I had posted a few updates in the "What did you work on today" thread but it was requested that I start a dedicated thread for this.

When I have completely finished I will do a full walk through with pics but for now this is an update of how I have just left the car.

Bumper all painted but still needs all the griles and trims attaching.

In my infinite wisdom I enlarged the side grills in order to get a more project 7 look but now realise I have to make the mesh inserts myself!

 

Actually looks pretty good. I would go for the Project 7 grill as well myself.

 

It will be a P7 style middle grill due to both style preference and the fact the crash bar wouldn't line up like it does on the F Type anyway.

Probably worth mentioning I have only hand tightened the bolts at the side and the bonnet isn't closed properly either so the panel gaps seen will all be lined up nicely once the final fix is done.

 

I look forward to it being finished.

 

I actually kind of like it. Will the larger grill opening improve cooling? Do you plan on adding brake cooling ducts from those side grills?

 

I am hoping it will have some affect. I had intended to leave the crash bar off which would have definitely improved air flow as you can see when I test fitted without it.


But then I thought should be a bit more sensible so made my own crash bar which is a bit more restrictive but not as much as the original.


I am planning to add some brake ducts as they will conveniently fill the gap left between the new bumper and the original arch liners. The f type bumper being straighter at the edges means there is a gap where the original arch liners curve to the shape of the xk8 bumper.

I am also going to run the intake pipe down behind the headlinght to sit inside the left hand (from the front) vent.

 

A little update... I made a Project 7 type grill from a standard surround which I modified to remove the bar and some ABS honeycomb mesh.

Also wet sanded with some 2000 so I can buff it on the car as I think it will be easier that way.

Now I need to think about what I do with the side grills.

 

Looking good.

 

It's cool to see you thinking outside the box with this project. Any progress to report?

I look forward to a full-body picture to get a sense of the proportions, flow, and harmony of the merged design elements

 

It has been a pretty slow winter in terms of work on my XKR. My tiny garage makes working inside impossible and I have been focusing on a risk hole in the floor when I have had time to work on it.

Bumper is pretty much done now, still needs buffing after the wet sanding but weather has not allowed this yet.

I am also working on some modified XF side skirts which should compliment the front and help the lines flow through from the front.