Build of the Year 2018 Entry.

I've got a couple of the big Revell 1/8 E Type Jaguars in my pile so I've decided to pull one out and build a model of the famous 'lost' lightweight E Type which turned up in a barn some years ago. It had been missing for over 35 years.

It was renovated - NOT restored, as the owner wanted to keep it as original as possible, right down to the paintwork and even the assorted old paper stickers and bits.

Anyway, the Revell kit will need major surgery, particularly around the rear end as the kit is a coupe and the car is a roadster...
I'll also be adding the original UK reg plate - 5113 WK.

Roy.

Many thanks chaps.
I must admit I'm looking forward to this little project.


To begin...

The Revell kit will need major surgery in most areas.
TBH, I'll only really be using the floor, windscreen scuttle, bonnet, outer door skins and a few other parts.
A vast amount of the kit will end up in my spares box.
Almost everything else will be scratch made.

To begin - the rear upper body has been cut off at the top of the screen pillars as I don't want the coupe end.

Next, the bonnet was taped to the floor pan so I can get the scuttle in exactly the right place. This is critical for door fit etc later on.

Next, the inner floor.
The upper transmission tunnel was cut off and a new one will be scratch built.
The lightweight cars didn't have the 'decorative' tunnel like the road cars. It was simple, and pretty much just round on the top.

All of these parts need basic construction first as the firewall is fitted to the inner floor and then into the body.
This central tub must be put together accurately for all the other body parts to fit correctly.

On we go...

Best of luck Roy, I love watching scratch building in progress!
I'll be watching this one come together with great interest!

Robin.

Many thanks for the interest chaps.

The new tunnel has been made up and I covered it with surgical tape.
I've used this stuff before and once painted matt black it gives a good representation of the fibreboard which many race cars had their tunnels covered in back in those days to prevent the occupants burning themselves on the usually very hot ally panelling.

There's still a small fabric covered 'cap' to go over the area where the gear lever will eventually exit. It will all get weathering down later on.

The firewall is glued in and there's some big surgery to do here as quite a bit of it is wrong...

Thanks Kev.

The firewall needs quite a bit of modifying as the engine frames in the Revell kit are very incorrect.
I'll be making my own frames from brass section and ally tubing so the firewall has to be altered to accept the new frames.

I made a template/plan of the side of the frames by scaling down genuine E Type workshop drawings.
From that, I could mark out where the firewall needs altering.

The parts were cut away and then the firewall was changed using sheet plastic and the end filler plates added.

The floor pan has also been cut back to the correct shape.

Thanks Gray.

Rattling along a little bit today.

I've altered the dashboard underside to change the car to RHD as the kit parts are LHD. The actual dash will be attended to later on.

The scuttle is now fixed in place and is very tightly taped down.
It really is crucial that this part is a very straight, tight fit to the floor pan so that the doors fir properly and with no big gaps.

Looking great Roy you are a master on these Jags my friend great stuff regards Phil

That's impressive stuff Roy, love what you are doing.

Mark