Thirty cars hath September

Cars, girls' names, cocktails and songs

I imagine drinking would naturally follow on from a drive with Lana Del Rey.

1950 Renault 4CV. The first French car to achieve a million sales, the 4CV was a bit of a tonic for the post-war motorist and they were exported everywhere. Most examples in New Zealand were English assembled 'de luxe' models with leather seats and a handsome pair of circular instruments gracing the middle of the painted dash. This is just such a car although it has lost the leather and the plated seat frames in the course of restoration. For: A Gallic alternative to a Morris Minor. Against: Don't hit anything. They are surprisingly rare these days.

1938 Morris Eight Sport. This must be the week for not getting around at crazy speeds but I am nevertheless sure you will enjoy the charms of this Morris Eight for which the word pert was probably coined. Just the thing for a lakeside picnic and a ramble. Your Boy Scout experience will come in handy when you have to put up the roof and side screens. For: Great fun then and now. Against: Don't be in a hurry.

1959 Triumph Herald Coupe. Giovanni Micholetti gave Triumph a touch of much needed chic with the Herald, here in rare and pretty Coupe form. It is a bitsa but in a good way with the larger 1300 cc motor and disc brakes. It is pleading to be painted primrose and be put on a set of Spitfire wires. I am broke so one of you do it, please. For: A good little project. Against: Catch the rust before it gets away.

1967 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow Mulliner, Park Ward Convertible. Not yet a Corniche despite the vendor's claims, the earlier Silver Shadow convertibles are the smart choice amongst open Rolls Royces. Simple cabin details please the eye rather more than the bling shoveled into later versions which look ready to be driven off by a Bolivian tin baron. For: Understated. Against: I can think of other ways to dispose of 80K.

1960 Studebaker Lark Convertible. I toyed with this last week, put off a little by the asthmatic side valve six that Studebaker could not replace when it launched its new Lark compact range. The rest of the car is delightful with its Italianate lines and formal grill denoting quality in a small package. For: Don't worry about seeing another one. Against: Originality is dandy but I would be tempted to repower this.