The Aesthete faces his demons

The Aesthete's Fleet

You can probably guess what has the Aesthete's index finger poised over the buy now button this week but I will be generous and alert you to it anyway. This of course shows the high moral character of the Aesthete as measured by his selfless behaviour when confronted with something he would dearly like to own.

I forgot to mention the other week that a reader has kindly supplied another Aesthete's ABC. You can read it here and it is really very good with a number of titles that had me searching for some time for evidence that they ever existed. Bravo, that man! Owasso indeed.

 

1952 Riley RMB. What comprised a good sports saloon in the early 1950s and which nations made them? Only England and Italy is the surprising answer. You could buy an American four door car that would do 100 MPH but it would not be remotely sporty. You could buy a Delahaye or a Delage from France but you would need a nobelmans's fortune to do so. The big Rileys therefore offer a unique combination of pre-war looks, high performance and affordability. This one needs some final fettling but the all important interior looks fine and it has a rebuilt motor.

For: Evocative and satisfying.
Against: Demanding as well.
Investment potential: 3/10. An original car should fetch more than this.

1953 Alvis TA21 DHC. The excellent value of the Riley may be gauged by the 65K asking price for this handsome Alvis although they were never an inexpensive car in period. This Tickford bodied tourer offers a pleasant experience for four full size occupants and you will be at your destination in good time thanks to the locomotive like qualities of the 3-litre engine.

For: Something for the gentleman.
Against: I could think of different uses for 65K.
Investment potential: 2/10 here but you could probably sell it back in Blighty.

1966 Sunbeam Tiger. That 65K would drop you into the cockpit of this Mk 1 Tiger although you will be down on passenger space if that is an important consideration. These cars, even at their current respectable prices, represent value for the Carol Shelby connection alone. Open top Anglo-American hybrids are rare enough in any case and if it had an exotic badge you would be paying a great deal more for it.

For: Surprisingly civilised and quick.
Against: The low values of lesser brethren keep the prices flat.
Investment potential: 4/10 once people wake up.

1990 Renault Alpine GTA. Here is the other Alpine, the French variety that marked the apogee of rear engined sports car development, in that country at least. Plastic panels and a slightly flimsy feel to the interior means that a 911 is a more obvious choice but we do not value 'obvious' greatly here. These cars are always slow sellers so you should buy with the firm intention of long term ownership. It is not something you can flick off to a passing oik.

For: Unorthodox and with a fine pedigree.
Against: Earlier Alpines are worth a fortune but not these, sadly.
Investment potential: 1/10. Most will prefer a 911.

1965 Alfa Romeo Guilia Super. The Aesthete could not totally stifle a whoop when this popped up on Trademe a few minutes ago. A Guilia is the absolute essential 1960s sports saloon and owning a good one is the key to years of Italian motoring pleasure. This appears to be a genuine low milage car although bearing signs of some improvised repairs. The vendor says it was offered for sale a couple of years ago. It should have been snapped up then so careful investigation is advised.

For: One of the best cars ever made.
Against: What could possibly be said against it?
Investment potential: 8/10 if it is as good as it looks.


What, no overpriced European buzz bomb this week?

Oh alright. Here is a very nice Moretti 750 but you have to get it from Malta.