The Aesthete's road to ruin

The Aesthete's Fleet
One way to silence the Aesthete is to ask his advice on buying a reliable modern car. Odd sounds issue from him but drive is disengaged and the sad truth is that he can offer nothing even remotely useful. Nonetheless he would say that newish Saabs are tempting as they were well designed and built but the market is now scared silly as they are not being made any more. Wait until the values plummet on the final models sold new here, buy privately and enjoy a characterful European sophisticate for a fraction of the price. Meanwhile, here are two that are already fit to go.

1973 Saab 96. This model was a direct descendent of the post war two stroke streamliners that applied aircraft technology to the small family car. The clattery old Ford Transit motors fitted to the later examples are a letdown compared to the howling triples with their freewheel gearboxes but if you wanted something to get you to Queenstown in the winter that is not controlled by a bank of  computers, here is your car.

For: Clever and useful.
Against: The brown hue does the extruded form no favours. The Aesthete will not stoop to scatological comparisons.
Investment potential: 2/10. Limited interest in New Zealand I suspect but worthy nonetheless.

1973 Saab 99L. Rallying was the Scandinavian way of course when simply driving around in the winter time required car control skills not present in the warmer climes. This four door 99 has been prepared for serious competition and makes an interesting alternative to an Escort or similar. It come with two even more powerful motors if you do not scare yourself sufficiently on the first gravel run.

For: You will need to master lift off oversteer and the Scandinavian flick.
Against: No spare body shells if you gat too enthusiastic.
Investment potential: 2/10. Second verse, same as the first.

1990 Lancia Thema Turbo Ie 16V. The Aesthetette called our old one Thelma but was respectful of its lurid torque steer and would not drive it in the wet. She snorted when I suggested she buy this one to replace the recently destroyed Fiat Punto, seeing it as another crude subterfuge to add a car to the distaff fleet that I would get pleasure from.  What can I say?

For: Fast and hugely entertaining.
Against: High miles and probably needing some more work soon.
Investment potential: If dollars to enjoyment was the measure, 9/10

1959 Messerschmitt KR200. The cheerful vendor has added wings and guard top cannons to his Kabinenroller but there is nothing funny about the price which is in line with the hyped up values for these devices. Less amusing is the fact that the engine has to be stopped and restarted to run in the opposite direction but the potential for 100KPH in reverse is always there to brighten things up.

For: Is the Mini Alec Issigonis' Spitfire then?
Against: Practically useless.
Investment potential: 0/10. I doubt if the modifications have enhanced the value or prospects of a sale.

1936 Austin 10/4. The Aesthete's inexplicable weakness for old British commercials has him well in its fearful grip this week when there was a sliding door Bedford and this charming box bodied Austin to choose from. The Bedford was rusty and 5K whereas this nicely renovated van is available for a little more. I see it in the Aesthete's personal livery carrying out light delivery jobs like picking up old motorcycle parts from reformed Devils Henchmen.

For: One of five in the world, apparently.
Against: Oh come on, how fast do you need to go?
Investment potential: 3/10 but that may be optimistic.

On some faraway beach...

Moretti 750 Tour du Monde. More from the obscure ranks of 1960s Etceterini, this delightful cut down Ferrari 250 Tour de France is yet another coach built Fiat but fitted with period Abarth modifications so that some measure of performance can be had to match the looks. The earlier Moretti 750s are almost fetching Ferrari prices now so the awkward proportions are possibly holding this one back to a reasonable 33,000 €. See how sensible I made that sound?

For: I can see Leslie Caron driving one of these. Go on, look her up on the interweb and see what I mean.
Against: 50K for this or a Messerschmitt?  Oh, the difficult decisions we face.
Investment potential: 3/10 but only if you like them a bit funny looking.