XJS ( X27 ) 1975 - 1996 3.6 4.0 5.3 6.0

One Headlamp or Two? Jaguar XJS V12

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Old 11-20-2014, 05:08 PM
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Default One Headlamp or Two? Jaguar XJS V12

Having just had the 'Leaper' or No 'Leaper' debate, where I am firmly in the 'No Leaper Camp'

What are your thoughts on the 'Single Headlamp' or 'Twin Headlamp' Style?

This is something that I feel quite Torn on, as while I love the 'Single Headlamp Style'

I cannot deny that the 'Twin Headlamp' Style has a certain something which gives the XJS a different look.

So while I am in the 'Single Headlamp' Camp, I have to admit that I'm wavering.

Thoughts Guys: 'Single Headlamp' Style or 'Twin Headlamp Style?
 
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Old 11-20-2014, 05:20 PM
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hhhmmmmm hard one that.

No wait, l have a small leaper and quad lights.......


simples..
 
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Old 11-20-2014, 05:22 PM
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I was twin until I bought the XJR-s and I think that the single units suit the car better, at least in the colour of my car.
I have a full set of twins for sale if you are wavering!
 
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Old 11-20-2014, 05:34 PM
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Originally Posted by malc4d
hhhmmmmm hard one that.

No wait, l have a small leaper and quad lights.......


simples..
I regretably still have a 'Leaper' but its days are numbered and the only reason its still on the Car, is that it looks marginally better, than the holes it would leave behind.

But as for Quad Headlights, I'm really not sure about that one, or should that be two?
 

Last edited by orangeblossom; 11-20-2014 at 05:38 PM.
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Old 11-20-2014, 05:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Steve M
I was twin until I bought the XJR-s and I think that the single units suit the car better, at least in the colour of my car.
I have a full set of twins for sale if you are wavering!
I'm Wavering but I'm hoping that 'Greg in France' is going to set me straight one way or the other, though I must admit I kind of like the Quads.
 
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Old 11-20-2014, 08:11 PM
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Before I had an XJS I thought the singles looked odd, because I hadn't seen them much. The car I own has single euro lights on it and the more I see double american lights the more I hate them. Everytime I see them IRL they just look so cheap and thrown together. They don't look like they belong on the car at all.

I suspect the only reason many other people like them is because it is what they are used to and they like the XJS regardless, so never put much thought into the dual headlights until they eventually saw singles and it looked "wrong" to them.

I think the doubles are pretty hideous and have a detrimental effect on on the elegance and look of quality to the car.

Not meaning to be offensive to anyone or say their cars are ugly. I just think they look ridiculous.

EDIT: I wrote singles instead of doubles in one spot
 

Last edited by sidescrollin; 11-20-2014 at 10:13 PM.
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Old 11-20-2014, 08:33 PM
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I prefer the look of the quad set up. I feel it gives it move of a 60's muscle car look that I prefer.
Having said that Ive kept the the single lights off my convert. Might want to change them someday.
 
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Old 11-20-2014, 08:37 PM
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Originally Posted by sidescrollin
Before I had an XJS I thought the singles looked odd, because I hadn't seen them much. The car I own has single euro lights on it and the more I see double american lights the more I hate them. Everytime I see them IRL they just look so cheap and thrown together. They don't look like they belong on the car at all.

I suspect the only reason many other people like them is because it is what they are used to and the like the XJS regardless, so never put much thought into the dual headlights until they eventually saw singles and it looked "wrong" to them.

I think the singles are pretty hideous and have a detrimental effect on on the elegance and look of quality to the car.

Not meaning to be offensive to anyone or say their cars are ugly. I just think they look ridiculous.
Well, they are not part of the original design of the car, so they are in a way "out of place".

I do like the original euro lights better as well, with one single exception: quads on a pre-facelift coupe in that old English white colour.
 
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  #9  
Old 11-20-2014, 09:23 PM
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That is a tough one I recommend two XJ-S's then you can have both styles It works for me 76 has Quads the 77 has euro singles.
 

Last edited by tokyodon; 11-20-2014 at 09:35 PM.
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Old 11-20-2014, 10:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Spikepaga
Well, they are not part of the original design of the car, so they are in a way "out of place".

