The Aesthete finds five more cars

The Aesthete's Fleet
Things have been dull on the Alfa front since my excitement in Christchurch. I cannot thrash the GTV up the North East Valley hill until I see to its floppy steering swivel so I have booked Wonderboy who will have to put the 911s to one side for a minute while attending to that little task. In the meantime I will see if I can stop the rear end creaking and knocking like Garibaldi's ghost.

1980 Berkeley Ibis. A what's that you say? Long after the British firm went bust in the 1960s the Berkeley name was briefly revived in Auckland for a front wheel drive sports car based on BMC parts. This cunning concept was clothed in an extended body shell that looked only remotely like its motor cycle engined ancestors. The complete ensemble looks entertaining and definitely worth your attention if Britceterini is your thing.

For: Britceterini, def: A small British sportscar, artisan built and resembling in outline and principle those made in Italy and known as Etceterini.
Against: Nothing that its advantages could not make up for.
Investment potential: 8/10 and rising with the cost of fuel.

1977 Lancia Scorpion. As the vendor points out in his helpful pitch, this is an early Montecarlo, produced before Lancia suffered the ignominy of withdrawing the car from US sale and attending to a number of engineering defects. Do not let this put you off as this Paolo Martin designed and Pininfarina built mid engined car is the cheapest piece of genuine Italian exotica you are ever likely to see. Only 400 built in the year of production.

For: Remove all the crash test addenda and it is a fine looking car.
Against: Nothing that a 16V turbo Thema engine could not fix.
Investment potential: Oh, I don't know. 28/10

1970 Mazda 1800. Weren't Japanese cars better looking when they were not designing them? Not surprising as Giorgetto Giugiaro was still at Bertone when the job came in and the new Luce was amongst the sharpest looking saloons in the world at its launch in 1966. It still looked good in the 1970s until it was replaced by a petrol powered gargoyle.

For: Elegant.
Against: A bit pedestrian, like most of their competition.
Investment potential: 3/10

1934 Riley Kestrel. Like whiskers on kittens and warm woollen mittens, vintage Rileys are amongst the Aesthete's favourite things. Even though this is a terrible wreck it has many desirable features including Rudge wire wheels and a preselect gearbox although this is not high on the list for Riley enthusiasts. Pfft. What do they know?

For: Best small car of the period. Unless it is a Lancia Augusta and have you checked the price of one of those recently?.
Against: It is in bits and 80 years old.
Investment potential: 9/10 but only because I am partial to them.

1989 Lancia Thema. Yes, I know I have featured this car on the blog but it is still there and I have to keep drawing your attention to it until someone buys it.

For: Compare to the equivalent 2K BMW and you will see what I mean.
Against: Nothing but you would expect me to say that.
Investment potential: 3/10 but all your sins on this earth will be forgiven.

On some faraway beach...

1951 Lancia Aurelia B50 Michelotti Vignale Coupe. Those of you who know the Aesthete's liking for Gerald Palmer designed MGs and Rileys will immediately see why this special bodied Lancia is on the list as it was clearly the model for his lovely ZA Magnette, including the hockey stick chrome strake above the front wheel arch. The front is a different story and I will leave you to judge the aesthetic success of that.

For: A bit like Grace Kelly dancing on a table.
Against: Oh, you had to be there I suppose.
Investment potential: If you can afford it you don't care.