking great Royal Enfield aircooled twin filling its rather Roman nose. Go on. I dare you.

For: Imagine the noise.
Against: If you can hear it above your own screams.
Investment potential. 8/10 These have not caught the micro car boom but surely will. Forget a Messerschmit. These are much more fun.

1951 Sunbeam Talbot 90. The vendor has let this car fall into ruin following a substantial restoration but it looks salvageable and the price is not silly. Rust is the bane of Sunbeam Talbot 90s but they rest on a stout chassis so are generally repairable. Open the boot lid. If it comes off in your hand haggle a bit harder on the price.

For: The Aesthete has a weakness for rear wheel spats.
Against: A lesson to us all. If you are not using it, put it inside or sell it.
Investment potential: Even the good ones are cheap so watch the outgoings.

1979 Fiat Spider. This is a US car converted to right hand drive so someone has spent decent money on it at some point. The rose hued trim is not to the Aesthete's personal taste and one hopes that it is not carrying its anti-smog setup otherwise you will be able to run faster. I further advise you to whip off those awful side repeater lights and wave a can of black vinyl spray at the interior.

For: The wheels largely, and the great Tom Tjaarda styling.
Against: Still a bit of fafffing about until you get it right.
Investment potential: 3/10. Most will still prefer an MX5.

1986 Citroen CX. The second generation CX lost some character but was still more interesting than any other family car on the planet. Wonderboy tells me that the dynamics are a bit queer with more mass in the nose than is sound engineering practice but that just means you point it in the direction of Wanaka and have a nap while it drives itself.

For: Gallic high tech classic.
Against: They take a bit of getting used to.
Investment potential: 3/10 if the price stays under 1K.

1958 Ford Country Squire. Was ever the fertile genius of the plastics industry put to worse use than making these things? Whiggish snobbery aside, this is quite a handsome example and with nine seats no-one need miss out on the fun when you go for a drive. You could also sleep in it on trips and save on motel bills.

For: A nine seater, five door Thunderbird!
Against: Where would the other seven sleep?
Investment potential: 2/10 The vendor says it is rusty. Caveat emptor I say.


Anything on Bring a Trailer then?

Nope. That has died the death as well.