Front end lower grill area completed, along with new AC dryer and condenser.

Lower grill has horizontal slats removed and then black mesh added. Lower grill and air dam sprayed with Duplicolor truck bed coating.

Notice "turn signals"-they are the old side marker lights which got shaved.

 

New clear lens headlights. Purchased from eBay. $70 for 4 if I remember correctly?

 

Let me know how you like your headlights. Considering replacing both my XJS and XJ6's factory sets.

Jess

 

Looks like a fan from an S90/V90 or 960... Def from one with the legendary POS I6

 

I always knew the side marker lights would look better as front turn signals. I had planned to do the same if I decide to have all-steel bumpers.

 

I've removed air pump and idler pulley on Shooting Brake. GM Alternator mounted down low and AC compressor in original spot.

I saw a previous post where a clever fellow discovered that a Bando 3430 belt fits perfectly around AC compressor and crank pulley and I can confirm this. I loosened the mounting bolts on AC compressor and slipped belt over and and then retightened all mounting bolts.


This last photo shows belt deflection-sorry my hand is camouflaged.

 

Preliminary door panel test fit:

When I ordered my seat covers I also ordered leather hide in same color for interior trim.







The door panels are easily recovered but the grab handle and map pocket are a bit difficult.

My leather sewing skills are not advanced and I cannot recreate the french seam that the factory uses on the door grab. In addition, the single overlap seam on the inside edge of the grab handle is beyond my capabilities. See pic below of stock handle below:




But! I am able to recreate a similar effect with two simple sewn lines. See below:

 

Wow! Nicely done.

 

Looks great

 

superb

 

Just been through all the posts in this thread and I have to say, the workmanship and commitment you have shown is absolutely phenomenal. You should be justifiably proud of your achievements to date.
Looking forward to seeing the finished car.

Keep up the great work,

Jim

 

 

Looking fantastic!

 

Thanks! I cobbled together an exhaust system so I can start it without enraging my neighbors.

Got my bumpers back from chromer-notice the rear bumper has been added. I'm a *little* dissatisfied with the juxtaposition of the bumper guards and the taillights and emblems. Another lesson for the next one-you have to have everything mocked up in order to start modifications.

But overall, its really coming together nicely!

 

XK8 wheels painted. Used a paint called hypersilver, made by a company in Ohio,
Hypersilver | Polished metal liquid metallic spray paint | Motostorm.

I used a metallic grey base coat (some use gloss black) for first coat, then you gently, barely mist the hyper silver onto the wheel until you get the desired effect. I probably applied 10 "coats" and they looked f**king fantastic--and then I sprayed the clear coat and it ruined about 50% of the effect. From what I've read this paint requires tons of experience.

C'est la vie! I'm still happy with the way they look now. Waiting on tires..

 

Mate, that turned out beautifully! Lower it!

 

Done! Details explained...

 

In prep for new tires and my painted wheels I decided to lower the front end. I used flat aluminum bar stock, 1" wide, 3 pieces total which resulted in an approximate 10 mm thickness:



The 3 pieces of aluminum were placed between the a-arm and the spring bottom plate:



Original measured height was 28" and reduced to 27 1/2" after adding spacers.






The final product:

 

absoutely marvellous effort that!

 

I just ran across your post. Had no idea what a shooting brake was. I know now, excellent job. Very interesting project.