The last five for the year

Cars, girls' names, cocktails and songs

The end of the year has come around and I will take a break from the Petrolhead Aesthete while Trade Me gathers its strength after the Xmas spending orgy. I predict interesting cars will come on the market when the season's credit card bills start landing in mailboxes so we will return in early January to see.  

All the best for the coming year and I wish you enjoyable motoring with no breakdowns, either emotional or mechanical. Oh, and the song? A skittish live version of Mr Davies finest three minutes. Remember to raise a glass of Christmas stout to Terry and Julie. 

1954 Alvis TC21/100. The big Alvis saloons were a combination of left over pre-war elements that managed to be much better than they needed to be in the car starved early 1950s. Usually on wire wheels, the TC21/100 'Grey Lady' variant carried a tuned version of the three-litre six and would see the golden figure of 100 mph. 12K is very reasonable although the vendor is refreshingly frank about its faults. For: Pre-war looks with good road manners. Against: Needs expensive attention to the body.

Fiat 600D. Alright, I know you are not professional race car engineers but imagine the fun you could have with this. The shell has been adapted for a wide variety of propulsion and the vendor has many helpful suggestions, any of which could result in a truly frightening outcome. For: Go on. Give yourself a thrill. Against: You have to finish it.

1971 Sunbeam Rapier. The Rootes Group designers faced a similar situation to that highlighted by the Plymouth Satellite in last week's list. A coupe on a saloon wheelbase with a high scuttle is always going to look awkward (unless you are Batista Pininfarina) but the Alpine/Rapier managed to look sporty and not bankrupt the maker. This is possibly the best one available and therefore the only one I would counsel you to buy. For: A 'Life On Mars' experience. Against: A Hillman Hunter lurks beneath.

1972 Volkswagen Porsche 914. The rationalist aesthetic of the mid-engined 914 has aged well over time, overcoming some of the prejudice and wonky marketing that limited its success in the 1970s. It has always struck me as an engineers' car due to the minimalist details and reliable mechanicals. Never a common site in New Zealand, a 914 is the thinking driver's MGB. For: As the young people say, a very cool car. Against: Not much.

1990 Porsche 928 S4. For not much more money, you could be driving the most undervalued GT on the planet. With ageless looks, indestructible mechanicals and the benefits of carefully honed development from Porsche engineers, the 928 is the best way ever devised to traverse long distances on land. For: One fifth the cost of a contemporary Ferrari. better looking and reliable. Against: Pick a good one. Bad ones are valueless.