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So, I've seen the rotary shifter covers with the black background and silver leaper selling on ebay for over $50.00 which is just ridiculous. It's not that I can't afford it, it's that I won't overspend on a $3.00 item. I'd rather give the money to charity.
Today, while looking for some screws in our hardware drawer, I found a black "Growler" keychain which is porcelain on metal, heavyweight, and very nice quality. I separated the chain from the medallion, which left me with the attached eyelet. I used a needlenosed plier to break the attached eyelet off of the medallion, filed the stub smooth, and took it out to my car to check size and look. It was a bit smaller than the full diameter, but I kind of liked the border of the stainless around it. Put a little adhesive on it, and it's drying now.
Funny thing is, I have no idea where the key chain came from. I don't remember anyone giving it to me, and tonight I was getting ready to order a set of four stickers with the silver leaper on black that you could pick the size to fit (approx. 1.5") the shift knob for a few dollars. It was just happenstance that in searching for some screws I found it, that it happened to be the right color combo, and the right size. I haven't a clue how it got there. Bizarre!
So, I've seen the rotary shifter covers with the black background and silver leaper selling on ebay for over $50.00 which is just ridiculous. It's not that I can't afford it, it's that I won't overspend on a $3.00 item. I'd rather give the money to charity.
Today, while looking for some screws in our hardware drawer, I found a black "Growler" keychain which is porcelain on metal, heavyweight, and very nice quality. I separated the chain from the medallion, which left me with the attached eyelet. I used a needlenosed plier to break the attached eyelet off of the medallion, filed the stub smooth, and took it out to my car to check size and look. It was a bit smaller than the full diameter, but I kind of liked the border of the stainless around it. Put a little adhesive on it, and it's drying now.
What d'ya think?
Looks great! I love it when you can do stuff like this inexpensively(not cheaply). I posted earlier about mine that a got on ebay for $38. From the pix I think yours looks just a good. Jaguar should have done this originally on the car, looks 100% classier.
Installed mine a few days back... Couldn't manage to pry the top piece off and feared that I'd eventually end up marring the shifter itself.
So I broke out the drill, and prayed to Grud that the diagram was correct. Sure enough, I managed to drill a good-sized hole in the center, eventually grabbing it with needlnose pliers to pull it off the shifter. Decent glue but it DOES relent, eventually giving up and coming unpeeled and leaving a clean surface behind.
I wiped the surface with a cloth with a bit of acetone, let it dry, and applied the new top.
Results are A+! it is SO OBVIOUS that, if a designer @ Jaguar had suggested this piece, it WOULD be in the car. It is just a 'WTF', this thing should have been here all along! The old plain spun disk clearly missed an opportunity, I'd highly suggest you do this minor mod and remedy Jaguar's oversight. I guess it's possible for someone to dig the WWII style of the stock spun disk, but it wasn't working for me on any level, so the now gloss-black growler caps it perfectly...
So, I've seen the rotary shifter covers with the black background and silver leaper selling on ebay for over $50.00 which is just ridiculous. It's not that I can't afford it, it's that I won't overspend on a $3.00 item. I'd rather give the money to charity. Today, while looking for some screws in our hardware drawer, I found a black "Growler" keychain which is porcelain on metal, heavyweight, and very nice quality. I separated the chain from the medallion, which left me with the attached eyelet. I used a needlenosed plier to break the attached eyelet off of the medallion, filed the stub smooth, and took it out to my car to check size and look. It was a bit smaller than the full diameter, but I kind of liked the border of the stainless around it. Put a little adhesive on it, and it's drying now. What d'ya think?
Here's mine - click on the before and after thumbnails below to enlarge.
When in Park, the Leaper is horizontal, as in the photo below. When in Drive, the Leaper points forward, as if he is ready to pounce! I like that it is chrome and matches the rest of the surrounding trim perfectly and looks factory.
My thanks to Saul Chaplin of British Autowood, who provided this self-adhesive, micro-thin metal Leaper logo at a most reasonable price of $5.95 including S&H. Here's his website: British Autowood | Dashboard and Woodwork Restoration
You won't find this logo available for sale separately on his website. You'll have to call him at (407) 774-5332 to order it. Tell him that I wrote him up on the Forum and that I referred you. I have no interest in his business and he was helpful when I spoke with him and explained what I wanted to do.
Installation couldn't be easier. The sticker comes with the Leaper logo with the word JAGUAR below the Leaper. Simply cut them apart, leaving as much space between them as possible. There are 3 layers - bottom, middle, and top. First, peel off the bottom layer to expose the adhesive and stick the Leaper onto the shifter. Press it down tightly with your fingertip. Next, carefully remove the top clear layer that protects the micro-thin metal Leaper. You're done!
Stuart
If this was helpful, please click THANKS at the bottom right of this post.
Last edited by Stuart S; Nov 13, 2014 at 10:50 PM.
Reason: correct spelling
Funny thing is, I have no idea where the key chain came from. I don't remember anyone giving it to me, and tonight I was getting ready to order a set of four stickers with the silver leaper on black that you could pick the size to fit (approx. 1.5") the shift knob for a few dollars. It was just happenstance that in searching for some screws I found it, that it happened to be the right color combo, and the right size. I haven't a clue how it got there. Bizarre!
That appears to be the same keychain that Mina Gallery included as a freebie with one of my orders. Have you ordered anything from them?
Nice addition! Small customizations like this add a personal touch that makes the car uniquely yours.
Yes, I have ordered many things from Mina, but I don't remember getting the keychain nor how it got into my tool drawer. Oh well, I'm gettin' old and can't remember much.
... My thanks to Saul Chaplin of British Autowood, who provided this self-adhesive, micro-thin metal Leaper logo at a most reasonable price of $5.95 including S&H.
...
Here's an update - appears to be bad news.
I also posted this thread on the XJ Forum and a member there recently informed me that he was unable to buy this Leaper logo from Saul. Click on this link: https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...r-%246-131083/ for the history and current status of this item.
If anyone was able to buy this logo separately, please let us know the details.
Microthin metal Jaguar Leaper logo stickers are available in 2 sizes from modSticker: Jaguar Metal Logo Sticker - modSticker.com. Small is $1.99 and medium is $2.99 plus S&H.
Here's the leaper on the shift knob of my 2009 XKR:
And on the rotary shift knob of my 2013 XJ, which is the same shifter as used on the 2010-up XK (X150) models:
I bought the small size and simply cut the word JAGUAR off, although it will fit the rotary shifter with it on if that's what you prefer. I just prefer the leaper by itself. It is a sticker with a clear plastic top layer that you peel off after you stick it on. Because it is microthin metal, it is very fragile and you need to be careful handling it. Once the clear plastic top layer is removed, all you have left is the outline of the leaper, with nothing inside. I make a conscious effort to keep my hand off that logo so I don't mess it up.
If this was helpful, please click at the bottom right of this post.
I installed my leaper with the "Jaguar" below it. I post a picture later. I like the solo Leaper. Looks very modern and elegant without over doing it--looks factory. The car should have came this way.
I got a package last night with a growler keychain included, welcoming me to the Jaguar family. Love the colors, but it's too small to put on my shifter knob....more like a silver dollar size.
Cheap (but nice) rotary shifter knob cover
at the bottom right of this post. 
