Here's the first photo since the only other decent one I took of it the day after I got it on Christmas Day 2012 with the red bow on the windshield in the snow. I still need to get a better one in some scenery. This is finally 'the sorted look' after getting the big stuff done. A year ago 'Kate' received some professional paint scrubbing and polishing, 20mm wheel spacers all around and correct red badging (nose and wheel caps were green as-received). The summer saw the convertible top hoses and rams and pump rebuilt. Last weekend, I got the heater hoses done thanks to motorcarman that I posted about. And now this weekend, newly refinished double-five wheels, tires, and an OE leather convertible top cover I found on eBay for the 'roadster' look (big difference actually, and it does fit well and hold at speed!).

Btw on the tires (Continental ExtremeContact DWS), I stuck with the standard 245/45-18s up front, but went with 275/40-18s out back. This is the size they should have been from the factory! No more curbing (previous owners anyway) or tucking. Sidewalls look the same front to back at a glance as the wider tire gradually gets a taller sidewall, but the rear actually nicely sits about 0.5" lower so it evens the car out very nicely.

Also, I did add something else, reluctantly at first. A tweed flat cap for my head when I'm driving it. It's like enjoying a new car! And perfect timing for spring.

 

Beautiful! Enjoy.

 

Very nice. All sorted and just in time for spring!

 

Spring? What's that?

She's stunning. Question: the rear sits lower on account of the tires? From the numbers, it seems like both F and R should have about the same sidewall height. What am I missing?

 

As written by Dennis
We are getting snow tonight in Illinois. Your car looking good Your probably getting decent weather to drive it.

 

Chris - looks great - definitely time for some top down cruising - enjoy!!!!!

 

Looks fantastic ! Once you've had the "new shoes" on for a while I'd love to find out what your impressions are.

 

Very nice

 

Very nice! I too would interested in how you like the spacers. I have the exact same wheels on an 02. I live in Dallas and have only had mine for four weeks but already had the top down at least a dozen times. Interested to see if I can drive anywhere in August with the top down without melting. Enjoy!

 

Looks great (as does the immaculately tidy garage)

That must be the tweed cap lying on the convertible top?

Graham

 

(I've only had mine for a few weeks also). In my short time on the forum I've seen locations of Dallas, North Dallas, Carrolton and Garland. It ought to be relatively easy to find sometime/someplace very easy to get to for a spur of the moment thing without much effort. My XKR is a "25 footer" ... Looks good at a distance but up close you can see the "little gifts" that the prior owner left for me to find and take care of (door dings, scuffs, worn upholstery etc). I'd love to see, in person, what everyone is doing and has already done.

Possible ??

John

 

Thanks- according to the Miata tire calculator page (link not handy atm) that most use as a reference, the diameter of the rear wheels is down by about 0.5" total height, or a -1.1% difference overall. As I'm assuming the ODO is calculated using the front wheels, this shouldn't make a difference in that regard.

 

Nice!!! enjoy.

 

Thanks, all!


jzdmm1- I can already recommend them as I've been running the same type and nearly size on my Audi for the past year. These are great all-weather gripping tires that wear long and aren't noisy. High quality, super affordable comparatively. I don't think I'll be considering anything else for awhile.





The spacers are fantastic and I recommend them highly enough. They really give the car a classy and modern stance without it looking modified or 'stanced, yo'. No vibration, if you use the H&R brand. Super high quality. I did a limited amount of top down driving last summer before my top hoses blew- it's doable. You can still use the A/C, and some sunscreen!

 

Thank you, sir- indeed.

 

Certainly doable as we have at least a few active XK100 folks on here in DFW- let's plan to do a little GTG somewhere soon. If not this spring, fall works too. I'll try and organize it this year.

 

I'm in. Just gimme some notice as to when and where. Or we could invade the next Carrollton Motor Club event. It is an eclectic mix of cars, but good people. I have only been once, but about a half dozen Jags showed up.

p.s. there's a British Car Show in early May at White Rock. Anybody showing up from the forum?

 

get together sounds fun, I'd love to see and hear what everyone around here is doing....

 

I forgot about the British Car Show! Good call, Mike. Maybe we need to coordinate around that...

 

I'm good with an "official event" like the car show or a "cars and coffee".... or for that matter... I'm equally as good with just a plain old low-key casual random thing whenever .. .doesn't even have to be "official" for me.