The Aesthete goes all metaphysical

The Aesthete's Fleet
If I knew any eminent theologians I would ask them what God drives around heaven. I have my own ideas and I think it is likely to be an Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV. What evidence is there for that, I hear you ask? The many images of Roman Catholic God from the past millennia point towards him being from northern Italy. Most would agree that the broad chested, strong armed, hirsute fellow rendered by Da Vinci is the closest we will get to a true likeness. The Protestant God looks like an angry school principal and probably drives an Austin Maxi so we must discount him. God is no arriviste, having existed before the creation of the universe, and therefore does not need to show off with a Lamborghini or Bugatti. Being omnipotent, he has no use for satellite navigation and knows that electronics are the Devil's work. Still, the spark of life would be handy in anything with a Selespeed gearbox. Would he choose AR213 Verde olivia metallizzato for his GTV? Probably.

1952 Austin A125 Sheerline. One has to wonder how many of these cars made it to New Zealand in the 'export or die days' after the war? There always seems to be one for sale on Trademe but this example is actually attracting bids The vendor's pitch is informative as the car was ordered new in Christchurch and taken up to Parnassus which is where you might expect an English limousine, no doubt running wealthy young farmer's daughters named Cynthia to the hunt.

For: A car from when people knew their place.
Against: Sorry, is that a good reason?
Investment potential: 5/10 but let's see where the bidding goes.

1983 Lotus Excel. 'You drive a car named after a spreadsheet?' they will say but you will know that cost accounting practices had little reach at Lotus and they built cars straight from the heart. The replacement for the svelte Elan +2 was designed by the wonderful Oliver Winterbottom who next took his scaled up rubber door stop to TVR and made even madder sports cars there. He is currently a consultant to the Chinese automotive brand Roewe who make... Rovers of course.

For: Go on, I dare you.
Against: There are many reasons not to take this advice.
Investment potential: Ordinarily 2/10 but when going well...

1983 Alfa Romeo Giulietta 2.0. Having just sold my old friend's Giulietta for 2K I was rather taken aback to see this listing from the brilliantly named Sophistic Autos Ltd. For those that are unsure of the origin, a sophist is someone who seeks to convince by making clever but false arguments, such as might be used to persuade someone to pay 9K for a high milage Giulietta. And no picture.

For: Dearest love one, I am a Nigerian widow and has chosen you...
Against: Oh come on. Show some trust.
Investment potential: -7/10 unless the market has suddenly spiked.

1965 Sunbeam Rapier. Like its stateside sister Studebakers, Raymond Loewy's Minx derived coupe  was made to go a long way with a few stick on fins and periodic nose jobs. They made a handy competition car in their day when toughness was as useful as lightness and a run up to Queenstown would not be out of the question today. Pony tails and polka dot scarfs optional but for girls only, thanks.

For: Charming.
Against: I can think of little to be said against it.
Investment potential: 3/10

1965 Cadillac Coupe de Ville. The solid colour shows off the exquisite lines of this mid-60s Coupe de Ville when, for a brief time, American car makers discovered taste. This had been lost from automotive design since 1940 when the Packard Clipper was the best looking car in the world. None of this causes buyers to haul wads of cash from their pockets at auction time so you could have this low milage car for the price of a plush people mover. If I wanted to move people it would be in this.

For: Less is more.
Against. Possibly not when we are considering a Cadillac.
Investment potential: 1/10 if we intend to run around in it.

On some faraway beach...

1963 Studebaker Avanti R2. A similar reserve settles around these astounding Studebakers that buyers assume are some sort of garage built kit car. The thin bucket seats and manual shift with a small block and supercharged V8 tell a different story and while it is no Cobra, the market must soon awake to one of the great avant garde moments in American design.

For: The looks mainly but they can be made to handle as well.
Against: Well, look at it.
Investment potential: 25K landed in New Zealand plus compliance?