WHAT IS IT? Designed by a bunch of Jaguar engineers in their spare time, the XJ220 was a statement of intent. It was to be the ultimate supercar, capable of blowing everything else into the weeds. But things didn't exactly go to plan.

WHEN WAS IT MADE? Jaguar stunned the world when it took the wraps off the XJ220 at the British Motor Show in 1988. The car, fettled by members of an off-the-books team, the so-called Saturday Club, led by chief engineer Jim Randle, was only ready with 48-hours to go, but made jaws drop when the world saw what Jaguar was capable of. It had a V12 engine and four-wheel drive plus a promised top speed of more than 210mph.

WHAT MADE IT GREAT? The beautiful looks, the amazing performance, the battling Dunkirk spirit of the Saturday Club who designed and developed the car beneath the company radar.

WHAT DID OWNERS HATE? Jaguar had no way to make such a low volume supercar so the project was handed over to TWR – the group that had designed the company's Le Mans winning sportscars. To the horror of prospective buyers, TWR made some minor changes... such as changing the V12 engine for a V6, ditching the four-wheel drive and scrapping the scissor doors. Worse, the Bugatti EB110 and the McLaren F1 had stolen the XJ's “world's fastest car” crown. A price increase from £361,000 to £403,000 was the final straw. Many of the customers who had put down a £50,000 deposit in 1988 had changed their mind by 1992. Some took Jaguar to court – and lost – but the damage to the car's reputation was done. Jaguar only ever made a couple of hundred examples.

IS IT WORTH GETTING ONE? After years of falling prices XJ220 prices have now stabilised. You won't find one for much less than £130,000 though. Given time, the car will appreciate in value – but don't buy one and expect to sell it on for a big profit immediately.

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST? If you have to ask you probably can't afford it... Even the tyres cost a grand a piece.