Jaguar XJ8 3.2 Executive Sport

Undoubtedly one of the greatest saloon cars of all time, the Jaguar XJ range was launched way back in 1968 but, so beautifully proportioned was the original design, that it was still recognisably the same car over three decades later. After some issues over build quality in the late '70s and over styling in the late '80s, the XJ once again regained its old magic in 1995 with the launch of the X300. Under the masterful eye of chief stylist Geoff Lawson (who also penned the dramatic XJ220 and the retro-cool S-Type), the slabby styling of the XJ40 was binned in favour of a return to the muscular curves and quad headlamps that had traditionally defined the big cat's appeal.

In 1997 things got better still with the launch of the X308 which had a revised interior, minor external styling tweaks and new adaptive suspension. But the big news was under the bonnet which now housed a magnificent V8 in either 3.2 or 4-litre capacity. With 240bhp and 290bhp respectively, these units were paragons of refinement and reliability and the X308 became the best-selling luxury car in the UK.

First registered in May 1998, this Executive Sport 3.2 model has covered only 55,800 miles from new and comes with a full service history comprising seven service stamps to date (the last at 51,600 miles) and an additional oil service within the last few hundred miles. Looking particularly fine in Anthracite Metallic with an Oatmeal half-leather interior, it is packed with all the luxuries you would expect including: electric memory seats; electrically adjustable steering wheel; ice cold air conditioning; premium sound system with a CD changer; cruise control; rear sunblind; Bird’s Eye maple dashboard; sports suspension; multiple air bags etc.

Said to be in "excellent" condition throughout with an MOT until July and taxed until the end of June, it is still covered under Jaguar’s 60,000 mile warranty scheme. It comes with all its original handbooks and is even still fitted with the in-car telephone it has had from new. If you have never experienced one of these magnificent machines you really don’t know what you are missing – everything about them is designed to make you feel good about driving and even, dare I say it, proud to be British.