Jaguar XKR Spun Aluminum Dash
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Yeah, I loved it on my Mustang II's and 70's Firebirds / TA's. Only design I liked better was a the '85 Mustang aircraft cockpit style gauge surrounds. Form follows function there. Plasticized wood just looks and feels plasticy to me on these cars. My glove box side panel is cracked. Same on my Lincoln LS, cracked twice. PITA to deal with.
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Important to know
There should be no plasticized wood in Jaguars. Maybe in the early 2000's
I used to be in this business. The art, craftsmanship, and materials involved is like no other finish in the world. And it is the most sought after by those who know. People get entire rooms done this way- and it cost a king's ransom. There isnt a luxury yacht built that doesnt have this floor to ceiling.
Only a very few trees remain that even have the art and pattern. It has to be very old. And it takes a master's master to match the grain. Its so difficult that companies like Sea Ray use printed veneer. So a pattern like African Mahogany is printed on a real patternless wood veneer like poplar. Its not cheaper than African Mahogany, only easier to match.
The finish that looks like a mile-deep glass is extremely difficult to do. For instance on car paint, or piano black lacquer (not to be confused with very rare Lacquer de Chine) you simply apply few coats of 2k polyester. And then lightly polish imperfections in the final product. In lacquered wood veneers, that 2k poly is twice the cost and contains far more solids. Look up Ilva. There are several coats applied, 3 times as much as a car to build the mile deep look. However, its wet sanded and highly polished between each layer, and then the final product can take hours.
Its truly a celebration of art made by nature- highlighted by man. Brushed aluminum, radial swirls and jitterbug are done on a time-saver when you dont have artisans and can be done anywhere in the world, even Afghanistan. Fine lacquered veneers is distinctly British, not unlike Lacquer de Chine is distinctly oriental. I believe its a 20 year apprenticeship at Rolls Royce before they will let you touch the veneer. And for the record, Jaguar always positioned itself as a poor man's Rolls.
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ralphwg (08-19-2017)
#45
I just popped the panel off the kids LS, it does look like a paper thin veneer applied on ABS plastic and then a ton of reddish orange clear applied to it. There are polish marks in it where it looks like it was buffed by hand on a wheel buffer. His clear clear has cracked, did it on a winter day a couple years ago. I remember when I got it that the pattern wasn't the same but the colors matched pretty darned well so it makes sense that it's not a paper applique.
My XKR has the same problem but it looks like it took a knee to the panel.
My XKR has the same problem but it looks like it took a knee to the panel.
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Our interior choices seem to have been hamstrung by design...
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I think the look is great on certain color combinations. I just finished up a 2009 XKR and am considering the spun aluminum since it is a bright silver with black interior, although it would look just as good on black on black. It gives it a much higher end non earthy look which fits the supercharged model much better. It kind of brings it into the league with all of the modern carbon fiber interior models out there. I do agree that for most colors ... and especially for the lower powered XK, that wood looks the best and is best suited for a luxury sports touring car
If anyone wants to trade their set for a flawless wood set just PM me.
If anyone wants to trade their set for a flawless wood set just PM me.
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Hans Amstein (02-16-2023)