The Aesthete returns from a brief respite.

From Auckland that is where he spent the weekend with the Aesthetette stretched out in a classic Anglo caravan at Beachlands. Sunny weather, cafes and restaurants everywhere and a quick ferry ride into Auckland. You are lucky that I do not have the wherewithal to live there or I  would not be sitting here in Dunedin writing this.

1957 Buick Super Riviera. At least the vendor does not think this magnificent sledge is worth 30K or I would have passed it over. GM was making a special effort with Buick styling in an attempt to cast off the marque's appeal to American senior citizens. The swooping belt line and Cadillac style roofline on this four door pillarless saloon sets it apart from lesser models and it would make a good project if you could withstand the terrifying plating bill.

For: Handsome in a Montgomery Clift sort of way.
Against: Like Monty, a bit bashed up.
Investment potential: 1/10 even if you do own your own electroplating facility.

1967 Riley Kestrel 1300. One of the more unusual and attractive variants of the front wheel drive BMC range, this Riley looks solid and well cared for. The larger 1300 twin carb motor means you will not be down to second gear up any reasonable rise and they are responsive to a bit of gentle development if you feel so inclined. I can see this on a nice set of Minilite alloys and the Aesthete would not hang his head in shame if it was his.

For: Sharp price if it is as nice as it looks.
Against: The usual complaints: rust and whiney transmissions mainly.
Investment potential: 4/10 with the caveat above.

1984 Porsche 944. White is not the best colour for anything apart from early 1960s Ford Consul Capris but overlook that for a moment while thinking about this 944. Most 944s in this price range are rough looking automatics in even more ghastly hues and the relatively low milage and service records suggest there is plenty of life left in this one yet.

For: Fast, cheap and reputable.
Against: John Key probably had one as a single man.
Investment potential: 2/10 but who cares at that sort of money?

1968 Mazda T2000. Who knows what sort of bizarre regulatory regime encouraged the production of three-wheeled trucks in Japan but let us just enjoy the fact that they exist and that we could experience one here. The truly sad amongst you will know of the Scammell Scarab, an equally bizarre English variation on the theme. One of my first pieces of digital illustration was for an airborne version of the little 360 cc version to be screen printed on a T shirt. Any takers?

For: Slow, expensive and dangerous.
Against: Hang on, have we not covered that already?
Investment potential: Bwahahaha.

1970 Mercedes 300 SEL 6.3. The 160 MPH speedometer in this Mercedes tells you what you need to know; that there was no faster way to travel across ground in comfort than this unless you were in a train. Planned as a way of selling the surplus stock of limousine engines built up after the slow sales of the 600 series, various entertaining myths have gown up around these cars. It was certainly not the outcome of unsupervised Benz apprentices having fun in the workshop after hours.

For: Vorsprung durch great big motor.
Against: Airbag suspension and expensive parts.
Investment potential: 3/10 with a keen following.

Ungrrrrnagh!