The Aesthete ticks another one off

The Aesthete is not one for bucket lists, believing that if God wants to take him he can collect him from off the sofa, not a Tibetan mountain top or wild and foaming mid-ocean. One unrequited wish was to see the Buzzcocks, that great Manchunian outfit that stood outside the noisy mob of second raters that was all that was left when he finally got himself to London in 1979. The Buzzcocks came to him in the end, playing a blinder at the Otago Student Union Hall last week. Wonder Boy was there and he and the Aesthete managed a shuffling kind of late middle age pogo with the shaven headed youth of the town.

1957 Lloyd Alexander. You might think from the name that this little charmer might hale from some verdant Welsh valley but Lloyds were a type of small Borgward built in Bremmen. Powered (if that is the right word) by a 600cc flat twin, Lloyds were also assembled in Australia where they rivalled Gogomobils and Fiat 500s as the cheapest new car on the market. With good 500s becoming pricey, a Lloyd would distinguish you as an individualist.

For: Apparently Germans used to say that he who is not afraid of death drives a Lloyd. Very Nietzschean.

Against: Most of us want to live and therefore do not drive Lloyds.

Investment potential: Negligible but don't let that stop you.

1973 Fiat 124 CC. Offered at a modest 8K, this Fiat is not likely to linger for too long on Trademe unless the body is much worse than the description suggests. Looks often flatter to deceive with these cars but it has a current WOF and the vendor seems like a straightforward fellow. Be quick if you want one of these as good examples are rarely sighted today.  

For: Everything you could want in a 70s coupe.

Against: Have a good poke under the carpets.

Investment potential: 8/10. You can't have a GTV for that kind of money any more.

1958 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Sprint. The exquisite Giulietta Sprint is rare in New Zealand where very few came in period. There would be little point in returning this to a road car as the race modifications look thoroughly professional and it would avail superior track day fun. All in all, a fitting use for the small coupe nonpareil.

For: You could spend that getting an Austin A35 or an Anglia to this level but why would you?

Against: Nothing that I can see.

Investment potential: If you can afford it, it should not be an issue.

1989 Lancia Delta Integrale. Alternatively for the same sort of outlay you could have the terror of the international rally circuit to enliven your daily commute. This road going version offers creature comforts rather than bare metal and a roll cage although the screams of your frightened passengers may be dampened with a good set of silicone ear plugs, available from your local motor factor.

For: There is a tall hill between you and the office? Ideal.
Against: Noisy, hard riding, buzzing plastics – No. Nothing wrong with this car at all.
Investment potential: 6/10

1970 Rover P5B Coupe. A salutary warning about leaving cars in damp sheds for 26 years, this V8 coupe may be past viable economic restoration now that rats and rust have done their wicked work. One imagines that the car went into storage in prime condition, having recently come from the hands of a captain of the brewing industry, so it may reward your efforts in ways not immediately apparent. The listing has also sparked a furious debate on the definition of a coupe and revealed a deep schism in the Rover Club.

For: It was a great car. Once.
Against: Ummm... Where should I begin?
Investment potential: Off the scale but in the wrong direction.

On some faraway beach...

1963 Panhard PL17 Break. Panhard rivalled Citroen for engineering originality, producing elegant and scientific small cars that appealed to the design minded. A handful came to New Zealand, mainly the 1950s Dyna model. The Aesthete recalls a small midden of Panhards at Bishops Garage in South Auckland when looking for French car parts and has always wanted one. A wagon would be even better as it could be used to haul away the ruins of the few remaining cars.

For: Forget GS Citroens. This is the real thing.
Against: Nothing but I have a weakness...
Investment potential: Incalculable.