The Aesthete mocks the afflicted

The Aesthete's Fleet

I have been performing MIG microsurgery on the new GTV that failed its last warrant due to rust in some strange places. One area noted by the inspector was termed a 'C pillar' but he was referring to the strip of tinsel that separates the side quarter window from the fixed section. It has the structural integrity of an udon noodle so heaven help any driver whose survival depends on it holding the roof up in a crash.

1970 Austin 1800 Ute. Somewhere in the Midlands. 1968. A scene in the BMC Product Planning Department.
Sir Neville Clotworthy: 'Those damned colonials like utility vehicles, don't they?'
Stanley Jobsworth: 'Yes they do very much sir but BMC ADO 17 is a front wheel drive car.'
Sir N. 'You impertinent pup! Are you trying to tell me they know the difference?'

For: Wrongheadedness wins over practicality every time.
Against: A lot of effort for a fairly terrible vehicle.
Investment potential: 2/10 if you can weld. Otherwise -5/10.

1955 Nash Farina.  I know what you are going to say. Anything with a Pininfarina badge on it and the Aesthete goes all wan and limpid. Maybe but I encourage you to examine the lines of this superb Nash and tell me it is not amongst the handsomest of all early '50s American saloons. That reverse rake rear pillar is almost Lancia-like. Grwwlll.

For: Oh come on. We like a challenge.
Against: It is the sort of thing you can buy from the original US owner for 10K in beautiful condition.
Investment potential: -3/10 See caveat above. And the vendor's mother sounds like a formidable woman.

1978 Fiat 128 3P. The last time a 128 Coupe was featured on this list it was damned with faint praise. Even Fiat saw the need to up their game, hence the late arrival of a glammed up hatch version excitingly named the 3P.  The vendor is correct in that they have become very rare but does that make you want it more or less?

For: It has an extra door! On the back!
Against: I know. I am doing it again.
Investment potential: 2/10 One for the Fiat completist.

Alfa Romeo 155. Now here is something the Aesthete can fulsomely recommend. The V6 powered 155 is the epitome of the ugly Italian saloon that can be driven to hilariously good effect. There is enough torque steer to turn it into a Mobius strip and the V6 makes the best noise of any '90s car that you or I could afford anyway. I like the cut of the vendor's jib and he has a Fiat Millecento.

For: This is a seriously good car and the vendor is sensible about the price.
Against: Nulla! Ti ammazzo!
Investment potential: 7/10 if it stays around the asking price.

1968 Hillman Imp. Someone has gone to a great deal of effort with this Imp and while it may not be one of the exciting coupe variants it is charmingly presented and appears very usable. The duotone paint scheme shows the complex lines to good effect and it looks just fine on its painted steel rims with original shiny embellishments. Everybody should own an Imp, if just to remind Messrs Clotworthy and Jobsworth that Minis aren't so great.

For: Not a lot for a good Imp.
Against (in arch tone of voice: 'Is there a good Imp?'
Investment potential: 4/10 and low cost running too.

On some faraway beach...

1965 NSU Spider.  The Wankel powered Spider used the pretty Sport Prinz body as a rolling test bed for the engine that would send reciprocating pistons to wherever they sent autogyros. Well we know that did not happen even with a lot of development from Mazda and they have given up now. The single rotor engine looks like a washing machine pump but is enough to sling the little NSU along nicely.

For: This is surely the ultimate rear engined buzz bomb.
Against: Better get friendly with a German rotary expert.
Investment potential: 4/10 surprisingly enough. This is history.