Jaguar XJS

The Jaguar XJS has always been one of my favorites. The design, even in real life, is still striking—but it’s also a shape that never photographs particularly well. This Hot Wheels model is from 1977 and was part of the original group of cars I played with as a kid.

As I got into my teens, I learned about some of the electrical issues Jaguar had with the real car. It’s a shame, given the V12 engine and the car’s sleek looks. About five years ago, I tracked one down at a dealer for a test drive. Before I even left the lot, a small plume of smoke emerged from the center console. Yikes. But it subsided, and the drive went ahead as planned.

The experience was everything I had hoped for since childhood—smooth and powerful.