Five for the Christmas stocking

Cars, girl's names, cocktails and songs

Joe Strummer nails an old Vince Taylor rockabilly classic about being cuckolded by a motorcar. With strawberries in season get the blender out and make some dacquaries for Finella while contemplating this week's object of desire...

I know what you are thinking. Why does every car that Michael puts on his blog look like an Alfa Romeo GTV? There is a common link of course and it is Giorgetto Guigiaro during his brief but fruitful time at Bertone in the early 1960s. His hand is all over the Gordon Keeble, an ambitious English effort at a grand tourer. Only 100 built so exclusivity guaranteed. 

1963 Lincoln Continental I featured a somewhat average four door Continental convertible some weeks ago but this is a different order of car altogether and for not too much more money either. I wholly concur with the vendor's rather lurid pitch that this is a high point in American design and there is very little to approach it for style and quality. 55K is not the sort of figure to toss away on a whim but this looks the business. For: You could spend more and get far less. Against: Not for popping down to the shops in.

1964 Rover 95 I have a very basic three point list when I am appraising an old car. It goes body, interior, mechanicals. A full score suggests that purchase will not be the entry point to expensive sessions at the hands of professionals and the new owner can simply enjoy the drive. This Rover 95 fits the criteria well and would give much pleasure for 12K. For: Nothing to do. Against: Not a 110 which is actually a bit of a rocket ship.

1967 Oldsmobile Toronado  I believe this is the same car that was photographed in front of a milking shed a few months ago but this NZ new Oldsmobile is now in the hands of a dealer for a modest 25.5K. As you might imagine,  I very much like these things. Built on the brave General Motors front wheel drive platform, the first series Toronado was a blast of progressive thinking from a hide-bound industry not given to risk taking. Not exactly nimble but very entertaining to drive. For: History. Against: 7 litres, FWD, wet road, hmmm.

1965 Riley Elf The list is suffering from testosterone overproduction this week so get in touch with your feminine side with this Riley Elf. Alec Issigonis despised Elves and their Wolseley Hornet kin but he took offense easily when his designs were altered by the marketing team. It looks very neat and tidy but the vendor is not making much of an effort with the description or the photos. For: Charming. Against: Quaint.

1969 Sunbeam Stiletto  Now for something small but just right for the sporting gentleman. Despite all the cruel things said about Imps at the time, they are fabulous little cars and make for great fun on road or track. The Stiletto was the penultimate Imp built around the fastback coupe body with high level trim and the Imp Sport motor.  Look past the rather dismal photographs and this could be the pick of the month. For: High enjoyment to budget ratio. Against: Not much in my view.