I do like the original euro lights better as well, with one single exception: quads on a pre-facelift coupe in that old English white colour.
coupe? I could see them on a old english white convertible with a blue top, maybe because the top has a business to it that follows the quad lights and something about the white fixes the cheesy plasticy look to the headlamp surrounds a little. BUT i think it would still look better with singles
 
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Old 11-20-2014, 10:21 PM
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I think they both have merits, I'm neither drawn to or away from either. I feel the quads look better on the pre facelift and the singles look at home on the color bumper facelifts. I'm not going to get into phyco babble on my brain being conditioned because I own quads and am used to them, therefore I know no better....now THAT is ridicules!
 
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Old 11-20-2014, 10:28 PM
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The 'Euro'/single lamps make the front of the car look like an insect! Really ! Take a good look and you'll have to agree! Looks like insect eyes !

Well, that's what I see, at least

Gimmee the quad lights any day o' the week!

Cheers
DD
 
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Old 11-20-2014, 10:33 PM
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See? Insect eyes !!


http://media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/23...5397b452a7.jpg


http://d19dnnpcapsxxm.cloudfront.net...482E0C65_1.jpg


Cheers
DD
 

Last edited by Doug; 11-20-2014 at 10:36 PM. Reason: Forgot #2 URL !
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Old 11-21-2014, 01:20 AM
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right from the early prototype days of the design BOTH types of headlights have been on the XJS

there is a photo in one of the ' XJS ' books showing a half and half car with one euro and one quad fitted to it in the factory , as the quads were always designed for the US market ( and others ) from the beginning knowing the euro headlight would not pass regulation , this picture also shows early rear quarter designs and XJ trims on the car as they were trying things out

so, its down to taste and market and what you are used to

I personally think the Euro design is in keeping with the lines of the car, but I also think the quad setup gives the care more attitude

I have resisted fitting quads to my fully bodykitted XJS

BB
 
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Old 11-21-2014, 01:22 AM
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if the euro lights look like a bug the american lights look riced out

it seems like the quads are always the ones with those horribly tacky chrome fender flare covers as well






 

Last edited by sidescrollin; 11-21-2014 at 01:25 AM.
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Old 11-21-2014, 01:27 AM
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Originally Posted by orangeblossom
I'm Wavering but I'm hoping that 'Greg in France' is going to set me straight one way or the other, though I must admit I kind of like the Quads.
BB is 100% correct that both types were envisaged from the design stage. Personally I prefer the single lights, but the best advice is Tokyodon's: Buy one of each!

Greg
 
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Old 11-21-2014, 02:14 AM
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I've been looking for a set of singles for YEARS. When I can find a matching set though they are always missing something like the bezels or brackets. I think the singles make the car look more foreign and refined here in the states and I like that. But only the glass ones. The plastic ones all turn yellow eventually and that ruins the looks of the car more than anything!

Next spring I will be spending a month in England. I plan on finding single headlights while I'm there since they are everywhere and bringing 'em home with me!
 
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Old 11-21-2014, 02:18 AM
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There you go OB, has that all made your mind up for you? Ha, ha.
 
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Old 11-21-2014, 02:36 AM
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Originally Posted by EcbJag
I've been looking for a set of singles for YEARS. When I can find a matching set though they are always missing something like the bezels or brackets. I think the singles make the car look more foreign and refined here in the states and I like that. But only the glass ones. The plastic ones all turn yellow eventually and that ruins the looks of the car more than anything!

Next spring I will be spending a month in England. I plan on finding single headlights while I'm there since they are everywhere and bringing 'em home with me!
Indeed there are loads of headlights available in the UK. The problem is that over in England we drive on the other side of the road, so the UK lights will dip into your oncoming traffic. This is an inspection failure in the UK. Lights that dip correctly for USA and european roads are totally unavailable, apart from PTJS who has said he is hoarding a couple for his pension plan!

Ronbros has somehow fixed USA dipping separate light units within the old single unit, so maybe that is a possibility if you pick up a couple of UK lights?
Greg
 
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Old 11-21-2014, 04:20 AM
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Originally Posted by Steve M
There you go OB, has that all made your mind up for you? Ha, ha.
Yeah! sort of

Singles on one Car Quads on the other

But do I put the Quads on my 'Red XJS' or the 'Grey XJS'?

Wondering just how easy they are to change over?
 

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