One aesthete farewells another

The other Well Known Aesthete leaves for Wellington today and has asked a few favors, one of the simpler of which to grant is to remind readers that his splendid Daimler Majestic is on the market. It was generally agreed that Wellington is not ideal for portly but dignified British motor cars with the prospect of hill starts and 12-point turns on roads that a goat could not change direction on. All of us will be faced with such terrible choices from time to time so we should think fondly of him as he sets off in his Mitsubishi I-car.

Laird of Excelsior sent me a link to a list of the worst cars ever made. In response I have added a new category to the Petrolhead Aesthete which I shall call The Aesthete's Dream Machines. Unfortunately it is the sort of dream where you are on the school bus without your lower garments on and your teeth are falling out. 

1973 Saab 96. Saab's 1950s streamliner had a long life with many improvements carried out to the basic design over the years. Even so, by the mid-1970s it was somewhat antique and Scandinavian purists may argue that Ford's clattery V4 was no match for the smooth and high revving two stroke that it replaced. Even so they have great charm and are as tough as a Norwegian fjord pony, with which it shares its dun colour and general rotundity.

For: Just the thing for a spot of ice racing.
Against: It should be cheaper than this.
Investment potential: 3/10 if it is not rusty.

1973 BMW 2002 Touring. While not everyone's favorite variant of the fine BMW 02 range, this three door hatch captures the 1970s enthusiasm for sporting estates. The extended roofline by Giovanni Micholetti retains the characteristic kink in the side glass but it is not the most elegant profile imaginable. You gain from the extra interior space and folding rear seats so you can be ready to cart that mid-century oak G-Plan sideboard away from the local charity shop.

For: 2002 saloons are rare enough for there to be interest in this.
Against: Don't let the odd looks deter you.
Investment potential: This is attracting reasonable bids already so let's say 4/10.

1980 Suzuki CX-G. No, the Aesthete has not suffered a sharp blow to the head and yes, this is on the list for all the the best possible reasons. They are as follows: Giorgetto Guigiaro designed the original Fronte coupe on which it is based. The late UK motoring writer LJK Setright owned one and adored it. They feel decently quick because they weigh almost nothing and have a one-litre OHC engine that revs its head off. They are cheap to run and huge fun. There. I have said it.

For: All the above.
Against: Don't leave it out in the rain.
Investment potential: 6/10

1980 Princess 2000 HL.  Poor Harris Mann has been living down the Princess for over thirty years but he started out with great intentions to "design a car that would instantly make the competition seem old fashioned." A pity then that the asthmatic old cast iron lump that had powered the Austin Devon was fitted under the wedge nose and the suspension went down but not always back up. This one has the later OHC engine and black is absolutely the right colour.

For: Young people will give you the eyebrow flick and tell you you have a cool car.
Against: Oh, many things I am sure.
Investment potential: 2/10 but its only 1.5K.

1972 Datsun 240Z. You would have to be more prejudiced than even the Aesthete in his worst moments not to experience a thrill at this early 240Z. The lime yellow paint is just right and there are original looking period accessories including plastic louvres, wheel trims and a chin spoiler although I would have them off in an instant. There is too much of a good thing you know.

For:  One owner for 36 years says something.
Against: I can see little from here.
Investment potential: 4/10. The start price of 20K seems reasonable.


The Aesthete's Dream Machine

1974 Datsun 240K GT. Oh dear, I hear you say, followed by "How the hell much?"10K is pushing hard for a car that was not greatly loved at the time although a similar body shell was used for some fearsome Japanese race cars under the Skyline brand. Oh, and its stripped out, de-registered and the engine block has no pistons in it. Just put it back together and drive off the vendor suggests helpfully...

For: Hope springs eternal, etc.
Against: Ten thousand reasons.
Investment potential: Unfathomable.