Five for a wet weekend

Cars, girls' names, cocktails and songs

Sheryl Crow dispenses useful advice from the rear of a Kombi. No drinks in sight though so we will have to imagine that part.

1938 Morris 8 Sports. The word 'sports' may be taken with some scepticism but all variants of the venerable Morris are sweet little cars and particularly so this open tourer with cutaway doors. You would not find a '30s MG for 3K, even if it was dismantled like this one. For: A project for someone with a modest toolbox. Against: Best be a bit handy with it.

1949 Jaguar 3.5 Litre Saloon.  I would have loved to have listened in on a product planning meeting at Jaguar after the war. The market they chose to target had probably done well out of black market sausage casings and was ready to step up into a proper car. It was all of that with a powerful Standard-derived six cylinder motor but not yet with the twin cams. The whole ensemble would rumble up to 95 mph which was plenty. For: The interior. Against: Pre-war cars on wires are better looking.

1956 Humber 80. 3K does not seem a lot for a completely original first series Humber 80 with 50 thousand miles on the clock so I expect it will find a home quickly. The early cars have a charm about them that was lost in later restyles but they were also a bit ponderous. Never fear. Someone will have a bigger engine in the shed and then you can have some fun. For: Into the workshop and onto the track. Against: It would be a shame to spoil it.

1986 Alfa Romeo Sprint QV. 15K is pushing hard for a Sud however this one appears to be brand new and therefore something to be coveted. The four valve carb-fed engine was rapturous and powered a body shell with the mass of a KFC carton. A rust free, unworn example is almost unknown so I would say 15K well spent. For: Try and find better. Against: Nulla!

1990 Porsche 911 Carrera 4. I have been a non-believer in the rear ended German sports car but since taking a ride on a greasy road earlier in the week, I cannot but be astounded at the grip and power of the things. This is the 4WD 964 model with manual gears, still air-cooled and recognisable next to an older car. For: Even more grippy than the one I have just been in. Against: The colour largely.