Five for winter's cold bite

Cars, girls' names, cocktails and songs

A jejune little number from the Velvet Underground, rediscovered by fans of the movie Juno. Sung very sweetly by drummer Maureen Tucker and with a mention of wine glasses and shiny Cadillac cars somewhere.

1938 Willys Overland Few American manufacturers were brave enough to make a small car until the oil crisis bit in the 1970s so Willys was bucking the trend with their streamlined 1930s models. Powered by a side valve four,  its performance belied the Buck Rogers looks but these cars have great charm, aided by the minimalist details. For: No-one else has one or indeed knows what it is. Against: Same as 'For'.

1947 Allard L Type No-one ever bought an Allard for its looks so its charms must lie elsewhere. They were built around American V8s in light whippy frames and with a two piece solid axle at the front. These cars make an Austin Healey 3000 look effete. For: People will know you mean business. Against: Terrifying.

1955 Willys Aero Custom Can I help it that there is another attractive Willys on Trademe this week? These fine cars are almost unknown outside Brazil where manufacturing continued after Willys surrendered in North America. With a smooth and powerful overhead inlet side exhaust valve motor not unlike a '50s Rover, they were strong performers. Miraculously, this one is right hand drive and has the luxury interior. For: Same as the previous Willys. Against. I know, it is getting boring now.

1967 Austin Healey BJ8 MkIII All the letters and numbers mean is this is a 2+2 seat 3 litre Healey from near the end of the long production run. It was clearly a car from another era when new but the US market did not seem to mind. Creature comforts include a posh walnut dash and wind up windows. Sissies. For: Big and strong. Against. It depends if you think they got better as they went along.

1973 Daimler Double Six Van den Plas Well, normally you would reel away in a protective crouch from one of these but this one appears to be quite good. A late model series 1 V12 with the traditional dash layout, plump seats, tasteful bits of expensive veneer scattered randomly throughout and in a good colour combination. For sub-10K. For: A rapidly vanishing breed. Against: I would like some proper history, thanks Mr LMVD.


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