New owner of 2001 XK8, and unclear which wood I have on the dash/etc. My understanding, that is perhaps incorrect, is that elm did not ship on the 2001 XK8. Inexplicably, a local opinion was this is elm. The steering wheel is appreciably darker/redder than the center and airbag panels. So, please help identify


Overview.




Center panel.


Steering wheel with center panel/driver's instrument cluster background


Airbag panel


Shift surround/knob

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Dale Bass - Durham, NC
2001 XK8

 

Steering wheels regularly don't match the dash veneer. This is my 2001 XK8 with Burr Walnut and an OE half wood steering wheel:




The wheel is a lighter shade than the dash. Steering wheel replacement is also a regular upgrade so you can't be absolutely sure you have the one that was originally fitted to the vehicle. The shift surround is also known for cracking and many have been replaced which again can give a colour and even a veneer type variation.

This is my 2005 Final Series 4.2-S XK8 with Elm:




The centre three gauge section was a replacement for the navigation unit in the closest Elm I could source but both it and the original sections are very much lighter than your dash.

As I recall, Elm was only available on the Victory Edition and Final Series final models. The standard fitting on early models was Burr Walnut or Birds Eye Maple. In later years, Ebony was added to the range and special editions also had Carbon Fibre as an option.

Graham

 

crbass,

I see you live in Durham. Technically we live in northwest Raleigh but are actually in Durham County.. Are you aware of Flying Circus English Cars on East Pettigrew Street (owned by Toby Briggs)? One of the best and most customer-oriented Jaguar indie shops in the state. I DIY as much as I can on my wife's 2006 XK8 with the assistance of some of the great folks on this forum, but when I encounter an issue that requires professional help, Toby is always my first resource....

As Graham stated above, elm veneer was present only on the final series 2006 Victory Edition version here in the U.S. (my wife's car is one of them)….

Good luck with your XK8....

 

Thanks Graham, especially for the elm interior shot. I guess I am to conclude that I have a lightish walnut, all of the wood but the steering wheel looks consistent in consistent light.

Dale

 

Thanks Jon. Flying Circus looked at my pretensioners, and are going to do my upper shock mounts in a few weeks. They came highly recommended and seem great. Good idea, though, will see what they think when I'm in with the shock mounts.

Dale