37 Jaguar XJ-S

Following in the footsteps of a great is never easy – just ask George Lazenby or David Moyes – but while many film buffs and Man United fans would happily consign On Her Majesty’s Secret Service and the 2013 Premier League season to the history books, the XJ-S is finally stepping out of the shadow cast by the E-type.

Controversial styling hampered the Big Cat on its release, as did the drift from the more sporting E-type to become more of a grand tourer, but if you can get along with those interesting buttresses, the XJ-S represents a great deal of value for money.

Early versions were all fitted with Jaguar’s 5.3-litre V12, and from 1981 efficiency was improved – although everything’s relative – while a smaller 3.6-litre ‘six’ was added to the option list. Six-pots are now cheapest, but you really want that lusty, lazy 12 and runners can be had for less than £10k. Stretch to £15,000 to get a well cared-for example, but remember that you’ll pay a premium for convertibles.