1970 XKE S 2 OTS Bumper Rubber

My memory fades I guess, looking at the XKs illustration the seal is a bit more complex that I recalled and (as I was measuring just one side of an installed seal) it’s total width is likely wider than ½".

Though it still seems to me that a ¼" gap would be good.

That seal in place:

Hopefully you are not trying to use a rear bumper seal: