Five heavy hitters

This is an interim list so no cocktail, girls' name and song until I have some more time to research. Feedback from last weeks list suggests that some of you have urges that are not easily sated by bargain classics so this week we are following the money. The 100K+ market appears quite healthy and with property prices lifting, it is likely that classics will not take another hit until the end of oil looms in sight. So what do you get for your 100K and how do prices here relate to other countries?

1969 Jaguar E Type Series 2 Roadster To steal an idea from George Orwell, some Jaguars are more equal than others. The earliest coupes tend to attract the highest prices even though the Series 2 cars are more pleasant to drive with a roomier cockpit, better seats and synchro gearboxes. This is a concours winning example and should be faultless for the asking price of 145K so you will not need to spend more on it. You could easily blow that on a full restoration so the price is realistic. For: No point in buying an average one and then trying to get it this good. Against: You may well not use it which would be a shame.

1953 Buick Super 8 Estate Station Wagon For the same price as the E Type you could enjoy the aromatic pleasures of a factory bodied Buick estate wagon. Woodies have a strong collector following based both on period charm and relatively low build numbers. They cost the earth to restore correctly as they were hand built with exotic timbers and were often fitted with more lavish interiors than their humble saloon relatives. There are similar cars for sale in the US for around 80K so this one is on the pricey side but values will continue to climb. For: Just the thing for taking up to the Hamptons or Wanaka, as the case may be. Against: It may have once been a working vehicle but not now.

1958 Chevrolet Corvette Unlike E Types earlier is not always better with Corvettes. The first six cylinder models have rarity value but the money follows the line of development until the introduction of the Sting Ray in 1963. This 1958 car has a high output V8 and four speed manual so is a desirable specification without being in the top rank with the fuel injected models. Similar cars have produced surprising results at auctions, fetching up to 170K US so 148K NZ appears below par. For: Starting to become the performance car it was meant to be. Against: Still compromised compared to later models.

1964 Volkswagen Double Cab Pickup I use this as an example of the price trends for early Kombis, some of which have hit 170K US at auction. Only a select few command this sort of money, the most prized being the Samba which has clerestory windows and a fully trimmed cabin with seats. These dizzy prices are hauling up the values of 'splitties' as their devotees call them. This pickup is a California import that has lost a few original features but is still listed at 31.5K needing restoration. For: Catch a rising trend. Against: Or get caught in a bubble.

1954 Porsche 356 The so called 'pre-A' title again indicates limited numbers where rarity drives the values rather than performance or usability. The 356 series was developed constantly throughout its long life producing a bewildering variety of specifications. The very early models are now pushing 1M but total originality is key to releasing the value of these cars and this one has had a busy life and is missing key items. 160K may seem a lot for a resto project but you are really paying for the paperwork with these. For: The ultimate trophy car. Against: Should be appreciated more for what it is.