tommallett

I sit here with friends, looking over the balcony at Mahon harbour in Menorca.

I have a cold drink on the go and we are discussing whether a Riva would be the perfect addition to the garage? It is by the way, and a Riva Junior is achievable. So, with this discussion on the go you would imagine that we would be contemplating a Ferrari 250 California SWB, or maybe a Lamborghini Muira SV.

Of course, that would be wonderful and I would leap at the chance to own one of either. But we are talking about a Riva Junior here, not an Aquarama and winning the Euromillions seems unlikely for a number of reasons, not least the lack of lottery tickets that pass through my hands on an average year.

On the basis that I’ve already splashed the cash on this hypothetical Riva Junior, which for the record is well worth the money as you cruise past the French Riviera togged up in Raybans, linen shirt and chino’s, then what car can you pull up in that isn’t going to cost the earth?

It certainly isn’t the new shape Vauxhall Merive 1.4 turbo rent-a-car that is parked outside on the drive, although I have to say that I think it’s actually a pretty good car. It isn’t the Peugeot 208 rent-a-car that sits next to it either, even with its thrummy little 3 cylinder engine. Although it’s way closer to the mark than the Meriva, and as you buzz around the island it has some of the essential attributes.

You could make the mistake of thinking that a newish Golf would be the right choice. It certainly is everywhere else in the world, it’s well made, reliable, practical and totally classless. Sadly though, it would not be the right thing to pull up in Juan Les Pins. I’m pretty sure we are looking for a hatchback in our quest. You can’t deny the appeal of 4-5 seats, luggage space and the lack of cost. It needs to be classless, handle well and maybe have the ability to ruffle one’s hair or sun a bald patch.

Another Golf maybe? We’d have to go back a few years though I think. A Mk 1 convertible maybe? The GTI version definitely. Now we’re getting close I think, but certain southern Europeans might look down their noses at the Germanic efficiency of the Golf, is the build quality just a bit too good? So we can go one better.

Honourable mentions must go to Citroen’s 2CV, maybe even a Mini Moke. But I think that they might just be a bit too kitsch in this time of austerity.
There we go then. It’s a Peugeot 205 convertible, obviously. In all seriousness no-one would bat an eyelid if you pulled up in the 205 and jumped in a Riva Junior. You’d have great fun along the coastal road too, and if you forgot the keys you’d just hot wire it and cruise home. The 205 is the ultimate Riviera car, be in no doubt, and those dents just add to its character.

It’s a bit different on the Med….