Multa paucis qui coeperit finiatur
Gorgeous from every angle, the Jaguar E-Type (XK-E in the USA)
shocked the automotive world when was first displayed March of 1961
at the Geneva Auto Show. Inspired by the Le Mans winning D-Type
race cars of 1955-1957, Malcolm Sayers design is perhaps the best
known modern automobile in the world.
The first series powered by the race proven 3.8 liter inline six, the E-
type was capable of 150 mph, and cruise all day at 105 mph in an era
where the average car would barely muster 80. The chassis was
monocoque type, and disc brakes were used on all four wheels, with
the rears mounted inboard to the axles, which helped improve
handling. But the first series of cars suffered from the lack of a synchronized first gear, and the engines roots went back to
the 1940’s, often being outclassed by more modern Ferrari and Porsche engine
designs. The second series would address these short falls with the engine
increased to 4.2 liters and the 4 speed transmission would be fully synchronized.
The engines would feature three SU two barrel carburetors and both produced 265
HP, but the 3.8 produced 240 lb ft of torque, and the 4.2 increased torque to 283 lb
ft.
Initial production also suffered from several strikes by British auto union workers, so in the first two years only 8000 cars
were produced. This included the coupe (FHC- Fixed Head Coupe) and the convertible (OTS- Open Two Seater) The
Series 2 cars began production in 1964, and would be more comfortable, have less oil consumption, and better
electronics, which is something that often plagues British cars. In 1966, there would also be the addition of the 2+2 model,
which was 9 inches long and 140 pounds heavier. Although less attractive than the two seaters, the 2+2 was the best
seller and was available with a three speed automatic transmission. This generation of the car was the iconic E-Type,
performance and comfort in one machine.
Like most 1960’s British sports cars, the Jaguar was largely hand built. There were ongoing changes as the car was
produced, so a car built in the beginning of the production run would have some differences than one built say three
months later. Fortunately, they didn’t tinker with the body design. The iconic body design would survive the 1960’s and
last until 1975. Changes did occur in 1968 to meet US regulations for safety and emissions. A wrap around rear bumper
was added. The three SU carbs were replaced with two Strombergs, bumping engine output to 246 HP. Air conditioning
and power steering became available as options. The Jaguar was being tamed for the US market!
The Series 3 would be introduced in 1971 with a 5.3 liter V-12 which produced
over 250 HP. The FHC was discontinued, only the 2+2 and the OTS were now
available. The grill had been changed to one with three cross bars. Further
defanging would continue as the ‘70’s progressed. The bumpers would gain large
rubber over-riders to meet US safety regulations. Emissions controls would lower
engine output. The E-type went from sports car to luxury cruiser and would
remain in production until 1974, and replaced by the XJ-S. Total production was
around 70,000 units, making it Britain’s most produced sports car
Jaguar had a tendency to get several years of use out of their designs. The E-type
would be in production for 14 years and the XJ6, a luxury sedan (saloon) would
have a production run of over 20 years. The XJ-S would be in production for 20
years.
MAY 2017
XJ-S
There is a pretty good selection of model kits for the Jaguar E-Type or XK-E. Scales range from Lindberg HO Mini-Lindy
series to Monogram’s gigantic 1/8 scale beauty. Aurora did two, one in 1/25 scale, which would later become a Monogram
kit, and another in 1/32 scale. Wonderful artwork on those old Aurora boxes. Heller opted for multiple versions, doing a
convertible, a coupe, and a racing version. Gunze Sangyo has a couple of versions too, a curbside convertible, and one of
their very expensive high tech versions of a coupe, tooling of which was shared with Airfix. Airfix also did one in their
typical 1/32 scale. AMT tooled up a nice 1/43 coupe way back when. Renwal did a series of 1/48 scale cars, including a
Jag, some of these kits would later be reissued by Revell.
The Illustrators really liked to depict the E-type in red. So much for British Racing Green!
CLUB BUSINESS SECTION MAY 2017
FROM THE PRESIDENT by Rockne Riddlebarger
Greetings Model Citizens! I can now report that our meeting room is reserved thru April of 2018 on the regular “second
Monday” dates. The only exception will be Tuesday, September 12, 2017 as previously noted. We should all be grateful to
the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County for providing such a nice meeting room, free of charge.
I’m looking forward to the May meeting for contest night with the theme of “Letter Cars”. I had to ask Curtis to define that
for me in order to make an appropriate award. I guess at times I’m not the brightest bulb in the room but for those who
also need clarification; Letter Cars (or trucks) have letters in their name like XKE or GTO and the like. Anywho, see you
then!
VP VIEWS by Randy Wilson
Wellll,, another Challenge is in the books. From the all the positive vibe that was in the room on the 8th, I feel that we had
another very good show. I only had one complaint from someone who was unhappy about the caterer running out of diet
soda. No big deal, heh?
Thanks to all of the membership that showed up early and stayed late to make this year’s show a success.
See ya’ll on Monday, May 8TH. JRW
MEETING NOTES by Edgar Linz
We had 28 members with 37 models on display. Door Prize winners: Derek Grau - AMT ‘63 ½ Galaxie, Ben Gibson –
AMT ‘62 Impala, Bill Bench – Dukes of Hazzard General Lee
DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS
In last month’s Courier, I credited this ’57 Chevy to Curtis Epperson.
