The Aesthete forges ahead

The Aesthete's Fleet

In a further effort to tame the GTVs wayward rear I fitted new gas dampers and all the neoprene suspension bushes that mechanic Dennis had left in their bags after installing the new gearbox. Despite using more vaseline than a private gentleman's bath house, there is now a cacophony of squeaks and a ride like a race car's. As the suspension is only supported at three points it is hard to envisage where this racket is coming from. It does handle well though so perhaps I will get a powerful stereo and drown out the extraneous frequencies that way.

1960 Daimler SP250. I like the cut of the vendor's jib and the sales pitch for this early Dart is one of the best I have ever read. The reasons he gives for not calling him about the car are so fulsome that I doubt he really wants to sell it. He even whips up the ancient enmity between the British and Italian tribes that can only be settled in a field to cries of "One cam good, two cams bad!" and "MG merda!".

For: A battle hardened Dart with bits of Alfa Spider still stuck in its teeth, no doubt.
Against: Nothing really. I know the vendor and it is a great car.
Investment potential: 4/10 and half the price of a restoration project E Type.

1992 Porsche 968. Honda made a strong play for this market segment with their S2000 and set an intimidating standard for middleweight sports cars. They were aiming for the outgoing 968, a model not much loved by Porsche enthusiasts that sold on its build quality rather than overt sporting character. The automatic gearbox puts its slingshot torque to good use and at this low milage you will get years of service out of it.

For: A sports car with few of the drawbacks.
Against: It is the drawbacks that make cars interesting.
Investment potential: 1/10 if you start putting KMs on it but what would be the point of not using it?

1952 Riley RMB. There is something heroic about old Rileys that lets them get away with dishevelled paintwork and duct tape on the fabric roof although this example is falling fast towards shabby with its torn front bumper and scraped flanks. It looks good everywhere else though and a quick repaint in decent British Racing Green will have you back on the right side of the ledger.

For: An exception to the two cams bad rule.
Against: If the vendor does not care to fix the obvious faults he may have to compromise on the price.
Investment potential: 2/10 but only because I really like old Rileys.

1955 Willys Custom Sedan. Willys, Frasers, Packards, Nashs and Hudsons  are so much more interesting than the bread and butter products of the 'big three'. The Willys range was European in its packaging and pace with the larger engined version of this model having the highest power to weight ratio of any contemporary US sedan. This rhd model would make an unusual and enjoyable project with the bids currently stuck at a risible 1.5K.

For:  What sort of Belair would you get for that?
Against: At that price, doodly squat as they where Willys come from.
Investment potential: 6/10 if you have the resources.

1929 Ford Model A Phaeton. I usually avoid the American vintage cars listed on Trademe but this Model A has many charms and is being offered at a sane price. A Phaeton is a tourer with a steel panel behind the front seat  and was one of a number of body styles offered. This colonial example has the smaller capacity engine so lacks the urge of the US cars. A big bore motor and two speed rear axle will let you see 120KPH.

For: Rough but genuine.
Against: Watch the brakes.
Investment potential: 2/10 in a market where there are more Model As than buyers.

On some faraway shore

1953 Kaiser Deluxe Traveler Vagabond. Like Willys, Kaiser was compelled to get the most out of their model range and consequently invented the hatchback saloon.  Business sedans often had opening rear doors but were configured like two door wagons. Fraser marketed the Vagabond as three cars in one and the advertising graphics in the Ebay listing are descriptive and quite fascinating. 

For: The best looking of all early 50s Americans with added benefits.

Against. I know. It needs work.

Investment potential: 6/10 but I am partial to Kaisers