As I removed the lower SS grill mesh, I was surprised to find that it is (in my case, anyway) held on by only three screws. They are self tapping SS screws that have no washers, and screw into three vertical 'rail' moldings of the nose. Because the 'designer' used the corners of the SS mesh pattern to locate the screws and prevent the mesh falling out over the screw heads, the screw holes in the nose material are not even 'straight on'; they are wherever they need to be to ensure the grill is held firmly. There are no clips. This seems so crude as to be 'over the top' - perhaps I should say 'under the bottom' - for any car manufacturer. Can anyone confirm or deny as to the originality of this? Thanks

 

Is this car an R model?

 

No, not an R.

 

Sounds like a homemade addition by a previous owner....

 

It's aftermarket. Only the XK R had a mesh grille.

 

Fair enough, but what 'covered' the lower opening on the base model 2005? Anything? It seems like it would be ugly as sin with nothing covering the various heat exchangers.

 

I think mine looks fine!! Certainly better than a shabby diy grill job!

 

It was as you say "ugly as sin"

 

I have one I got from Mina Gallery. Maybe that's what yours is. The grille looks okay, but it is only held on by little self tapping screws. The car is so low you usually don't even see the thing.

 

No offense intended. My comment was perhaps due to my looking the beast in the mouth, flashlight in hand. Nevertheless, even if an owner thinks the grill-less openings look fine, the fact is that grills - mesh or otherwise - are put on cars to prevent road debris and flying critters from smashing the radiator and other expensive heat exchanger equipment. One owner recently reported damage to the engine oil cooler from a (presumably, if the bottom shield was in place) a flying armadillo! Thinking about adding something at the top, but not wanting to change the splitter / 'bumpers' design, that might be quite difficult. Has anyone added some form of grill while leaving the chrome splitter etc.,in place?

 

Yes it is done with a factory R type grille from the same year. The R mesh grille retains the splitter. And PLEASE put the year of your car in your signature.

 

Not sure why image is not showing up in signature / details. Will upload again. Perhaps forgot to 'confirm', or check 'show sig'..
Will also look for any posts on how to do the job - assuming a donor or aftermarket can be found - as long as it can be done in an hour or so.
Thanks!

 

Here is one -
Jaguar XK8 & XKR Lower Mesh Grille (only 2005-2006 models) - Mina Gallery Inc
It is a bit pricey. This outfit has a bunch of stuff for Jags. Just an idea, no affiliation.

 

That's it! It's hard to say if the quality / source is exactly the same (I wouldn't have paid $175 + S&H for what is on mine) but it looks good, so I'll leave it where it is. Or, rather, I'll wait until I get the seemingly impossible engine oil cooler identity (see separate post) to be resolved, as it will be much easier access from the lower front, as well as underneath. Thanks for all the input!