The Aesthete chooses a hot rod

Well, a sophisticated hot rod, of course. First down the quarter mile is a Daimler.

1973 Daimler Sovereign.  This deceptively plain looking Series 1 XK should pack a wallop from its twin-turbo American V8. The standard 4.2 litre six was no slouch even with an automatic gearbox so the five speed manual should ensure you run out of nerve well before you run out of gears. A nice set of S3 pepper-pot alloy wheels would complement the slightly anonymous de-badged aesthetic.

For. Just the thing if you should find yourself in a late night road train with the cap on backwards set.
Against:  Let us hope the rest of the car is up to it.
Investment potential: 1/10. I doubt many Daimler fans would get it.

1951 Studebaker Champion Starlight Coupe. Given that they stood the motoring world on its ear, Raymond Loewy's post-war Studebakers do not fetch startling sums of money. The historian in me pleads for an answer to this mystery but let us all enjoy the fact that this is a New Zealand new right hand drive car and, as the vendor tells us, 'even rearer'. He is right as the rear aspect of these cars is quite sublime.

For: Only the wheels define this as a hot rod unless someone has had a go at the interior. Let us hope not.
Against: The lazy old side valve six will not tilt your wig.
Investment potential: 3/10. A design milestone must be worth more than this

Daimler Sovereign. I believe I am correct to point out that these exciting MkII variants were also called Sovereigns rather than 420 which was kept for their more common Jaguar stable mates. Manual and wire wheels is always a desirable specification. Likewise, the metallic maroon paint and black leather shouts weekend drives to Bognor Regis with the new PA where she will no doubt model the expensive swimsuit you bought on the company card.

For: Its a hot rod already and you don't need to change a thing.
Against: What is wrong with you? Are you some sort of Labour voter?
Investment potential: 3/10. This and an early  Maserati Quattroporte thanks.

1934 Morgan. Fundamentally an overpowered Edwardian cycle car, the three wheeler Morgan was antiquated even in the mid-1930s but delivered thrills to a particular kind of sporting motorist that viewed an even numbered set of wheels as decadent luxury. The engine is out in the open so that the noise will drown out your passengers screams as they are flecked with hot droplets of Castrol. Grwwlll.

For: One of the few cars that should be driven while wearing a leather flying helmet.
Against: The eye watering price, mainly.
Investment potential: 2/10.  I imagine Morgan owners are a bit fussy about provenance and such matters.

1996 Maserati Ghibli. The essentials of a hot rod are that it should supply devilish looks, excitement and real danger at a reasonable price. This mid-period Maserati fits the bill on all but price but seeing as the vendor does not actually have it in his possession yet, we may yet see the cruel market for these improvised explosive devices lower his expectations.

For: Ugly, hard to fix and fast. It is the Italian way.
Against: The Ghibli is a hot wind,  I believe. Read the vendor's pitch for proof.
Investment potential: I will delay that decision for a while.

From the confederation of chocolatiers....

1963 René Bonnet Missile. Well, how could you not want a car called a Missile? The mini-Ferrari 250 looks, five spoke alloy wheels and tuned Gordini power plant suggests little else but a low production French hot rod although more the boulevard type than the screaming rear engined Alpine 310. The Aesthete's admiration for all the collective works of Messrs Bonnet and Deutsch will have to be sated somehow,,,

For: They will shout Poseur! but you will not care.
Against: The one rectangular instrument in the dash reminds you of the Renault 4 roots.
Investment potential. 3/10. The masses of Deutcsh Bonnet fans will pursue you everywhere you go.