Five from Trade Me and elsewhere

Cars, cocktails, girls' names and songs
I will let Paddy McAloon tell you all about it while I think about this week's slightly off centre list.

1935 Singer Le Mans The sporting motorist had many choices in 1930s Britain so why choose a Singer? The best reasons can be summarised as sprightly OHC motor, 70MPH potential and a few more creature comforts than the equivalent MG. Why would you want one now? 100KPH in one of these is like 300 in a Bugatti and it will be much easier to fix. For: Oh come on. Look at it. Against. Not for everyday use.

1939 BMW 327 Cabriolet. I have a rule about not commenting on cars that are outside the price range of a mid-career academic but I should not let this one go past. The 327 series BMWs were the most sophisticated thing in their class. Those that have driven one say that the dynamics are like something thirty years more recent and this one has the hot 328 motor to stir things along. For: Glorious looks and serious international collector status, if that means anything to you. Against: Will anyone use it again at that price?

1952 Austin A40 Utility. I have to aceede that neither of my Italian thoroughbreds are up to a serious trip to the garden centre or taking hay up to the paddock so maybe I should buy this. I might put it to work on period films where it would add variety to the Zephyrs and Minors they always seem to use. For: Motoring equivalent of a pit pony. Against: Slow and cranky too, I suspect.

1965 Gilbern GT. Not often seen outside the UK but not that ubiquitous anywhere are the charming coupes built by Gilbern in Wales. They were based on MGB mechanicals in a welded square tube space frame carrying a well constructed fibreglass shell. The looks are an artful marriage of Pininfarina nose and Aston rear. For: They would be much more expensive if they were Italian and not Welsh. Against: It is in Perth but I have tipped off our only reader there.

1970 Rover P5B Coupe. 45K might make you wince a bit but restoring a poor one is likely to cost you that and more. This should be thought about alongside those lovely '60s Mercedes coupes. Look at those seats if you are in any doubt. Like a contemporary Chrysler 300 but without the sales exec in a hurry overtones. For: Buy it and keep it. Against: You might want to tighten up the handling to match the looks.

Oh, and reader Nathan says look at this...


http://www.artcurial.com/en/asp/searchresults.asp?pg=10&ps=18&st=D&sale_no=2138+++#a_10394746

In particular:

http://www.artcurial.com/en/asp/fullCatalogue.asp?salelot=2138+++++216+&refno=10394697

Five for winter's cold bite

Cars, girls' names, cocktails and songs

A jejune little number from the Velvet Underground, rediscovered by fans of the movie Juno. Sung very sweetly by drummer Maureen Tucker and with a mention of wine glasses and shiny Cadillac cars somewhere.

1938 Willys Overland Few American manufacturers were brave enough to make a small car until the oil crisis bit in the 1970s so Willys was bucking the trend with their streamlined 1930s models. Powered by a side valve four,  its performance belied the Buck Rogers looks but these cars have great charm, aided by the minimalist details. For: No-one else has one or indeed knows what it is. Against: Same as 'For'.

1947 Allard L Type No-one ever bought an Allard for its looks so its charms must lie elsewhere. They were built around American V8s in light whippy frames and with a two piece solid axle at the front. These cars make an Austin Healey 3000 look effete. For: People will know you mean business. Against: Terrifying.

1955 Willys Aero Custom Can I help it that there is another attractive Willys on Trademe this week? These fine cars are almost unknown outside Brazil where manufacturing continued after Willys surrendered in North America. With a smooth and powerful overhead inlet side exhaust valve motor not unlike a '50s Rover, they were strong performers. Miraculously, this one is right hand drive and has the luxury interior. For: Same as the previous Willys. Against. I know, it is getting boring now.

1967 Austin Healey BJ8 MkIII All the letters and numbers mean is this is a 2+2 seat 3 litre Healey from near the end of the long production run. It was clearly a car from another era when new but the US market did not seem to mind. Creature comforts include a posh walnut dash and wind up windows. Sissies. For: Big and strong. Against. It depends if you think they got better as they went along.

1973 Daimler Double Six Van den Plas Well, normally you would reel away in a protective crouch from one of these but this one appears to be quite good. A late model series 1 V12 with the traditional dash layout, plump seats, tasteful bits of expensive veneer scattered randomly throughout and in a good colour combination. For sub-10K. For: A rapidly vanishing breed. Against: I would like some proper history, thanks Mr LMVD.


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Long live the Laird of Excelsior!

An apologia

My lachrymose efforts to send my dear colleague Nick Laird off from the Department of Applied Sciences led some of you to think he was dead. He has not even begun to smell odd and can still pull a full day of design instruction as well as any other man alive. He appears to be doing just that at the Otago Polytechnic now.  So here's a song to put all such thoughts to rest...

1951 Packard 200 Delux. A straight eight Packard would be nice to compare with a Mk 7 Jaguar, if just to see if the engineering matched the refinement of the British car which was a popular choice in the US. Many thought so at the time and the Packard was certainly more modern with its pontoon styling and rational interior. Unusually, this one is right hand drive and New Zealand new. This is attracting a few bids but, like the older Clipper reviewed on a past list, who knows what the vendor thinks it is worth? For: A proper motor car. Against: Not much.

