2004 XK8 convertible

An unfortunate occurrence has had me looking under the car, below the front bumper cover. There resides a black plactic "valence" whichis attached to the two lower/outer ends of the bumper cover, and to the front frame cross member. This "valence" is broken in a number of places and the stbd side has separated from the main section, but is retained by the bumper cover fasteners.
My questions:
What is the proper name of this piece and its part number?
Is it still available?
Is its integrity significant to the security of other parts, like the bumper cover?

 

It's called "Valence Panel" or "Jaguar Undertray" depending on whose parts manual you are using and will be part #C2N002744 or #C2N2744.

You can find them used and new on EBay using the search term "jaguar xk8 undertray", pour yourself a scotch and make sure you are sitting down when you do this.

That panel does enforce the integrity of the surrounding plastics, the front fender liner attaches to the back of the undertray, it's also intended to keep junk out of the radiator supprt but it collects as much as it keeps out in my experience.

 

I replaced mine about 20 years ago as it had a few scratches on it which were only visible when the car was up on the lift so nothing serious and a new one from the Jaguar dealer was less than Ł100. I kept the old one on a shelf in the garage just in case I damaged the new one but a couple of years ago I had a garage clear-out and put the old one on eBay auction starting at 99p. I got 99p + postage for it.

Richard

 

forum member phobman advised recently that he was making a replacement in fibreglass, you might try messaging him.

 

Even used ones are going up in price , and they will show a lot of wear and tear too.

I lost my original one a few years ago when driving at night on an 80 mph turnpike .

Creating the top of a hill a huge Black Alligator* loomed up out of the darkness. I hit it exactly between my front wheels . Fortunately I had no time to swerve; as hitting it with a wheel would’ve surely meant losing all control of the car.

the impact did rip off most of the engine Undertray and the lower part of the alternator snorkel

the used engine undertray replacement I finally found wasn’t pretty, or cheap, but at least it was all in one piece.

Z

** huge Black Alligator : most of huge truck tire carcass, about 12-16 inches high and most of 3 ft. in diameter.

 

These valences get pretty beat up over time. I am particularly cautious pulling into parking spaces with a stop curb. Did an eBay search not long ago and was astonished by the asking prices there. Think I’ll stick with our original despite its distinctive “curb rash” for now…