My 2001 VDP, like many others of this vintage, has a dark burr wood trim throughout the interior. The exception is the shift knob, which is a significantly lighter color wood (factory color scheme). What type of wood is the factory shift knob made of? I'm refinishing it and I want to choose the appropriate stain.

 

It is my understanding that they are maple, at least this is what mine appears to be. It is disappointing that they don't match the stain to the rest of the trim. I can understand using maple for the knob for it's hardness and stability, but the stain color would look better being closer in tone.

 

That's what I figured. I think it is also sort of a styling detail that is quite old-fashioned and English. Its not really stylish these days, however, to have non-matching pieces of a set. Its a common perception that everything has to match in order to look good. I put a newer shift knob in my car from the X350 that has a stain matching that of my dark wood trim.

Anyway, thanks a lot!

 

Could your shifter be an aftermarket thing? It surprises me that Jaguar goes to all that trouble to match the veneers and then sticks some wooden lump on the shifter.
I have English walnut veneers with a leather covered shifter (medium gray with Oatmeal seats).

Personally, I prefer the tactile surfaces to be leather covered rather than to be wooden.

OK enough double entendre!

 

There are many aftermarket shift knobs on FleaBay, in all sorts of wood colors with differing crests or embellishments.

 

My 02 XJR is matching wood?

My 95 VDP was cream leather with piping to match the seats ...nice.

I still have the shifter from my 98 VDP took it off as the wrecker was taking her away -- that was matching wood - looks exactly like the 02.


Most of the wood changes color over time and Jaguar had various problems with the finish. The finish with little UV protection allowed the wood to bleach out and become lighter and the later finish had a separation problem most evident on the maple in the dark wood cars?