The Aesthete gets to ply his trade

Which is curation, in this instance for Dunedin's wonderful Hocken Library which has asked for a motoring exhibition to coincide with the Festival of Historic Motoring organised by the Vintage Car Club of New Zealand (Inc) and to be held in January 2016. The Hocken Library is the research library for the University of Otago and holds over a million images as well as the records of the Otago Motor Club (precursor to the AA), sports car clubs and numerous items relating to automotive businesses and humble souls such as you or I. We are searching for images from more recent times showing the social side of motoring so if you have anything you think may be suitable, please email me at michael.findlay@otago.ac.nz. Now onto the important business of the day...

2002 Lexus SC430 Convertible. The question has been asked "Is a Lexus the best car in the World?" If this is even a remotely serious proposition, why would we all not all abandon our primitive jalopies by the roadside and run towards something like this SC430? The swirling Baroque lines of the Lexus follow the general proportions of a Mercedes but not quite enough to be individual so that the phrase "Look. There is a Lexus!" has never actually been uttered.

For: The best car in the world for those that care for such things.
Against: The best fun can often be had in the worst cars.
Investment potential: Probably worse than a Mercedes so -2/10

Toyota Celica GT4 RC. Good Lancia Integrales are now rising strongly in the old car market so if you want to achieve instantaneous Carlos Sainz status you might turn towards the Orient for the car that finished the Italian preeminence in the World Rally Championship. This is a second series model so not in the delightful Panhard inspired shell of the early car but the performance will still be electrifying and even better in gravel.

For: The best rally car of its day for 11.5K. Who could complain at that?
Against: Like driving a Starlet until you find the secret detonation device.
Investment potential: These must rise along with all other WRC icons.

1931 Vauxhall Princeton Tourer. The last of the great Laurence Pomeroy designs, the Silent 80 maintained the advanced and refined engines that allowed Vauxhall to compete with the great European touring marques. This car has been rebodied in earlier four door open style from what was probably a ponderous saloon but is devilish handsome in an Evelyn Waugh Bollinger Club sort of way.

For: Get that long motoring coat out and stop grousing about the weather.
Against: Unlike a Japanese car, will not do a million KMs between oil changes.
Investment potential: 4/10. There will be a place for something like this in the garage of the future.

1955 Riley Pathfinder. Unlike the others that sit on Trademe for years, this Pathfinder is attracting keen bidders. All the expensive work is ostensibly done for you so relax and enjoy Gerald Palmer's long legged M1 cruiser. Amiable travelling arrangements are made possible by the right hand gear shift so you can casually loft the other arm over to the left and see what happens. The Craven As and Brylcreme  may be taking things a bit far. Brylcreme, by the way, was a product of the Chemico Works in Birmingham that fell into the hands of Glaxo Smith Kline that started in our very own Bunnythorpe. Bet you did not know that.

For: A Coventry battle cruiser.
Against: I know, the connection between Rileys and the world's third larger drug company is tenuous.
Investment potential: 7/10 but I am partial to them.

1977 Fiat 131. Hybridising Fiats is fun to do so do not chastise the vendor for slinging a two litre motor and five speed gearbox into this innocuous saloon to create a virtual Supermirafiori. Grey flatters the sombre four door shell and the whole affair is rather tasteful compared to what the factory was capable of producing during the same period. You have not lived until you have driven an orange 131R with a violet velour interior.

For: Cheap, fun and quick.
Against: Rust, rust and rust.
Investment potential: Not original but neatly done. 2/10

On some faraway beach...

1969 Abarth Scorpione Prototipo. On the subject of decor, grab a load of the colour combination and graphics on this delicious Abarth Scorpione, the competition version of the rather sweet little Lombardi Grand Prix. Amongst the sensory overload you still get the brilliant pod dash with central stacked instruments, a layout which no other maker has ever tried to repeat. Every trip to the shops for milk will be as memorable as a lap of the Nürburgring if you can stop your ears from ringing.

For: Why no one really needs a Lexus.
Against: Oh, alright. I am overdoing it.
Investment potential: At 100K landed here, not great.