Hi All,

I’m new to the group and to Jaguar ownership.. I’ve recently bought a 1997 Jaguar XK8 convertible with a few bits that need doing. 
Thanks to the information on this forum I’ve just replaced a leaking roof lifting ram and got the hood working again.

Unfortunately, it has had some mice in it whilst it’s been stored over recent months by the previous owner who have had a good munch on the headlining.. thankfully, they haven’t touched the actual hood and, having had the back seats etc out today, it doesn’t look like they’ve got to any wiring at all.

I am in need of a new headlining and I’d like to do the A posts and bit above the windscreen at the same time, I also need a tonneau cover as it’s been lost.

Ive looked through the chats on here but haven’t been able to find any recommendations for the headliners or tonneau that have come to anything.

Any suggestions would be gratefully received!

Hi Andy, given that the headlining of a convertible is not affixed to a board, but more akin to a tent, it might be possible to have a decent upholsterer make you a new headlining using the old one as a template. You could then make it in Alcantara or other exotic material as you desire. 

For the A-pillars and top rail, there was an article in the March 2021 issue of the JEC magazine regarding recovering these with a faux leather purchased from eBay. If you don't have access to the back copies of the magazine - they are available online digitally for JEC members - drop me a PM with your email address and I will see if I can forward you a copy.

N6 JMX

Good day Andy

BLACCAT here.

Relative to your "toneau" cover, are you referring to the cover for the top when folded down? If so, I have one that I will part with. What is the colour of your upholstery? My cover is "Coffee" which is a bit richer than the beige/tan colour. (It is possible to have them recoloured. Do not know price to recolour.)

Andy. There is a stain from resting against a tire. It is visible but not overwhelming. See pics.

If you are interested I will let it go $200 CAN. (Tops Online sells them starting at $553 USD)

I live in Vineland, Ontario, Canada so a nice Sunday cruise to pick it up. OOPS!!! I just noticed your long license plate and your steering wheel on the "WRONG" side which tells me you don't live in DORSET, ONTARIO...... If you are interested I will research your shipping costs to your postal code in UK.

Relative to doing the "A" pillars and top rail, You may be surprised how easy it is to CAREFULLY peel off the fabric and re-cement it. I did mine by myself and it was not difficult, however, in hind sight an extra pair of hands would have helped.

Relative to doing the headliner, it requires re & re of the top's edges. My research indicated that the economics of replacing the whole top with a new one including the headliner although more expensive now will save you a lot of coin when you need to replace the top. Are you aware of "TOPS ONLINE"?

"http://topsonline.com", in the USA. Vic Moses. 1-800-624-4470.

I don't know how the current tariffs will affect the picing. Vic does mfr them in the USA.

Good luck!

Please let me know what you think.

BLACCAT

 

Hi, thank you for the post.. I’d love to do a nice Sunday drive out to pick it up, unfortunately it’s quite a trek!

Thankfully, I have managed to buy one that matches the colour I need (and was a much shorter drive away).

Thankfully you for the tips about the a post!

Andy

Hi andy nothing to do with the headlining but more curiosity . You said you recently purchased the xk8 . Was it from Stockport/ Manchester area by chance . 

3 hours ago, David Howarth said:

Hi andy nothing to do with the headlining but more curiosity . You said you recently purchased the xk8 . Was it from Stockport/ Manchester area by chance . 

Hi David, No it wasn’t, it was in the South West..