I think I asked this question once before, but have misplaced the answer. Is the wood frame for the boot lid (trunk lid in US) painted any special color? I have mine all exposed now and would like to waterproof the wood. Thanks, Dick, for putting the photos of my car on the bulletin board. Now everyone can see the rubber shims and the Mark V sidelights for real. – Carl Hanson, 1951 XK120 FHC
Hi John Elmgreen & all — on my original Mk IX, 792817 BW, boot trim lid IS a very thin plywood (with English vaumol, precursor to vinyl, in tan over it) — so if Jaguar went to “millboard” in the XK120/140 series, they’d gone back to plywood by 15 December ’59 (my car’s build date). Hope this helps in the debate — Larry Martz
Here is another example of trivia that this group may feast on: I disassembled my boot lid and unpeeled the skin according to Wray Schelin’s careful instructions. When I cleaned up the wood frame, I found that it has laminated oak (?) sides and beautifully grained WALNUT cross pieces! It seems a shame to paint them black or any other color. Even though nobody can see them, I almost feel like refinishing them like a furniture piece! – Carl Hanson, 1951 XK120 FHC