Discussion
Thank you. I've now had the car detailed, with excellent results, and have posted some more photos here:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...
As far as I'm aware that's definitely not legal on that year of car and you risk getting pulled over regularly.
it doesn't matter if it easily detaches or not ... simply because it would then easily 'attach' into the face of whatever pedestrian has the misfortune to land on it.
The Rolls 'Spirit of Ecstasy' gets a special dispensation as it retracts into the bonnet on impact (any direction).
PS - Leapers are for the classics and look naff on anything else.
it doesn't matter if it easily detaches or not ... simply because it would then easily 'attach' into the face of whatever pedestrian has the misfortune to land on it.
The Rolls 'Spirit of Ecstasy' gets a special dispensation as it retracts into the bonnet on impact (any direction).
PS - Leapers are for the classics and look naff on anything else.
Yep - a magistrate will be more than happy to accept the rambling posting of Mr Simon Chapman, 'newbie' member of the 'JaguarForum.co.uk', as being sound proof of legality.
If some stupid official gets it wrong and mistakenly hauls you up for it, then just print the relevant page off the forum and submit it as a case related document to the man in the wig and you'll walk away without a blemish on your character!
It is accepted in legal circles that Reg 53 of the C&U legislation is somewhat 'flakey'. But I can assure you that 'in all the circumstances' presented in the picture of the leaper on your initial post - it contravenes the legislation.
Irrespective of whether it breaks off or not. Irrespective of whether it carries a German TUV approval. Irrespective of whether Stratstone fits it (my Lotus Exige was registered and supplied with various Performance Pack features that were definitely not legal by a very reputable dealer - this didn't change the fact that it was not legal for road use). And irrespective of whether a leaper flew through the air and embedded itself in someone's forehead (when, where, who - I can't find any articles about this industry issue defining moment). And irrespective of which un-named specialists he spoke to at the Met or DOT.
Sorry if I sound a bit sarcastic - not my intention (honest), but we all know about the issue and we all know that it's really not a good idea, but STILL time and time again people try to find justification for doing things that they probably shouldn't.
If some stupid official gets it wrong and mistakenly hauls you up for it, then just print the relevant page off the forum and submit it as a case related document to the man in the wig and you'll walk away without a blemish on your character!
It is accepted in legal circles that Reg 53 of the C&U legislation is somewhat 'flakey'. But I can assure you that 'in all the circumstances' presented in the picture of the leaper on your initial post - it contravenes the legislation.
Irrespective of whether it breaks off or not. Irrespective of whether it carries a German TUV approval. Irrespective of whether Stratstone fits it (my Lotus Exige was registered and supplied with various Performance Pack features that were definitely not legal by a very reputable dealer - this didn't change the fact that it was not legal for road use). And irrespective of whether a leaper flew through the air and embedded itself in someone's forehead (when, where, who - I can't find any articles about this industry issue defining moment). And irrespective of which un-named specialists he spoke to at the Met or DOT.
Sorry if I sound a bit sarcastic - not my intention (honest), but we all know about the issue and we all know that it's really not a good idea, but STILL time and time again people try to find justification for doing things that they probably shouldn't.
Well, you seem to know it all - but trouble is, you are asking us to take your word for it. Please post some links to authoritative documents which prove that leapers, or any mascot properly mounted, are illegal. Otherwise, I invite you to accept that my research carries more weight than your assertions.
I don't know it all.
I do, however, have 17 years experience of working in the Justice system where matters like this were my daily bread and butter.
As I said - the legislation is a bit flakey. Two cops, two CPS's, two Magistrates, etc. may all have differing opinions (which most certainly should not be the case, but that's our Justice system). The sentiment of the legislation in this regard, however, is quite clear and I would bet that if a percentage was gleaned, then a significant majority of those who have been reported would fall foul of the legislation and would have to remove it (and then re-fit it later no doubt).
That percentage MAY move down the scale if the Leaping Cat was placed (much) further up the bonnet as this further muddies the water.
Oh, for the good all days when things were black and white.
I do, however, have 17 years experience of working in the Justice system where matters like this were my daily bread and butter.