1962 Jaguar E-Type 3.8 Series 1 Coupe. I waved this under Nick's nose earlier in the week and got no response so perhaps he really is dead. This is the connoisseur's choice of E-Type with flat floors, side bonnet releases and in the ideal colour combination of metallic grey with red hide. So what is it doing on Trade Me for two thirds of the going rate? I think one of you should sally forth and find out. For: I don't have 75K but if I did... Against: As the cannibals said after eating the clown "Something tastes funny."

1975 Fiat 124 Spider. I imagine no-one wants these anymore with reliable Mazda Miatas flooding the marked and available for beer money. Fiat's 124 convertible was styled by Tom Tjaarda while at Pininfarina and it makes an MGB look like a cardboard box kicked into the shape of a car. Everything is available from the US so buy what you need while the exchange rate is still good. For: 1K no reserve, no bids. Against: Rusty floors. Pfaff. They all have rusty floors.

1976 Ferrari 308 GTB. Unusual combination of fibreglass shell, carburetors and, thankfully, not rosso red, this 308 commends itself to the buyer who wants something slightly unorthodox. The chassis rusted even if the body did not and it sounds from the vendor's pitch that it has not had many outings, the car belonging to a 'collector', whatever that may be. For: The shape, mainly. Against: The bills, mainly.

1979 Ford Thunderbird Heritage Edition. I have not listed anything for the well known aesthete recently so this should get his wiry sinews straining. Still with its original custom pin striping and rent by the hour hotel interior, this is about as far as I dare go into the seamy world of seventies Americana. I need a shower now. For: Preposterous. Against: Go on, you know you want to.





 

Five to suit all tastes

Cars, girls' names. cocktails and songs

Join fine '70s LA powerpop outfit 20/20 for a jam on the freeway while perusing this week's selection of automotive wonders from Trademe. If it was 1979 you would be in a nightclub buying Shona a Brandy Alexander.

1948 Morris 8.  Just to show that the Petrolhead Aesthete is not all about excess, I commend this rather sweet Morris Eight to those for whom pottering along is perfectly satisfactory. If it were mine I would rub a coat of used engine oil into its dry flanks leave the rest alone. For: Less than 2K. Against: Best take off the rear view mirrors so you can't see the tailback.

1960 Jaguar MkIX. Jaguar's big saloon was getting antediluvian by 1960 but gradual improvements added up to something substantial when they got to MkIX. Fitted with the 3.8 litre engine, power steering and four wheel discs, they tend to shrink around the driver and are quite handy despite the faux-William and Mary interior. For: The fastest period room in the world. Against: A bit bulky for the twisty bits.

1967 Ford Fairmont.  If it was American it would have the wheel on the wrong side and there is something quite stylish about these early Falcons that was lost in the 1970s. 500 HP apparently and no traction control apart from the driver's desire to keep on living. Better than amyl nitrate, I imagine. For: Release your inner hoon. Against: I would leave it at home on rainy days.

1973 Jaguar XJ12. I have flitted past this a couple of times, knowing that 15K is pushing hard for a twelve cylinder XJ. However, the vendor's comprehensive pitch is persuasive and he is correct to point this example out as a desirable variant. Proper maintenance is essential with these and it is wise to avoid cars that have been laid up, lest you see your new investment destroyed by petrol leaks and resultant spontaneous combustion. For: A red short wheelbase XJ12. Against: Has a bigger tank than the space shuttle.

1987 Midas Gold. "What is this ugly bug?" I hear you ask. It began life as a Marcos project in the early 1960s and followed the erratic trajectory of that business, being produced under various owners through to the present day. This version uses a 1275 Metro engine and subframe and is capable of startling performance due to its tiny 480kgm weight. For: What fun it would be. Against: You have to look at it.

A few of my favorite things

Cars, girls' names, cocktails and songs

I started this list for the benefit of Mr Nick Laird, doyen of Dunedin design pedagogy and our admired and esteemed leader through many battles with dim university administration and far from ideal HODs. Go well, old friend, hopefully in one of these...

1952 Bentley R Type. The last one took ages to sell (if it ever did) so we must assume the local market for Standard Steel Bentleys is slow. Even so there is much to be admired in these cars that were designed for the serious owner/driver with the best of materials and technology available in post-war Blighty. You would certainly cut a dash in one today without the parvenu associations with the latest Continentals (have you watched the vids of Paris Hilton's hit and run?): For: Just the thing for taking someone to the Hunt Club Ball. Against: A bit pompous.

1958 Chevrolet Impala Coupe. Not much seen in New Zealand and good value compared to overpriced '57s, the later wide bodied Chevrolets exude a tasty menace that I find quite attractive. The Impala Coupe is particularly handsome with the squashed roof and flattened fins adding to the general effect of Las Vegas low morals. For: Not ubiquitous. Against: Not much of an investment either.

