The Petrolhead Aesthete gets some sun.

'At last' you may well say if you have been trapped in Dunedin for the 'summer'. To celebrate I began excavating behind the garage but with no fixed plan in mind other that to level the base just in case I ever find the energy to lengthen the structure to fit two cars. There are unused concrete blocks littering the property from the first phase of renovation some fifteen years ago. It does not pay to be in too much of a hurry with these things. I have to say that my boxing is a work of art and I have new respect for the people that carved Mt Rushmore.

1989 Peugeot 205 GTI. Good examples of Peugeot's game changing GTI are starting to get hard to find, particularly in 1.9 and manual configuration. The vendor appears honest about the car's various niggles that appear to be limited to minor mechanical issues. The interior, body shell and external plastic is what you need to watch out for as good replacements are keenly sought by an international body of GTI fanciers.

For: Almost makes the 1980s a fit subject for polite discussion.
Against: Nothing really.
Investment potential: Let's see where the bidding ends up.

1962 Jaguar E-Type. These early 3.8 E-Types are the penitent's choice with their thin seats, clunky Moss gearboxes and shallow floors. However, the hoary lore of ancient Jaguars requires us to see these as 'character' points rather than impediments. It is still value for money when you thank of what else you can buy that is fifty years old and goes as fast or looks remotely as drop dead gorgeous.

For: Could only be better if it were gun metal grey with a red interior. Grwwlll.
Against: Imported the vendor says. Whither,  I would like to ask.
Investment potential: 3/10. 78K may seem steepish but the specification is right for a spot of speculation if it does not need any bodywork.

1938 Daimler DB 17. I doubt whether the vendor's phone is ringing off the hook as he has buried this Daimler in the specialist vehicles section and mis-spelt its title.  The DB 17 in close coupled four-light saloon form was a sporty car from Daimler that was seeking to leave the regal limousine market and appeal to the buyers of upstart Rovers and Rileys. The 2.5 litre six was modified right through to the end of pre-Jaguar production so you could slip a Conquest Century motor in and enjoy some sprightly performance to go with the looks.

For: I don't know about you but I think this is a great looking car.
Against: 1930s performance. Easily fixed, however.
Investment potential: 2/10. It needs rewiring apparently. All else looks above board.

1972 Vauxhall Firenza Coupe 2.3. Most of the very small number of Vauxhall coupes that made it to New Zealand were 'powered' by anaemic small capacity engines so this is a bit of a treat if you want to frighten off those annoying Escort drivers. The short block was the basis of the Lotus engine and they were capable of impressive outputs. Even the drab green hue is attractive when the rest of the package is considered.

For: This would have been worth big points on those adolescent car spotting trips.
Against: Not a big market in New Zealand I would vouch.
Investment potential: 3/10 if its relative rarity is valued.

1972 Volkswagen 411 LE. The final coda of the upmarket rear engined air cooled VW saloon, the 411 was hardly a fit challenger for a BMW 2-series but owners tended to defend their idiosyncrasies much as they had defended the Führer thirty years earlier. So why would you want one now?  They have a certain Iron Curtain charm is all I can offer in defense.

For: Tough.
Against: You would need to be German to understand.
Investment potential: 1/10. Needs rust work and a respray so desultory.

On some faraway beach...

1972 Fiat 850 Shellette. Wonderboy spotted this in the forthcoming Retromobil sale and thought it might suit the Aesthetette and I for summer drives out to Aramoana. So it would and I am sure all the villagers would come out of their cribs to hurrah our progress as we purred past. The Aesthete adores all varieties of Fiat 850 but this must be the ultimate. The fact that it was owned by Philippe Starck lends further credibility to its classic design status.

For: Oh come on. Do I have to explain?
Against: No doors and wicker seats.
Investment potential: 2/10 but would you not want to see the look on the compliance inspector's face?