FOR most, the hobby of collecting classics starts with the ubiquitous Mini, MG and VW from yesteryear.

Further up, collections usually include Alfa Romeos, Mercedes-Benzes and Jaguars.

Apart from these, the choices tend to be eclectic. Some collectibles may not even have been the most desirable cars during their time, but are cherished today as classics. Here are some examples which have been spotted in Singapore.

1969 Honda 600

The Honda 600 was Japan's answer to the Cinquecento. It was small, but offered good packaging in terms of cabin space. The micro car was powered by a 600cc motorcycle engine and could be revved all the way to 9,000rpm. The 600 had a relatively short production run and was replaced by the Civic.

1959 Cadillac Fleetwood

The Rolls-Royce of American motoring, the Fleetwood tag was saved for only the most luxurious models from Cadillac. Arguably this applied to only those before the 1970s.

These included the Brougham, Series 60 and Series 70 limousines. These Cadillacs were of American proportions, with lots of space and gas-guzzling engines. Of interest to collectors are the Brougham Fleetwood convertibles.

1938 Citroen 11CV Traction Avant

The vintage 11CV was at the forefront of motoring technology. It featured a monocoque design, which was received with scepticism back in the 1930s.

To prove its point, the French manufacturer rolled the car off a cliff to demonstrate the rigidity of a unibody construction.

It was also the first few cars in the world to be front-wheel driven, hence its name Traction Avant which means the same thing in French.

1960 Fiat Nuova Cinquecento

Powered by a rear-mounted two-cylinder engine capable of covering 100km on 4.5 litres of petrol (no mean feat even for today's technology), the Nuova was a hit. Over 3.6 million units were sold during its 18-year production run.

1962 Toyota Sports 800

Affectionately known as the 'Yota-Hachi' (short for Toyota 800), it was the Japanese carmaker's first sports model. Although powered by a humble horizontally opposed two-cylinder engine, the 800 was a cutting-edge piece of technology.

It probably had the first 'targa' roof - a couple of years before Porsche came up with the term. Extensive use of aluminium and thin steel sheets meant that it weighed less than 600kg and could manage 150kmh.

1964 Singer Chamois

Also known as the 'Imp', it was touted as competition for the Mini. The Chamois was essentially a badge-engineered car based on the Hillman Imp and was Singer's luxury interpretation of the original. The car boasted a semi-trailing arm independent rear suspension system, which was rather complicated and rare for a car of this stature during its time.

1969 Datsun 240Z

This is the grandmother of the Nissan Fairlady (known as the 350Z here). The Datsun 240Z was an affordable sports car alternative to the more expensive Porsches and Jaguars back in the 1970s.

The rear-wheel drive coupe had an inline-6 engine and could achieve top speeds of 200kmh.

Today, the 240Z still has a strong following in other countries, but few are left in Singapore.

1969 Lancia Fulvia

Forget the Fords, Citroens or Subarus. Lancia made some of the most successful and iconic rally cars in the earlier days of the sport, including the Fulvia.

Its win in the 1972 International Rally Championships was pivotal in the Italian carmaker's subsequent successes.

Beyond its sporting history, the Fulvia was technologically advanced. Right from the start, it came with disc brakes all round.

This article was first published in The Straits Times on May 10, 2008.