The Aesthete welcomes the festive season...

... at least the part where I do not have to go to work. Instead, the summer opens out before me with a large overhang of uncompleted jobs, both domestic and car related. The Alfa still languishes without a clutch when all I have to do is whip the master cylinder out and send it off to get sleeved. I am beginning to feel like one of those hopeless types on Embarrassing Bodies where the doctors are asking "How long has it been like that?"

1955 Austin A105. This is a bit of a novelty amongst mainstream 1950s British saloons and would fit the bill for someone wishing to drive overland to the old country on one of those staged television challenges. This is the rare short boot model produced for one year and they were deceptively quick with over 100bhp available. Faster than their Farina replacements in fact. Look at it as a four door Austin Healey 3000.

For: More fun that it looks.
Against: 14K is a bit optimistic even if it is a rare old bird.
Investment potential: 2/10. You would not consider restoring one.

1961 Chrysler Imperial. It has been a while since I featured one of these behemoths but it is newly listed and with a reasonable start price of 22K. Not quite the mad Baroque peak of Chrysler styling as the headlights are still sitting securely in the wings rather than flying free alongside but a bravura performance regardless. I particularly like the roof cutaway for the door tops.

For: Like the Playboy Club but a car.
Against: For looking upon rather than driving in.
Investment potential: 2/10. I do not predict a great future for big Americans.

1969 Mercedes Benz 300 SEL 6.3. It looks like someone has got out of his depth with this rather brutal Benz which is not surprising as they were a technical tour de force with airbag suspension and lots of electrics for the period. Check the wiring in the rear door in the pictures. The fuel injection systems tend to malfunction with lack of use so the 'unknown mechanical issues' are probably not that hard to deduce.

For: Something for the more retiring plutocrat.
Against: If it was an early short wheelbase XJ12 no one would want it.
Investment potential: 1/10. A new front bumper is equal to the asking price so watch out.

1972 Bedford. Throw away the silly stock car and get to work on the transporter I say. You will never be short of offers as people always need transport to and from events and you could paint it in your own race team livery. In fact I would want to live in it as a homage to James Hunt and the great era of race track paddock shenanigans.

For: A blank canvas for your own creativity.
Against: A great lumbering money pit.
Investment potential. 6/10. Find someone to buy the stock car and you could have it for nothing.

1968 Toyota Corona RT55 1600 GT. The vendor is a bit full of it but we should consider the case for his rare Toyota coupe. The motor is certainly a gem with a twin cam head designed by Yamaha and fitted with weber style Mikuni side drafts giving a very sporting character. The slab sided and shovel nosed looks of the coupe body would need to grow on you but the interior has typically great '60s Japanese style. Is it worth 30K? Yes, probably.

For: It takes a certain kind of Japanese car to stir the Aesthete.
Against: You paid how much for what?
Investment potential: 4/10. I can see it going for more once sorted out.

Awaiting shipping...

1963 Chevrolet Corvair Monza Spyder. I would prefer primrose yellow and standard wheels but the standard of work on this Monza Spyder looks more comprehensive than the usual American spray booth blowover.  This example has been reengineered with the handling quirks tamed so you may be able to risk stamping on the turbo without being flung off the road at the first corner.

For: Italianate looks and Germanic layout from the good folks at GM
Against: Just remember. Power on in the corners.
Investment potential: 2/10. Expensive for a Corvair.