The Aesthete's Fleet
The Triumph Tiger 100 has been getting some attention as it is to be a static exhibit in the exhibition I am currently working on for the Hocken Library. You are all invited to attend if you are in Dunedin or visiting over the next few months. There is plenty of time as the show will be up until February 13. Checking the Tiger against the parts book I have for the 1966 models shows a few departures from the norm so ordering parts is a bit of a lottery. The rear wheel spindle seems to have come from something else entirely so the requisite nut to hold the whole affair in place is still missing. I have no idea when or where it disappeared so finding a replacement may be entertaining. The new grey seat looks smart, however, and I am waiting on some bars and levers which will restore correct appearance if not action.

1960 MGA Coupe. The slipper bodied MGA looks even better in fixed head form although the cabin may be a little cramped if, like the Aesthete, years of indolence have added to your girth.  Were you still limber enough to fit inside, the windup windows, heater and carpets make for a civilised ride which your long suffering passenger may appreciate if you are one of those hardy types that goes out in all weathers.

For. What a pretty car.
Against: No bargain at 36K.
Investment potential: 3/10 with rarity on its side.

Mercedes Benz 190E 2.3 16V Cosworth. The values of hot 190s are apparently climbing steeply with EVO versions selling like Renoir water lilies so this may be worth your attention. The white paint is unfortunate but in keeping with the mid-1980s trends in these matters when a white car on white wheels with white painted plastic bumpers seemed somehow to be a good idea. The Cosworth developed engine requires some upkeep but the vendor claims the car comes with a service history. Inspect carefully.

For: Raucous, quick and well built.
Against: Really needs to be metallic black again.
Investment potential: 6/10 and a lot of fun to boot.

1969 AMC AMX. American Motors did not have much to put up against the Camustango dual assault on its sales figures but its lean and dramatically cut down AMX coupe was both great looking and a track success. Show your originality then and buy this alternative pony car from the wrong side of the tracks.

For: Unusual and oddly attractive.
Against. The Rambler pedigree suppresses interest in these cars.
Investment potential: 2/10

1970 Rover 3500 P5B. The light weight Buick V8 transformed this previously stodgy car that soon became the choice of Tory despots including Margaret Thatcher. The Aesthete is obliged to recommend this fine car despite the fact that it reminds him of landing in London in the middle of the great garbage strike when rotting household refuse was piled high in the streets, thus ushering in the Iron Lady herself.

For: Bentley quality at less than Cortina money.
Against: It has rust in the sills apparently.
Investment potential: 2/10. Check this carefully. They are a big complex structure.

1986 Chevrolet Corvette C4. I can normally flick past middle era Corvettes with little effort but this glossy black example with its right hand drive specification caught my attention, as did the rock bottom starting price. It is otherwise modestly equipped with a 350 cubic inch engine and automatic transmission but the C4 was the first of the technology driven models with clever tricks like plastic springs that could provide useful ripostes when people ask you why you bought it.

For: The high school jock of cars gets smart.
Against: Still like driving a Hudson, I expect.
Investment potential: 3/10 but it depends where the bidding heads.

On some faraway beach

1975 Monica. Wonderboy may know a little more about this beautiful French grand routier, having worked withe its creator Chris Lawrence when the designer/engineer was employed by Morgan. Quite how something this complete and sophisticated was stopped after only eight production cars is a mystery. The tooling and production facility was a major investment as the Monica was intended to follow Facel Vega as the ultimate French prestige car. The shots of the interior with this listing bear out this premise.

For: No one else will have one.
Against: Low production numbers mean no parts.
Investment potential: What is such a thing worth? You Francophiles out there might provide answers.