The Aesthete goes to the Autospectacular

Just as the title says, Dunedin's premier old car event has rolled around again. To the Aesthete's jaded eye, there were few sights that deserved to be called spectacular but it is a pleasant day out and a rare opportunity to poke around old cars that are normally locked away.  The elderly couple who drove their 1930 Rolls Royce Phantom faux cabriolet from Invercargill should have got a bravery medal but their's is the sort of heroism that is overlooked for preposterous custom cars that are inevitably trailered to these events because they are undrivable. So here is the undisputed highlight of the day...

Yes, it is one of those Farina Nashs that I am partial to. It was
stunning in the metal and I REALLY want one now.

1936 Singer Bantam De Luxe. The vendor claims 900 horsepower for this little Singer which would be spectacular if it was true. The statement that it is one of two in the world might also be taken with a grain of salt although it would be fair to say that survivors are sparse, particularly in two door De Luxe trim as here. This means that there is a sliding metal sunroof to enjoy on sunny days while you potter down to the lakeside for a salmon and lettuce sandwich and a glass of rosé.

For: An unusual and superior sporting alternative to a Morris 8.
Against: The photographs look like they were taken on a Kodak Instamatic so may not show the car as it is now.
Investment potential: 2/10. These are charming cars but all potential owners are on the pension now.

1960 Humber 80. Just to show I am not scornful of the custom car tribe in its entirety, this looks like it could be great fun. I would be inclined to return it to standard appearance and enjoy it as a four door Sunbeam Tiger. If you felt particularly creative you could fashion a new badge for it. I suggest Humber Hyrax GT– I doubt if that has been used before.

For: Give the baseball cap on backwards set a scare with this.
Against: You will need to find your inner bogan.
Investment potential: 0/10 if you figure in the respray, chroming and retrim.

1956 Peugeot 203. The Aesthete's preference for Peugeots is based on the slim hipped 1940s streamlined body shell of the 203 that is the most elegant of all the efforts to cut something like a Chevrolet Fleetmaster down to European proportions. Think of an early Vanguard if you wish to see how this transformation can go seriously awry. Meanwhile, enjoy the smooth, quiet progress of the Peugeot as benighted Light 15 owners struggle to maneuver out of a parallel park somewhere.

For: Très chic n'est-ce pas?
Against. Nozzing. An zo inexpensif!
Investment potential: 5/10 if under 2K but it depends what the vendor will accept.

1971 Lotus Europa. The feverish imagination of Colin Chapman never quite stretched to product planning so the Europa turned from a cheap Lotus 7 replacement to a mini-Le Mans GT car without anyone referring back to the brief. This S2 model gets winding side windows which adds to the practicality but retains the Renault 16 engine and gearbox which are probably harder to get parts for now than the more exotic Lotus unit. The high sided tail section and narrow wheels add to the period charm.

For: Like the Rush movie but a car.
Against: Your weekends are never fully yours with a Lotus.
Investment potential: 2/10 if you can find another ex-pat British engineer to sell it to.

1990 Peugeot 205 GTI. I can hear a heavily grease-painted Lawrence Olivier  delivering the vendor's pitch from the stage at the Old Vic but this Peugeot may well deserve the slightly overwrought build up.  Good GTIs are now very desirable, particularly in larger engined 1.9  form.  Unburdened by power steering, electric windows, traction control and other fripperies all the available power can be delivered to the front wheels and used to frighten the driver.

For: Every trip to the dairy can be your tarmac rally stage.
Against: I will have to send Michele Mouton around to talk to you.
Investment potential: 6/10. A good one is a sure bet.

If money was not an object...

While the two modern Rolls Royces at the show make you stop and look, the idea of driving one leaves the Aesthete oddly unmoved. Even the Wraith coupe with the rear opening doors looked like something made for arriving in rather than driving all day for the sheer pleasure of it. For the same money you could have this Alfa Romeo 2600 Sprint Zagato. I suspect most people would walk straight past it at the Autospectacular but that is what it is all about.