The Aesthete pays a house call

The Aesthete's Fleet

I took a call from Sam on the weekend who was aggrieved about his Alfetta GTV failing its warrant on a few paltry holes in the floor. It did seem overly scrupulous of the WOF issuer but it all looks repairable and the only other old GTV that you might see on the road will be seen once again. Even so, I draw his attention to the first listing this week...

I keep forgetting add a song. See if you can get all the way through this little number.

1985 Alfa Romeo GTV6. By the introduction of the GTV6 many of the irritating foibles of the earlier cars had been engineered away. The gruff roar of the old 2000 engine, little changed since the 1950s, was replaced by the more sonorous power plant from the otherwise hapless Alfa Romeo 6. Whatever other design flaws remained to be remedied, you could not Blame it on the Busso Nouva (That's a terrible Alfisti dad joke for you)

For: Glorious engine and great looks.
Against: Grim build quality and some looming rust issues.
Investment potential: Count on at least 3K of rust removal.

1983 Renault 20 TS. Little loved when new and now almost vanished from the roads, Renault gave away the avant-garde profile gained by the brave 16 for bland five door hatch ubiquity. There was a bigger V6 version, imaginatively named the 30, but I have not seen one of those for years. Those Talbot Alpine fanciers – and you know who you are – would be far better off in one of these.

For: Nothing to offend the neighbours here.
Against: Très ennuyeux.
Investment potential: What is French for bwahahahaha?

1989 Lancia Thema. Fiat sought to beat the big Fiat jinx by branding its flagship sedan a Lancia and it almost worked. Platform sharing with Saab, Fiat and Alfa Romeo was canny business and the four main variants all behaved individually on the road. The V6 was similar to that found in the Alfa 164 so the Thema sounded superb, even when equipped with an automatic.

For: Handsome in a rough hewn way.
Against: Nothing in my view could be better for the price.
Investment potential: 8/10 but you know I am partial to them.

1969 Fiat 850 Sport. You may have to race the Aesthete to Waikouaiti for this 850 Sport as it looks recoverable and is being offered at what seems a sane price. Wonder Boy gave me the low down on the orange one from last week which I note has been withdrawn from Trademe after some spirited bidding. The vendor seems honest about its faults and there are some missing parts so I hope you are being put off. I will regard it as a shocking betrayal if any of you outbid me.

For: Nothing. Terrible car. Really.
Against: Oh, many dreadful things I am sure.
Investment potential: Negligible. Minus figures certainly.

1970 Volkswagen Karmann Ghia Convertible. A number of bulgy looking Karmanns have come and gone from Trademe recently so this example in its powerful shade of lapis blue with snug fitting cloth top looks very desirable indeed.  The earlier cars with their teardrop rear lights and lower nose always claim a premium although this is one of the better looking California imports to grace our favourite trading site.

For: Shapely and well presented.
Against: Nothing that you could see from here.
Investment potential: 60K in bills apparently.

On some faraway beach...

1959 Goliath Tiger. If that Goggobil from last week did not sate your unquenchable thirst for tiny Germanic cocktails, how about a Hansa? This really is a flat four and front wheel drive as well, in contrast to the Gogomobil's rather flawed formula. With 55 horsepower almost 90 mph was possible and they were popular in Australia despite being close to the price of a Holden.

For:  Look at its cute little fins. How can you resist?
Against: You may need to buy a saloon for parts.
Investment potential: Step forward Borgward-Hansa fans. Your day has come.