Five for the New Year

It takes a while for Trade Me to replenish over the break. Clearly vendors have more important things to do at this time of year than get the digital camera out and remove the dust covers from that superfluous vehicle taking up space in the garage. Some do have things to sell, however. The star of this week's selection is obvious and I really wish someone would buy it.

Back to cars, girls' names, cocktails and songs.

Like many great cocktails, the Daiquiri was a favorite of Ernesto Hemingway who drank them liberally. Rum, fresh limes and sugar are all you need to transport yourself back to Batista's Cuba. This week's car may indeed have been seen on the island as I imagine it was a favorite of rich sugar plantation owners wastrel offspring. The world is divided between admirers of Ferrari and Maserati. I lean towards the latter where fine engineering with refined dynamics were combined, seen in this Allemano bodied A6G. Allemano is almost forgotten as a coach builder. They were makers rather than stylists and used Giovanni Micholetti for this example. So with daiquiri in hand, Carmella in the passenger seat and the Modern Lovers on the Autovox...

The first list for 2012

1951 Bristol 401 If you want the best engineered car of its time combined with dazzling looks by Italian coach-builder Touring, you need to go to post-war England and the Bristol Car Company. It began building cars in the 1940s using pre-war BMW technology and fitted their clever six cylinder motors into slippery aluminium bodies behoving an aircraft manufacturer. This 401 uses a form developed by the Italians for use on the big post-war Alfas and the shape was further refined in the Bristol wind tunnel with flush fitted push button door handles and other friction cheating devices. For: Like a Citroen but with a proper motor. Against: At 35K, nothing at all.

1951 Jaguar XK120 OTS OTS stands for open top sports and that is what you get with Jaguar's game changing post-war XK series. Designed more for sunny Californian than rain-swept Blighty, owners were compelled to fiddle with the flimsy hood but the weight saving made the OTS the sporting driver's choice. This one has been in New Zealand from new and carries a few reminders of past track glories including a brace of 2" SUs and disc brakes. For: Improved spec makes for a vivid ride. Against: 120K is okay but originality is staring to matter with these.

1969 Jaguar E Type 2+2 FHC  The search for an 'affordable' E Type has led many rash purchasers to come to grief so my view is that you should buy the best example of any respective model unless restoration is your definite aim. This automatic coupe is not everyone's ideal specification but the elderly vendor's account of his time with it and the sensible price give confidence. For: Tidy and handsome. Against: Most that have not yet had the treatment are needing expensive body repairs now.

1974 Citroen CX 2000 This early CX is a rare thing in its own right and there are probably more DSs on the road than this Robert Opron designed space ship that was that wonderful car's replacement. Citroen could never seem to learn from its past mistakes and the CX was launched with an uninspiring engine but the packaging, ride and styling were superb. The vendor's shots are terrible but the white paint with red cloth interior looks great. For: Could have been used in 2001 A Space Odyssey. Against: It better be good for 12K.

1981 Ferrari 400i You should use buyers' well known antipathy to these cars to your advantage if you want to joint the jet set without paying an absolute fortune. It seems that those in the market for a classic Ferrari want something other than the more relaxed long legged dynamics of the big 400 series. For a substantial discount over an average E Type, I think the decision would be easy. For: A grand tourer in the true sense. Against: All the outgoings but without the resale.