Looking for a cigar lighter bezel for my 1990 XJS.



The little ears that attached the bezel to the ski-slope have broken so I need a new one.

If you have one to offer please contact me.

Thank you!

Mark

 

If you get any hits on this, I'd like one too. I gave up. Seems they are long gone.

 

I saw an NOS one on eBay for nearly $100!! I'm willing to pay a fair price for one but that is too rich for my blood.

There are many XJS parts cars out there. I'm sure someone will have one to offer.

Mark

 

And the irony is that it's literally a 5 dollar part. The besel for the right hand drive cars is still available and costs 5 dollars:

 

Now if you could find the cruise control bezel for a right hand drive car, you could just swap positions!

 

My background is in engineering and manufacturing. I have worked with plastic molding for many years.

I'm starting to give serious consideration to buying a small injection molding machine and start making some of these NLA parts.

The part price will be higher than the original prices dues to the cost of making the molds and other start-up expenses but it will still be much cheaper than the NOS parts.

The big question would be if I could obtain licensing from Jaguar and how much that would cost. Anyone have a contact there?

Mark

 

Holy crap, you really think anyone from Jaguar would come find you? You wouldn't be marketing it as OEM, would you? No Jaguar logo either, right? What's to license?

I'm not sure there's a licensing issue to be had here. If you really want to go down that path, you could certainly contact JDHT.

 

You would be surprised how aggressive some companies are about making copies of their parts. I used to own a company that made parts for Mustangs. Ford is very aggressive in protecting their logos and designs.

If I am going to invest in the equipment I cant just limit myself to one non-branded part. I need to make other things that will have Jaguar nomenclature. Also, if I have licensing it would be possible to obtain original engineering drawings and specifications. That would allow me to make exact reproductions of the original parts.

Mark

 

Have you considered a 3D printer?
Not sure if it would be any good or how durable the plastic is but at least you wouldn't have to make moulds

 

3D printing is a possibility for some of the solid colored parts but other parts that require clear, see-through plastic would be a problem.

On the other hand it might be possible to use 3D printing to make the molds themselves. Since most of the production runs would be small quantities this is a viable option to traditional steel or aluminum molds.

As for the parts themselves, if I'm going to do this then I want to make OEM level quality and that is going to require injection molding.

Mark

 

I've been looking on and off for one for about a year too. I've seen the one on ebay for $100 and won't do it out of principle. Let me know if anybody comes up with anything.

On a similar note www.paulsjaguar.com in Fort Lauderdale has a replica of the window and convertible top 3 switch bezel for cheap (cheapish - cheap for jaguar is relative). I inquired about the cigarette lighter one and they didn't have any more. Maybe if we got a bulk order they would do another production run.

 

Try Paul's jaguar in Fort Lauderdale. When I was over his shop a few months back, he had a few of them... You will find him on EBAY. Or call him at 561-367-0525.

Good luck.

 

I talked to Paul a few months back and he said they have a few, but don't sell them - they use them for when they do an interior restoration in house.

 

I sent him an email and he responded that he had none to offer.

I also sent a few emails to Jaguar to inquire about obtaining licensing. Still waiting to be put in contact with the right people.

 

In the short term........Flebay. its the only way. Dont forget that the reason we need them is that by taking them out the clips break. So chances of getting a good S/H one is slim

 

Too true, Malc4d. Perhaps some silicon glue, look away and "hold your nose", is the way to go. Rather than searching for the near impossible.


Gerry T.

 

I just love the fact that Jaguar had the stones to call it what it is - a CIGAR lighter. Any other manufacturers do this?

 

best idea is silicone. works every time. renewable as well

 

The prime cause of the lugs being broken is removing the lighter or switch from the top, instead of first removing the ski-slope and unclipping the lugs from the bottom. Mind you, I am not so sure the wiring is long enough to allow you to do this ?
My friendly local Jaguar wreckers told me this when I asked him for a cigar lighter.... and his solution was the judicious use of silicone. :-)




Gerry T.

 

There are loads of brand new ones on UK ebay.


Greg