Whatever’s happening at the company today, a classic Jag will always carry an air of authority. The XJS was not immediately loved when it arrived as a spiritual successor to the legendary E-Type, but its long bonnet and sweeping lines have passed the bigger test of time. A British answer to a luxury grand tourer, its high-speed composure makes motorway miles pass with ease. Silky and dependable, the 4.0-litre Straight Six AJ16 is the engine of choice for sensible buyers of today. The 6.0-litre V12 is for those who demand more punch, and are okay with the constant threat of a trip to the garage. The Celebration models released between 1994 and 1996 are the sweet spot of refinement, collectability and good looks. 

Good examples: £5,000 - £9,000 

If the Mustang is a rock ’n’ roll leather jacket, the W123 is a perfectly tailored three-piece suit. Built in an era when Mercedes-Benz engineered cars to outlast almost everything else on the road, the W12 is the definitive expression of understated, executive cool. The OM616 and OM617 diesel engines are the stuff of automotive legend: overbuilt, virtually indestructible and entirely unbothered by high mileage – never let the odometer put you off. Simple mechanics, physical switchgear, and a near-total absence of temperamental electronics make the W123 a joy to own and easy to maintain. It turns 50 this year, and has never looked more relevant. 

Good examples: £4,000 - £7,000 

This is the car that made the hot hatch category. Born as the successor to the much-loved Beetle, the Golf GTI rewrote the rulebook on what a small car could be. Front-engined, front-wheel drive, and sharp as a tack, it gave everyday drivers a genuine taste of performance. It still commands a devoted following, and rightly so. Finding a clean, OEM-spec example is increasingly hard – when you see one, move quickly. 

Good examples: £6,000 - £9,000