Sent my 97 xj6l off to the shop to get painted. One thing I noticed was the body line is more visible (to me at least) without the coachline/pinstripe running down the length of the car. I will look at the car when it's done being painted without the stripe and ultimately determine if I want them to paint on a new stripe or not.

But I was just wondering if anyone would like to voice their opinions on pinstripe/coachline or none.

 

I know where you're coming from, I prefer a more modern clean look to the body lines.

My pin stripe was originally burgundy, definitely contrasting but IMO too dominant - very 80's 90's.

Since one section of the stripe was damaged when I got the car, I eventually decided on going with a silver/grey stripe. It's all a matter of personal taste of course, and the purists would say it compromises originality, but the result for me is a more subtle "shadow" effect to the body crease without being dominant.

 

Hi Scarecrow,

I personally like pinstripes on all XJ6s and XJ8s through X308, but I do prefer colors that are chosen with taste and less-than-maximum contrast (Jagent - nicely done!).

I've noticed that either the Jaguar factory or dealers applied pinstripes in a couple of different locations - some cars have them just below the crease line, and others have them a couple of inches above the crease line. You might look at photos of enough cars to get an idea of what I mean and which position you prefer.

Cheers,

Don

 

I just had mine painted and since it didn't have it originally I never considered one. That said, I like yours because it is subtle and definitely would not like anything that was high contrast. Also, all of your window trim is blacked out, did you do that yourself or did it come that way, I kind of like it and it would saved me some money in replacing chrome trim.

 

Actually, almost no X300s in Japan has the pin stripe. I don't think they offered one on Japanese spec cars.
So in Japan many people rather want to put pin stripe on their cars, since they look special in Japan.

It's interesting too see people want to go the other way than other people...
So, I am biased to see the stripe make the car look better, and that is why I understand you like it without one.
At least without stripe is the "original style" in Japan

 

You're right, many of us prefer to go against the flow to express individuality. In any case, it's the manufacturer that decides on these embellishments in the first instance, but it doesn't mean owners always like them. Why they would decide to add a stripe in some markets and not others is a complete mystery to me.
Viva la difference!

 

Mine is an X300 Sport which I understand wasn't available in North America? The black window trim is factory standard on the Sport and XJR. These models also came with a sports seat profile in perforated leather, plus the half wood/leather steering wheel as standard.

I believe the XJ6 variant also has the black window trim, at least it does in this market, not sure about elsewhere - which gets us back to the question of why so many variations for different markets!

 

Mine has a slightly lighter gray stripe along the top of the fenders as opposed to one of the body creases. I like it. You almost can't see it from afar.

I don't know that I would have had it put on if it weren't already there, but I think it looks pretty sharp when up close.

 

I've had a:

1. Solent Blue XJ40 /gold pinstripe - liked
2. Sapphire Blue X300 Sport / red pinstripe - didn't like
3. Black X308 / silver pinstripe - liked

I've also had X300 and X308's without pinstripes.

I think it comes down to the 'right' combination of body colour and pinstripe colour but in the end it's all personal preference.

Graham

 

For some odd reason my '96 XJ12 doesn't have a pinstripe at all. You'd think the V12 car would have a pinstripe applied at factory. Was a pinstripe delete possible?

My '92 XJ6 is Diamond Blue with a Dark Blue pinstripe that perfectly matches the Isis Blue interior. I like it a lot.

-Nick

 

I think mine was pinstriped either at the dealer or by the previous owner. There is a tiny little painted (or decal) "badge" on the trunk that identifies the pinstripe company.

I've also got some sort of translucent pinstripes at the base of of my side windows. I posted photos of them somewhere here in a previous post.

.

 

Thanks for the replies. Gives me something to think about. I talked to the body shop and they said they paint the stripe on after the clear coat. I do like the pinstripe, I just want to see it without one first before I make a decision. I'll post some pictures when it comes out the shop. I would've posted some more before photos, but they got deleted when my phone got destroyed a while ago. Also been thinking about getting the oem rims chromed.

 

European Jags hat sticker/decals and Vanden Plas (Daimlers in Europe) had real Pinstripes. All were OEM Factory

 

I replaced the wing from a salvage part that although was the right colour, did not have a pin stripe on it, so as other sections on the car were a little damaged, decided top go with a stick on vinyl 3mm stripe in chrome.

I think it suits the car quite nicely.

 

I like those polished wheels

 

Without trying to get too far off topic, I've always thought the condition of the wheels either make or break the car's appearance, no matter how good the bodywork/paint finish. I had my oem rims professionally turned to remove rim imperfections, then the dimples were repainted in original colour and the whole wheel clear coated. I then polished & waxed them with Autoglym. Brake dust doesn't stick and I've always been really happy with the result - BUT, later on I saw a pic of chromed oem rims which I thought looked spectacular! If you decide to go down that track, please post a pic!!

 

I sure will. I most likely will do it, because I'm a sucker for chrome, leather and wood. But it'll have to wait till I recuperate some of the cash I'm spending on the body work and paint. (Was estimated at $3200, in case anyone was curious).

 

Firstly, I vote for non-body striping the X300. I prefer the pure look.

Secondly, THANK YOU for posting the estimated cost for the paint and body work. I was scrolling down this thread thinking "I wonder how much the paint job is costing" and when I got to the end, your price estimate was there waiting for me.

My white '96 has started to shed its clear coat in several areas of the to surfaces. I was actually considering only getting the top half painted, from that body line on the side where the pinstripes go, upward. I was hoping to keep the cost down over a full respray, as the rest of the car seems OK and I don't want to put that much $ into paint.

 

I ended up paying $3200 flat for the paint job. I ended up not getting the pinstripe. I love both with or without but chose to save the extra cash.

 

Very shiny wheels! Have they been polished?