The Aesthete monetises the blog

I am frequently approached by hopeful types praising my searing insights, anticipating that I will pay them to spruik this blog to the wider world. I send them to an internet troll I know who grinds their bones with his three rows of teeth. Today, however, I was invited to brunch by the Laird of Excelsior who came down from his pied-à-terre in his red Peugeot 406 Coupe. He reminded me that the blog was initially written with the intention of parting him from his generous severance payment so the least he could do was buy me lunch. Another guest enthralled the table with descriptions of the shape of some of our  leading citizens' generative parts and I returned home happy with my only payment so far.

1984 Lancia Gamma. There are probably more Gamma Coupes in this half alive state than there are on the road which is a great shame. The slightly impersonal road manners are soon left behind and possible only a CX Citroen would deliver you at your destination feeling as refreshed as you might in this last proper Lancia. Stunning modernist Pininfarina looks are a further attractant. Oh, and vale Gianni Lancia who was separated from his company long before departing from this life.

For: A thinking person's GT car.
Against. That beautiful Gamma saloon in Christchurch is down to 5K. Buy that instead.
Investment potential: 2/10. There seems to be little interest even in good ones.

1965 Honda S600. One of the highlights of the recent Dunedin Autospectacular was the Honda 9 Coupe with its air-cooled, dry sumped, four cylinder front wheel drive configuration showing the company's determination not to do as others did. The same weird logic applied to these earlier sportsters that revved like a motor cycle and had chain drive. An MG Midget was as sophisticated as a sack barrow by comparison.

For: If you have run out of room in the shed you could fix it on your knee in the living room.
Against: Not for the large framed driver.
Investment potential:  4/10. Small, economical and the promise of a modest return.

1932 Riley Nine Special. Your Aesthete has long harboured a fantasy of driving a  'thirties special into work on sunny days. Thirty-five horsepower is plenty if the weight is modest and 50 will feel like 150 in your Toyota Enema or whatever terrible thing you commute in. The fibreglass body lets the show down but polished aluminium comes at a price.

For: The only vehicle in which a flying helmet is appropriate head wear.
Against: It only needs a Wilson preselect gearbox to be perfect.
Investment potential: 3/10. It is eighty-two years old so depreciation has done its worst.

1958 Lloyd Alexander. Alec Issigonis claimed much credit for the original thinking behind the Mini but the German Borgward combine was there before him with this cleverly packaged little car. A full four seater with front wheel drive, it was only diminished by its two cylinder engine. Even that is a joy with its motorcycle like character.  These cars were built in Australia, as was the competing Gogomobil, but this is a Bremmen-built example.

For: Oh, come on. Look at its dear little face.
Against: 25 HP will not do much to ruffle your hair.
Investment potential. 2/10 but someone has already spent 20K on it.

1983 Renault 20. The somewhat anodyne replacement for the excellent 16, Renault's luxurious saloon competed in the crowded market with lesser fare from Talbot and other long forgotten marques.  Even the following 25, talking dashboard and all, has vanished into the void into which middling saloons are inexorably drawn, otherwise known as Balclutha. This one is virtually unused so may appeal to one of those hipster types that go about in a state of constant state of irony with their ostentatious facial hair and flannel shirts.

For: Quite pleasant then, almost extinct now.
Against: You will need a sharp stick to sit on so that you stay awake.
Investment potential: 0/10 unless the hipsters get jobs and want wheels to match the beards.


On some faraway shore...

1957 Nash Ambassador Club Coupe. Like most cash strapped American makers, Nash heroically dragged what they could out of their ageing body shells. Nash's final restyle of its Pininfarina designed range added fashionable stacked headlights that looked even more Italianate than the slightly guppy-like earlier version. Rare enough in saloon form, this coupe must be one of the very few to escape the demolition derby.

For: 1957 Chevrolet. Pfaff. And it has a folding bed inside.
Against: Don't hit anything in it.
Investment potential: 1/10. At 39.5K US it is already on the expensive side.