Coachline wanted

[JimMann]

Hi out there,

I have to get some minor rust bubbles fixed on the Converible and want to change the coachlines at the same time, as they have become a little ragged with age. Does anyone out there know where I can get decent coachlines (tapes) these days? I am looking for the red over silver versions, pretty much as illustrated on the XJS Convertible in the Martin Robey advert in the November 2006 JEC Magazine - page 49. Input much appreciated.

Jim Mann

[dhdove]

Jim
Some Original Equipment coachlines are still available from Jaguar. Try www.jdht.com and then navigate your way via your model year to the exterior fittings and sunroof section.
You might get lucky!
I believe the photo you refer to may have amber over quicksilver, bdc7253, bdc7255 bdc7251 (X2) bdc7256 and bdc7257. ( tho could beflame red over pewter or quiksilver). It's difficult to tell! These are pre-facelift sportspack "thin double line" coachlines.The xj-s parts manual lists them in full in colour.
NB JDHT has a better selection of facelift coachlines available.
DH Dove

[ptjs1]

Jim,

DH has covered well most of the answer. Basically there's three different combinations of double colour thin coachlines fitted to XJSs around that era. They are: Flame Red over Quicksilver, Flame Red over Pewter (the one in the Robey photo) and Amber over Quicksilver. If you email me the VIN and colour code of your car, I'll tell you the correct combination for your vehicle.

The good news is that all of the stripes are available from Jaguar Classic Parts. You can order the stripes direcly from Classic Parts or via your local Dealer. If you want to order direct, you can find a link to their ordering system via the JDHT website. Although Classic Spares are part of the Unipart organisation, their online ordering has to be done via a link on JDHT website, not the Unipart website.

If you go via your dealer, try and get a discount as a JEC member. If you want to order direct, drop me an email and I'll give you the phone number of the guys at Classic Spares who will then probably give you 10% off as a JEC member.

Hope that helps,

Regards,

Paul


Paul Sinnott
XJS Registrar
Jaguar Enthusiasts Club

[JimMann]

Hi Guys,

Many thanks for the prompt responses, have sent e-mail to Paul for defined part numbers from JDHT / Classic Spares.

Regards

Jim

[Gordon@1962]

Hi,

I’ve got a similar problem tracking down stripes down for my 1991 regency red XJ-S coupe.

I had to have a rear wing on my car resprayed following a little misdemeanour between my car and a heard of cattle.
However I'm now having problems getting the pinstripes sorted.
I've discovered that a previous owner had stuck a different colour on top of the originals.

The ones underneath are a double stripe with a wide silver along the bottom with a narrow dark red above, while this one is a wide silver at the bottom with a narrow light red above.
The reds are totally different as you can see the one underneath. In fact the one on top is nearly orange!

I popped along to the local Jaguar dealer who told me the originals are sprayed on and I'd have a job trying to find some stripes to match the ones on my car now.
He was right!
Have you noticed how modern cars don't have stripes on now??
Well I've tried finding a supplier but with no luck.
However as luck would have it I found this post!!

So I was wondering how close the originals are to the ones I have now?
Are there any good photos out there or samples to help me find a match?
I don’t really fancy trying to do the whole car as it will be a pig of a job trying to get all the old ones off without removing any paint!

[dhdove]

Gordon
Sounds like the originals were flame red over quicksilver, which have been covered over with Amber over quicksilver.
If you can lay your hands on a hard copy of the parts catalogue the stripes are illustrated in colour inside.
Re "the originals were sprayed on", surely he's pulling your leg???
The stripes may well come off easier than you think with the judicious use of a hair-drier
Have you checked out JDHT/classic spares for replacements?
Good Hunting
DH Dove

[Gordon@1962]

Hi DH,

I've had a look at this page http://www.jdht.com/webapp/wcs/stores/s ... gory=21685 on the JDHT web site, but it doesn't seem to list ther rear wing?? (or am I blind)

I'm going go take a digital photo tomorow and post it so maybe you guys can let me know what you think?

[Gordon@1962]

Here you go.........Photo

http://www.razey.karoo.net/images/CarStripes.JPG

Sorry about my reflection. lol

[dhdove]

Gordon
Photo would seem to confirm Amber over Quicksilver........
No.4 on your post pic. BEC 18174 EDC........(R/H and L/H) Still available at £21.67.....
NB Door stripes look as though they COULD have been touched in by hand at some point in the past......
Judicious use of the hair-drier on the old stripes and a steady hand should see it as good as new...........perhaps you should do the door as well .........................? NB....Tip mark top or bottom of the existing stripes before removal with small pieces of masking tape to ensure correct routing along the wing (assuming existing are correctly positioned)..
Good Luck
DH Dove

[Gordon@1962]

Sorry I should have said the photo is of the good side.
I couldn't get in to do the one I needed.
The side that needs doing doesn't have any stripes on the rear wing so no hair dryer needed.

Thanks for confirming the colours and the code.

[ptjs1]

Gordon,

It's difficult to see from the photos but I think DH has correctly identified Flame Red over Quicksilver which has been overlaid with Amber over Quicksilver. (However the original might have been Flame Red over Pewter?)

I've never seen an original car with stripes from that era painted on. Also, the "original" top stripe on your car looks slightly narrower than the current ones. Has your car ever been resprayed?

However, my suggestion is don't send the photos to Jaguar Classic Parts. They haven't really got the resources to deal with that sort of issue and I'm not sure they'll give you a definitive answer from your photos.

Just walk into your friendly dealer and order up all 3 combinations of colours and then compare & decide which ones you want and reject the others. You should also be able to negotiate at least 10% from your dealer as a JEC member (or else go to another dealer)

Good Luck

Paul

[Gordon@1962]

I know the rear wings were resprayed a couple of years ago but I'm not sure what other parts were done before I bought the car.

Looks like I'll have to pop back to the dealers. (good idea about ordering a couple of different types)
The funny thing was the 'lad' from the body shop told me you can't get stripes anymore.. ha ha
Looks like he's in for a shock when I tell him I know better.

Cheers guys,

[poprivet]

As long as each side is the same along its entire length, nobody will compare left and right sides. Could be different entirely, only you (and us now!) would notice
Pop

[dhdove]

Paul
"You should also be able to negotiate at least 10% from your dealer as a JEC member (or else go to another dealer)"

I recently ordered a new clock from my favoured dealers HA Fox of Cheltenham (who I have been using for the last four years for OE parts and who have given me some excellent discounted rates via JEC membership).
My contact in the Parts Dept. offered me 2.5 % discount. When I queried this he informed me that ALL discount rates had been reviewed by Jaguar UK, INCLUDING JEC discounts and that was what we now get. When I moaned about it he offered 5% which I had to take as that was the best offer he could give.

I think that this, if true, completely undermines the Clubs parts relationship with Jaguar. Also, why has there been no publicity about this Policy change.
I only found this out last week and am intending to e-mail Graham Searle/ Nigel Thorley accordingly, but in the meantime have you (or any other readers) heard anything about this on the grapevine?

I know Jaguar are losing money hand over fist and are probably on dodgy ground with Ford but surely this cannot be the reason
Regards
DH Dove
Sorry to semi-hijack this thread, perhaps a new one is in order?

[poprivet]

As long as each side is the same along its entire length, nobody will compare left and right sides.
I passed by an X300 today, nice car, nothing special, but noticed the coachline was a single plain black stripe, the sort of thing that would cost at most £10 each side, but the overall effect was fine. Not 'OMG THATS BRILLIANT' type of thing but fine never the less.
I'm thinking, unless absolute perfection or concours is the target what matters?
Pop