But, in all actuality it is John Ginandt’s. I apologize for the error.
FROM THE EDITOR by Mike Jinkens
In my younger days, I thought the XK-E was the only car Jaguar produced. How would I know any better? It was their
most successful design and most imported (to the US) car of that era. It would be the influence to all other sports cars
until Lamborghini unleashed the Countach in 1974, a design that would influence cars to this day, even creating a new
category: Exotics. These were no longer sports cars to be driven daily then raced on the track on the weekend. The
Countach was a symbol of having wealth or fame.
WINNER’S CIRCLE by Curtis Epperson
April Photos
JOHN GINANDT RON SCHEFFEL
BILL OWEN BEN GIBSON
JIM WILKENS CURTIS EPPERSON BEN GIBSON PAUL SNODGRASS
JIM WILKENS
RON SCHEFFEL
1ST PLACE
PAUL SNODGRASS
3RD PLACE
DEREK GRAU
2ND PLACE
JIM WILKENS
THEME AWARD
IN THE GARAGE: A Super Shakin’ Chevy
AMT was on top of the model car world in the 1960’s. When the new annuals for
1964 were in development, it was decided to add working head and tail lights to the
Chevy Impala and the Ford Galaxie. The working lights lasted about a year, making
the original kits quite collectible. The Impala has been re-issued several times
through the years, but the Galaxie, on the other hand, not so much.
The current issue features the 1970’s
‘Street Rods’ series artwork and decals for
the Super Shaker street machine/drag car. It
can be built as stock, custom or drag. For the age of the tooling and the fact it has
been re-issued multiple times, the detail is still quite good, and there is little to no
flash. The engine is the 409 big block, and nicely rendered, except for that hole for
the axle that was common in vintage AMT kits. The alternator includes a mounting
bracket, and the fan belt is very thin, looking close to scale. The chassis,
unfortunately is a one piece affair typical of the era. Options include hood scoop, a
supercharger, chrome valve covers and oil pan, modified exhaust, a convertible boot, custom front seats, custom front
and rear valences and bumpers, wide radials, slicks, and mag wheels. Tail lights are molded separately in clear red,
unfortunately, the headlights are molded with the chrome grill. There are a few pieces that are not mentioned in the
instruction sheet as well. The tires have the lettering pre-printed, typical of current AMT kits.
I built mine as a mild custom. Matching up those custom bits to the
body required just a bit of filler, and I shaved off the trim, emblems and
door handles. Fit was excellent and building it was stress free. I
replaced the kits’ tires with some from the spares box, not really
necessary, just a personal choice. The paint is Testor’s Turquoise
Metallic spray (#2945). The interior was also painted with Testors, but
one the lacquers, Artesian Turquoise Metallic (#28147) which an actual
GM color. I left the engine stock, saving those chrome ribbed valve
covers for another project. A piece of sprue and some putty filled in the
axle hole. I used two nails for the front axle, fashioning one for each
side
My only complaints are: the exhaust is molded in place, making it difficult to use the optional side pipes or open headers
without major surgery. The instructions were also vague about the placement of the custom exhaust pipes. Also the front
custom seats do not match up with the rear seats or side panel trim. It is also too bad the headlights aren’t separate clear
lenses.
A nice kit that is easy to build and allows for multiple build
options. It is impressive that the tooling has held up so well for
53 years, considering this one has been in the AMT catalog
several times. It is odd that a convertible boot is included (one
of those unmentioned parts), allowing one with the cutting
skills to convert the hardtop into a dropped top convertible.
C.A.R 2017 THEMES:
MONDAY Jan 9 – Pick-ups and Trucks - contest
TUESDAY Feb 14- AMC
TUESDAY March 14 – Tri-Fives (55-57 Chevrolet) - contest
TUESDAY April 4- Customs.
MONDAY May 8 – Letter Cars (A,B,C,etc) - contest.
MONDAY June 12 - Resins
MONDAY July 10 – Imports - contest
MONDAY Aug 14 – Primer and done.
TUESDAY Sept 12 – Funny Cars now and then - contest
MONDAY Oct 9- Same Kit Night - Revell first generation Ford Bronco.
MONDAY Nov 13 - End of the year contest.
MONDAY Dec 11 - Pizza party & Gift exchange
UPCOMING EVENTS
May 7 Dayton Collectible Toy & Hobby Show
IBEW Local 82, 6550 Poe Ave., Dayton, OH 45414
Contact: John Hodges (937) 276-5246
May 19 & 20 HMCA Swap & Model Contest
Johnson County Fairgrounds, 2150 Fairground St., Franklin, IN
Contact: John White [email protected] 765-571-1104
Mike O’Leary [email protected] 317-731-5676
July 15 Ohio Valley Regional Model Car Show
Sun Valley Community Center at 6505 Bethany Ln, Louisville, KY 40272.
Contact: Chris @ 502-438-8580
Andrew @ 502-396-5233
Email: [email protected]
Newsletter: [email protected]
Club info: CINCINNATIAUTOREPLICAS.ORG