The Aesthete takes the road less travelled

The Aesthete's Fleet.
Not much to say on the fleet except that the Aesthetette is rumbling ominously about her elderly Jeep which is also rumbling ominously. It is hard to say whether the louder noise is coming from the transfer box or her own grinding teeth as she opens the latest garage bill. I offered to buy her a Mercedes ML 430 but she saw through that straight away.

I keep forgetting the link to the song. My bad. Here is the incomparable Wire with another great single that inexplicably avoided the top 40 entirely in 1979. 

1969 Fibrefab Jamaican. The Fibrefab backstory is worthy of a movie with the originator dead of a heart attack in prison after shooting his wife – named Jamaica morbidly enough – and his empire in the unsteady hands of various shady investors. Even without the dime store novel narrative, the Jamaican was a better than competent essay in a Ferrari like GT based on British running gear, in this case Triumph TR4. The Aesthete is impressed that Dunedin has its own resident Fibrefab and if he was feeling reckless, a deal would definitely be struck.

For: I can see the advertisement for this in a 1969 issue of Playboy now. Grwwlll.
Against: Lacks pedigree but who cares at that price?
Investment potential: 4/10 based on the looks alone.

1947 Rover 16. Shortly to give way to the Raymond Loewy inspired P4, the post-war Rover range continued on from the mid-1930s and delivered a conservative but smooth and pleasant car. The free wheel gearbox offered clutchless gear changes and there was an aircraft style instrument display to keep the driver entertained. If your ideal mise en scene is the London blitz, here is your car.

For: Harris tweed jacket and a hat are necessary at all times.
Against: Pipe smoking too, sadly.
Investment potential: The market is limited by the infirmities of age.

1970 Alfa Romeo 1750 GTV. I blame my friend Terry for his vigorous spruiking of the GTV market as sellers are now bold enough to ask 60K for one. Bidders are not rushing forward in a frenzy as they might for some similar presented muscle car as originality is key to fetching that sort of price and the seller has taken some creative license there. Put it back on its original steel wheels and take the crackle finish off the engine and then we can talk.

For: I am sure it goes very well.
Against: What is wrong with the way it was originally presented? You can still buy basket weave vinyl.
Investment potential: 3/10 If you can't be bothered fixing up a wreck, buy this.

1959 Rambler Ambassador Custom. Ugly enough to make you cry out in pain, the late 1950s AMC range presents a unique challenge to aesthetics. It got worse the higher up the range you went so the continental kit on this Ambassador makes the rear almost as offensive as the front.  The pink/mauve metallic colour scheme is perfect of course and the seller taunts us with the information that he has a pillarless version as well. Just imagine what that looks like!

For: It has headrests.
Against: Its hideous!
Investment potential: 4/10. I can see a market for this if irony is your thing.

1970 Volkswagen K70. After Audi pounced on bankrupt NSU it had a modern front wheel drive car that duplicated its own 80 range so it was sold as a Volkwagen. Sadly, the Claus Luthe designed K70 was underdeveloped due to the unfolding disaster of the rotary engined cars and it did little for its new proprietor, selling in dismal numbers. Nonetheless, if you are attracted to sharply dressed orphan saloons as I know some of you are, empty the change jar, get the trailer hitched up and head for Ashburton.

For: Is this the last one in New Zealand?
Against: Is that so bad?
Investment potential: 2/10.


On some faraway beach...

1955 Vignale Frick Cadillac Special. What is this that looks like an American hot rodder's idea of what a Ferrari ought to be? Bill Frick specialised in repowered Studebakers that could achieve 150 mph with their transplanted Cadillac V8s and instructed Giovani Micholetti to build a coupe with a full length sliding roof for his rich timber mill owning client. The effect is strikingly handsome and available at the next Bonhams sale for a surprisingly modest price.

For: Do you want something to show at Pebble Beach?
Against: I do not need to hear your answer.
Investment potential: 6/10 but it should not vanish into a museum.