Five ways to head into autumn

Cars, girls' names. cocktails and songs

I had my head properly turned in Oamaru on the weekend by a Barker bodied Daimler Special Sports. I always knew that were a good looking car but in the metal they are heavenly. They have a sideways facing rear seat for one passenger and are smaller than the pictures indicate. I will not rest until I own one. So, a nice bottle of beaujolais and away to the autumn village fete with Norah.

1962 MGA Coupe. The photograph does not do the car any favours but the MGA Coupe is a rare and lovely thing. The cabin features luxuries that the roadster did without so you get wind-up windows, heater and a neatly fitted rear compartment to throw your weekend bags into. Which is to say your significant other will probably approve and may even drive it for fun. For: A tidy little package. Against: Will not enhance your masculinity.

1966 Chrysler 300 Coupe. Chrysler ran out of will for the 300 series before it ran out of letters (300C and 1957 is the magic combination) but this first year of letterless production came with disc brakes and a 440 cubic inch motor for better than brisk performance. Original faded paint and a tidy interior indicates a well kept car and the price is on the right side of sensible. For: Verging on tasteful. Against: A bit dull compared to a Thunderbird.

1971 Peugeot 504 Automatique. If I wanted an older car in which to cover long distances with comfort and reliability I would buy this. Essentially a one-owner car with minimal milage, it appears rust free and ready to use. For: Pininfarina styling and tough as old croissants. Against: May seem bland to the uninformed. 

1975 Ferrari 308 GT4 In many ways Ferarri was the most conservative of the Italian sports car makers.  Bertone's wedge shaped four seater broke away from the old relationship with Pininfarina but the change was resented by many. It is now one of the cheapest ways into a classic Ferrari and this example has a good history to justify the 68K asking price. For: Modern, chic and fast. Against: Open the bills with a medical professional nearby.

1981 Ford Thunderbird. I imagine it was the cost accountants that caused all the Ford designers to be replaced by chimps in 1980. How else could you explain this? To be driven while wearing a red rubber gimp suit. For: You have been a very naughty boy. Against: Don't make me look at it again.

1986 Lotus Excel SE The Lotus bid to be taken seriously as a GT maker with the Excel and Eclat models was a bit of a situation. The Oliver Winterbottom designed wedge dated quickly but was successfully restyled, if at the loss of some character. Reliability is less of an issue with the later cars but low milage is not always a good sign. For: Young folk will think it very retro. Against: Not retro enough for me.