Five toots on the horn of plenty

Cars, girls' names, cocktails and songs

Has Trade Me turned into a cornucopia? Not really although it did provide me with a 2001 Saab 9.5 for a sliver over 2K to inspect for a student. It is hard to believe what happens to the residuals in a luxury car, particularly if the maker is careless enough to go out of business. Once they get that cheap you can use them until something expensive happens and walk away, leaving the keys in the lock.

I will leave you to guess what would carry the plate CPL5938. 

1948 Armstrong Siddeley Hurricane 18hp. Armstrong Siddeley was among the first British makers to get back into production after the war with models named after the company's combat planes. While flush with money at the start, they could not design a car anyone wanted by the end of the following decade. The Hurricane was a decent tourer in larger engined form and was almost all alloy so, while not a lightweight, will keep up with modern traffic. For: Chiseled looks. Against: A relic of finer times.

1956 Buick Special. I base my choice of 1950s Americana on what Hergé would have drawn in a Tin Tin strip and I think the dear old Nazi sympathiser  would have liked this four door pillarless example. The colours and strong lines would look great on low quality paper. What better reason to buy? For: Looks good for the money. Against: You will be expected to like other things from the general era.

1967 Volvo P1800. The Volvo P1800 came from the studio of Pietro Frua and so carries the rocket ship styling traits of that exuberant carrosserie. Underneath the swooping lines is Volvo's Amazon saloon so you get the best of both worlds. It turns out the styling was by Swede Pelle Pettersen who designed the Maxi class sail boat. This model was built in England by Jensen, all the Italian ones having fallen apart shortly after sale. For: One of the best dashboards ever. Against: Aunty Amazon in a thong.

1969 Alfa Romeo GTV 1750. You do not see these being offered for this sort of money nowadays so questions must be asked. The vendor does not seem to be answering any so it may be a take it or leave it proposition. The series 1 1750 has the desirable but uncomfortable flying buttress seats and dainty front indicators perched on the bumper so are nicely distinguishable from later models. For: Many say the best of the Guilia coupes. Against: Inspect carefully.

1974 Renault R17 Gordini. Our friend in Kelston with the Fiat 130 and various NSUs is having a right old purge and is now offering a Renault coupe in desirable Gordini trim for $300. Go on – I dare you. For: Fortune smiles on the brave. Against: You have to fix it, not leave it under a fraying cover in the drive.