leaper badges or not

[M4rk]

Hi All,

I am restoring a 1970 fhc USA Model, it has leaper badges on the side of the bonnet or should I say it had, they fell apart on removal. Now I'm sure I have read somewhere on this forum that they are significant in some way but I can't find the original message again.
I have removed all the side marker lights front and back and converted to rhd, but I can't decide weather to retain these badges (if still available) if they are signifacant to the model or just added to the USA model this would help my decision.
Any help would be appreciated

Cheers

Mark

[ernie]

Hi
I also have a US 1970..being restored at moment. The leapers were put on the last of the cars ie late models. I have had them removed as not keen on them v line sof the car. David.

[PeterCrespin]

If you want them, use identical XJ6 wing badges. You could really freak us out by fitting a wooden dash and using the Daimler badge ...

[nefematic]

Mark,

all the pictures that pop to my mind of the bonnet with leapers have been of the late S2 series and of the lhd kind. There must be rhd with them as well. Since you are obviously changing the car, leave them off if you like the car better without the leapers. If you want to keep them and need proof they were fitted on rhd, check on xkedata. I have a US ots and am keeping the leapers.

Martin

[M4rk]

Thanks for the replies I think I will keep the lines clean and leave them off.
Started the engine for the first time this weekend, once I have the plumbing sorted I should be able to tune and drive her up the drive at least.

Although the heater box fell apart last night as I was dismantling it, so may take a little longer than expected.

Thanks again
Mark

[jellypig]

Not that it adds anything to the party - but my 1970 Ex-USA FHC has 1 Leaper badge. The other has fallen apart during the former keepers tenure.

So, some say ON, some say OFF, I've gone a middle way, with only 1.
:D

[Nickleback]

My late XKE S2 FHC (May 1970 build) LHD had the leapers and like you, I have converted to RHD and will be removing the leapers for good when I get the car resprayed later this year :)