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We invite Jaguar enthusiasts to help reader 'XK8 Fan', who seems on the verge of buying a second-hand model. Should he or she go ahead? We think the XK8's a lovely car for a Premiership footballer, and the recent setting up of Jaguar Hong Kong's second-hand sales operation should help residual values of a model that doesn't seem to have had as many recalls as its predecessors on the net. But we've never driven an XK8 in Hong Kong, and we invite owners to comment.

'XK8 Fan' writes: 'I am a fan of your motoring column in the South China Morning Post, and enjoy the facts and views every Saturday. I have heard, as many others have, the joke about Jag owners buying two Jags, one to drive while the other is at the mechanic being repaired.

'I am considering buying a used Jag XK8 coupe, model 1998. BMWs and Mercs are sold in large numbers as new, hence one expects to find, and does, large numbers of used ones for sale.

'However, I thought there wouldn't have been many of the XK8s sold as new, but there seems to be quite a few used XKs around. I would be grateful for your views on whether these XK8s are reliable or any comments.'

Comments please to [email protected]. The most helpful letter wins a pair of genuine Hong Kong taxi driver's gloves, value $2, which are now proving invaluable with the MX-5's hood down.

Rolls-Royce Motor Cars has unveiled a new division wall configuration for the Phantom with extended wheelbase, says Ross Hughes of Ogilvy Ogilvy Public Relations. You can see it at the Hong Kong Club Building showroom in Central.

The wall's for customers who wish to have more rear-seat privacy, Hughes says. 'The division was handcrafted using the finest leather and wood veneers. A transparent screen ensures that rear passengers still enjoy the great sense of space that the Phantom offers, yet one cannot be easily overheard by the driver,' he says.

The Phantom's extended wheelbase involves an extra 250mm behind the B-pillar, creating lots of space in the back, Hughes says. Conventional extended-wheelbase cars are often built by cutting them in half and welding in extra metal - but not with Rolls-Royce.

'Aluminium roof and rear door panels are the only new major exterior parts required,' the marque says. Components are painstakingly hand-welded by a team of specialists at the Goodwood factory.

But we pity those who come to work with hangovers from flat and warm Sussex ales over the Christmas celebrations.

'Such a high level of craftsmanship is involved that every technician is required to complete a series of tests each day before starting work,' the marque says. 'The longer Phantom [HK$6.38 million] can be built alongside the standard model [HK$5.49 million] without difficulty.'

Hong Kong will continue to be a backwater in the classic car world until a local collector parades a Reliant three-wheeler on Chater Road. Elvis Payne's new 260-page book, How to Restore Reliant Regal (#29.99/US$59.95) offers a guide to the restoration of Del Boy's van, says Veloce Publishing.

The book makes a fine Christmas present, too. Its photos show every stage of restoration by an expert, the Reliant Owners Club's creator of www.3-wheelers.com.

We learn more than 100,000 Regal saloons and Vans were built between 1962 and 1973 and many survive because their bodies can't rust, which is good news for Hong Kong. Bidding for a pale blue 1971 Mark III reached a heady GBP1,971 (HK$26,832) on eBay UK on Tuesday.

And if you have ever rocked in a Reliant, or reckon a Mark III Regal could leave a Trabi for dust, do tell us. Meanwhile, Veloce sell lots of fine books through www.veloce.co.uk.
Finally, racing drivers Matthew Marsh and Darryl O'Young of the Le Mans hopefuls Noble Group team invite Foot Down readers to answer the following questions correctly, and win team T-shirts, caps, its new promotional DVD and autographed team cards signed by the drivers of the 'Bauhinia Car'. If you're not sure of the answers, they're on www.lemans.hk.
To win your prize, answer the following questions correctly on [email protected]:

1. How many hours does the Le Mans race last?

2. Who was the star in the famous movie Le Mans?

3. What type of car did the Hong Kong team use in this year's Le Mans Endurance Series?

4. In what position did the team finish in the recent FIA GT race at Zhuhai?

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