The Aesthete states the obvious.

The Aesthete's Fleet

The Alfa Club wisely cancelled its mid-winter run to Patearoa on the weekend seeing that mid-winter in Patearoa is like that in Nebraska.  No traction control, no ABS and no all wheel drive means the GTV has all the controllability of an oven pan on a frozen lake so I was pleased not to have to venture out.

I watched an extraordinary documentary about Gore Vidal the other night and wondered how far the US has come in the past forty years in terms of political debate. As an openly polysexual man and by some standards, a pornographer, he came second to Jerry Brown in the California senate election in 1982. He ran a great campaign, announcing with typical gravitas that the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library had burnt to the ground, totally destroying both books. Compounding the tragedy, the President had not yet finished colouring in the second book.

1988 Lancia Thema V6. It is a Lancia Thema and it is currently $1.50. Need I say anything more?

For: Like Gore Vidal, too smart for this world.
Against: For $1.50, nothing that should bother you.
Investment potential. At that sort of money, approaching infinity.

1968 Pontiac Firebird. While nowhere near as lithe and nimble as an Alfa or Fiat, GMs sporty coupes were dainty compared to what had come before and showed the influence that the Europeans were having on the industry. Almost identical to the same year Camaro, the Firebird seemed a bit more exotic with its bumperless nose and complete lack of bling.

For: Tasteful Americana.
Against: No such thing I hear you snort. Cynics.
Investment potential: 3/10. Less is more you know.

1988 Studebaker Avanti II. I am not sure how anyone searching for a Studebaker Avanti would find this one, listed as it is under the title 'other' and graced with a picture that makes the car indistinguishable from the background. It deserves better and should at least be repainted in that sandy gold hue that made original Avantis look so good. The Avanti II was a restyle by Tom Kellogg, one of the original Loewy design team who also designed tableware for Wedgwood.

For: Something for the individualist.
Against: Still has the old Hawk chassis underneath.
Investment potential: What price individuality?

1964 Mercedes-Benz 220. The clever mechanical upgrades to this otherwise staid 220 make it an entertaining prospect and it looks quite the Yakuza cruza on its subtle black wheels. Modern brakes help to tame the unspecified output which would whip the old black mare along at a frightening pace. The mismatched interior is a minor letdown but there is probably a hide covered 300SE rotting away somewhere.

For: A Brabus finnie.
Against: Are Mercedes owners known for their sense of humour?
Investment potential: 7/10

1972 Fiat Dino Coupe. Sans precious engine, rusty and my delicate shell like ears ringing with the vendor's claim that this Dino is unrestorable, I keep coming back to check and now see that bids have reached over 6K. Good ones are getting close to 100K with the Fiat badge forgotten for Dino V6 dynamics and gorgeous Pininfarina clothes.

For: I know a man who knows someone else who thinks there may be an engine for this in a shed.
Against: I know. Its hopeless.
Investment potential: Even at 50K for an engine rebuild, you may still be in.

On some faraway beach...

1969 Lancia Flaminia. Coming near the end of bespoke Lancia production, this Flaminia coupe wears its well cut suit by Touring, architects of the contemporary Aston Martin DB series. The Lancia is better in every way with its pulled up corners and central cabin cerebral in comparison to the slightly confused Aston. Yours for 87 EUR compared to half a million for a DB.

For: Gore Vidal would get it I am sure.
Against: Nothing in my view.
Investment potential: Style and breeding will prevail in the end.