In the UK there is an ongoing debate about retro-fitting leapers as they are seen as the mark of a true Jag!! If you take it off there will be a ready buyer on the UK forum
Re chrome black - have a search on fleabay UK there are some available there - look cool.
Cheers
JC

 

From a design standpoint - the industry has stepped away from protruding emblems... did you see it on the new JAG or any known EURO car? Nope, most of them use a flush or recessed emblem now (thank God) and like Ex said it looks like gennies

All good design evolves at some point to "freshen" it up. It was a much needed change and to all the people who love a big piece of chrome poking out feel free to keep it or get it added its a free world...

 

I personally prefer the 'timeless classic' look of the S-Types, X-Types and the prior generation XJ's.... I think they will be cars that 10 years from now will continue to be pointed-out and examined when driving-by, like seeing a piece of history, a reverence, if I may be so bold... I will miss the quad-eye headlights and garish grills for certain...
Everything on the market is starting to look overly divaricate and geometric. Evolving AWAY from curvilinear and sexy, to rigid, angular and cold. Much like comparing the Ferrari 360 Modena to the new Italia 458 (which now just looks like another Lamborghini) which have LITTLE passion to there designs

 

I'm thinking of having the wife knit a little turtleneck sweater for the Leaper.

Got the idea from one of Exexpat's posts above.

 

That's funny.

Now if you made it an homage to Steve Jobs, eveyone would buy them, the press would cover every stupid little thing it does and people would stick them on non-Jaguar cars like mindless zombies. I say do it.

 

Doesn't europe have some pedestrian safety law that cars there cannot have protruding ornamental things on the bonnet? I suspect Jag and other mfr's stopped making US & Euro version hoods.

 

I think its like sex. Four times in one day is just fine. Five is over the top

Regards

Lockie

 

They do that is why Jaguar modified the leaper with a spring load and nylon fastener so it gives on impact and if necessary breaks away. They are legal in UK as a retro-fit BUT the original solid leapers are not unless original equipment on the car.

What about Mercs?

Jim

 

I have to agree with Mt Bond. I love my leaper cuff links, leaper wallet, leaper letter opener, leaper switch blade etc

Regards

Lockie

 

I have a knitted coat for all three of my leapers. If you look close enough the car on the track is wearing one.

regards

Lockie

 

I could've sworn theft of hood ornaments was why they did away with them. That's why I have to do the delete, my sister was the previous owner of my X-type and she doesn't live in the best neighborhood and it got swiped.

Since I've become a smug jerk due to driving a jag among my 90's toyota and honda driving friends, I kind of wish I had the leaper. Or at least the decision to get rid of the Leaper. lol It really comes down on if you're satisfied with owning a jaguar or if you're satisfied that everyone else knows you're driving a jaguar.

Though an X-Type could be mistaken for a 4th gen Hyundai Sonata at a glance without the leaper.

 

The car is pretty hard to mistake for anything other than a Jaguar - without any badging. If you debadge an XF, I can see that getting confused for an Infiniti (don't know why, but for me I equate Lexus as copying Mercedes themes and Infiniti with Jaguar, but I may be alone in that thought). With or without the chrome gennies protruding from the hood, it's a Jaguar.