1962 Porsche 356 B. These are heading to the wrong side of 100K now so this 356 is attracting strong bids. The B models retained the purity of the early car's slipper form with smaller taillights and less glass than the later C's. Everything is available in remanufactured form for these older Porsches so the key to high values is originality. For: Your banker will probably approve. Against: Check the quality of the work.

1967 Buick Riviera GS. Unusual for being in New Zealand from new and in right hand drive form, this '60s Riviera overcomes many of the impediments associated with dodgy US imports which are no history and shoddy repairs. It all looks straight and well cared for so the price is surprisingly reasonable. Ask for the original wheels back on it and pay even less. For: Superlative looks and ideal for NZ conditions. Against: Why is it not being used?

1974 Rover P6 3500. I have often opined that a P6 Rover would make a great base for a high performing saloon with the right modifications. Here is an example retro-fitted with a five speed manual  gear box and ready to go. The dark green paint looks great and I would even keep the wheels. For: A very capable car. Against: Nothing much at that price.

Progress on the Flavia

I posted some pictures of the Flavia post-paint and got some pleasing feedback (thanks Hugh and others) so here is a brief update.

The car is back on its four wheels (painted Lancia cream as dictated by the factory) and sits well on its rebushed suspension. The characteristic nose down attitude of these cars is a result of wear and a spirit level along the sills tells me it is now level. It may even be nose up with a full tank. The long battle with the chrome plater (name supplied if you ask me) concluded with the return of the front bumper, grill surround and sundry small parts after almost four years. Most were poorly repaired and the plating on the headlight surrounds is bubbling already. Pattern replacements for these parts are now available for the first time but the price will make your eyes water. I purchased another grill surround from Italy but it was little better than the one I have so both will be traveling to Timaru where another plater will pick the best one and repair it properly.

Having the engine on a subframe is useful when undertaking major repairs but the downside is much of the minor stuff is inaccessible when the engine, gearbox and wheels are back under the car. Simple things like the position of hose-clamps become critical when you want to tighten them but find they are blocked by something that was nowhere near it when you last looked. Much grunting and wriggling on a cold garage floor was required to get close to final assembly, along with fabrication of missing and damaged small parts. Stripped threads in the alloy engine cases only become obvious when tightening something up and it is too late to pull the engine again.

It is brakes next. The four wheel discs of the Flavia were state of the automotive art in the early '60s. They are a Dunlop system split into dual circuits and controlled by a fiercely complex servo that required a separate factory manual to set up. I have undone one old major bodge which saw an alien master cylinder replaced by the genuine article while the servo has been checked and fitted with a new seal kit. The lines to and fro are running at crazy angles and my sense of order tells me these must be replaced with ones that can be gathered back onto the firewall and go logically to their natural places on the calipers. Easier said than done I suspect. I found a great outlet in Dunedin called Automec that sells all forms of hydraulic fittings as well as copper nickel tube. Working on the theory that anything made by man can be remade, I will be making wire patterns and bending tube long into the night.

Five for the start of the winter season

Cars, cocktails, girls' names and songs

I don't know what they were drinking in Athens, Georgia in the 1970s that could have given rise to this but apparently they drive Plymouth Satellites on Planet Claire.

1967 Plymouth Satellite. So of course there has to be one in the list and what better than a genuine low milage example freshly refurbished after thirty five years in storage? It looks like a smaller Imperial Coupe and combines a full width bench seat with an auto floor shift. Oh, those crazy Americans. For: Manageable. Against: Middle Americana.

1963 Humber Sceptre. Most of the Rootes' saloons were dull affairs, well put together but ponderous. They made a real effort with the Humber Scepter, however, which got an attractive four door coupe roof line and a great interior with Italianate hooded instrument pods. An Alpine engine moves things along respectably. For: A small executive saloon for not much outlay. Against: You will not lose your hat at the lights.

1963 Rover 3 Litre Coupe: Along the same lines but a definite step up in quality was the coupe version of Rover's big saloon. The lowered roof exudes glamour in a slightly sinister way that few other Brits could manage. Even people who know nothing about cars think these are glorious. For: Cor, that's a nice motor, guvnor. Against: You might start acting like the Krays – or Margaret Thatcher. I can't think which is worse.

1973 Alfa Romeo 1600 GT Junior. What price for a clean and recently refurbished Alfa Guilia coupe? The 1600 Junior was the budget model that came with rubber mats but there was no skimping on the important bits so you get five speeds, four wheel discs and a superb alloy motor that revs more freely that the bigger 2000. For: Unimpeachable classic Alfa. Against: A bit on the pricey side in these straightened times.

1973 BMW CS. Alternatively, your head may be turned by the luxurious appointments found in this BMW Coupe. This is the softer option in the range but the automatic will still allow an expensive yowl to be wrung from the big three litre six. Just the thing for weekend return trips to the ski lodge. For: So good it is hard to believe it is not Italian. Against: Imported from Japan.