How about fitting a nice leaper to your XJS?

[GlennH]

I spotted this little beauty at a local car lot. I couldn't resist posting a couple of photos here.

I am not a huge fan of leapers on the noble prow of the XJS, but this one has to be the worst installation I've ever seen.

I can't for one moment think this was owned by a fellow JEC member, but just in case this was once your pride and joy and you are embarrassed by my gentle mockery, I apologise, but what on earth possessed you to do this to your poor car???!!!
If you had to use a leaper paperweight, you could have at least taken it off its base.

Click on the photos for full size versions if you dare...

http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~holmeng ... 002thm.JPG

And the mascot in it's full 'glory'

http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~holmeng ... 003thm.JPG

Any takers for this little gem? I can put you in touch with the dealer for a small consideration.

[Jon]

I bet that takes about 10mph off the top speed

[veniceinperil]

I bet it takes about four grand off the asking price...

[poprivet]

OMG! Please don't tell me he drilled the bonnet to fit it
Pop

[JulesJag]

Is it a leaper paperweight ?

Julian

[veniceinperil]

I wonder if he'd intended to dash mount it and after a night at the pub lost all perspective of the length of his car..

Or maybe the previous day, a passing seagull having been out for a curry the night before,left the very worst of deposits right on the spot marked by the offending item....

Which brings us back to the dealer...Anyone got a deposit for me xjs....

[Mark_B]

Yuck! Leapers on the Sports Jags look stupid in my eyes. Leave them on the Salooons.

[GlennH]

No takers for this car yet? I am surprised...

It does have one more endearing trait. Both headlamps fill with water from time to time, so it's clearly not a happy motor...

My guess is it really is a paperweight (I'm sure I've seen one in a display cabinet at the main dealer in Peterborough) and since it hasn't washed off in all the rain we've had recently, my money's on it being bolted to the bonnet.

Regards,
Glenn.

[SimonR]

Ill probably get flamed alive here..., i'm also not a fan of the twin-headlamp conversions.... BLEARGHHH

Someone escort this gentleman to the door, please

Seriously though, I don't think that there's a more contentious XJ-S-related subject! I guess the twin lights are a bit like Marmite in that either you love them or hate them. Personally I think they look superb but I know that there are lots of people who disagree.

I converted my car a couple of months ago from solids to twins but kept the originals, just in case I ever change my mind.

One thing's for sure though, the twins are a lot brighter and people tend to get out of your way if you leave them on full beam without realising it and then drive up behind them...!

[GlennH]

One thing's for sure though, the twins are a lot brighter and people tend to get out of your way if you leave them on full beam without realising it and then drive up behind them...!
Hooligan!

I can't condone such sneaky behaviour, but I've seen first hand how effective it is

I too prefer the look of the ovals on my car, but the twins (UK spec not those feeble USA units) are undeniably brighter, I know which I'd rather have fitted for night driving. Another bonus of having them on your own car is that from behind the wheel, you can't see them.

[Jon]

I don't know simon, you'll be telling us you've got knight rider lights fitted next!

I'm not sure about the twin lamps, I suppose I wouldn't mind a pair to try and see what they look like, but they always seem to go for a lot more than 'experiment' money.

[SimonR]

I don't know simon, you'll be telling us you've got knight rider lights fitted next!

Actually I probably should just clarify: I'm not in the habit of driving around with my full beams on! It's just that I find that having dipped headlights on during the day enables those people who drive at 62.5 miles an hour in lane three of a motorway to see me in their rear view mirror and get the hell out of my way! I only turn it on when people act like I'm invisible...

There's nothing more annoying than having all that glorious power under your right foot and not being able to use it because there's some idiot in a tinpot jaloppy in your way, is there?!

Actually, the light situation is compounted by the fact that my dash indicator for full beam is very dull and I can't see it in day light, so it's a bit of a lottery as to whether my lights are dipped or full most of the time...

[poprivet]

I prefer the look of the ovals, but if replacements ever become impossible to find I would gladly install twins to keep the xj-s going.
Pop

[apax]

OK, We all know that this is 'In the eye of the beholder' territory, but in the eyes of this beholder, the ovals were a design flaw. I don't want my car to have a blank, bug eyed look so I've gone for the extra power and purposeful look of the twin setup. Not cheap and not a purist approach but I just know I've done the right thing, I think. My ovals are also still in the garage, just in case......Cheers, Archie.

[ng4xjs]

I am afraid I hate the thought of having to convert mine to the twin set up. Unfortunately I drive a “Facelift” and the likely hood is that if anything nasty happens to the ones I’ve got, that this may then be my only practical option. I rue the day.

Nick

ps. I reckon also it is a paper weight.