A Grand Monday: Jaguar XJ40 3.6 Sovereign

Not that long ago, the XJ40 was the unloved Jaguar saloon - renowned for being a bit flaky, rot-prone and electrically unreliable, the big cat wasn't as loved as it could or should have been thanks to its dire reputation.

Fast forward a few years, though, and nostalgia (along with the fact that the worst examples are long gone) has shaken the tree somewhat, making the XJ40 suddeny become a desirable Eighties classic. The best ones are changing hands now not for three figures, as this were a decade ago, but for five figures. And anything less than a grand these days is usually only suitable for parts.

This example, then, looks well worth saving. It's all there and seemingly very solid, albeit with the usual boot lid rust.

It's not a car you can jump in and drive - it's been stored in a garage for 15 years and has no online MoT history to back that up, but hopefully dry storage won't have caused it too much hardship. Early XJ40s are rare cars these days - and this is one that looks like it'll make a terrific project.

• Read our Jaguar XJ40 review and buyer's guide
• How many XJ40s survived? Find out
• Find a Jaguar XJ40 for sale