Hello Jaguar forum members,
My XKR has been through a lot lately.
Pretty much complete reconditioning. Paint, Top, Headliner, Leather interior, New Wheels and Painted Calipers, Custom Jaguar Hood ornament, Grille, Hood Vents, Stereo upgrade, antenna switch, rear windows, Gauges (remove Navigation), (Thanks to WhiteXKR for last 3 upgrades) etc.

I realize not everyone appreciates changes to the XKR's but this is what I have done most are subtle.
Let me know your thoughts, whatever they are.

I am VERY happy and proud of my 2001 XKR.
This was not done overnight, this is a culmination over the years. It is an everyday driver for me, 85K and counting!

Thanks for your interest and opinions (either way!).
Just click on pictures and it will give an enlarged picture.

 

I like it. Interesting leaper hood ornament - who made it, and what was the cost?

 

Beautiful car!

 

very nice mate,not my taste of color for the outside but a very good job indeed,love the interea but please get rid of the foot mats not to much bling you got it just right,leve it at that,well done.

 

Really quite Tasteful Except for the Leaper

 

Beautiful car. I DO like the color, and the seats are very attractive. But I have to agree with Paul, the leaper on the the hood detracts and is unnecessary.

Nice job overall.

Steve

 

wow lovely car, very impressed. great job. Not seen one in that colour before but it works like the interior

 

The only thing that matters is how much you like it.

 

Roman Bronze is one of my favorite colors! I love everything except the leaper (ick!) and I'm usually not that much of a fan of chrome wheels, but they look good too. The grille is ok, but I prefer the original three piece, but not enough to change back. The chrome grilles in the louvers are another mod that is just ok to me. Everything else is a nice improvement and subtle, as you said. I particularly like the two-tone seats.

 

There are differences of what some would like or not. I'm just glad to see that it was done with quality and looks like it will be on the road for years to come. Bring on the fun!

 

I like the color, but you could loose the leaper, other than that quite tasteful.

 

I think the exterior color is nice, I think the dark (chocolate) browns, when done correctly, look very classy. The two-tone seat, like Keith above, I find it a very nice addition. The chrome trim on the louvers, dip-em in chocolate and earn my approval.

I'm afraid i'm in the same camp as the rest on the leaper, its strange at that angle, conflicts with the grille badge - which I would LOVE to see solo without a leaper atop it. And I would assume a crackling fire soundtrack is standard with those persian rug floor mats? The work looks great though, and it is a definitely a one-off jag.

 

Thanks to all that have expressed their opinion.

Good or bad it is interesting to know peoples thoughts.

The funny thing is while most comments were positive, the one overwhelming negative was the Jaguar hood leaper. I have had the sculpture for about 8 years and without a doubt has been the one thing that people have made comments about that were very positive and that they thought it was unique and cool, especially the service advisors at Jaguar Dealerships and others in the Jaguar service business, maybe the picture just does not do it justice. The picture angle does make it a bit mean looking, which in realtime does not.

The story behind the leaper is there were 50 of these actually made, one for each state and when we opted in, we paid our monies and when all 50 were spoken for, we had the same foundry in England that actually makes the Jaguar leapers pour the 50 molds or sculptures and finish them and then the mold was destroyed. We all received numbered certificate of authenticity and a certificate of destuction along with photo. My Leaper sculptures certificate number was #21 my lucky number.

An artist/sculpture in Florida was the idea man and actually made the original sculpture himself and as I said was destroyed when the 50 were made, which should make some of you very happy that there are only 50 and most likely will not see one yourself in person, as for me I really love it, it is a piece of art, just like the XKR!

Of course we all know art is in the eye of the beholder!
(LOL).

It was designed for the actual lines of the XK8/XKR since the hood lines are on a curved decline from the top to bottom. It weighs 8 pounds and is made of mostly brass with a 6 step chromium coating process similar to chrome wheels with nickel and copper etc. and has the two pins on the back just like the hood badge has for mounting and is secured by bolting from under the bumper.
Thanks again.

 

Looks good and you can always change out the carpets and the chrome rims when you feel like a change.

 

Looks great. Where did you find the hood louvers?

 

I like your Jag, except for the Leaper and carpets. I think the Leaper takes away from the hood lines. The growler badge on the grille looks nice. The two tone leather looks really sharp and blends nicely with the car color. I added a few minor aesthetic additions to my 03 XKR that are subtle but I think make it look sharper. They can all be removed without any damage to the car. I added a Sirius radio, quarter panel window up/down switch and antenna switch in the center counsel. Installed a side way Leaper in the center grill section. Added a clock and Leaper on the dash. I am happy with the added look. I considered the chrome hood louvers but think the factory ones are fine. Any comments welcome. I tried to upload attachments of the changes but they will not upload for some reason.

wcnesta
03 XKR vert
01 XK8 vert (For sale on cars.com)

 

+1 on the nice work but I also I could live without the Leaper

 

I too am very impressed with the interior. Outstanding job. And how nice a new roof looks. Wheels are excellent, even ellegant. Sorry bout the carpet though. As for the statue on the hood............. Very happy that you like it.
Great job and a unique car.

 

Very nice, but please ditch the Persian carpets

 

Looks great! Thanks for posting. Whose aftermarket warranty do you have?