The Aesthete makes his picks for the week

The Aesthete's Fleet

Well, the Alfetta GTV is warranted and back in use, having sat in the drive for the best part of two months while its feckless owner stepped around it trying to pretend it was not there. Having put four new tyres on it there was no turning back and it is now prepared for the winter commute while the older GTV retires to its dry and secure lockup down the bottom of the hill. Now all I have to do is cut up the remains of the wreck and extract it from the garage.
I forgot the song again last week so here is a gem from the Iggy Pop back catalogue and a brilliant cover of that Monochrome Set number I subjected you to. Wait until the end and see if you recognise who gets the bottle over the head.

1963 Lincoln Continental. The four door open Continental placed Lincoln on top of the prestige car market during the period named Camelot when it seemed that the American dream was about to be realised. Elwood Engel's slab sided Lincolns were on the nation's screen nightly, carrying the president and his elegant wife up until their final ride together in Dallas. Rarely has a car conveyed hubris quite like this although that is probably not in the minds of people that buy them now.

For: Drop the top in Queenstown on a crisp winter night and wait for a round of applause.
Against: You are not that sort of big noter, are you?
Investment potential: 3/10

1938 Hupmobile E822. Unfortunately, Raymond Loewy's new Hupmobiles frightened off customers in 1934 although it is difficult to see why now. The faired in headlights were distinctive and the styling more acceptable to conservative taste than Chrysler's Airflow. Few models were offered in 1937 making this New Zealand new 1938 saloon a rara avis indeed. You will need to put the motor back together but no-one else will have one.

For: Big, handsome and practically unique.
Against: Not well regarded then, unknown now.
Investment potential: 6/10. This surely must be a 20K car if running.

1956 Mercury Monterey. It must be behemoth week on the blog but all the Aesthete's usual itches can't be scratched as no-one apparently wants to sell their special bodied Fiat or similar hobgoblin. This four door Mercury shares the good looks of the contemporary Lincoln Capri coupe, including a delightful gewgaw on the rear door that carries part of the rear pillar with it.

For:  If you get bored driving it, just open the rear door.
Against: Yes, I know. I am getting desperate.
Investment potential: 1/10 despite the clever doors.

1968 Fiat 124 Sport Coupe. This is more like it but will require the new owner to be good with the mig welder or own a panel beater's shop. Most AC series Fiats vanished years ago and now fetch good money due to their good looks and rarity. Styled in house by Mario Boano, few now are aware that more of the single light early coupes were built than the later restyled cars.  The 124 was fast, modern and sophisticated, and will still seem so today.

For: Everyone should experience one of these.
Against: Look at the pictures.
Investment potential: 17/10. Yes, really.

1959 Borgward Isabella Combi. A different type of Combi and markedly better value than its VW namesake, Borgward's mid-sized wagon was a smart and practical load carrier with a lively character. If retro dealers still exist and have actual shops that require the occasional box of stock to be brought back from the auction, here is your car.

For: Yes, I know I am hopelessly naive.
Against: Either this or a Triumph 2000 Estate. You choose.
Investment potential: 4/10 but there is a bit of work to do yet.

On some faraway beach...

1967 Abarth OT1000. Imagine the  primeval forces contained in the tail of this 850 Spider with almost three times the original output of the original 903cc engine. This much power in a car that weighed little more than a paper bag promises lots of perilous fun and this would be just the thing to run on the Targa to show those Mustangs a thing or two.

For: Completely irresponsible.
Against:  Yes, but it has a roll bar, look.
Investment potential: 3/10 as it has been on the market for months.