Beware the rides of March

A bit of lame Shakespearian street humour to kick off the list. It can only get better I suppose... Wonder Boy is looking for a good Fiat 124 Spyder if anyone knows of one needing a good home. Please, no freshly painted show boats but a tidy driver needing work would fit the bill nicely.  

1952 Austin Devon van. What is this tragic old thing, I hear you ask. Once a fairly common sight on the  highways and byways, old British commercials have practically vanished. Utility, van and wagon versions of everyday saloons have a particular charm and make good projects as long as rare body panels and unique trim details are present and correct. This looks to be the case with this charming Devon van. You could have both it and the equally excellent utility that has been for sale ever since I have been writing the list.

For: Polish up your Sunderland accent and find that flat cap.
Against: A bit of work to do yet.
Investment potential: 4/10. The vendor seems a sound fellow and he is not asking 6K for it.

1967 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow Mulliner Park Ward two door fixed head coupé. For that is what it is, prior to the handier Corniche name being applied from 1971 onward. The coupes were styled by John Blatchley and so possess the good taste and dignity of the early saloons before awful things like spoilers and spotlights were added. The interior says it all really.

For: The best looking version of the self-proclaimed best car in the world.
Against: I would advise a handling upgrade if it has not been done.
Investment potential: 2/10 with four door cars continuing to slide.

1967 Volvo P 1800. With restored Karmann Ghias going now through the roof, surely anyone in the market for a swoopy 1960s coupe with rugged mechanicals would rather have one of these? Not particularly fast but with fabulous looks and a dash you will never tire of looking at, the Volvo P 1800 is the rational choice if you are thinking about driving and using your purchase.

For: Maximum looks for minimum worry.
Against: A bit pedestrian to drive.
Investment potential: 3/10. Not cheap but I can see a rosy future for these cars.

BMW 2002. The only things that put me off racing are lack of any noticeable driving talent and the absence of huge reserves of cash. 20K seems like a modest enough sum, however, and I am sure you would learn some useful tricks while circulating in the middle of the pack. Probably no worse than commuting on the Pakuranga Highway although I expect you would be going a bit faster on the track.

For: You get the trailer and all the parts too.
Against: Don't crash it on the first day out. The "I told you so" looks would be unbearable.
Investment potential: 4/10. It seems like a tidy little package.

2004 Fiat Punto HGT Abarth. I was ambling across the campus earlier in the week as a Punto Abarth was being parked in its spot by the Interim Sciences Building (constructed in 1964...). The exhaust rumble suggested more than the usual level of performance from Fiat's excellent super-mini and so it turns out as they pack 1750ccs more or less and will take you places as quickly as any sane individual would want to go. This one-owner New Zealand new example is the way.

For: Most small Fiats are fun. More so here.
Against: Might be tiring on a long trip. God, what am I saying...
Investment potential: 2/10. Not a lot brought in to NZ and there is a market for them.


The Aesthete's Dream Car

1967 Nissan 2000 deluxe-Six. These Pininfarina designed saloons are handsome in a "Is that a Lancia?" kind of way but years out in the weather and a heavy coating of moss and lichens does not bode well for what you cannot see. I can smell the rank odour of decaying carpet from Port Chalmers although that would not stop me from going to look at it if I was passing through Christchurch.

For: Attractive Italianate details with decent Japanese engineering.
Against: You will need more than Wet & Forget.
Investment potential: -2/10 at that price.

On some faraway shore...

1953 Borgward Hansa. Well, come on. If you actually want a right hand drive Borgward Hansa 1800 saloon, where else do you go but Phuket to get it? Heaven only knows how it got there but this post-war German streamliner is a rare thing and the Aesthete's heart thrills to the Iron Curtain era details including the metal dash and the Bauhaus hood ornament. I can hear the great Toni Fisher's West of the Wall coming from the radio.

For: Miss Toni Fisher and Borgwards are personal fetishes I do not expect anyone else to share.
Against: How much is 1,200,000 baht anyway?
Investment potential: Not easily established.