I have lost a few...and found the same ebay source. It takes about ten minutes to replace them. I am good at it now. I don't worry about it too much. I don't want the thief to occupy my thoughts.

 

When people steal the leaper, does the base get left behind? I'm just curious. I went ahead and removed the one from my 01 that I'm parting out ASAP since some moron would love to have that as a trophy. I think if someone was ready to drill a little bit, a small momentary switch could be rigged in there. My biggest concern after that would be that it would probably need to be a weatherproof switch. Btw, anyone who's looking, I have one for sale just make an offer i can't refuse! fwiw, my biggest fear is getting my antenna mast broken, stolen. It's happened 3 times in the past 2 years!

 

Mine came without the leaper and took me months to decide if I should fit one...they look great on the X308's Weighed up the pros and cons and brought an eBay one in black chrome (black car) And I love it and am always relieved to see it still there when I return.Guess I am saying I worry about some moron stealing it.And bonnet damage as it IS bolted through the bonnet.(legal here) If I was hit by a car at 60-100 kilometres an hour not sure if would care that the bonnet mascot got caught in my ****!

 

I would like to have a camera flash go off from inside the car --- continuously for a minute, and upload the photos to the web so I can at least see what kind of lowlife would do a thing like that!

 

LOL

I doubt very much that pedestrians have actually been injured/impaled by the Leaper or any hood ornament. However, in Europe that is the reason they have been phased out & here in the USA they are going away as well. Over enthusiastic, regulatory busy bodies, IMO. It s/b a manufacturer decision. I do like the idea of having a choice though. Then whether you just don't like the look or you are concerned about theft, you can opt to have a flush badge instead.

 

Does anyone take theirs off if they leave it in a sketchy neighborhood or parking garage or something? I've thought about just throwing it in the center console till i get back

 

I just came back from a cruise to Cozumel and found my leaper (and entire '95 jag XJ6) to be in tact while left at a dirt parking lot in the port of Tampa. I lost a $5 dollar bet to my daughter and was glad to pay. She evidently has a better opinion of the public than I. I was surprised, and thankful.

Jag leapers are rare and I imagine the damage to the hood could be extensive. In general, I try not to leave the car in such places.

 

Brilliant! What do you think a vandal will then do to your car?

Park in better neighborhoods is the only solution to this.

 

I had car with an attractive ornament that I connected to the oem alarm and I plan to do the same once I take possession of my xj6 next week.
I attached a bare piece of solid cu wire to the spring of the ornament, took another piece of solid cu and formed it into a loop. Secured so it was around the piece attached to the spring and connected it to nearest normally open alarm circuit. I’ll post pics once it’s done.

 

I told this story back in 2013 or so, right after I bought F35063.

I used to live about five blocks from the original Checkered Flag Jaguar dealership in Kings Grant area of Virginia Beach (an original
British Leyland dealership and one of the first Hoffman sellers for BMWs and VWs). Walking the dog by a duck pond near my house in 2002 or 2003, I noticed this kid was in the lake with bare feet, and along the sea wall, he had lined up about 30 or so leapers; he kept finding more in the sand, in the water. He didn't know what they were. I told him they were hood ornaments from Jaguars -- he had found various sizes. Apparently back in the sixties and seventies, hooligans were breaking these off Checkered Flags stock, just for ***** and grins, I guess. I understand the dealer gave this kid some money for bringing them the ones he had found.

 

A super wide and thick metal washer on the backside of the hood, metal nut and some jb weld on the threads will keep someone from getting the leaper off. They'll dent your hood before they get that leaper off.

 

I am absolutely unsure what would be worse...having to paint to match
and install a new hood or acquiring another leaper.

 

Brilliant! Keep your leaper so you may attach it to a new hood

 

I was thinking about putting itching powder on mine

 

> I was thinking about putting itching powder on mine
I dunno, if you are serious, but if you are then wondering, as to why you feel itchy, it is because the wind transported the itching powder from the leaper thru the ventilation system to you...

But maybe putting dirty grease on is the solution, so that no one wants to touch it...