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 dakotajohn@embarqmail.com 765-571-1104

Mike O’Leary williamolear827@yahoo.com 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: info@derbycitymodelcarbuilders.com

Newsletter: CARTIMESEDITOR@AOL.COM

Club info: CINCINNATIAUTOREPLICAS.ORG