The Aesthete hits a double century

Yes, this is something of a landmark in the history of the blog which now has accumulated two hundred posts, meaning that over one thousand cars have fallen under the Aesthete's basilisk gaze. To the best of my knowledge, only one car has been purchased as a direct consequence of a buyer reading the blog so it is all exquisitely free of all purpose and meaning. Liberated by this knowledge, he can say whatever he wants. True freedom of speech can only exist if nobody is listening so he cheerfully works towards that goal.

1999 Porsche Carrera Cabriolet. In my view, a good car can only be made better by having the roof taken off, if just so people can see your superior smirk before throwing something at you. This black on black Porsche is from the in-between era where the numbers get confusing and only tragic Porsche  aficionados can identify which version to buy. This one has things like new style heads with four valves per cylinder, VarioCam variable valve timing, coil-on-plug ignition and will run out to 165 miles per hour if that makes any difference.

For: That sounds quite enough for 43K. What else do you want?
Against: Only some Porsches are appreciating. Is this one?
Investment potential: Probably not.

1969 Porsche 911 T Targa. Fortunately, the simple structure of these cars allows the new owner to replace the ridiculous whale tail and flared arches on this otherwise good looking Targa that has been in the country from new. Prices for early 911s appear to be on a similar path to villas in Kingsland so get on the phone to your banker if you intend to join the bidding which has taken off already.

For: Redeemable.
Against: What were they thinking?
Investment potential: 8/10

1990 Saab 900 Turbo. Of course if you just want wind through your thinning thatch, there are cheaper ways than a Porsche. Old Saabs are being given away as they seem to have little appeal to the cap on backwards set who see them as some sort of funny looking dad's car. Their loss is your gain if you can get a good one for a miserly 2K. Join up with the next road train that you see and give the young folks a laugh.

For. Fast and well made by unsmiling Swedish people.
Against: Longer than an XJ6 and four cylinders.
Investment potential: Not high but not much further to go.

1970 Ford Capri 1600 GT XL. Original one owner Ford Capris are likely to start a bidding frenzy as most have had the three Rs * forced well up them by now. The red interior is a delight and I well recall my feelings of hurt and bewilderment that my father did not buy one of these instead of the 1300 Escort XL that was his first new car in 1971. * is raced, rallied and rolled for any reader under the age of thirty who may be reading this blog by accident.

For: Attractive in a North Shore sort of way.
Against: The earth will not move under you.
Investment potential: 6/10

1974  Ferrari 308 GT4. Long stuck at the far end of the Ferrari dog box, it seems that the market has finally decided to forgive the 308 for replacing the Dino. If there had been any sense at all in Maranello they would have thought more like Porsche and still be making the earlier car now. Apart from the looks, the 308 was better in every way and so is like a 928, eminently capable but unwanted. That taken into account, you will not see a Ferrari for 9K.

For: It is a Ferrari.
Against: 54K and needing a repaint...
Investment potential: 3/10 with caveats.

On some faraway beach

Gogomobil Dart. Designed and constructed by our ingenious friends across the Tasman, the doorless Dart was a clever novelty that did not survive long once people could buy a Mini. Even so, I imagine they would be great fun if you were the sort that had a place by the beach and a sense of humour. I doubt that the kids would want to be seen dead in it so it will just be you putting along with Trini Lopez on the cassette player.

For: Useless.
Against: Again, useless.
Investment potential: 3/10. Possibly more if you electrified it.