In The Name of All That's 'Holey' (That's irony not a spelling mistake!) Please Don't ruin the 'Sweep of that Elegant Bonnet/Hood by putting one on!

I've got one of those 'Leapers' on the XJS that's just come out of 'mothballs' after a lay up. Not out of choice, it was already on there, when I bought the Car, which was a very low mileage 'One Owner Cream Puff'

In the event that had not been the Case, I would have walked away and looked elsewhere.

It really annoys the Hell out of me, every single time I look at it, which of course is all the 'Blinking Time!'

As its been planted Slap Bang, in the Middle of The Bonnet/Hood and I have to say that its a 'Blinking Eyesore' (pun intended!)

The effect it has is simply 'CATastrophic!' As it totally ruins the lines of that long Sweeping Bonnet/Hood and to make matters worse, holes have been drilled and then its been bolted right through!

Its almost like Slashing a Rembrandt! 'What were they thinking!'

This is 'The Ace of Defacing' a Beautiful Car!

You don't need a 'Look At Me Trinket', the Car does that job on its own and I wouldn't put a 'Growler' on one either but neither would I freak too much, if the Car that I was buying, already had one on.

You will find that a lot of them do but only providing, its right on the end of the Bonnet/Hood as you would find in almost every case.

But as for a 'Leaper' forget it or you will regret it!

And it also plays 'Hell' with Car Covers which tend to get snagged on the thing!

I know its a 'Marmite/Vegemite' type of question and if someone wants to put one on then its up to them, as all it does is make the Cars without look even better!

 

I like the leaper on the XJS and the XK150 myself. I think the design lends itself to the ornament.

And it has nothing to do with people knowing what kind of car it is, since I imagine most people are able to read the moniker on the trunk. It's because I like how it looks.

 

My red XJS came with the leaper and the blue one has the growler. They both look good to me. If I had not bought one that already had the leaper on the hood I probably would not have added it but since the one already had the leaper I must say it looks good to me. I really do not care for both on the same hood as that looks a bit too much to my eye.

 

LOL! CATastrophy!

heh OG so are you saying that the growler did not always come from the factory installed? Are there some model of XJS that came from the factory with neither?

 

paulyling,

Growler badges were fitted to all XJS from the introduction of the HE model. So, all cars built after 15th July 1981 have a Growler bonnet badge.

Just a personal view, if the car you want to buy hasn't got a Leaper ornament, DON'T fit one. And if it has got one fitted in the place of the Growler, remove it and fit the original badge.

As I said, just a personal view!

Paul

 

heh guys

So after owning my XJS for a while now I have decided to chase down the correct growler badge and swap out my leaper.

Can anybody please tell me what is the correct Growler badge for the 1985 XJS HE or did the vary through production of that year?

As I understand it there are a few different types and I would like to get the correct one if possible.

Would love it if somebody could share a picture.

Thanks in advance

 

I've got the leaper on mine. I like it. It's not stock, and because it isn't stock, it's like I'm not being held to some strict agreement to keep it stock.

Also, it just feels old school luxury. I was actually kind of disappointed that I never owned a Mark VII with a gunsight, so having that little silver leaper on the hood paints a smile on my face.

 

The bronze leaper was fitted to your car at the factory. It looks bronzy-black with a bit of a glint at first sight. Any number available second hand. I have not got a close-up handy, but post again if you need one.
greg

 

I have a small leaper on mine, it uses the same holes as the growler. It takes about 5 mins. to changeout one to the other. But l must say that l prefer the leaper....

 

cheers guys I appreciate the feedback.

I have been speaking to a 2nd hand dealer and he has two available for me, just waiting on pictures:

he says: Bonnet Badge "used has blackened style has pitting $25.00 or new Gold $75.00 images to follow shortly

Greg you think the Gold for 75 bucks might be the one?

 

Paul,

Sounds expensive. Here for $59:

The Real McCoy New 1976 96 Jaguar XJS Gold Hood Badge Mat Gasket | eBay

or shipped from the UK for $49 + $5 shipping:

XJS Jaguar Gold Cat's Head Bonnet Hood Badge New | eBay


Paul

 

Growler for me... The leaper suits an XJ or S-Type but not an XJ-S.

 

cheers Paul, I appreciate it.

Greg is this the one you were referring to for the 1985 HE? Was their a bronze and a gold colour or is it just perspective?

I have seen other growlers around the traps, green and red. This i have seen on the newer Jaguar models ect.

Did the run of XJS from 1976 through to 1996 always have the same growler or did it change with the years? (eg, pre HE, HE, Marelli, facelift..)

 

Paul, I have a 1985 car I will give you the growler off of, I can send a picture of it tonight when I get home from work if you like

 

wow thats mighty kind of ya Gunner01

I am waiting to hear back from a spare parts place at the moment but if i dont hear back ill PM you next week.

Would still love to see the pic though mate.

cheers!

 

No problem, I will post pictures when I get home from work. I also have one that I removed from my 1990. I will post a picture of each of them and we can see if there is any difference.............that's got me thinking now! was there a difference?

 

Mine came with the leaper, if it would have had the growler, I would have changed it to the leaper. Something about that sleek leaper coming out of that sleek bonnet.

 

can we define ' aftermarket ' here,

as the leaper is made and supplied by Jaguar, and can be bought and fitted in any dealership

lets take wheels ? you don't like the set the car came with , so you go to the dealership and buy another set of genuine jaguar wheels and have them fitted , is that ' aftermarket ' / or an optional extra ?

just my thoughts

BB

 

the Gold Growler was available from Jaguar Heritage new until recently for £15 plus VAT @20%

all gone now though ,

BB

 

When I bought my car, it came with the leaper, and I have to admit, it helped me decide that was the right car for me. I always figured I wanted the leaper on the hood.

After about a year, it just seemed too phallic to me. It just looked the like this extra pe--s projecting out from the front of the car.

I ended up taking it off and replacing it with a growler and, in my opinion, looks much better.

To each his own.