The Aesthete's lost weekend

The Aesthete's Fleet

The long Easter to Anzac Day break has slipped by with little either attempted or achieved. I have learnt that the Alfa's disturbing self steering is due to some missing plastic spacers that stop the axle trunnion moving from side to side. As these were absent from duty they have never been included on the inventory of jobs but their replacement should firm up the handling and stop nervous nelly passengers from clutching at the dash as we descend our steep road. After that I will attempt to stop the Lancia's oil cooler from lubricating the entire engine bay and road way between Port Chalmers and the city.

1968 Triumph 2000 Estate. Most British attempts to craft an estate car from their mass produced saloons were awful bodges but the Triumph 2000 was an exception. Low roof line and narrow hips made for restricted load space but the luxury cabin and smooth six cylinder power made up for it. This rare Mk I model comes with the Micholetti-designed dash pod and clever engine modifications ensure strong performance. The Jasmine Yellow paint seals the deal. White roof optional (see below).

For: The best looking 1960s wagon, tastefully upgraded.
Against: Keep the rust at bay.
Investment potential: 3/10. You may not see another.

1956 Studebaker Sky Hawk. The first major restyle of the Loewy designed coupe delivered a handsome new nose but not yet the tacked on fins that spoiled the elegant lines. This Sky Hawk model achieved boutique level numbers but rarity is no big deal amongst Studebakers where falling sales kept production low. The owner seems to have given up at the sight of some floor rust so if you want one of the best looking American cars of the period make him a desultory offer.

For: Yellow and white roof. Grwwlll.
Against: Plenty of work to do yet.
Investment potential: 1/10. Much less if you have to pay someone to do it.

1971 Alfa Romeo GTV. Oh dear me. My advice to erstwhile GTV owners is to check carefully under the paint before you embark on a major restoration. There was a rather notorious racer in Auckland named Raspberry Ripple and then Strawberry Crush after its last and most violent encounter with the barrier and it could almost be this car. Never the less, good GTV prices are on the march and all the outer panels are available to repair the worst of this mess.

For: Apart from the real exotics, the most buyable of the 105 GTV family.
Against: I would be looking carefully underneath this one with a measuring tape.
Investment potential: 2/10. You will still spend all of 20K to get this to be a 30K car.

1996 BMW M3 E35 3.2 EVO  All the letters and numbers mean is that this was one of the most exciting BMW road cars you could buy in the mid-1990s and this rare six-speed four door car is still a top shelf performer today. Modestly high milages in one of these cars is a good sign, as is a fulsome maintenance record.  It is New Zealand-new as well.

For: Few ways of going more quickly for the price.
Against: Try and not have it blow up in your ownership.
Investment potential: 3/10

1967 Jaguar E-Type 2+2. As pointed out in the UK classic car press recently, extra seats and greater convenience can reduce the price of an early E-Type by half. So it seems with this very desirable S1 car with the covered headlights but 4.2 litre engine and much improved gearbox. It seems to have not been bodged in the past so it could either be the very expensive start to a full restoration or a usable car to be enjoyed as it stands. You choose.

For: Cor! You'll be fighting the birds off in that, guvnor.
Against: Same advice as GTV above. Bring your x-ray specs.
Investment potential: 2/10 as long as you do not attempt restoration. Otherwise -6/10.

The Aesthete's bargain basement classics

1961 Simca Aronde Plein Ciel Coupe. Like the Aesthete,  you want a Facel Vega but are cruelly denied the economic means to indulge yourself. You could have one of these instead. Facel made a comfortable living building coupes for Simca and they are rather under valued for what they are. This Aronde has some of the styling cues of the exotic French grand routier but draped over simple and reliable mechanicals. You could find saloons rotting under trees a short time ago but they have probably all gone now.

For: A Bardot body for a few sous.
Against: An Edith Piaf dash spoils the effect.
Investment potential: 2/10. For inveterate Francophiles.