Xk8 front grille
#21
I understand your reluctance to mess with the stock look, but I'm inclined to agree with Paul, the Rev, et al. I think the splitters and overriders are intended to evoke the look of the Series 1 E-Types, but they remind me of nothing quite so much as a kid with a honkin' big set of braces in his mouth. I went with the Mina mesh, and very much like the clean, uncluttered look. I would be happy to send you my stock parts, but the overriders were badly mangled by the original owner's attempts to park against a wall and keep his front plate attached.
The only downside so far is people who keep asking me if its a Maserati
The only downside so far is people who keep asking me if its a Maserati
#26
When I get back to work on Tuesday I will sort a set out...... I am not a fan of the stock look, but I also dont like the flat mesh grilles or the convex type that sit proud of the opening.....
I prefer a convex mesh grille sat behind the opening giving the bumper a bit of depth, this is how I fit 95% of the XKs I modify...
Individuality is the key
I prefer a convex mesh grille sat behind the opening giving the bumper a bit of depth, this is how I fit 95% of the XKs I modify...
Individuality is the key
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millhouse_corfe (05-08-2012)
#27
#29
I happen to be in the other camp.
Never liked the 'rubber fangs' and prefer the clean lines of the mesh grills.
I have bought one from Boston JagXKR but will have it mounted reaccessed a couple of inches.
I agree that the XK8 series is one of the best 'retro' designs to come along and beautifully evokes the E Type series.
Maybe the problem with the 'rubber fangs' is that they aren't chrome like the original E Type series was but to my eye they clutter up the front end and are all but useless for protecting the front of the car unless someone backs into you perfectly parallel to the XK.
Wonder how the XK8 would look with no mesh and no fangs? Anyone done that?
Do you need the mesh to protect the gubbins behind it?
Here is some old eye candy for comparison.
https://www.google.com/search?q=XKE&...Fcf34QT-gaXZBg
Either way I really do prefer the plate below the cowl opening.
It shows off the beautiful lines of the car better.
You could always paint it on the bonnet like many early UK E Type owners did and the occasional XK8 but it always looked like a desecration of a work of art to me.
3G is that really your plate or did you Photoshop it?
Enjoy it with or without the mesh or the 'rubber fangs' they are marvelous no matter what.
cheers,
jj
Never liked the 'rubber fangs' and prefer the clean lines of the mesh grills.
I have bought one from Boston JagXKR but will have it mounted reaccessed a couple of inches.
I agree that the XK8 series is one of the best 'retro' designs to come along and beautifully evokes the E Type series.
Maybe the problem with the 'rubber fangs' is that they aren't chrome like the original E Type series was but to my eye they clutter up the front end and are all but useless for protecting the front of the car unless someone backs into you perfectly parallel to the XK.
Wonder how the XK8 would look with no mesh and no fangs? Anyone done that?
Do you need the mesh to protect the gubbins behind it?
Here is some old eye candy for comparison.
https://www.google.com/search?q=XKE&...Fcf34QT-gaXZBg
Either way I really do prefer the plate below the cowl opening.
It shows off the beautiful lines of the car better.
You could always paint it on the bonnet like many early UK E Type owners did and the occasional XK8 but it always looked like a desecration of a work of art to me.
3G is that really your plate or did you Photoshop it?
Enjoy it with or without the mesh or the 'rubber fangs' they are marvelous no matter what.
cheers,
jj
#30
Earlier items were more rounded later were flatter, take your pick
#33
#34
Number plate size, colour and font must comply with regulations in the UK. Jaguar supply a black plastic mounting bracket and there is a little flexibility in exactly where it can be attached. Both these XK8's have the original standard grilles and use the same Jaguar mounting bracket:
Attachment 19140
My last 2001 XK8 on the right has the bracket below the intake grille whereas my current 2005 XK8 on the left has it fitted higher up covering part of the grille.
My preference is for the number to be below the grille. The 2005 looks dreadful!
Graham
Attachment 19140
My last 2001 XK8 on the right has the bracket below the intake grille whereas my current 2005 XK8 on the left has it fitted higher up covering part of the grille.
My preference is for the number to be below the grille. The 2005 looks dreadful!
Graham
Its passed 3 UK MOT's and been pulled by a speed camera, so no legal issues.
before
after
regards
#36
#37
reply from Brighton
Unfortunately, the Brighton in which I reside is on the wrong side of the pond, in Ontario, Canada. Otherwise, I would pop around to do a swap, as I quite like the mesh grille.
#38
I don't know how it was achieved - done by a previous owner - but I quite like mine as I think it does have a connection with the original E Type which I like.
And yes - I know the horizontal bar is broken and needs doing properly
Attachment 100506
And yes - I know the horizontal bar is broken and needs doing properly
Attachment 100506
#39
#40
I liked the look of the E-type bar and emblem on DevonDavid's car, and it set me into looking for a way to have a similar look on mine, with or without the "fangs". I thought about purchasing a used E-type bar and modifying to fit, and also to make a center piece of some sort to hold the emblem for the same visual effect. How difficult is it to remove the bumpers and, what about the shock-absorbing mechanisms and brackets behind them? Do they also have to be removed? I also have a concern about the extent of front-end damage should I have even a minor accident. Given the cost of XK8 body parts, even a relatively minor accident could cost so much that the insurance company would likely total the car.
Nothing is easy.
Nothing is easy.