The Aesthete catches up on his reading

The Aesthete's Fleet
Neil Young's Waging Heavy Peace reveals his attitude to cars which is different to what I imagined a rock star's collection might entail. He tends to buy and keep for a long time and the cars are markers of his rich creative life as well as his tangled personal one. The image on the flysheet is a rear view of a Jensen 541 on a dirt road so the Aesthete was hooked before the first page. By chance on Sky at the same time was AC/DC's Brian Johnson taking to Brands Hatch in a Mini Cooper after some coaching by Paddy Hopkirk. He is a very capable driver and managed a surprisingly good finish after 45 laps of the circuit.

1971 Fiat 850 Coupe. What a sheer delight these Fiats are, a fact that many buyers now recognise so I predict that bidding will be spirited for this example. Designed in-house by Mario Felice and Gian Paolo Boano who had left their own studio to work at Fiat, the 850 is at least as pretty as any Ferrari 250 or Lancia Aurelia from the same pen. Like the perfect pop song, nothing can be added to or removed that would not spoil the balance although they do look great on the Cromodora alloy wheels that were a period fitting.

For: This may be your last chance to get one for under 20K.

Against: Nothing at all.

Investment potential: 14/10 and rising.

1949 Morris Minor MM. Low light Minors are a rare sight nowadays and the tourer more so. Most were consumed by rust when their tops gave way and were not thought to be worth fixing due to the rather inadequate side valve engines carried over from the old Series E. All of this can be remedied and I would like to see one in speedster form in battleship grey with a tuned A series on black painted wire wheels. Come on, one of you.  Step forward.

For: Charm and potential.

Against: At least think about it.

Investment potential: 4/10 

1960 Porsche 356B. As the knowing vendor points out, when did you last see one for sale? They have probably doubled in price in that time, giving cottages in Kingsland a good run for the investor's dollar but we should not bitterly turn away from their considerable charms. There are few cars from the 1950s that you might seriously consider driving the length of the country but you could in one of these.

For: Looking cheap compared to a rotten doer upper in Grey Lynn.

Against: I should not give financial advice to anyone.

Investment potential. 8/10

Austin A40 Countryman. Pursuant to the Aesthete's current preoccupation with old English commercials is this charming A40 wagon that looks like it could be pulled back from the brink with a bit of effort. Whether you think it worthwhile depends on your willingness to lose money hand over fist by paying professionals to do the work. If hand painting cars was acceptable in the 1950s, I would like to know what has changed since?

For: Get out the Dulux and get started on your summer project.

Against: Yes, I know. Its got no engine. Complainers.

Investment potential: 0/10 but you would do it for higher reasons.

1990 Lancia Thema 8.32. Only cognoscenti will know that this Thema is powered by a Ferrari V8 instead of Lampredi's venerable twin cam four but the performance gain was illusory anyway. What it did have was a Wagner like soundtrack, a Poltrona Frau leather interior and a dash to rival the finest William and Mary sideboard.  The competition in the form of the Lotus Carlton has become seriously expensive so unless you can find one of those in Japan...

For: A moment of madness in Fiat central planning.
Against: I would not want to be paying the bill if something goes wrong.
Investment potential: 9/10. Only a Gandini Maserati Quattroporte V8 could be more fun.


On some faraway beach...

1966 Plymouth Barracuda. That rear window sends an acquisitive shudder through the Aesthete every time. In rare V8 manual form, the Barracuda was an uncommon sight and even more so here where Mustangs outnumber them 50 to 1. This refurbished low ownership car is languishing at less than US10K so represents a bit of a steal in my view.

For: Great rearwards aspect.
Against: Nothing really. Cheaper than a nice AP5 Valiant.
Investment potential: 2/10 but at least not in negative figures.