XKR with black powder coated intake. Matching the blue was just to big a PTA...
Given how little bang for the buck I got for this I spent a tone of money and time. I think I'm happy with everything but the pain it is to change the air filter in front of the wheel well. The powder coat guys want to name their next kid after me.

 

If you like it, then that is all that counts. I'm sure it was a ton of work and expense.
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it is because he hears a different drummer. Let him step to the music which he hears, however measured or far away."

 

My biggest annoyance is that I can't seem to get the Chiller Killer to work to spec. It should be super cooling the charge but it is behaving pretty close to stock. Need to run down someone that has worked with this thing before and can figure out what was done wrong. But I really like the way this turned out visually and, when I floor the car, the sound is amazing.

 

Just gave my brother Eric my Thundercat XKR. I'll miss her, and wouldn't you know, she got 30 miles away and threw a code, then the code self-cleared when he brought her back. I think she just wanted to say goodbye. I'll miss her but if you want to see her she'll be at the Enderle Center Cars and Coffee starting sometime next month. https://autokennel.com/event/cars-coffee/

Thunder, Thunder, Thundercats Hoooo!


Here are the parting shots:
Brother Eric and me passing the Thundercat Torch.

Wife Mary and Eric passing the Thundercat Torch.

 

Always sad to see one go but she had a good run and you had some fun making her your own. Truly a unique car. Besides, it's not like she went to the scrapper and maybe brother Eric will drop by the forum from time to time.

Reminds me, I should post some pictures of what I finally did with those Recaro seats I got from you a hundred years ago.

 

I'd love to see those pictures, forgot about those seats. Still have two other Jaguars and will have a third by the end of next month unless they move my delivery data again.

 

My brother took the Thundercat to the car show in Tustin. She looks good but must miss me because she refused to put her top down, then alarmed when he tried perhaps too hard. But finally, here she is in all her glory with some new Southern California friends!

 

I updated my own interior mod thread with more pictures, but here is a shot of the final product before I put them in the car.
https://www.jaguarforums.com/forum/x...6/#post2054834

Tan leather to match the rest of the interior, black suede inserts and an embroidered black leaper on the headrests.

 

Those seats are lovely.

Your ex- XKR Thundercat is very customised ... to each his own taste. Glad to see British engineering living up to reputation- car convertible hood don’t work!

 

I acquired a 2003 jaguar XK8 about a year ago. Like many people on this forum, I love cars and try to do little things to make it as beautiful as possible. Parts are not cheap for this vehicle even used. Whenever you see a deal you always go for it. The day before Thanksgiving, decided to check out the inventory and pick your part I used to go there a lot when I was younger there, but I thought I’d see what’s in the inventory. It listed there was a XKR in the lot. When I went there, the seats were already gone. The car was very unique and absolutely beautiful. You can tell there was a lot of love put into it. I loved the spoiler so I picked it up along with whatever I could grab. I wanted to get more parts with Thanksgiving the next day, had things to do. I did go back yesterday for the hood, bumpers, headliner, and some other miscellaneous parts. While at the counter to pay I was talking to the gentleman at the counter and we were discussing the car. He said that when the Jag came to the lot, it was absolutely gorgeous and it looks like there was a lot of love and attention place into the car. He told me that it was SEMA show quality. When I went home, I had to find out the brand of spoiler and learn more about this beautiful and unique build. This led me to this forum. I enjoyed readying the journey of your build. I’m sure it was just as fun and exciting building the thundercat as it was for me reading about each detail you did to personalize that cat. Walking through junk yards since I was a teen, I have always found vehicles of interest and wondered what was the history of that vehicle. What memories were made. Who were the people who owned it. For the first time, I have been able to know that because of your post that documented your build and love for your Jag. It is bittersweet but it is nice to know that your build is documented online. 🥲

 

Nice, and thanks for the kind remarks. That was a fun project for me and I hope you enjoy your ride as well, best of luck!

 

I enjoyed your build over the years and the fact that you documented it, thank you.

As an aside, did you ever get the killer chiller to function properly?
wj

 

did you determine why the car was brought to the yard? engine failure, transmission, wreck?

wj

 

similar to my wheels,,,iv done other mods also,,,if i could post photos i would but unacceptable format as usual

 

"As an aside, did you ever get the killer chiller to function properly?
wj"

Yes, sort of; I don't think I would go that route again, though, as the effort wasn't worth the reward.

 

Agreed - kind of sad to see it in a salvage yard after all the work that went into it.

 

Why it's in the salvage yard Engine failure?