Why the hate for the Leaper?
#1
Why the hate for the Leaper?
I'm a newbie here, so forgive me if I've missed it...
But from the way some people talk about it, the Leaper might as well be the Leper.
I can understand not wanting it on an XK or E type.
OTOH, it is one of the most beautiful and iconic automotive mascots ever, and is one of the things I fell in love with Jaguar over as a child.
Why the vitriol?
But from the way some people talk about it, the Leaper might as well be the Leper.
I can understand not wanting it on an XK or E type.
OTOH, it is one of the most beautiful and iconic automotive mascots ever, and is one of the things I fell in love with Jaguar over as a child.
Why the vitriol?
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Gatorman67 (07-12-2022)
#2
#4
#5
Believe me.... If anyone on this forum is known for his add ons, it would be me. I saw an XK8 once, with a leaper on the front, instead of the growler, and I thought it looked out of place. The XKE didn't have a leaper, and our cars are direct descendants of that car. With a sloping nose it just doesn't look right in my opinion. It looks like it belongs on my X Type sedan, or any of the sedans, but just not on the "sports" cars.....If you can call a car weighing over two tons a sports car. On the other hand, it is your car, and you can do whatever you want......Be cool.....Mike
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01Silverstone (09-17-2015)
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kesslari (09-17-2015)
#7
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#10
For me the difference is in the angle. On the MKII and earlier models, the leaper launches itself out straight. (Look at an SS 100. It is parallel to the ground.) On the newer style XJ, it looks down. On the XK8/R hood, it is angled so far down it looks like its jumping into a hole.
Stay with the growler badge. IMHO.
Stay with the growler badge. IMHO.
#11
Thanks for the replies - I now get that it's not hate for the Leaper herself but rather her placement on certain models.
Now THAT makes sense.
#12
Opinions----opinions. Always remember, everyone has one--or two---or three.
I have both. An 05/XK8CF and an 05/XJ8L. The Leaper--which came on the car-- looks great on the XJ, but on the XK--well that's another story. But as Mrplow58 said above, it's your car.
Drilling a hole in that beautiful bonnet however, would be degrading to the car--I believe.
Yeah your right, just my opinion.
Cheers
I have both. An 05/XK8CF and an 05/XJ8L. The Leaper--which came on the car-- looks great on the XJ, but on the XK--well that's another story. But as Mrplow58 said above, it's your car.
Drilling a hole in that beautiful bonnet however, would be degrading to the car--I believe.
Yeah your right, just my opinion.
Cheers
#13
I love the Leaper - have since childhood - but it would definitely be out of place on Kitty's bonnet.
However, .... could there be someplace else we could put one; say the rear deck (coupe only, of course), just behind the sub-woofer, so that it would be visible through the ear window. Don't shoot me - the idea just came to me without even looking at my car. I wouldn't be surprised if looked ugly or juvenile. Just musing aimlessly. :-)
However, .... could there be someplace else we could put one; say the rear deck (coupe only, of course), just behind the sub-woofer, so that it would be visible through the ear window. Don't shoot me - the idea just came to me without even looking at my car. I wouldn't be surprised if looked ugly or juvenile. Just musing aimlessly. :-)
#14
#15
Custom Jaguar Leaper
Or, you could do what I and 49 other Jaguar XK8/XKR's did and that was, to create our owner custom Jaguar leaper based on the lines of the hood and grill area.
We hired the same foundry in the UK that makes them for Jaguar to create a mold and make 50 of the Leapers and then the mold was destroyed.
The idea was to have one Jaguar leaper from each state, not sure how that worked out!
Yes I realize there are those that are saying "yeah, it was destroyed" at this very moment!
But you know that everyone that sees it in person says "Wow, that is really a cool piece"
It flows well with the cars lines and looks amazingly distinguished! It puts back some class where it was missing, it says Jaguar where it did not say it before and should have!
Of course this is all said based on MHO...
It is a substantial piece at six pounds and is installed without harm to the original car where the existing Growler badge was using a bolt from underneath to secure and existing guide holes.
(as you can see I moved the growler badge to the grill area)
The leaper is about 12 years old now and as you can see in great condition, it is a well done quality piece of art and the price we paid is representative of that! No, don't ask...
I enjoy the piece and admire it most every day.
OK, so now any comments ??? LOL
Click on picture to enlarge, if you dare!!
We hired the same foundry in the UK that makes them for Jaguar to create a mold and make 50 of the Leapers and then the mold was destroyed.
The idea was to have one Jaguar leaper from each state, not sure how that worked out!
Yes I realize there are those that are saying "yeah, it was destroyed" at this very moment!
But you know that everyone that sees it in person says "Wow, that is really a cool piece"
It flows well with the cars lines and looks amazingly distinguished! It puts back some class where it was missing, it says Jaguar where it did not say it before and should have!
Of course this is all said based on MHO...
It is a substantial piece at six pounds and is installed without harm to the original car where the existing Growler badge was using a bolt from underneath to secure and existing guide holes.
(as you can see I moved the growler badge to the grill area)
The leaper is about 12 years old now and as you can see in great condition, it is a well done quality piece of art and the price we paid is representative of that! No, don't ask...
I enjoy the piece and admire it most every day.
OK, so now any comments ??? LOL
Click on picture to enlarge, if you dare!!
Last edited by vettegood; 09-09-2015 at 08:26 PM.
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kesslari (09-10-2015)
#17
[QUOTE=jimforrest (uk);1304127]Apparently the Mk2 Jag was one of the best dissemboweling tools around - but just think of the mess !![/QUOTE
I think that is why they started making them, so they turn, or break off.....They just removed hood ornaments in the US, ruining what little style they had. Now I hear they are getting rid of bumpers that stick out, so you don't get broken legs, but slide under the car easier, to finish the job.....Mike
I think that is why they started making them, so they turn, or break off.....They just removed hood ornaments in the US, ruining what little style they had. Now I hear they are getting rid of bumpers that stick out, so you don't get broken legs, but slide under the car easier, to finish the job.....Mike
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x-biker (09-10-2015)
#18
#19
For me the difference is in the angle. On the MKII and earlier models, the leaper launches itself out straight. (Look at an SS 100. It is parallel to the ground.) On the newer style XJ, it looks down. On the XK8/R hood, it is angled so far down it looks like its jumping into a hole.
#20
Another issue with any leaper is vandalism. That lovely piece of art is irresistible to a certain element. My 1990 XJ40 Majestic had a nice gold leaper that some #@$% ripped off one night. Broke my heart. I replaced it and shortly thereafter totaled the car in an ice storm. But I removed the replacement leaper before surrendering the car to the insurance company. Same thing used to happen with a 1966 Mercedes 230S I once owned. The star was held by a spring (safety issue), which made it very easy to pull it off. I think I replaced it three times in a year and a half. Fortunately the spring mounting avoided sheet metal damage.
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kesslari (09-17-2015)
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