Beware the Ides of March!

Cars, cocktails, girls' names and songs. 

Jonathan Richman's meditation on why Pablo Picasso never got called a rude name in New York.

Ford GT40P ERA Not for popping down to the shops in but if you want to replicate Chris Amon's winning Le Mans drive in 1966, here is your chance. ERA make a decent replica shell around a stainless steel tub. It will not pass for an original but they are all accounted for anyway. A starter kit minus engine and gearbox is 59K US so I wonder where the extra 70K has gone? For: Park it next to that white Galaxie 500 I keep telling you to buy. Against: A lot of money for an occasional track day spin.

1966 Jaguar 3.8 S-type This must be close to the ideal spec for a 1960s Jaguar saloon so picture what a low milage 3.8 Mk II in the same shade of red might set you back. Use the savings to buy yourself a nice set of wire wheels and new carpets. You will soon feel like holding up a Royal Mail train at gun point, I assure you. For: Ideal for a quick getaway. Against: That red looks a little bright.

1970 Lancia Fulvia 1.3 Lots of cheerful banter from the vendor but little information regarding this Fulvia coupe, probably a 1.3 L model. Timaru was the home of an avid Lancia collector and this may be one of his old cars so it will not have run for a while or been well stored. Still, a little over 2K is a good starting price for one of these highly rewarding cars. For: Much loved by architects of a certain age. Against: Not a cheap, easy or quick fix.

1970 Triumph 2.5 PI Well, what do we have here if not one of the very few surviving fuel injected Mk I Triumph saloons wearing its highly characterful Giovanni Micholetti styling. This bit of a treat represents good value at 6K with even the Mk II PIs becoming a rare sight today. The Italianate interior with clever instrument pod was rationalised away in later models so enjoy its special ambience. For: Coventry sportivo! Against: It needs explaining.

1972 Buick Riviera GS The boat-tail Riviera was the last example of the marque that could be safely looked upon without clawing out your eyeballs. Enthralling from the aggressive front lean to the tip of its pointy tail, this was the high point of 1970s Americana and considerably more cool than an Eldorado. For: Oh, come on. You know you want to. Against: If the accusation of living off immoral earnings upsets you, look away now.