Hard to tell, but it might just be something on the ground on the opposite side of the car just behind the front wheel, like a couple cans or something.

 

Picked up a bottle of Connolly Hide Care from a friend, and we together went for a little ride through the Taiwanese tea fields and the local reservoir.
Pleasant summer afternoon in the middle of the winter.

 

OMG Beautiful pics!!! Are those chrome mirror caps hard to install? and find?

 

Jaguar XJ8 Chrome Mirror Covers www.brooklandmotorfactors.co.uk

Best price around even w/ shipping !

Edit :
They install over the existing mirror housing w/ 3M tape(already placed on shell) just be sure to clean the mounting surface.
Pro Tip : A final wipe w/ rubbing alcohol ensures great cohesion.

 

I think, but can be confirmed by KC, that the aftermarket ones fit OVER the existing mirror caps, where the original VDP caps fit inside the mirror housing, just like your colored ones.

 

Two things....

How do you like the Connolly hide care? Does it leave it sticky?


Where do you get the SS grills? Do the old vertical bars come out to install the screen???


Looks awesome. Love to see more of the XJS too!!!

 

Ric,
I have no experience with the Connolly hide care, just bought a jar to support the local Jaguar club who made a group buy.
Just did the interior, will let it sit for a day.
It is rather thick, but rather soft and easy to apply.
Don't really like the smell though.

If you have really old or stiff leather, I can recommend a product called HOOFMAKER.
It is used for horse's hoofs, and also marketed as hand cream.
I used it on a stubborn part of my drivers seat twice, and it completely softened up.

On the inserts, yes, the vertical bars come off easily.
First time I removed the grill, but if you know how they are fitted, you can just un-clip them while the grill is mounted.
And I just looked the web for ~2 years for the stainless ones, then found a set wrongly priced in Japan (they forgot a zero ).

 

Pondering getting this myself.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Jaguar-98-0...-/350550384828

 

Be sure to check the screws before replacing it. Mine were a bit tattered facing the wind for many years. You can get nice spiffy stainless ones from Ace. I mean after all.....a new grille deserves new mounting screws..
Also, on the bottom tabs, I used 5/16 vacuum hose to seat it forward so it wouldn't rattle or move. I always wondered if there were supposed to be inserts for the tabs to seat into because of the space.

 

Yes, my original Jaguar mesh grills have rubber covers over their tabs to prevent the rattling.
However, the chrome and painted inserts are thicker, don't have them, and mine do rattle from time to time.

 

My, my, my that is one sexy looking sedan. Those wheels just complete the car! Every time I see a pic of your car I start searching for a set for my VDP, but so far no luck.

 

Thank you Sir!
I see them advertised on some US websites selling new and refurbished wheels, just not sure they actually have or not.
Note they are staggered, 8J in the front, 9J in the rear.

 

Yeah, Eric makes me jealous also with his little collection....

For wheel searches (or most any part) try this site.... Car-Part.com--Used Auto Parts Market ....just follow the prompts and make sure you prompt "pictures", not that they all have them. It will bring up a list of the yards that have them, the condition A-D, the yards location and usually cost (some say call for $). I picked up a beautiful Penta wheel for $50 in SC and they shipped it for $25. Can't guarantee a low price, but it depends on what you want to pay. Don't forget these are yards, you can negotiate a price, especially on a full set.

 

I've used car-part.com quite a bit in the past, but for whatever reason I hadn't really given any thought to use it for this wheel search. I must thank you Highhorse for reminding me since I was able to score three (one 18x8, two 18x9s) for just under $350 shipped!!!! Now I just need to find one more 18x8.... Thanks again!

This poor girl was the donor.

 

Wow, that went quick .... nice catch.
Thanks to Highhorse indeed, don't see him often, but if he is here, his advice makes sense!

As you are going fast, I have some, maybe (unneeded) advice:

- I got a set of 4 initially, but sourced an additional 8J spare as I wanted to get rid of my 16" full spare.
Alternatively, you can use a Jaguar space saver.

- Not sure on the condition of the tires.
On the XK, they came in a rather strange F245/45, R255/45 configuration, which was not in relation to the rim width increase.
It makes the rear side wall protrude further inwards than the front.
I went F245/45, and R275/40, which is the exact percentual width increase of the rims (8J to 9J), has the exact same sidewall front and rear, and most important, looks gorgeous on the XJ.

- They fit perfectly, all I did was 'halving' the rear bump stop.
I think if the car is on the ground, they don't touch anyway, but while on the lift, the tires hit if you don't halve them (depending brand).

- A 245/45 spare will about fit in the trunk, but it will push up the lid a bit.
I am using a x300 trunk lid, which has the infamous lifted circle, which works up till 255, and makes your trunk look kind of cool or ugly, surely impractical.

- Don't forget the closed, chromed lugnuts!

 

 

That is a pretty color Alfred...

 

I couldn't live without car-part.com, saves me so much time physically searching yards, which I love doing as well, but anyhow

 

Not unneeded at all Eric, I appreciate all the info!

Since I've high-jacked this "sexy 308 pictures" thread, here's my latest purchase. Now if spring would hurry up and get here, I can actually drive it.

 

I read your other thread on the purchase of this one, and I totally see why you went all the hassle to bring the car from Florida.
Looks beautiful and impressive!