The Aesthete leaves town

To see the later stages of the Rally of Otago that has become an annual fixture in the calendar. Sadly, Emma Gilmour got knocked out before we arrived but the rest of the field was enjoying the day. The BDA powered Escorts seemed to not have much need for a full complement of wheels as only one or two were in contact with the road at any time. We bombed out there in the secret agent's old BMW armoured troop carrier which was perfect for the occasion. 

1928 Marmon Roosevelt. What is this dreary old lump doing here, I here you ask? Well,  look at the wire wheels and the aluminium dash and rack your brains for the other things that Marmon was known for including all alloy V16 engines. The final product of the firm in 1934 featured just such an arrangement in a central spine chassis with all independent suspension. So it has real character even if it comes from the lesser end of the range.

For: An unusual sight anywhere, much less in these far flung isles.
Against: A Model A would be a lot less trouble.
Investment potential: It seems very cheap now but who knows?

1985 Lancia Beta Coupe. This fine Beta was on the Latins rally the other year and is very much as the vendor describes. The long time owner was indeed a man of the cloth and this is one Beta that has been spared the hell of years under rotten covers in neglectful owners' driveways. The fragile interior is miraculously preserved and you will be assured a high place in heaven if you buy it and use it as the Lord intended.

For: No need to be suspicious as this is a better Beta.
Against: You will need to be quick. It is under offer now.
Investment potential: 8/10. Yes.

1994 MG RV8. One might say the MGB was waiting for a visit from the vet by the 1990s but the RV8 was a fairly thoroughgoing rejuvenation of the old nag. Gone was the old iron four cylinder chaff mill and lever shock absorbers to be supplanted by the suave alloy Range Rover V8. While not in a TVR state of tune, it will elevate your tweed cap nicely. Many are now now being shipped from Japan having led sheltered lives there. It is up to you to drive the wheels off it.

For: Old school but not in a hopeless way.
Against: There are better sports cars for this sort of money.
Investment potential: 2/10. Wait and see if the values keep up.

1995 TVR  Chimaera. Speak of the devil and he will surely appear. The Chimera is less an old car made in a new way but rather a new (ish) car made the old way. It was fitted with a similar gentle Rover V8 and not the mad, tooth gnashing flat plane monster in the Cerbera coupe. Even so, the light weight  and simple Chimaera will throw you down the road at 150 MPH so that you can arrive at the pearly gates with plenty of time to unburden yourself of all serious sins.

For: One imagines the Japanese drivers of these things are not the same ones driving in the middle of our roads in hired Toyota Anuses at 40 KPH.
Against: Do not accept a ride in this car unless you know the driver can in fact drive.
Investment potential: 2/10 but you will have lots of fun.

1965 Volkswagen Kombi. Split window Kombis have experienced a transformation in their values rather like workers' cottages in Kingsland. This is inexplicable in terms of actual use value so owning one is to enter the world of speculation although there are other places to put your money, such as sending it to that nice Nigerian lady who is waiting for your permission to open an investment account in your name.

For: Roll up and place your bets.
Against: What is German for insane speculative bubble?
Investment potential: 4/10 but only while the upside down world rules operate.

On some faraway beach...

1967 Glas V8. Yes, I know I am a bit queer about these things but they are endlessly fascinating. Maseratis and big Alfas are quite routine in comparison and this one has the advantage of being one of the rare Glas versions built while the business was still solvent. There is little of the low volume special about this serious and handsome coupe and I want one quite badly where it would join a Deutsch-Bonnet HBR-5 in the Aesthete's dream garage.

For: Buy one and drive it every day. I dare you.
Against: In every dream garage a heartache, to loosely quote an old Roxy Music song.
Investment potential: 1/10. Find a rich German and you might get lucky.