The Aesthete practices the manly art

 The Aesthete's Fleet

The manly art of shed cleaning preparatory to welding up the new GTV that is. The day was spent moving redundant objects from one shed to another leaving the new car isolated from anything that could possibly catch a stray spark. Having been set on fire before,  the Aesthete hopes that fate will chose someone else for the auto-de-fé next time.

1957 Jaguar 2.4 Litre Saloon. Dove grey paint and red leather is a fetching combination and this 2.4 Jaguar looks a lot better than its low start price suggests. It is the interim model with the wider grill opening and rear spats deleted which is how a small bodied Jaguar should be presented. It would be useful to know what is stopping it from gaining a WOF. If it is not shot through with holes it should be a relatively straightforward process of recommissioning.

For: Delicious.
Against: The paint looks too good to be hiding a horror show but look carefully anyway.
Investment potential: 3/10 if the price stays close to 4K

1966 Rover 3 Litre Mk III. With the last of the venerable side exhaust valve sixes before the alloy V8 took over, this Rover saloon needs to be a bit special to hold its proud Viking head above the later cars. This example features the bucket front and divided rear seats that makes the Coupe feel so glamorous and the overall condition suggests that it will be silky smooth on the road. Raw performance is not the issue with these cars as they tend to sway around like my aunt Sylvia at a wedding.

For: Bentley quality for a more modest outlay.
Against: Much admired by retired engineers who will bore you silly at club night.
Investment potential: 2/10. Compared to the cost of restoration, it is a bargain already.

1965 DKW Junior. Ready to roar into reeking life after a lengthy rest in a shed is this two stroke DKW, made before the whole outfit reverted to the old pre-war name of Audi. The  quality construction and sure footed front wheel drive handling were selling points and the motor cycle like ring-a-ding-dang on the over-run always produces a smile. As long as you are not following it.

For: Count them. Three ignition coils!
Against: Environmentally unsound.
Investment potential: 3/10 with cold war credentials.

1919 Bignan Type 132C. A what's that now? Bignan was a French manufacturer of high performance cars that ran second only to Bugatti in the Le Mans voiturette class in 1920. Most were bodied as open roadsters although the alloy and wood boat tail looks very fresh. It is a pity the vendor is not more forthcoming with the history of this fine belle epoque machine as there must be quite a story to tell.

For: C'est magnifique!
Against: Well, it is 85K.
Investment potential: Authenticity is important in the international Bignan market, I imagine.

1952 Mercury Sports Coupe. Occasionally one sees an American car that must have been studied closely in Italy. The tail end of this Mercury certainly puts the Aesthete in mind of Pininfarina, particularly the harmonious relationship between rear wings, lights and boot lid so beautifully carried out on their Ferrari 250 coupes. Is that enough to sway any of you? Thought not.

For: Tasteful American.
Against: I can't see a lot.
Investment potential: 1/10. Rarity is not everything.