Leaper Bonnet Mascot
#3
#4
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Tehama County, California, USA
Posts: 25,215
Received 8,995 Likes
on
5,311 Posts
The following 2 users liked this post by LnrB:
Grant Francis (09-17-2021),
Jose (09-16-2021)
#5
I don't know what your opinion of leapers is, Elinor.
In classic Jaguars where the bonnet goes up from the front side, the leaper is used to help raise it. The two fangs in the large leapers are so sharp they actually are dangerous to the fingers. The one in my S type has biten me a number of times.
in the XJ it doesn't make sense because the bonnet goes up from the rear side. Only for decoration I suppose.
In classic Jaguars where the bonnet goes up from the front side, the leaper is used to help raise it. The two fangs in the large leapers are so sharp they actually are dangerous to the fingers. The one in my S type has biten me a number of times.
in the XJ it doesn't make sense because the bonnet goes up from the rear side. Only for decoration I suppose.
#6
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Tehama County, California, USA
Posts: 25,215
Received 8,995 Likes
on
5,311 Posts
I don't know what your opinion of leapers is, Elinor.
In classic Jaguars where the bonnet goes up from the front side, the leaper is used to help raise it. The two fangs in the large leapers are so sharp they actually are dangerous to the fingers. The one in my S type has biten me a number of times.
In classic Jaguars where the bonnet goes up from the front side, the leaper is used to help raise it. The two fangs in the large leapers are so sharp they actually are dangerous to the fingers. The one in my S type has biten me a number of times.
in the XJ it doesn't make sense because the bonnet goes up from the rear side. Only for decoration I suppose.
They Just Don't Fit with the sleek, sculpted body forms of later Jags. In fact, the Leaper Ruins those lines Sir William worked so hard to achieve.
They Just Don't Fit!
My opinion, which I've never hidden, is that they look rather Stupid on anything newer than an original S-type; and before I gravely offend the Male majority here, I'll stop.
(';')
The following 3 users liked this post by LnrB:
#7
The following 2 users liked this post by Jose:
davidboger (09-16-2021),
LnrB (09-16-2021)
Trending Topics
#8
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Walnut Creek, California
Posts: 6,796
Received 2,399 Likes
on
1,880 Posts
#9
But, at least in America, Jaguar dealers installed them by the thousands, that's why you see so many. Note that previous Jaguar models had them and latter models had them as well. My 2007 has one that is spring loaded - I guess that is to protect the pedestrians Jose mentioned.
#10
So, I have been wrong all along.
I thought they were for the pedestrians to hang on to while we, the driver, tried to shake them off the car.
My S had the same, and I still have the puncture marks.
All my S2 cars had them on arrival. I dont like them on the XJ40, X300 etc, just not right, again, to ME.
I still like the one on my XJS, it just sits right, to me anyway, and it is MY car.
I thought they were for the pedestrians to hang on to while we, the driver, tried to shake them off the car.
My S had the same, and I still have the puncture marks.
All my S2 cars had them on arrival. I dont like them on the XJ40, X300 etc, just not right, again, to ME.
I still like the one on my XJS, it just sits right, to me anyway, and it is MY car.
Last edited by Grant Francis; 09-17-2021 at 09:00 AM.
The following users liked this post:
Mkii250 (09-18-2021)
#11
The following users liked this post:
Grant Francis (09-17-2021)
#12
It needn't be a leaper per sé--other beasts have been cast for the purpose...https://sportingartisans.com/pigeon-...s-lejeune.html
The following users liked this post:
Grant Francis (09-18-2021)
#13
The following 2 users liked this post by metalbasher:
Grant Francis (09-18-2021),
mikega (09-24-2021)
#14
Where I live, on the northeast coast of the US, every new XJ that came off the local Jag dealership lot had a leaper. Back then I, and probably most, thought they were supposed to be there. The leaper is part of my memory of these cars. When I found my car for sale it, not surprisingly, had a leaper and still has it today, as it always will. To me, they look naked without them. It's all about your perspective.
The following 3 users liked this post by Emil Wojcik:
#15
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: Tehama County, California, USA
Posts: 25,215
Received 8,995 Likes
on
5,311 Posts
The following users liked this post:
Grant Francis (09-18-2021)
#16
The following 2 users liked this post by metalbasher:
Grant Francis (09-19-2021),
LnrB (09-23-2021)
#17
the old leapers up to 1967 are a solid casting in pot metal. Then they started making them in two halves I think those are hollow. E types never had them, only the Saloons / Sedans.
I have a really ratty large one from an abandoned 1963 S type I found in the Florida jungle. How that car ended there is beyond comprehension, someone from Virginia. but I suppose the same way I ended there. I removed every good and bad part off of that car. Had to fight a nest of snakes with a broom. The grille alone got me $200.00 bucks. The clutch and brake pedals assembly another $120.00. Parts is parts.Check out the Lucas C45 Generator. I even took the Heater Box. Then I sold the body to a crusher, big mistake, it had good glass.
I have a really ratty large one from an abandoned 1963 S type I found in the Florida jungle. How that car ended there is beyond comprehension, someone from Virginia. but I suppose the same way I ended there. I removed every good and bad part off of that car. Had to fight a nest of snakes with a broom. The grille alone got me $200.00 bucks. The clutch and brake pedals assembly another $120.00. Parts is parts.Check out the Lucas C45 Generator. I even took the Heater Box. Then I sold the body to a crusher, big mistake, it had good glass.
The following 3 users liked this post by Jose:
The following 2 users liked this post by yachtmanbuttson:
Grant Francis (09-23-2021),
Mkii250 (09-23-2021)
#19
Jaguar themselves introduced a smaller scal leaper than those on the Mark 2 and S-type. Originally fitted on the Mark 10/420G and then the 420 saloon, they suited the different style of these cars with the squared-off radiator. This look was the precursor to the XJ6 of 1967. However the smaller leaper was never fitted to the XJ saloons
The following users liked this post:
Mkii250 (10-05-2021)
#20
In California, I think all the dealers put Leapers on all the XJ’s up through the X358’s. The factory shipped them with Leapers inside the glove boxes so the dealers could install them. I like the small Leapers on the Series 1-3 and the larger ones on the later XJ’s. My X308 has a large spring-loaded one. I don’t like Leapers on any sports cars or on anything after the X358.
I agree with Emil, I grew up seeing Leapers on all XJ’s so if there isn’t one, it looks naked. I also like driving down the road and looking over the hood and seeing the Leaper guiding the car along.
I think someone must’ve tried stealing my Leaper off my X308 before I bought it because the hood had minor damage. When I repainted my hood, I had it fixed.
I agree with Emil, I grew up seeing Leapers on all XJ’s so if there isn’t one, it looks naked. I also like driving down the road and looking over the hood and seeing the Leaper guiding the car along.
I think someone must’ve tried stealing my Leaper off my X308 before I bought it because the hood had minor damage. When I repainted my hood, I had it fixed.
Last edited by XJDanny; 10-05-2021 at 09:40 AM.
The following 2 users liked this post by XJDanny:
Emil Wojcik (10-05-2021),
Mkii250 (10-05-2021)