Five for the start of summer

Hail the start of summer, or perhaps that is the wrong phrase as it has been know to in Dunedin. Trade Me has been a bit lean recently. Who knows whether sellers are holding back waiting for signs of economic recovery but the lack of cars from my favoured era drove me towards the naughties as they are whimsically known. Here we find swingeing depreciation and lots of distressed vendors so make someone else's misery your gain.

Cocktails, girls' names and songs about cars.

This weeks cocktail is the Mojito. The last time I consumed this intoxicating blend of rum, limes and mint I found myself underneath someone called Marianne on my sofa with Alice looking on knowing I was incapable of doing anything I would be ashamed of. The song is from Iggy Pop's transcendent album Lust for Life recorded in Berlin with David Bowie in 1977. Scottish guitarist Rick Gardiner strums the most ordinary sounding chords you have ever heard, a brief tinkle on the cowbell and then... 

1960 Holden FB Utility.  I have not featured a commercial on the list yet but if we are going to start straying into the territory of other tribes, this Holden has many charms. Black suits the simple lines and it would be hard to hide any serious faults under this glossy exterior. The price is entirely reasonable at 13K and it is actually attracting bids, unlike so much of the dead stock on Trade Me. For: Handsome and practical. Against: You might not want to throw the concrete mixer on it.

1967 Buick Riviera. Alright. I know it is another Riviera and I made you look at one last week and told you how I suffered uncontrollable urges but this is the next model. I could do without the two tone paint but look at the wraparound on those front wings. The rear slowly morphed into a boat tail but then the car quickly became hideous so this is officially the last really beautiful Riviera. 38K and reportedly 38K miles as well. For: This marks a high point in American styling before the horrors of the 1970s. Against: Find some original wheels.

1961 Chevrolet Greenbrier. The fact that it belonged to someone from the wretched band Green Day would not induce me to buy it but  there are other more compelling reasons. It is like a Kombi-and-a-half with a rear mounted air cooled flat six derived from the Corvair, GM's brave effort at building a progressive mid-sized car. It has doors everywhere and with sellers asking a fortune for the German equivalent, makes an entertaining alternative. For: The only one in the country. apparently. Against: Unwanted celebrity premium added.

2003 Peugeot 406 Coupe. Forgive me the jump straight to the moderns this week but my trawling through the 80s and 90s for something remotely respectable led me all the way to this fine Pininfarina shaped 406 Coupe. Forget the four cylinder autos and go for straight for the 3-lite V6. Double it in your mind and you could be driving a Ferrari. For: A classic Pininfarina shape on a well made platform. Against: Still some way to drop yet.

2005 Maserati Quattroporte Sport. Does anything in the strange world of exotic cars depreciate faster than a Maserati? Someone business minded would have to do the calculations but they seem to halve in value every two years and show no signs of slowing down so jump on and hold tight. This Quattroporte is sans WOF and Reg which suggests that its owner is bankrupt or has lost the will to live. Go on, make an insulting offer. For: Decadent. Against: People will think the worse of you.