These would have come out so much better if I had left earlier, but I passed by a (not sure what year) Jaguar XJS with the v12. Absolutely beautiful car, so I had to stop and stare for a few minutes (In my little town I am but one of four Jaguar owners)

 

You my friend, have a beautiful Vanden Plas! Also, those pictures are not even close to mediocre! Have a good day!

- Pilotman

 

VDP's are always beautiful, that's why I have one too .
But I think you are missing the chrome strip in the lower air intake, it is kind of black there....

 

Chrome strip? Do you have a photo? Haha

 

This should give you an idea.
The strip is removable for towing, and has 3 quick connectors for (dis)assembly.

 

Pretty car. I miss the splitter too. (Chrome strip behind the license plate) ericjansen, I love those wheels.

 

I wonder if I can order one through SNG Barrett?
Also, where did you get those wheels? I am in the market for new ones. Haha

 

"Splitter", that's the word I was missing .. .

For the splitter, try some breakers. They came painted for standard cars, and in chrome for the VDP and some other models.

For the wheels, had same as OP.
Beautiful pieces of engineering, but making the car dull.
I did not want to go aftermarket, and bought a pair of 2001 XKR wheels in Japan.
Had them beat blasted and powdercoated, and fitted with F245/45 and R275/40 Toyo's.
I love how the car looks now.

 

MY newly arrived Barratt catalog says yes:

radiator grille vane
#HNC6881BC chrome (correct for your VDP)
#HNC6881ACXXX primer

Nice lookin' ride you've got there!
Love the color.

 

Well, you just took all the work out of it for me! Haha, now all that is left to do is call them up and see how much they want for it. Haha.

And to be honest, I think the carnival red is perhaps the single best looking colour for a Jag. I have not yet seen in person the Jupiter red, however, it's really a "HEY LOOK AT ME I DRIVE A JAGUAR" colour. Haha.

Photos are kinda dark, but can you tell that I completely repainted the whole front bumper?

 

Taking a second look (after you let the cat out of the bag), I can see that the bumper isn't quite as glossy as the factory paint.
Otherwise, no way I would have noticed had you not pointed it out. Nice work!

Retro

 

That was before I sanded it out, today I spent literally 8 hours wet sanding and polishing the bumper. Got too dark and I couldn't see how shiny it was, so, I will know more tomorrow. But holy hell, does that 3M Perfect it work great. The clear coat I used (a 2k system) is hell to work with, usually, 1200-1500 and then 2000 sand paper when you wet sand, right? I started at 2000, and by the time I was done sanding (just overspray) I was at 600 grit sand paper, hit it with 1200, then took the 3M to it with a wool pad... Now once that is done, all I have left to do is the front of the rocker panels, but more importantly 3 rust spots on the back, two above the bumper, and one on the rear right quarter panel. Rather than rolling and welding in steel (the correct way) I may try cutting out the rust, and rebuilding it with fiberglass. No idea if it will work or not, but after that, then all I have to do is paint one half of the rear bumper, and then I am on to trying to fix the interior. Gonna put in a new headliner, and maybe (maybe) see how much it would cost to have the front two seats re-upholstered. Probably not cheap. But the drivers seat is... FUBAR. And then just some cracks in the finish on the wood, I think I will leave for now.