Five more from the Petrolhead Aesthete

I have finished my holiday reading with Morrissey's autobiography and, despite the harsh reviews, it is a diverting piece. He writes as he performs as if a beefy Irishman from the poor part of Manchester was the wrong sort of body to carry his mind about in. The section on his Roman Catholic schooling was hardly different to my recollection of St Mary's in the 1960s.  Sister Peter, the bearded Irish nun who thrashed children from dawn until dusk, was not sent out there only by the grace of God.

1969 Sunbeam Imp. The vendor tell us that he only bought this Imp four months ago so it passed unnoticed by the Aesthete. The Sunbeam was a badge and trim variation so you need to go to the Sport models to get the dual Strombergs and livelier performance but the twin headlight nose is attractive and the teal blue is great. Some would say that there is no such thing as a good Imp but they are old codgers that remember them when they were new and we don't listen to them.

For: Great fun for little outlay.
Against: A bit fragile, it has to be said.
Investment potential: 4/10

1987 Alfa Romeo GTV6. This GTV6 has had attention lavished upon it as well as sensible upgrades so the asking price of 10K seems fair. The was the last of the rear wheel drive cars with an elegantly engineered transaxle and ideal weight distribution. A good GTV6 is a poised handler that flatters the driver, unlike the sadly misbegotten model that followed. Wonderboy is presently seeking an early four cylinder model for a local client if anyone has one taking up space.

For: Re-engineered for daily use.
Against: Nothing springs to mind.
Investment potential: 5/10. People will be looking around for the good ones.

1988 Maserati Biturbo. One of the English journals was asking what was going on with Maserati prices when you can have your pick for around one third the price of an equivalent Ferrari. Here of course is the answer. Maserati's brush with the mainstream market was well specified, fast and elegant but also underdeveloped and liable to blow up in a cloud of banknotes. Hence the start price if 6K for this low milage, low owner example.

For: If they were good enough to build a cheap Maserati the least you could do is buy one.
Against. You will love it until the first big bill rolls in.
Investment potential: 1/10. Sorry, but at least we are not into minus figures.

1969 Daimler 250. Silver and red is a fetching combination for these cars and there is much to be said for the light weight alloy V8 in place of the heavy old XK engine, particularly in small capacity form. Power steering and automatic complete the cosseting specification and there is a neat cubby storage for your Gaviscon and slippers.

For: Easy.
Against: Life is not meant to be easy.
Investment potential: 5/10 if condition is remotely as advertised.

1991 BMW 850i. There is not much useful information to go on in the listing but one could assume a dealer has been caught with this BMW coupe and would like to shift it off the yard to make more room for Camrys and Ciferros. Get in with a cheeky offer and you will have a phenomenally capable high speed cruiser for those lost weekends in Queenstown.

For: An unloved modern classic.
Against: One hopes it has been serviced by someone somewhere.
Investment potential: 2/10. The bottom has not been sighted for these yet.

It won't take much room in the container...

1966 Goggomobil TS250 Coupe. I was filling the Lancia when I fell into conversation with a pleasant fellow who owned a Goggomobil. These were clever little devices built by Hans Glas that have been tagged on to the microcar craze but were more sophisticated than most. Engine sizes ranged to 400cc but this is a 250 version so do not expect blistering performance for your 25K investment. Park it next to that fabulous Glas V8 Coupe from the other week for the ultimate his and hers Petrolhead Aesthete garage combination.

For: Cute as a puppy but it will never get any bigger.
Against: She may not want to drive a feeble two stroke while you sweep off in the other one.
Investment potential: 3/10. They are a safe buy because nobody actually uses them.