The Aesthete pays for his sins

The sin of idleness is punished by rotting wash-houses. If the Aesthete ever used the washing machine he would have noticed that the whole corner had rotted out of said structure, something that was brought to his attention by the Aesthetette who came out holding a piece of blackened framing. The requisite repairs have kept him away from the cars but the end is in sight...

1959 Chrysler Saratoga Coupe. The Saratoga is not the best looking of Virgil Exner's forward look cars with its bluff four headlight nose borrowed off the same year's Dodge. Even so, it is an imposing old thing, one step down from the New Yorker in the bewildering Chrysler range and therefore does without the excellent hemi V8.  I am talking myself out of this car. I had better stop.

For: Show car looks.
Against: Taxi cab specification.
Investment potential. Once you have done the paint, interior and mechanicals, -17/10. He should really give it to you.

1960 Turner Sports Mk II. 24K does not seem ridiculous for the best Turner Sports in the world, if the vendor can be relied on to not exaggerate his car's desirability in the marketplace for such things. The trouble is that the Austin Healy Sprite was already so good that small manufacturers had to be very clever to improve on it. Jack Turner was up to the task and the Alexander engined models could almost get to the magic ton on 960cc.

For: Look at the price of the competition and it seems rather good.
Against: The English version of an Etceterini.
Investment potential: 4/10. Small is new big, or the new black, or something.

1958 Buckler 90. More Britceterini with the vendor of this Buckler putting one million dollars on it, hoping to put off 'nosey buggers' who will no doubt take up precious time with their pesky questions. The car sports a Ferris De Joux designed shell that is a great improvement over the kennel that passed for bodywork on most Bucklers. If you don't buy it he will... build a rocket and fire it into the sun. There, that will show you.

For: Great looking period sports car with local history.
Against: Be careful how you approach the vendor.
Investment potential: Only Maynard Keynes could tell you that.

1947 Packard Clipper. Even wrecks of Packard Clippers make the Aesthete tremble with unrequited desire from head to toe but this looks like more work than could be justified. Even so, it is the straight eight version of the post war patrician's choice of motor car. Lincolns and Cadillacs? Vulgarians.

For: Magnificent, even in its ruined state.
Against. Careful with that air hose mister. You will blow a hole right through it.
Investment potential: 1/10 but only because I am inordinately fond of them.

1955 Willys Station Wagon. More off centre Americana in the form of this Willys, a civilianised Jeep that sustained the company throughout the 1950s. Designed by Brooks Stevens, it had the first all steel wagon body shell, American makers being wedded to expensive and low production wood framed models. Despite its Go-Devil name, the side valve four can barely make highway speeds so best not be in a hurry.

For: Stylish and tough.
Against: Spartan and slow.
Investment potential: 2/10. Already more expensive than a restored Landrover so you had better want one.

On some faraway beach...

1965 Panhard 24B Coupe. Neither microcar or outright sportster, Panhard coupes continue to surprise with their low values. Their idiosyncratic styling was enough to spawn a Toyota Celica imitator in the 1990s and they only look better with time, now that every maker is essentially producing the same car with different badges.

For: Just the thing for whisking Yvette Mimieux away for the weekend.
Against: In 1965, that is.
Investment potential: 6/10. Fortune favours the brave.