A while ago i bought a 2001 XKR "Silverstone" edition, mint, with only 30.000 miles on it. There is one thing different on it - all, and i really mean all trim on it is gold plated. This includes even the front grille, the ring on the shifter knob, the fitting around the key holes, door handles, the ring around the antenna, tail light trim, the badge on the trunk lid, the snaps for the top cover etc. To my taste it looks classy contrasting with the silver paint.
I was wondering if anyone has heard of this as a possible factory option. The wear on the drivers door handle indicates it was done either at the factory, or at the selling dealer just before delivery when new. The car was originally sold in Las Vegas. Someone obviously wanted to be different.
I have the VIN number printout from a dealer, which lists all the standard "Silverstone" additions, but no mention of a special trim order. I could not find the actual build sheet in the car yet.
One other thing that makes me believe that it was done at the factory during production. Even the outside edge and the inside narrower band on the "Silverstone" badge on the front of the car are gold plated- nearly impossible to do without ruining the badge.
Has anybody heard of Jaguar taking custom orders like this ?

 

 

The 'Silverstone' XKR built to celebrate Jaguar's return to Formula 1 was limited to 50 Coupe and 50 Convertibles making it a rarity. The specification is well documented and references no options like this.

Jaguar didn't offer the same kind of bespoke service as Bentley or Aston Martin and an individual buyer or even dealer wouldn't have been able to have this kind of plating work done at the factory during production.

However, the importance of the launch to Jaguar and the money they threw into publicity makes it possible this car could have been specially finished by Jaguar or a dealer as a demonstrator or show exhibit.

A letter to Jaguar or JDHT quoting the VIN could get you more information. If you check the UK Region section, we have a Jaguar CRC (Customer Relationship Centre) contact who may be able to help.

Graham

 

Gold plating like this was popular in the 90's. Typically, specialists did the work at dealer lots. All brands were getting it. I saw it being done at a Toyota lot. I never liked it. If you do that's great. Post some pictures. I'd like to see it.

Jack

 

As far as I recall the silverstone only came out in the 2000 model, not 2001

 

The car is not one of the original 50 made for England, it is a US 2001 model one of about 200 built. I am in Chatsworth, California, not in the UK. I just took some pictures, and will upload them as soon as i figure out how.

 

As BlkCat mentioned above, this was probably done aftermarket back in the day when it was popular with the hip-hop crowd. I'll be honest - that's one trend I was glad to see fade away....

 

Here are some pictures- while some parts would be easy to do aftermarket, some would be extremely labor involved, and the front and side badge seem to me would be not possible except in the fabrication process.

 

I would guess this is aftermarket plating. The badges are not that difficult to separate to have it plated. I've Researched the model and there is no mention in any publication about gold plating. Jaguar was kind of **** about the Color scheme to co-inside with the Silverstone Theme, Platinum paint etc.. There was 100 in Britain and 232 in the U..S. The remaining for the rest of the world market with a total of 556. All 2001 models to U.S. Dealers were sold before delivery, with some dealers commanding more than list price. It's basically the same car as a XKR except for the brakes, suspension, and certain cosmetic changes. What's your serial # and build date? Also register in the Silverstone Registry. At the present the web site is being rebuilt. I also noted that the license plate holder in the rear is plated, and that not a factory item.

 

That's very thorough. I wouldn't want that on my black XKR, but that gold accenting looks great on that paint.

 

The Serial # is 12601. the build date was September 2000, the dispatch date (which i am assuming is when it was shipped from the factory) is September 12th 2000, and it was sold by Gaudin Jaguar in Las Vegas on the 18th of October 2000 ( not much time in between, so it was probably not done by the dealer). I will try to contact Gaudin, they could have a record of the sale and options or a copy of the original window sticker, and i will try to trace down the original owner- i have his name and phone number from that time. The license plate frame was put on by me when i bought the car, i don't like the self advertising cheap plastic frames with dealer names on them, and it was not the original one from Gaudin anyway.