Hello; My first post, first Jaguar (5 weeks now - just before the lockdown!). I had no thoughts about buying one and it was sitting as an odd duck on the M-B used car tarmac. Everything about it impressed me and I said 'Why not?'. Having a week-end driver of my 1992 Cadillac Sedan-DeVille; I recalled how important I felt when I first drove that - looking at the hood ornament all the time. I knew I had to find out if I could get an ornament on this, as well (I learned quickly to call it a 'Leaper'). I ordered one from an E-Bay dealer and took it to my local luxury-car body shop for installation. I love the look - but what humors me is that every time I take it out, someone is obvious in looking at it. I got a 'thumbs-up' from one guy today in a parking lot and driving down another street - I could see that mans head turn around to follow the car. This does my ego good and I am not ordinarily an attention seeker. Does anyone else notice the 'lookers' when driving their Jaguar?

 

Pics?

 

 

Having a leaper on the bonnet (hood) of a modern Jag is quite a divisive thing. Like yourself, some love it. But others don't think it's a good "look". It's a very rare sight in the UK.

 

I see there is some division on the point when reading it up! Since it is my first one and I may have it a long time -- no way was I intending to 'lose out' on having it! I don't see myself as ever buying an older one.

 

Looks better than I thought it would. And I'm a BIG leaper fan.

 

Good for you, Michael. Your car, your rules.
On a technical point, is it fitted with the spring "breakaway" safety mechanism?

 

No, no and thrice no, a leaper on a modern jag looks truely awful. Sorry but leave them on the original cars where they are meant to be.

I would never buy a modern jag with one fitted, i've turned down looking at a few over the years because they have had them butchered onto the bonnet.

 

I’m a little late to this party but here’s my 2 cents worth.

A Jaguar needs a Leaper. Now if that Leaper is on the trunk and steering wheel only, that’s up to you. Personally, I feel it depends on the Jag.

The Special Edition XJ50 desperately requires a hood ornament. It’s built in celebration of 50 years of Jaguar, and therefore, need the hood ornament. Also if you have a Luxury spec XJ, XF or evening XE, ultimately, you should have it.

But what about the more hardcore machines? The XJR575, the F-Type, etc? Well that depends upon you. If you want it by all means. But it would make sense that those cars do without it, to be as aerodynamically smooth as possible (even though in the real world I don’t think a Leaper hood ornament will make any noticeable difference.)

So in short, I’m in favour of them, but I understand why some people might not want them.

 

I love it!! Looks sharp! Obviously im a leaper fan!

 

And I am a Cuda fan! Like your picture.
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well then youll love this. Its my car doing a burnout thru all the gears. Solid lifter cam, high compression, 6 pack, ported heads, headers, converter, the works!

 

That was great!!
Do you have a line-loc on the car?
A very nice straight launch too. Any 1/4 mile times?
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No line lock or quarter mile time. Had it on a 1000’ track but I donr remember the times. Its quick with its 4:30 gear!

 

The Leaper is a hazard to pedestrian safety and, depending on where you live, it may be illegal. Even if it is legal, depending on the circumstances, it can result in additional damages in a lawsuit.

You would be at a greater risk of liability if your Leaper had been mounted closer to the front of your car.

 

This is the reason I asked if the OP had it fitted with the safety break-away mechanism. Certainly here in the UK, it would be illegal to fit it to a modern car without. (If it was an original fixture of an older car then it's OK). Don't know what the legislation is in the US (or indeed if it's different from state to state) but if the OP has not fitted it with the safety mounting, his insurance company may take a dim view in the event of an accident. ANY accident where a loss-adjuster has to inspect the vehicle.

 

Good point of the liability issue. I always thought the breakaway spring was an anti theft device that makes it harder to passerby’s to rip off your hood ornament

 

The OEM Leaper sold by Jaguar is spring loaded to break away.

 

What happened to the female pedestrian who got rear-ended by an XJ with a Leaper hood ornament? Disaster!


If you didn't get it ... dis ast er.

 

My 2006 XK8 coupé has the most discrete possible leaper, on the petrol filler cap, hidden until you open the flap. I believe it has no other. I'd love to have the original leaper, shown on the radiator cap of the pre-war SS Jaguar. Mostly because I want the car that comes with it! I think it still looks appropriate on the bonnet of my daughter's classic '06 XJ8 Vanden Plas but, as much as I love the leapers on that last-of-the-classics, I think it would look like a wart on my sleek coupé. I hope I will be spared ever seeing one on an E-Type!

Granville