1989 Jaguar XJ40 Sovereign 3.6 manual - modified

Love the wheels!

David

Thanks for the positive comments folks!


The '40 has quite the Jeckle and Hyde split personality doesn't it, they can either look like the stately cruiser or the menancing villians motor.

I do like them! I'm getting a bit of Lattice envy. If I hadn't bought a set of Pirellis for my Teardrops for a frightening sum last year I'd be tempted by a set.

Besides, I like Teardrops; they're original and everyone else is abandoning them! And they ride better. I'm close to convincing myself...

Oh can't wait to see them wheels on the car! As for the body kit you got I doubt I'd put them on if it was my car as tbh I think yours is spot on as is. But hey, its not my car (I would like it though )

Going with the original bumpers, but with their chrome tops is a good way forward. The chrome bumpers give a feeling of quality to the '40 - and are quite a prominent feature.
When these cars were new many cars had a lot of chrome, so de-chromed cars stood out. The reverse is now true; chrome gives a retro-quality look, especially since your car is a Sovereign so has the stainless steel window surrounds.

Would it be possible to amalgamate the two looks - to add chrome tops to the fibreglass body kit? This would be close to the Chasseur look of Florian's car.

The other way which looks excellent I think (and I may prefer it) is the Arden route. This sounds to be along the lines you are thinking - chrome bumper tops, together with body coloured rubber bumper parts which you already have, and a substantial front spoiler. This goes well with the Lattice wheels, as you know. A significant front spoiler would need to be offset visually by the side skirts, to avoid the front heavy look. That's a real 80s look, but perhaps an earlier one, and not very Jaguar. To me, it is more a BMW thing, but hey, that doesn't matter and you want to fit the side skirts anyway.

It's developing very nicely, in any event! For my own car, I visited the painter again today and he is not that far from the end now. It looks pretty good, so far. I may see if I have any pictures worth posting up - I'm not good at photographing stuff like this.

David

I've fitted the wheels now, here she is.





I love the look of the rims but I have to say I'm not happy with the tyre size, I think I made a mistake by going for the smaller 225/50's in place of the 225/55's. I'll get the tyres changed over at some point fairly soon, I'll probably get these tyres fitted to my spare five spokes.

I think it needs the bigger tyres.

Hard to say on the spacers but yes it needs bigger tyres. Wheels suit the car.

LOVE the wheels...they work so well.

Personally, I'd leave the tyres and just add more lows. That'll look mega!

If you're going to space the wheels, can I suggest 20mm at the back and 10mm on the front? In my head and from what I can make out on the pics, it'll look better for having a bit more spacing on the rear.

Also, are there any rear lights available that are more 'traditional' red & orange? I know they came black tinted from the factory, but I just think some red/amber rear lights will look a lot more classy.

Whatever happens and whatever you decide to do next, I don't think you can do much wrong with this car (as long as you don't go putting stupid stickers all over it and painting it matt black...although I can't see that happening somehow?)

Keep up the good work.