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5 collector cars to put in your garage this week

As absurd as it may sound, narrowing your dream fleet down to just five cars is a tough task. Every week, we tackle this tough conundrum, hoping to ease this eternal dilemma, with this week’s selection featuring everything from an Italian pocket rocket to a rare British super saloon…

Chunky but funky

The cute 500 may be the Fiat of choice for most, but examples of its big brother, such as this 1962 Fiat 600 D ‘Derivata’ Abarth 850 TC, have as much charm and style as their name is long. Of course, with an 847cc, 58bhp, in-line four-cylinder engine in its shapely rear, this is no straight-line speed machine, but for fun in the corners, giggles on the straights, and countless smiles per mile, she will be hard to beat.

Parisian show star

The design majesty of coachbuilding great Pinin Farina is well respected, and upon viewing specimens such as this 1946 Lancia Aprilia Cabriolet, it’s clear why. The dashboard alone is a marvel, with the bakelite finish melding perfectly with the shapes and tones of the instruments — it’s a lesson in simplicity and excellence all at once. As for the exterior, there aren’t enough adjectives nor space on this page to come close to describing its beauty, so we shall let the pictures do the seductive talking… 

Seeing is B-lieving

When injecting a classic 356 with some modern-day touches and custom attitude, most tend to favour the earlier 356A body style, as it’s delicate curves are often perceived as the most pleasing to the eye out of the entire range. From the looks of this 1962 Porsche 356B Outlaw, however, with its perfect stance and subtle tweaks, this may be a mistake. Created with every-day usability in mind, this white wonder boasts a 1750cc big bore engine, front discs, 12-volt electrics, and even a Bluetooth radio, giving you no excuse to get out and drive this 10 out of 10 Porsche 356.

Time machine

Just 15,500 miles on the clock, perfectly patinated paint, and an untouched interior to die for — these are amongst the many reasons why this 1966 Jaguar E-type S1 4.2 Coupé has found a place on our weekly wish list. Gifted to a Doris E. McNeil, of Illinois, by her three sons (heroes in our book), this example is in near untouched condition, even retaining the factory chalk markings for the body number on the bonnet. Sold with original handbook, Blaupunkt radio guarantee, tool roll and jack, and even handwritten notes from Doris, this is a special car with a special story.

Superleggera saloon

One of 55 examples built between 1961 and 1964, this 1962 Lagonda Rapide is a perfect illustration of the no-expense-spared opulence and potent performance that put Aston Martin on the map under the leadership of David Brown. Offering a decadent interior for four people, complete with picnic tables as standard and a twin-carburetted 3,995cc engine, this demure design, however, came at a considerable cost — more than a DB4, in fact. Today, we can think of no finer car for a coastal drive, at pace, with stylish companions aboard and a first-rate picnic in the boot…

Photos: Smiths-Veglia / RM Sotheby's / Timeless Garage / Pendine Historic Cars / Kidston SA

The Classic Driver Market showcases thousands of classic and collector cars for sale, with more added on a daily basis. You can also find a selection of classic motorcycles for sale, as well as yachtswatchescollectables, and even luxury properties.