Five for the Xmas stocking

Cars, girls' names, cocktails and songs

A rambunctious pearl from Mr Stewart's yellow satin trews period.

1963 Chrysler Imperial Southampton Coupe. The vendor insists this is a 40K car but could only demonstrate that by selling it so wait and see. The early 1960s Imperial coupes are definitely the aesthete's choice of big Americans. Far less obvious than a Cadillac or Lincoln and fitted with gorgeous interiors, they are also well priced when the vendor choses to listen to sense. For: A Grace Kelly kind of car. Against: You would need a Jimmy Stewart kind of car to keep it company. An XK 120 maybe.

1967 Bond Equipe GT. The Bond Equipe was essentially a fastback Herald along the lines of the Harrington Alpine. A fibreglass roof and boot was laminated onto the Triumph lower body panels producing a roomy and practical sports coupe. This one has had an odd retroussé nose job at some point which would make it stand out from the small number of survivors. For: Cute tail though. Against: You may wish to scour the globe for a replacement bonnet if you are a perfectionist.

1971 NSU Ro80. I have long wanted a good Ro80 and this is probably the best in New Zealand. It was the in-house product of a small German company that pointed the way for Audi to follow twenty years later. Unreliable rotor seals have long since been re-engineered so the car's one weak point is no longer a major one. Spirited bidding suggests a ready market and if I had not spent so much on the Lancia, I would make it mine. For: A landmark. Against: Not to be taken for granted.

1989 Lancia Delta HF Integrale. Look past the gruesome interior decor to a genuine rally performer that will make every trip to the shops for milk seem like a tarmac stage in Tuscany. In handsome dark metallic grey rather than ubiquitous Rosso Corsa, this looks like a tidy original car offered at a considerable discount over the 25K that seems to be the norm. For: A 210+ hp 4wd Guigiaro designed paper bag. Against: Nothing.

1989 Fiat Tipo Sedicivalvole. For a further trifling sum you could park the Integrale next to its Fiat stable-mate. They use the same 16-valve engine to power the big Thema saloon which was a treat on a wet road so the lighter Tipo shell enables sufficient lurid torque steer to wake the dead. For: Cheap fast thrills. Against: Not for you quiet and retiring types.