The Aesthete sells up

The Aesthete's Fleet
The effort of maintaining three old Italian cars is beginning to take its toll and this may be the right time to consider retrenchment. I should not sell the 1750 GTV that I have owned since 1984 as I would be unable to replace it with anything as good. It has become somewhat integral to my life and I will persist with that one until the end of fossil fuel. The Alfetta GTV was purchased cheaply but with a solemn promise to the old owner that I would not immediately flip fit or a profit ... as if anyone could with one of those. That leaves...

1963 Lancia Flavia 1800. This car was imported into New Zealand in 1966 and was in use around Auckland until the late 1980s when it was taken off the road for restoration. It was passed on as a project car to owners in Christchurch and Dunedin and I acquired in 2008. It has a rebuilt engine and all other mechanical systems attended to. It has been repainted and trimmed in synthetic suede. It is surprisingly reliable and has covered around 12,000 kms since returning to full use. I have taken it to the West Coast on the Latins on the Lake rally and to Queenstown with the Alfa club. It is difficult to know what it is worth as there are five in New Zealand and only two on the road. I will sell it for 12K which is the value of a condition 2 car in the UK.

For: Elegant and usable Pininfarina coupe.
Against: Clunks into second gear and some whine from the diff. Rust blister in the driver's door.
Investment potential: Oh, I don't know. Reasonable.

1937 Singer Bantam. A superior small car in the 9hp range, the Bantam was well equipped and quicker than the side valve competition from the larger makers and was able to reach 60 mph. They sold surprisingly well in Australia and New Zealand although the vendor says there are only 50 left operating in the world.  If you need to commute in Aukland do you really need anything faster than this? Answers please.

For: You may think you want an Austin Seven but you actually want one of these.
Against: Get handy with the grease gun and change the oil every 500 miles.
Investment potential: 3/10.

1955 Jaguar XK140 DHC. The most desirable of all the 1950s sporting Jaguars, the DHC versions had fully equipped interiors with burr walnut and leather everywhere and a proper lined hood for flap free motoring in all weathers. This makes them rather expensive to restore and this one is offered in a half finished state. The photographs do not help so caveat emptor.

For: One of these used to park outside the Auckland City Council tower block when the Aesthete was a susceptible adolescent. I wonder if this is it?
Against: 54K is rather a lot when you consider what else may be in store for the owner.
Investment potential. 1/10. You could probably spend another 50K and just break even.

1980 Volvo 242 GT. A blog reader drew my attention to this and I realised guiltily that I had scooted past it on the lookout for more attractive cars to put before you all. They are not meant to seduce you with their wiles but rather reveal their charms more slowly, after a decent long courtship. Of course, they were hot to trot on the race track.

For: Like clog dancing, it is probably fun when you try it.
Against: Not much at all.
Investment potential: 3/10 and no jokes about concrete blocks please.

1962 Chrysler Imperial Crown Coupe. In the battle of the super-behemoths, Chrysler pulled a number of entertaining tricks out of the bag including free standing headlights, asymmetrical seating and moulded spare wheel covers amongst other unpardonable features. This makes them more interesting to look at than Lincolns and Cadillacs but it depends if your delicate optic nerves can take it.

For. Well it is here and you can see it before you buy.
Against: Oh God. It  is soooo ugly.
Investment potential: 0/10 along with all its ilk.


On some faraway beach

1957 Dual Ghia. Of course, if Chrysler wanted to know what its cars would look like in the future, they would send out a chassis to Turin and see what came back. The coach maker Dual used one to enter the luxury car market and these bespoke Ghia bodied boulevardiers sold in tiny numbers to movie stars and South American despots. For the enormous asking price we at least deserve some decent pictures but the old boy standing on the rainy forecourt suggests the whole thing is real.

For: If it was a Ferrari you would be all over it.
Against: Well it's not a Ferrari is it?
Investment potential: You will need  nerve to see this through.