Five ways to ruin

Cars, girls' names, cocktails and songs.

No music or gayety today as we remember Claude (2007-2012), here wearing one of Alice's paua bracelets in his official role as keeper of the family bed covers. 

1957 Jaguar 2.4 Litre Saloon. Jaguar fanciers are reserved about the early small engined cars, not seeing them as the subtle vehicles that they are. The power output was just right for the chassis and the steering quicker than the Mk II, giving them a handiness that was blunted in later versions. This one is in the ideal colour and the spats complete the image. For: Drive one at night. The instruments have a wonderful violet glow. Against: Check the body carefully.

1972 Alfa Romeo 1750 Berlina. Is a good Berlina worth as much as a good GTV? Rarity and convenience would suggest as much and you do not have to look at the plain four door body while driving. Instead you will enjoy one of the best dash layouts ever placed into a car. For: Practical, quick and refined. Against: Character deficit compared to earlier Guilias.

1973 BMW 3.0 CSI. It has been a good week for the Europeans with this fine BMW coupe rounding out the selection. Unusually, there are three on offer on Trade Me which supports my theory that vendors decide to sell only when a car similar to their own is listed. This looks to be the best example. For: The car Alfa should have made in the 1970s. Against: Nichts.

1974 Fiat 124 Coupe. The third restyle of the elegant Fiat coupe looked awkward from front and rear but the driving is the thing. The 1800 cc twin cam is strong without being coarse. Later enlarged versions required balancing shafts but here the vibrations are a pleasant Italian rasp rather than the kidney shaking variety. For: The ideal thing for these straightened times. Against: Buy the best example you can.

1979 Fiat 131 R. 'R' stands for racing in case you need to be told. Despite looking like it was made from flat pack wardrobes, the 131 was a rally and track success and the street versions are madly entertaining with the purple plush seating being the least of it. For: The combination of decor and Weber induction roar. Against: The other 'R' word.