Jaguar XJ220

When the Jaguar XJ220 appeared, there was nothing else like it. Unfortunately, its production coincided exactly with the recession of the early 1990s. Marry that to the unfortunate fact early purchasers — who paid huge deposits before the cars were built — were told the XJ220 would have a V12 engine and four-wheel drive. When the production car emerged, it had neither. Instead, it was rear-drive and was powered by a twin-turbo six-cylinder engine. Orders were cancelled, lawsuits initiated and people walked away from their deposits.

Make no mistake, despite its bad press, the XJ220 is one of the most beautiful and fastest supercars of all time. To prove the point, Jeremy Clarkson of Top Gear fame drag raced an XJ220 against a Pagani Zonda, one of today’s most high-tech exotics. The almost-20-year-old Jag ate the Zonda for lunch. Not only is the Jag still a force to be reckoned with, but its unhappy past and lack of initial financial success has created an exceedingly rare and sought-after collectible.

I can personally testify to the XJ220s great abilities, sexy looks and all-round charisma. Last fall, a friend and I acquired one to resell — a car with only 2,000 kilometres on it. On a mild fall day, I took it out for a gentle drive in order to get its juices flowing properly and — until I was pulled over for exceeding the speed limit by a hair or so — I have to admit it was exhilarating, interesting and just about the coolest drive one can possibly imagine.