Like any sexy asset up for sale, Jaguar is attracting a lot of attention.

At least five bidders are expected to throw their hats in the ring by Friday when second round offers are due for the iconic carmaker put up for sale by U.S. automaker Ford. Land Rover is also included in the assets on the block.

Among bidders accelerating to the finish line are India’s Tata Motors, buyout firms One Equity, Ripplewood and TPG and British financier Guy Hands’ Terra Firma.

But there’s a sixth mystery party thought to be putting a bid into gear.  Purely speculatively, we’re wondering if some of those named as interested in buying Chrysler when that automaker was up for sale would also be interested — such as Canada’s Magna.

Whoever buys Jag will have a challenge living up to the car’s glamorous past — driven by movie stars, pop stars and celebrities from George Best to Clark Gable.

(pictures: Jaguar Web site and www.clarkgable.com)