As I said - the legislation is a bit flakey. Two cops, two CPS's, two Magistrates, etc. may all have differing opinions (which most certainly should not be the case, but that's our Justice system). The sentiment of the legislation in this regard, however, is quite clear and I would bet that if a percentage was gleaned, then a significant majority of those who have been reported would fall foul of the legislation and would have to remove it (and then re-fit it later no doubt).
That percentage MAY move down the scale if the Leaping Cat was placed (much) further up the bonnet as this further muddies the water.
Oh, for the good all days when things were black and white.
I would recommend buying the 'official' Arden leaper from Racing Green at
http://www.racinggreencars.com/modern/products.asp...
They will also fit it or supply fitting instructions. Here are the basic instructions from Arden:
http://www.zen86793.zen.co.uk/xjs/Leaper_fitting.p...
http://www.racinggreencars.com/modern/products.asp...
They will also fit it or supply fitting instructions. Here are the basic instructions from Arden:
http://www.zen86793.zen.co.uk/xjs/Leaper_fitting.p...
You could always go into eBay and search under the word Leaper.
http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll?from=R4...
Click on the above that should take you there
http://search.ebay.co.uk/search/search.dll?from=R4...
Click on the above that should take you there
pr100 said:
I would recommend buying the 'official' Arden leaper from Racing Green at
http://www.racinggreencars.com/modern/products.asp...
They will also fit it or supply fitting instructions. Here are the basic instructions from Arden:
http://www.zen86793.zen.co.uk/xjs/Leaper_fitting.p...
Many Thanks PR100http://www.racinggreencars.com/modern/products.asp...
They will also fit it or supply fitting instructions. Here are the basic instructions from Arden:
http://www.zen86793.zen.co.uk/xjs/Leaper_fitting.p...
Would you have any ideas what Racing green charge for the Arden Leaper and fitting costs ?
Cheers
Paul
pr100 said:
I know that when the Arden leaper is fitted by Racing Green or by a Jaguar main agent, it comes with a TUV certificate of EU compliance -- which Arden secured based on their design and their fitting instructions. For anyone concerned about legality, this certificate is a must-have.
As a member of the JEC (Jaguar Enthusiasts Club) this question of leapers on modern Jaguars has risen on a number of occasions and I believe the club's stance is not to fit the leaper. Yes the EU may have a directive, but Britain also has traffic laws and if you are involved in an accident with a pedestrian with an illegally fitted leaper expect the law to come down on you like a ton of bricks. Just think Jaguar fit leapers at the factory on American cars and not UK cars, ask yourself the question why? So the factory cannot be held to blame in the UK. One other point, read the American Jaguar websites and see how many owners have to replace leapers and whole bonnets, because of vandalism or theft of the leaper, now we all know the UK's car crime rate
The possibility of vandalism is a definite deterrent - albeit the approved leaper is designed to come off without damaging the bonnet (and could therefore be temporarily removed by the owner if the car is left parked in a public place).
I have spoken to all the relevant UK authorities - as listed here - and none of them said that a properly fitted leaper would be illegal. Jaguar stopped fitting them to UK production cars for corporate reasons, not because they were illegal. If in doubt, ring Jaguar Cars and ask them.
I have spoken to all the relevant UK authorities - as listed here - and none of them said that a properly fitted leaper would be illegal. Jaguar stopped fitting them to UK production cars for corporate reasons, not because they were illegal. If in doubt, ring Jaguar Cars and ask them.
dominicf said:
Yes the EU may have a directive, but Britain also has traffic laws and if you are involved in an accident with a pedestrian with an illegally fitted leaper expect the law to come down on you like a ton of bricks. Just think Jaguar fit leapers at the factory on American cars and not UK cars, ask yourself the question why? So the factory cannot be held to blame in the UK.
How many Chelsea tractors do you see fitted with Roo bars?If the law gave a toss about safety they'd come down on them like a ton of bricks. If the courts gave a toss they'd award the kind of damages that would make sure that insurance companies effectively banned them.
I think Jaguar in the US have leapers fitted because that's what the US market wants. Jaguar in the UK obviously feels the leaper is not to British tastes. Taste is always a matter for the individual.
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