The Aesthete picks through the ruins

The Aesthete's Fleet
Another wet Saturday spent squirming around under the wrecked GTV saw the Aesthete emerge, blackened but triumphantly brandishing an early model flexible driveshaft rubber joint, known to our Latin friends as a giubo. Efforts to purchase one internationally have failed with Highwood Alfa in the UK asking me to send them some if I manage to find any. This produced a feeling similar to that when your doctor pauses when conducting a finger test but lo!, on entering the part number into Google one turned up on a factor's shelf in Wellington. The rear suspension has been rebushed in lurid hues of purple and yellow urethane. Hopefully this is what will return the GTV to the suave open road GT that it once was, rather than the unladen motor-dray that it now feels like.

1951 Rover 90. These early Rover P4s have a Festival of Britain modernist charm that was only starting to wear a bit thin by 1964 and the last of the series. Owned by a family of engineers, Rover built the first jet turbine car JET 1 which set the speed record for such vehicles at a smidgen over 150 MPH, on a public highway in Belgium. Jules Holland is having one recreated and you can view the intro to the relevant Chop Shop show here.

For: All of that wonderful culture and history for 2.5K.
Against: At that price, nothing at all.
Investment potential: 8/10

1971 Alfa Romeo 2000 GTV. One way to sell a Bertone GTV is to list it at 3.5K and stand well clear. Strong bidding has already pushed the price up but demand for these exquisite cars should ensure it does not stay a bargain for too much longer. While looking somewhat dusty and with Turners listing it as a damaged vehicle, the car sits on a new set of GTA-style alloys and appears to have lived an active life until recently.

For: Rough and neglected GTVs are now well outnumbered by restored examples but if you want a project for summer...
Against: What would you have me say?
Investment potential: It depends whether auction frenzy takes hold. Let's say 27/10.

1990 BMW 325i TC Bauer. Once the chosen car of Remuera third wives and used to ferry themselves and select girlfriends off to Club Mirage on Friday night, an open top 325 remains a desirable thing, even with an interior made from old car dealer's shoes. The six cylinder engine transformed the 3 series into a road burner and will still ruffle your Tony & Guy locks now.

For: Vorsprung durch Chardonnay.
Against: I spurned those people then so why would I want their cars now?
Investment potential: What would Jeremy Corbyn say? Nationalise Parnell Village now!

1930 Sprint special. What is this spindly thing painted the colour of a 1970s bathroom vanity I hear you ask? There is little information with the listing but it appears to be an oval track racer powered by a tuned Ford V8. The vendor claims it was a B2 model which suggests a build date of the early 1950s rather than 1930. That is 110 hp in unmodified form, plenty for that bent coat hanger chassis.

For: The vendor suggests it could be converted to road use. Hmmmm.
Against: Great for going around corners in a hail of gravel I dare say.
Investment potential: Could make an interesting project so 5/10

1958 Dodge Royal Custom Lancer. Chrysler's mid-range did well with Virgil Exner's swept look although the Desoto cars had less egregious bling hung off their flanks and were all the better for it. Even so, the idea of stretching out on the boucle nylon bench seat and driving with one finger on the wheel appeals to this Alfa owner who occasionally just wants things to be simple and comfortable.

For: Dodge Royal Custom Lancer. No truer or more descriptive car name has ever been coined.
Against: The Aesthete's usual standards cannot be applied here.
Investment potential: You may not see another but does that justify the price? 1/10

On some faraway beach...

1962 Citroen Bijou. Here is something for the 2CV devotees (You know who you are. I will not name or judge you here). The Bijou was developed by the UK side of the Citroen empire but was judged a disaster at the time, barely able to make 50 mph due to the added weight of the fibreglass body. Even so, they are pretty and have all of the advantages of the rustic French implement shed that provided the running gear. Pop a tuned Dyane twin into it and voila!

For: Small and potentially great fun.
Against: Unjustifiably dismissed Citroen oddball.
Investment potential: 4/10