I am currently restoring my 1959 XK150 FHC which I intend to enter in the Driven Division - hopefully at 2010 Western States if I can get the car ready in time. I have two questions regarding authenticity:

When I aquired the car, chromed tailpipe extentions were fitted. I do not believe that Jaguar offered these as optional item nor included in the SE specification. Would this have been a common dealer add-on before delivery or are they more likely to be an after-market owner add-on and thus non-authentic?

Also, I would like to add a "cyclops" brake light in the rear window as modern traffic/drivers are used to seeing this as the "cyclops" does get the drivers' behind you attention. I believe this should be a reasonable safety addition without incurring a non authentic penalty. It is little different from adding seatbelts etc. I would use a strip LED light, discretely installed and blended into the interior trim. Mounted in the rear window it would be at a decent height to attact other drivers' attention as the original brake lights are mounted low to the road and are rather small.

I would like to make a permanent installation but I could make it removable for concours events.

Tom Doyle
Canadian XK Jaguar Register
1959 XK 150 3.8 FHC Indigo Blue
1964 E-Type 3.8 OTS BRG
2003 S-Type 4.2 Sport Midnight Blue
2007 XK 4.2 Coupe JRG

Submitted by NW42-44901J on Mon, 02/01/2010 - 14:43

Thank you Pat, your last comment is most telling in that my understanding is the "cyclops" is a requirement of the US DOT and Transport Canada but it is not retroactive beyond the implementation date. In Canada, vehicles more than 15 years old are exempt from current Transport Canada requirements. Thanks to your response and that of George Camp I have good direction on how to proceed. Thanks again.

Tom

Submitted by pharmon@jcna.com on Mon, 02/01/2010 - 09:02

Tom, Chrome tailpipe extensions would be ruled non-authentic as they were not offered by Jaguar either on new cars or as an accessory (items must be listed in the official spare parts catalog). There is an exception allowing "safety equipment" where "Certain countries, states and provinces require specific safety equipment on vehicles registered there. Entrants are expected to install whatever items, such as seat belts, that are required to legally operate their cars......The entrant may be asked to document the requirement." JCNA Concours Rule Book, Ch VI, page 3 paragraph 9. As a Chief Judge I would certainly ask to see some sort of state law documentation should I find non-Jaguar brake lights on your car.

Submitted by SE98-32482CJ on Sun, 01/31/2010 - 13:31

Well Tom we do not know if you have a single pipe system or a dual system. In any case the tail pipes were chromed for 18 inches or so over the mild steel on the dual system. Chrome extensions were not mentioned or offered from Jaguar (no need) and the dealers list of options for the years of the 150 sho no optional extensions. As far as your 3rd lamp it would possibly fall in the "safety " mod for driven but would not be allowed in concours. If you can install and remove it you have answered your own question. Good luck