Growler motif: to restore or not to restore?

[Philippe-J.]

Having red the threads about the horn growler motif, and the price of an original one, I had mine restored by a enamel jewelry expert, and I'm quite happy with the result.
Before:

after:

Now I turn the same question to the bonnet motif, hold by the so called motif bar. Mine is a pity, but is its restoration such an issue as the horn motif? Are repro so expansive or so poor as compared to originals?
In a word, should I have it restored too or buy a new one?
Thanks for your opinion.

[Gfhug]

Philippe, some people use the centre motif from the S3 wheel hub caps. With care it can be taken off and used either for the horn or elsewhere. Beware that the modern repros are not accurate. Look at SNG Barratt and you’ll see it is different to the original.
Some self restoration with a good plastic polishing kit can help get back an almost new look. But you don’t want it too perfect. Firstly it won’t look correct for an old car, and secondly it’ll soon get new dents and dings when you drive at 150+ kph

Geoff

[Series1 Stu]

Philippe has already restored his horn push growler. He is now asking about the badge on the motif bar.

I think the reproduction badges for the motif bar are reasonable.

Regards

[44DHR]

Pillippe,
You asked at post #1 for an opinion. My opinion is that we all have different views and it is up to the owner what their choice is. Personally, I am leaving what I believe as the important tactile parts of the car exactly as they have aged over their life. I apparently could have plastic surgery to “improve” my looks, but I chose not to ! Ok, minor restoration of a part is fine to bring it back if it has aged to show it to it’s best condition, but it is still remains the original item supplied with the car.
I could easy unscrew my car’s worn - and actually cracked gear knob - and replace it with a new legible reproduction part, but I personally prefer to look and touch the worn gear knob purely because that every other driver over the 55 + years has touched it or looked at.
Just my view !
Cheers,
Dave

[Allrand]

Restore if you can, don't replace it, the repo ones look anemic. I just polished mine.

[Philippe-J.]

Thank you all for your views.
My way is to clean & polish, and repair whenever possible, all original parts I can save, even if not perfect.
It's all the more true since repros are more or less poor.
So did I for the steering wheel motif, and I'm happy with the result.

Following Randall's and other's opinion I will try and have the grille motif restored too. But there is kind of a mystery to me about it: on photos (for instance in the knowledge data base) the crown around the growler appear to be all red



when on mine I can see, on the remaining paint, that only the depth (when looked at upside down) of the engraved rays are red, the rest being silver (as is the head of the growler).

I'd be happy to give the right instructions to the restorer if one of you knows about that.

Regards.

[Heuer]

The motif colours are done in stages. First the iridescent red in the 'rays' and then an overlay of silver for the rim and growler.There is then a grey protective layer on top. As the red fades and degrades it reveals the silver underlay. The growler itself is highly detailed and you can even see the cat's tongue and ruffles around the neck, something that are not apparent on the repro's. It is truly a work of art. Here is my battered original:



I don't think yours is an original as it lacks the detail or it could be later production where the dies had worn.

[Philippe-J.]

David,

thank you so much for your reply and remarks. I will tell the restorer in order him to reproduce as well as he can.
Note that the photo in my last post is not of my motif, I took it in the thread "factory fit - series 1 3.8". Unfortunately I did not take a picture on mine before giving it to the restorer. And I did not notice all the details proving, or not, its originality.
I will publish an image of it when it's done.

Regards.

[DWW]

Repro on the car



Original



Original on the car

[Heuer]

Yes, one very cross cat beautifully captured by the artist at Frattorini & Sons. The anger and danger are gone in the repro's. If Jaguar used it today they would have to issue a 'trigger warning'

[Philippe-J.]

Nice pictures Danny, thanks!
May I ask you why you mounted the repro on your car and not the original?

Cheers,

Philippe

[DWW]

It was done during the restoration to, I guess, update the look of the car and/or it came with the replacement bar….so I left it.

[44DHR]

Not given my grill Growler much thought, but on checking this morning I’m pleased to know potentially that I have an original one. Been on the car with me over 22 years and thousands of miles and still looking good !
Cheers,
Dave

[Philippe-J.]

Dave,

very nice close-up of your motif. Hopefully it will give insights to my restorer of what to obtain. Besides, your car is the same year as mine, so it should be a good reference.
I am also happy that my question gives you the occasion of some satisfaction about your own badge

David: the trigger warning could be a man with a red flag, walking ahead of the car, just like in the good old days at the very beginning of motoring history in England?

Philippe

[Philippe-J.]

As a result of the restorer work, here are my grille motif:



and my growler horn motif:



I asked him to preserve their "historical" aspect, that's why they are not as shinny as others, but they retain the finesse of an original moulding.

Thanks for your indications along this restoration of a detail, but it is the signature of the car after all.

Philippe

[DWW]

Glad you are happy with the results, may revert to my original one of these days….

[mgcjag]

Hi All..anyone know the approx diameter of the round badge bar motif...I dont have a car around to measure..cheers...Steve

[DWW]

41.3-41.5mm

[Heuer]

Jaguar worked in imperial measures so the mm gobbledegook translates to 1 5/8" in diameter.

[mgcjag]

Many thanks both...
Steve