Lot details
Registration No: K381HEG
Chassis No: HK11028349
Mot Expiry: Jan 2013

In period, the venerable Jaguar MKII was the preferred mount of villains, who in turn were chased by police aboard almost identical machines - a role immortalised in recent years by Inspector Morse. The model also transported trendy celebrities and won countless events on the world's race tracks. As a result of such fame/infamy, the values of good, original cars continue to climb and companies such as Beacham still create a marvellous blend of old and new by grafting modern Jaguar mechanicals to MKII bodies. None of this legend has escaped the Japanese, who are long-standing fans of quality British goods. And it is primarily for this eager audience that the Japanese company Mitsuoka created the Viewt, a microcar-sized pastiche of the Jaguar MKII based on the Nissan Micra.

The original version was unveiled in 1993 and therefore based on Micra K11 mechanicals, giving the choice of a 1.0 or 1.3-litre engine and manual or CVT automatic transmission. A few hatchback versions were made, but most Viewts had a fixed Jaguar-shaped rear window and rounded boot in place of the Micra's tailgate. The Micra nose was replaced by a light, grille and bumper set so reminiscent of the MKII as to play tricks with the minds of oncoming drivers - 'that's surely a Jaguar that's shrunk in the wash?!' The interior was pretty much standard Nissan, though leather seats and wood trim could be specified at extra cost.

This 1993 Viewt has apparently had just one owner since it was imported. It is equipped with the 1.3-litre engine coupled to the CVT gearbox and is finished in Blue complemented by a Grey interior. The vendor regards the Mitsuoka as being in "superb condition throughout", having covered 8,227km from new, and is selling it with MOTs dating back to 2003, plus one valid until January 2013.