Work continues on the GTV with all the visible welding jobs done. Some visitors popped in to inspect progress but fortunately arrived just after a bout of foul language that would possibly have had them calling psychiatric services from the safety of their car. I will take some pictures soon but the garage looks like it has been ransacked by a troop of baboons so I will have a tidy up first.
1967 Mercedes Benz 250 SE Cabriolet. There is no price on this rather spectacular Mercedes so I am guessing the vendor expects someone to pay the earth for it. This may well happen as there are few cars of any sort that bring together all of the qualities that have recently pushed cabriolet prices into the stratosphere. The less than optimum specification is a good thing. The 300 was a bit of a handful service-wise and, who knows, you may be planning to use this car from time to time.
For: Something from the top shelf.
Against: I would have a doctor standing by when the price is revealed.
Investment potential: 5/10. These cars are fad resistant so there is a reasonable chance you will get your money back whatever you pay.
For: Red and shiny.
Against: Not quite enough information.
Investment potential: We will withhold judgement until more pictures are posted.
1975 Porsche 914. Not to put too fine a point on it, most available New Zealand 914s are dreadful wrecks or poorly advised US imports that will never see the road again. This example bucks the trends and reminds us what great little sports car they were. If it was a matter of deciding between an aging Boxter import and one of these, I think I know how it would go.
For: It looks fighting fit and ready for use.
Against: Odd, but they always were.
Investment potential: 3/10. The asking price would probably not stretch to a Boxter engine rebuild.
Alfa Romeo Spider 1750. Some would argue that the truncated 1750 Spider is the pick of all 105 series cars, even though the coupes tend to fetch higher prices. I do not understand either as the Spider is an excellent year round car with a properly designed top that does not need an engineer to put it up and a heater that will have your passenger toasty in no time. I like the unorthodox hue and it looks very smart with its blue top.
For: La dolce vita for two.
Against: Keep it inside and dry.
Investment potential. 1/10. Not much room to advance on the asking price.
Austin A 135 Princess DS III. This rare Vanden Plas built touring saloon has the desirable separate front seats and was intended for the owner driver. They could be optioned up to triple carburetors apparently and would career along at 100mph if the road was long enough and the driver brave enough. This is part of someone's well kept Austin collection and the vendors do not seem quite aware of what they have.
For: Please be upstanding for the Mayor of Simpleton.
Against: Not for everyday use perhaps.
Investment potential: 2/10. Limited appeal perhaps and remember that Radford Bentley from last week.
And over there in Oddballand
1970 Matra M530LX. If the 914 is too pedestrian for you, how about a Matra? When not building glued aluminium monocoque F1 cars or Le Mans racers, the mad geniuses at Matra constructed road cars for a discerning clientele for whom a Panhard was trés ordinaire. The M530 was what Citroen might have built if Citroen built sports cars and like the best French designs, looks like nothing on Earth. This example has an opening rear screen but for what purpose, who would know?
For: My God, this is tempting...
Against: Must resist. Cannot buy another car...nnngggraghh
Investment potential. 4/10. It looks clean and straight.
Someone commented on the XTC reference. Nice that people remember these things.
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