Jaguar XJ-S Convertible
One of the finest films of the last few years is Jim Jarmusch's Only Lovers Left Alive, starring Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton as vampires in love. While the film is worth watching on merit, there's a treat for car fans in the form of a striking white Jaguar XJ-S – a bit like the one here. Watching the leads prowl around darkened Detroit to a decadent alt-rock soundtrack (played by the director's band, no less), lends the Jaguar deep levels of cool.
The one we've picked out of our classifieds does differ from that in the film. Tom Hiddleston's Adam is a master musician and inventor who counted Nikola Tesla among his personal friends. This means that the XJ-S burbles along with an engine that more than likely wasn't sourced from Coventry. Our white car, however, features a 5.3-litre V12 – perfect for whispering along on a surge of effortless power. That silence will come in useful if you are vampire – your victims won't hear you coming – and if not long journeys are truly relaxing, allowing you to take in the delights of your journey. Detroit may not be the most picturesque place for this, however – may we suggest the Cotswolds?
The other main difference is that the film car has a roof – we're presuming most of you aren't vampires, so this is probably a good thing. After all, topless car for a vampire is a bit like having a chocolate fireguard. An XJ-S without a roof is a truly decadent thing; just imagine gliding from location to location, the warm glow of the sun on your head and that glorious view across the bonnet – if you've broken into a grin right now, you're not alone.
And wherever you are, whether it's night-time Detroit or cruising through the Cotswolds, the XJ-S is a fine companion. And whether you're a vampire or not, it's a great classic car way of life to sink your teeth into.
You can see more pictures of the XJ-S Convertible here.