1967 TVR Tina, £30-40,000
The last time we saw Tina it was surrounded by glamour models in our own Earls Court Motor Show at Revival this year – there as part of the TVR display to mark the unveiling of the new Griffith. Tina – named after Gerry Marshall’s daughter – is certainly a rarity: only two prototypes were built, this coupe and a convertible, both designed by Trevor Fiore, based on the diminutive Hillman Imp Sport chassis and aiming to be a smaller, cheaper sort of TVR. The idea never flew but the coupe has survived. It was bought by Gerry Marshall in 1989 and subsequently restored by his daughter, the eponymous Tina. Now it is in all its gold body, red leather interior, 55bhp glory. And in case you are wondering, the ‘Tina’ badge really was going to be the Ford badge with the ‘Cor’ chopped off!
1998 Rolls-Royce Silver Seraph, £33-38,000
From a Rolls-Royce era before Goodwood and before BMW (Rolls was owned by Volkswagen then, remember that?) comes the Silver Seraph, first V12-engined Rolls since the Phantom III and last Rolls saloon to be made in Crewe. It was in production for just four years, sandwiching the Silver Spirit/Spur, which finished in 1997, and the new-generation BMW-developed Phantom of 2003. So a good industry back-story to go with this example’s Silver Pearl body, French Navy Connolly leather, lambswool rugs, burr walnut, rear picnic tables and electric front and rear heated seats. All the traditional Rolls goodies then as well as that V12 – which was from BMW, setting the path for the future – and what is said to be a history of 46,500 gentle and well-cared-for miles.
2000 Dodge Viper, £32-38,000
The perfect winter sports car? Er, no. In California maybe, but with an 8.0-litre 450bhp V10 engine, rear-drive and no namby-pamby ABS or traction control, Vipers are not for wet and slippery European winter roads. It would surely still make your Christmas day to have this cult American muscle car parked outside. This left-drive car is a second-gen SRT10 model, one of 840 made, finished in steel grey metallic with Viper stripes and includes a rare hard-top. Mileage is said to be 15,500 from new.