Jaguar XK8 Coupe

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Designed as a replacement for the late, lamented XJS, the new Jaguar XK8 was launched at the Geneva Motor Show in 1996.

Sleek, lithe and muscular in the finest Jaguar tradition, it was largely designed by Geoff Lawson, who had also penned the stunning XJ220 supercar. As Jaguar was under Ford ownership at the time, it shared its platform with the fabulous (and far more expensive) Aston Martin DB7 to which it bore more than a passing resemblance. The first Jaguar ever with an eight-cylinder engine, it's 4-litre V8 produced 290bhp and could waft the car to an electronically limited 155mph top speed.

Dating from February 1998 this particular XK8 looks wonderful in dark blue with an oatmeal hide interior. Always impeccably maintained it has covered around 120,000 miles with no fewer than 23 service stamps to date plus many supporting invoices, the last service being carried out just a handful of miles ago. The automatic gearbox and torque converter were overhauled about 20,000 miles ago and new timing chains and tensioners fitted about 36,000 miles ago.

Said to be in very good condition throughout and to drive beautifully with an MOT until the end of the year, it looks criminally cheap at the modest guide price suggested today.