I finally got my car back on the road after a series of unfortunate events! Gearbox, oil cooler return pipes, coolan pipes, brake lines...

I want to freshen the car up a small bit, I've started with spraying the wheels matt black with gold calipers (tempted to change to red) and now looking at removing the side moulding too.

I'm also looking at changing the grille to the XKR mesh style but still undecided. Tempted to get clear reflectors too but I like the way the black wheels and the amber reflectors give it a very aggressive look. I might just wire up some LEDs behind the amber reflectors, as a safety feature of course!

Any thoughts on this guys??
thanks!

chris

 

Chris,

Good to hear the gearbox and oil cooler pipe saga ended in success.

I was recently looking at forum photos of another silver XK8 Coupe with the side mouldings removed. Such an improvement it made me wonder why Jaguar ever fitted them in the first place. They don't help prevent parking dings.

Graham

 

Agreed, this is one of those cars that looks much cleaner without the guards.

I'm from across the pond (so what do I know), but I always try to remove as much yellow from my car as I can. I think it looks cleaner. I have gone to clear side markers, and chrome bulbs all around. All that remains yellow are my front reflectors. If you need a set of bulb holders for the side repeaters, let me know as I have a spare used set from my conversion. Mark

 

Definitely remove the side mouldings, our XK's are all about the curves and the side mouldings don't add to the looks at all in my opinion. Cleans up the look of any XK, but more so for the coupes I think. (I have a writeup in my signature with before/after pics if you want to take a look).

I like the look of the black wheels! Kind of like the look Norman's got going with the stock 18's I believe.

+1 for changing the reflectors to clear. ESPECIALLY on a silver, white, or any other light color. It makes the reflectors blend in much better and cleans up the look alot. I think I have before/after pics in the link in my signature as well if you want to take a look.

 

Mark,

You know enough to live where the sun shines.

Graham

 

True! I have to remind myself I live in paradise. We have a saying here in the South that they pay us in "sunshine" because the wages sure suck.

 

When removing the side molding start with the small front one. A lot of times when previous owners have the cars touched up, the body shops will paint up to the moldings and they don't remove them, which will leave a paint line. starting with the small one will make it easier to reinstall if need be. A heat gun and Plastic razors or a "Little Chizler" will help in getting them off. Any left over residue will come off with "Goo Gone" or a liquid adhesive remover. Some of the forum members have used strong fishing line to cut through the adhesive. I agree these cars should have never had the side moldings , it looks like an aftermarket item.

 

Thanks guys, just ordered clear reflectors there so hopefully will have them for next week. I'm going to remove the side mouldings tonight so! Did a small bit of photoshopping and it does look a lot better!
Looking at exhaust tips too if anyone has any suggestions!

Mark-thanks for the offer but have loads of spares at home!

Graham-yeah what a relief to have it back on the road! Had to get new brake lines put in a few nights ago too! The car is like new tho!

I'll post up a few pics when it's done!

Chris

 

Clear (white) side reflectors look great on the front, but when I put some on the back of my car they looked a bit odd, so I swapped them for red ones, like pomosv. Also, the clear/white ones from Adamesh are nasty, try to get ones that can also accommodate a bulb.

 

So here's what it looks like today, still waiting for clear reflectors!
Also only removed one side moulding, got lazy!

 

Definitely an improvement with the moulding off.

I thought you all had turf on the roof in Ireland?

 

Thats done it... My door trims are coming off.

 

Just taken the moulding off - no remedial paintwork needed?

Graham

 

Coupes look great with the door trim off. Convertibles don't look as good (except the '05s that have the side skirts to make up for it)

The black wheels are painful to me though. I'm not big on black wheels and they only really work for me if there is a chrome lip on them. Just not my style I guess.

 

No turf anymore, the EU are stopping us cutting it! Definitely notice an improvement in aerodynamics without the turf slowing me down!

The lacquer needs touching up, a small bit pulled away with the door moulding but the front and end sections are ok.

The matt black wheels aren't for everyone but pictures don't them justice. I had them a dark metallic grey first but really didn't suit. Black wheels here are very rare so makes it even more headturning!!

 

Being rare there definitely helps. Around here, every high school kid grabs the cheapest can of black and sprays his wheels with it. The results are unprofessional at best.

 

Any pictures available?

 

I meant on the roof of the house.

But you might be onto something.........

 

No moldings or front running light. Thoughts anyone?

 

The side skirts make the lack of moldings work on this one. I'll see if I can dig up one without side skirts.

EDIT: Found it. It's not ugly, it just looks a little off to me, as thought it needs something to help the flow from front to back. I think the roof helps on the coupes and side skirts on the '05-'06 help too: