The Aesthete throws another stick into Trademe

The Aesthete's Fleet

Hiding from the angry car gods has seen the Aesthete scrape through the last week with no disasters to speak of. The Alfetta's front seats have been recovered to good effect and are now without bits of wire stiffening poking into the passenger's secret places. The rest of the interior now looks decrepit of course so I may look at getting some door trim cards vacuum formed. Soft parts for these early cars are now very difficult to obtain so there may be a modest return on the necessary tooling. Does anyone out there have a disused radio wave heat moulding device that can reproduce fake stitching? All replies treated in confidence.

1955 Land Rover Series 1. This early Land Rover is the ideal format for both pleasurable use and investment purposes although the Aesthete is the last person who should be entrusted with that responsibility, having ruined his own finances many times over. Recent gushing articles in the glossy old car press draw attention to international celebrities who jump from their McLarens into distressed old Landies, leaving a waft of expensive cologne and African antelope kid loafers behind. Is this an incentive to buy? No, probably not.

For:  Rough, tough and tidy enough.
Against: Best carry a little tray to catch your kidneys in.
Investment potential: 8/10 if you believe what you read.



1937 Morgan. Flat radiator Morgans are an uncommon sight in these parts and this handsome example comes with its interesting original Coventry Climax engine that provided exciting performance for a small pre-war sportster. The tiny cockpit suggests a bantam proportioned driver so unless you have the hips of a twelve year old, best look at one of the later cars. Similar warnings about internal organ damage apply as above.

For: The Aesthete wants something like this for the commute into Dunedin but will need a few seasons at Les Mills first.
Against: Most reader of this blog have super -annuitant hips and are therefore ineligible.
Investment potential: 4/10. Economical small engined classics will be the ones to survive the coming electrical deluge.



1974 Honda Civic. Well, how many usable first series Civics are there out there now? Thin steel and lax local assembly standards did for most of them so this charming hot orange two door is an effective portal back to my North Shore late adolescence, some of which was spent up on two wheels in the example owned by the unsuspecting mother of a college friend. Its stability saved my miserable existence on many late night trips to the pizza parlour following the use of forbidden substances.

For: The smell of the interior plastics was easily confused with hashish which was helpful in explaining the erratic driving.
Against: I know you don't and I am not suggesting that you take it up now.
Investment potential: 3/10 and possibly more when people realise how rare they have become.



1954 Ford Victoria Coupe. The great thing about American cars is the latitude for improvement in their big wide engine bays. If taken to the extent of this Victoria, you could have 200KPH + performance with decent braking, if not completely respectable chassis habits. The widened steel wheels are a nice touch so the cap on backwards set would not even see you coming.

For: Hold onto your handbag, Evangaline. I'm giving it the gas.
Against: Try and avoid changing direction.
Investment potential: 2/10 even if the V8 is more efficient.



1965 Fiat 1500 Crusader. I have always averred that if the car buying population of the 1960s got to drive these, no further sales of Cambridges and other such dreary stock could have ever followed. Fizzing performance, slick gearshift and proper brakes complemented by elegant Italo-American styling all came in a special New Zealand-only package for the mille cinquecento was only badged as a Crusader here.

For: If that is not enough to get you rushing out in a buying frenzy I can be of no further help to you.
Against: Nothing. Someone buy it now.
Investment potential: 16/10.

On some faraway shore



1961 Facel Vega HK500. Like whiskers on kittens and warm woollen mittens, Facel Vegas are amongst the Aesthete's favourite things. Indeed, he frequently fantasises about whisking the gamine  Julie Andrews off for a weekend of wicked behaviour on the Italian Riviera where his trusted retainer is warming the brandy glasses and laying out the canapés in the balcony room of his favourite pensione.

For: Oh come on. Look at that dash.
Against: Not to be driven in ordinary surroundings.
Investment potential: Not yet at reserve at US82K so may be pricey