Name: Simon Jones
Previously owned: in chronological order: Alfa Romeo Giulietta 1.6 and 2.0 (tipo 116) crashed x2 & ran out of money; Austin Princess (no pas pump after an incident in a field), Austin Mini (rear-ended, bodged into a hatchback), VW Passat GL5 (sold through a paper ad in Autotrader), Audi 200 quattro Avant (rear-ended, again); Alfa Romeo Giulia 1600 Spyder (tipo 101) sold, shame; Audi 100 S4 Estate (p/x for) Lancia Thema 8.32 (damaged, sold for tuppence); BMW Alpina B10 3.3 Estate (sold); Mitsubishi Shogun 2.6 BBR Turbo (ebay sale); ran out of money again, Saab 9-5 Aero Estate, (px for) Saab 9-3 Viggen Convertible (sold at auction)
Currently owned: 1981 Renault 5 Turbo, 2006 Mitsubishi Shogun 3.2 SWB, 2019 Alpine A110 Pure
On the shortlist: "Shedding is for garden/dog duties and a unclassified road commute. Brave pill number one would have to have many more cylinders than necessary and pill number two would have to be suitable for track days. Current car would be trying to be sensible and slightly left-field probably. I'd prefer petrol, may dabble with diesel; electro-trickery leaves me cold. I'm trying to avoid picking anything I currently own. As an aside I've found far too much interesting stuff."
Shed - Vauxhall Vectra LS
Cost: £799
Balance: £99,801
Why I chose it: "Friend of mine had one of these on his company scheme, he used to hoon up and down the M5 and can still smile about the speeds; however, it was I believe one of the most unreliable car he ever owned. I think a few of his colleagues had them and there was always stories of broken gearboxes and drivesahfts plus numerous electrical gremlins. Anyway, I think it looks perfect as a winter hack - big boot, pre-dented and even a warranty as well, apparently. For less than a grand what more do you want?"
Brave Pill - Jaguar XJR-S 6.0
Cost: £19,990
Balance: £79,811
Why I chose it: "My Dad's motoring highpoint was his early, red, pre-HE Jaguar XJ-S that he ran for a few years. Still have vivid memories of the first time I saw it from my bedroom window looking unaccountably long, low and sleek; I remember it being improbably fast with a turbine like turn of speed. This is the TWR 6.0-litre car with the 3-speed GM automatic which may make no sense to anyone under fifty but I also remember a group test against the modern German rivals which the Jaguar won where the engine's sheer thrust allowed the transmission to be locked in 2nd and the Exmoor roads to be devoured. Twenty thousand pounds for this sounds like a bargain to me."
Renault Megane R.S R26.R - £19,995
Cost: £19,995
Balance: £59,816
Why I chose it: "I can still remember getting quite excited about these when they were announced but I wasn't able to do anything about it at the time. I've driven a couple of Renaultsport Clios and Meganes on track and I love the balance and the feedback. This one is in a great colour combination and has all the right equipment."
The one still on sale - Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio -
Cost: £39,950
Balance: £19,866
Why I chose it: "I have a deep weakness for Alfas, though there isn't one at the end of the road yet in spite of not owning one for a while. This would seem like the perfect usable but special vehicle to me; moreover, it rather reminds of a love child of my old Alfetta-based RWD Alfas from the 70s and the Ferrari-engined Lancia Thema from the 80s wrapped up in a breath-taking modern guise. I think it looks great in blue as well."
Mercedes Benz 300 SL 24V
Cost: £16,950
Balance: £2,916
Why I chose it: "So, this would be perfect for my wife; she loves the sun but worries about the security of a soft top. Has always liked Mercedes; she bought a 190E 2.6 in Almandine red with cream leather and a later C240 Elegance (which wasn't a patch on the 190E, with the exception of the gearbox). This one looks absolutely mint although I might have to find a Becker radio for it."
1 / 6
