Sold: the Jaguar XJ220 went for �105,000

The Jaguar XJ220 had just 111 miles on the clock when it was rolled in to its hidden lock-up at Marlborough Carpets in Cardiff in June 1993.

It is thought the owner hoped the car, which would have had a price tag of �400,000 when it was new, would prove to be a sound investment.

But the right-hand motor, one of only 350 produced, sold for barely a quarter of its original cost to an unnamed bidder.

The Jaguar, with a top speed of 200mph, was up for sale at auction as the main asset of the liquidated firm.

Bids were received over the internet at the auction house in Oxford.

'Good price'

Chris Hall of valuers and auctioneers Dovebid, which advised the liquidators, said the car was unusual because it was unregistered and right-hand drive.

He said: "The car has not been used since it was bought - it has been mothballed.

Mr Hall said: "We were very pleased - it was a good price."

The XJ220 made its debut as a concept car at the 1988 Birmingham Motor Show,and later went into production in 1991 when Jaguar Sport created the purpose-built factory in Bloxham near Oxford.

The only car to beat it for speed since has been the McLaren F1 supercar.