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Exterior Modifications
Updated 06/20/01
Some of the following are actually mentioned in other
sections of these modifications pages, and some
below are unique to this page. All of them discuss
some small visual changes I have made to the XJ-S
that I believe have added a little extra special
touch to this extrodinary Jaguar model. Please check back
shortly for pictures of the following.
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Front Lower Grill
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Modification:
Painted the lower air intake grill bright silver
Effect:
The front of the XJ-S looks a little heavy, especially
with the stock black rubber bumpers and black
air dam. One of my theories of auto beautification
that (usually) applies is add either color or brightness
to dark areas that lack it. The front of the car looked
"heavy" to me and the lighter grill gives it a more
elegant and sporting touch. It also reminds me of the
Series 3 E-Type too. I plan later on getting this piece chromed.
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Painted Rear Suspension Mounts
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Modification:
Red paint on brackets below rear hubs.
Effect:
This is a "like it or hate it" modification. If you
look at the rear of the XJ-S suspension, youl see two
brackets with drilled holes that connect to the
bottom of the hubs. This is actually visible from behind the car
at a distance. With careful masking off of co-located parts,
I painted these high temp engine paint red, and the securing
nut in silver. It does give a performance look to the car without
being too obvious or "boy racer" (I think).
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Black Understripe
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Modification:
Black paint along lower rocker panels from front to rear of car.
Effect:
This very, very subtle touch ties together two seen, but
un noticed styling touches. At the front is the black air
dam. If you follow that line all the way to the back of the
car, below the rear bumber is the black undercoating. My
(then) ten year old car had lots of rock chips on the lower
rocker panels that bothered me. A respray would have worked,
but that was extra expense and time. Instead, I went to
a hardware store and bought some wide masking tape, and a couple
of cans of Krylon [brand] black gloss paint and some 300
grit sandpaper. I agressively washed the lower rocker panels--
sparing it nothing with a good sponge and de tarring fluid. After
drying, I used the sand paper to smooth out the chips in the paint
and "rough up" the surface for painting. I then washed it again
with hot water and Dawn [brand] detergent and dried it throughly.
Using the top edge of the front spoiler as a guide, I then masked off
a line across the bottom of the car. Everything below
the tape was painted black. The back side valance
(under the rear bumper) was a bit tricky as I wanted the line to gently
curve up and around the rear corner of the lower body. After a few
attempts, and staring that this is what I wanted, I got it right
to my taste.
Apply the paint according to directions--in gentle sweeps and not too
heavy. Let the first coat dry before applying the second. I
did not drive the car for two days and just let the paint cure
properly.
The results are very easy to miss, but no more chips, and the
car looks lower. It also was a simple fix to all the
ugly chip marks around the wheel wells too...and the whole
thing cost me about $10 USD!
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Integrated Third Brake Light
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Modification:
Removed the plastic housing on the XJ-S Convertible
trunk/boot lid and rewired the light into the existing
backup lights.
Effect:
This is also metioned under the
Lighting Modifications page
but it is cosmetic as well as functional. The car
looks a lot more sleek and modern now as the third
brake light does not appear as a tacky afterthought.
Jaguar enthusiasts at car shows see me car, and never even
notice it, but this is perhaps my favorite of
all the modifications I've made to the appearance
of the car...and again, it cost me less than $10 USD to do!
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Repositioned Backup Lights
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Modification:
Moved the backup lights from the trunk lid to under the rear bumper.
Effect:
A more sporty looking rear end (in my opinion) and
increased saftey with brighter backup lights.
Again, like the third brake light, you can read the
technical details on the
Lighting Modifications page
but it too is both cosmetic and functional. I can actually
see something at night with two 50 watt Halogen
Lights beaming so brightly behind. As an added bonus,
I later plan on putting a switch in the cockpit that will
allow turning on these lights while driving. Why you ask?
As a simple way to solve the ever lasting problem of
someone following you with their high beams on...I hope
I don't get into trouble for this...
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Hood Growler
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Modification:
Polished off the black to a semi silver shine
Effect:
The stock black growler badge looked almost plastic and unreadable
as it came from the factory. I simply removed it and, using
my polishing wheel in the shop, brought the
chrome luster out that is hidden underneath. Again, it's one of those
things that people don't conciously notice, but it does set
my car out from the rest a bit and brightens up the front
of the car.
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Replaced Factory Badges to New
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Modification:
Removed the older factory emblems with dealer supplied
replacement items.
car.
Effect:
Not really a modification, but if you have an older Jaguar,
those fake plastic emblems at the front and/or back of the
car are getting a little tired looking. For example, the "V12"
emblem on the front grill was yellowing and cracking with age,
and the plastic chrome trunk lid emblems that say "XJ-S" and
"V12" were losing there chrome luster and bleeding through
the black plastic underneath. These pieces are still available
from the dealer, but be forewarned--they are not inexpensive.
The XJ-S and V12 emblems for the rear were about $39 USD
each (ouch!) But the effect is a brand "new" looking
car. It's worthwhile--and strogly recommended while these
(original, stock items) are still available from Jaguar Cars.
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Union Jack Grill Badge
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Modification:
Add a touch of panache while honouring the Queen and
the mother country.
Effect:
Every "proper" British Car needs some sort of grill badge.
I have the JCNA chrome badge on the VDP, but I felt a
more fitting emblem for the XJ-S was a shield
bearing the Union Jack. Surprisingly, it took months
to make up my mind on what I exactly wanted, but now
it has grown to be part of the car and adds a personal
touch that always helps me pick out my chariot. Long
live the Queen!
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