The Aesthete brings forth an obloquy

Or a calumny if you prefer. These interesting and useful old words describe different ways of defaming or causing a person to suffer public ridicule. It is the Aesthete's sombre public duty to call attention to unrealistic vendor expectations of the value of their treasures. To this noble end, see this week's new category 'Halloo old friend'.

Ali G has got the sad old Tiger running although he is somewhat critical of my ancient repair attempts on the electrical system, describing it as 'house wiring'. This calls for a new loom but such things are freely available now. In the meantime the tank sits like a severed head in my workshop but it can stay there until reunited with the rest of the bike when I pay my bill. The transformation of Godfrey's scrofulous GTV continues slowly with a great quantity of expensive paint now turned into fine dust that coats everything in the near neighbourhood, including the Aesthete.

1964 Gordon Keeble GK1. This car was for sale in Auckland in the early 1980s where it sat, much admired but unwanted. 20K seemed like a great deal of money back then so the asking price of 60K today appears quite modest. You could have left your money at the Post Office Savings Bank and got a better return. This is despite the fact that the GK1was a convincing effort at an Italo-American grand tourer with styling by Giorgetto Giugiaro. The American V8 and fibreglass shells seems to be what drags them down but they are also the compelling reasons for buying one.

For: A car of great character and serious performance.
Against: Little use in recent times so may require sorting.
Investment potential: 6/10 as the competition moves steadily beyond reach.

1968 Cadillac Eldorado. The US automotive industry experienced a brief flurry of unorthodox engineering in the early 1960s, resulting in the largest front wheel drive platform ever attempted. Launched first as the Oldsmobile Toronado, the package was given elegant knife edge styling for the Cadillac coupe and it looked superb with its minimal bling. Along with the contemporary Buick Riviera, the best looking of all the behemoths from the golden era.

For: A high point in aesthetics if not dynamics.
Against: It is non-complied but the vendor considerately lists the many jobs that need doing.
Investment potential: 2/10. The low values of big Americans are unlikely to recover even with cheap oil.

1982 Volkswagen Golf Karmann. It has been a long time since a gold Golf convertible dropped squiffy passengers off in an untidy heap outside Club Mirage but young folk should know that this was the way their parents rolled in prelapsarian Auckland. Retro chic could not come with a more reasonable price tag so I suggest you relieve this ingrate of their 'unwanted Christmas present' forthwith.

For: I hope it still smells of Chanel and lady cigarettes. Grwwwll.
Against: And not regurgitated Fluffy Ducks.
Investment potential: 4/10 on the basis of cheap operational costs and glam factor.

1966 Alfa Romeo Giulia Super. Just how far ahead Milan was in the design of small family cars can be seen in the brilliant Giulia. Aerodynamic, quick and with proper brakes and a five speed gearbox, it makes you wonder how any other manufacturer managed to sell cars in the same market. Inbuilt rust was the unfortunate consequence of crude production processes, making a forty-eight year survivor even more desirable.

For: The 1960s sports saloon nonpareil.
Against: But what about the Hillman Superminx I hear you say.
Investment potential: 9/10. The world will soon realise. Until then be comforted that you own a proper car.

1965 Fiat Ghia 1500 GT. How many carroseria-built Fiats actually arrived in New Zealand? This mini-exotic was produced at Ghia on the very capable Fiat 1500 floor pan, known to us colonials as Fiat Crusaders for some long forgotten reason. The tall engine required an egg shaped profile which is dramatically clipped at both ends. It is gawky but graceful in the manner of subtle aesthetic experiences.

For: A rare sight anywhere, much less in Tauranga.
Against: Only 3K less than a Gordon Keeble you might think but it has sold already (as has the Gordon Keeble.... oh well).
Investment potential. 2/10 but you will always be asked what it is.


Well halloo old friend.

1964 Chevrolet Corvette. I have been writing the blog for four years and this handsome Corvette has been listed for much of that time, stuck hard at 75K. Certain factors clearly mitigate against the success of this selling strategy. Bright red Corvette roadsters at the same price are not exactly flying off Trademe so the market is clearly selective and somewhere high on the autism spectrum when it comes to originality. The lesson here is that if you have a nice driving car that is not going to interest a 'collector', just ask a reasonable price and you will sell it.

For: Not too obvious.
Against: Well, the price mainly.
Investment potential: That is not a fair question to ask, obviously.