1965 Jaguar E-Type S1 4.2 OTS

The first line was rather expensive. These kits were labeled “Gunze Sangyo High Tech Model”. They included PE wire wheels (if the 1:1 vehicle had wires), a lot of other PE parts and many pewter parts not only for the engine and for the chassis but also for the exterior chrome parts (f. e. bumpers, door handles).
The second line were inexpensive all-plastic curbside versions of these “High Tech” kits. They came without pewter parts and without PE parts. The PE wires were replaced by plastic spoke wheels.

I bought only one “High Tech Model”, namely this E-Type. If my memory serves me well it was the most expensive 1/24 plastic kit in those days, so my expectations were rather high.

But as the proverb says strong light casts deep shadow:

To this day this kit makes the most convincing 1/24 or 1/25 E-Type by far, and the PE wires are the best wires that I know.
Some of the numerous PE parts made sense but the benefit of most of them was doubtful. The extensive use of pewter parts made no sense to me. Compared with plastic parts they have no additional benefit but work becomes very laborious. IMO a really annoying set-back was the use of pewter also for the exterior chrome parts (f. e. bumpers, door handles). It was extremely time-consuming giving them a smooth chrome-like appearance. Even worse my clear coat didn’t prevent these parts from darkening over the years. Fortunately I was still able to find a plastic version, so I replaced all those darkened exterior pewter parts of my model by nice chromed styrene parts.

Taking the high price of the High Tech version into account, I was rather annoyed despite the outstanding wheels.
Overall IMO the all-plastic kit would have been the better choice. With some improvements, particularly with better wires, it could have made a similarly nice model at a reasonable price.

Nevertheless I found the finished model convincing, and it is still standing in the first row of my display cabinet.

Nick Belbin · March 16, 2017

That's a very beautiful model.

Nick

keefr22 · March 16, 2017

I agree completely with Nick, it is indeed beautiful. Gorgeous colour, exceptionally well applied - stunning Jag!

Keith

(although I would say the British car is the one in my avatar - the mighty Mini! )

spruecutter · March 16, 2017

Yes, a beautiful model - really nicely turned out.

Billydick · March 16, 2017

as everybody else says - beautiful ....

BillyD

Gerrardandrews · March 16, 2017

Perrrrrfect, lovely Jag, and you have done a excellent model.

Why Tamiya haven't Tooled a 1/12, is one lifes mystery's, hot cakes and all that, we need a new tool 1/24.

The big part work has been Tempting on TV.

Fazer · March 16, 2017

Wow! Great build of a stunning model!

I have one for sale in the market section, may have to pull it out & build it

Mark D

m4rky · March 17, 2017

Fantastic Jag. Looks very real.

rs2man · March 20, 2017

What an excellent model of what is , in my personal opinion , the most beautiful car ever made . I have to agree totally with your comments about the hi-tech version of the kit , which seemed to have been made complex purely for the sake of it . The white metal parts were generally rough & I don't think there was a single one of them which wouldn't have been better in plastic . Also , the extensive use of cut-down dressmakers pins as suspension pivots was a little strange , as was the use of flexible plasticfor the seats & (if I remember correctly) door trims. As regards the all-plastic curbside version , however , that was rather poor as well in my opinion - the dreadful silver decals for the headlamp surrounds were pathetic & the bonnet still had grooves in it which were intended to take polished aluminium rod in the hi-tech version , which of course was not supplied in the standard kit . I bought one & its only purpose will be as a parts donor when I build the hi-tech one - I will be using the bumpers & windscreen wipers , then probably putting the wheels on a Heller kit . The rest of it will go in the bin .

I find it depressing that , 56 years after the launch of the E-Type , there's still not a really decent mainstream 1/24 kit of it .

John Green

Nantwich , Cheshire

Plastheniker · March 23, 2017

Thanks for the comments!

On 20.3.2017 at 2:40 PM, rs2man said:

What an excellent model of what is , in my personal opinion , the most beautiful car ever made . I have to agree totally with your comments about the hi-tech version of the kit , which seemed to have been made complex purely for the sake of it . The white metal parts were generally rough & I don't think there was a single one of them which wouldn't have been better in plastic . Also , the extensive use of cut-down dressmakers pins as suspension pivots was a little strange , as was the use of flexible plasticfor the seats & (if I remember correctly) door trims. As regards the all-plastic curbside version , however , that was rather poor as well in my opinion - the dreadful silver decals for the headlamp surrounds were pathetic & the bonnet still had grooves in it which were intended to take polished aluminium rod in the hi-tech version , which of course was not supplied in the standard kit . I bought one & its only purpose will be as a parts donor when I build the hi-tech one - I will be using the bumpers & windscreen wipers , then probably putting the wheels on a Heller kit . The rest of it will go in the bin .

I find it depressing that , 56 years after the launch of the E-Type , there's still not a really decent mainstream 1/24 kit of it .

John Green

Nantwich , Cheshire

John, you are absolutely right!

Thanks for the additional info, now I remember the missing rod and the missing headlight bezels of the plastic version. Replacing the rod by some bright wire should be no problem, but making headlight realistic bezels would certainly take an advanced modeler even if the decals could be used as templates.

Schwarz-Brot · March 24, 2017

19 hours ago, Plastheniker said:

but making headlight realistic bezels would certainly take an advanced modeler even if the decals could be used as templates.

Challenge accepted!

I just bought the curbside version. Though it's a very basic kit with view parts I will surely try my very best on this beautiful car. I love you colour choice. Looks so elegant. May I ask what colour this is? I am thinking of doing the same.

Your version is bookmarked for inspiration. Thank you for showing!

Epeeman · March 24, 2017

Truly lovely ...............

Plastheniker · March 27, 2017

On 24.3.2017 at 6:50 PM, Schwarz-Brot said:

... I love you colour choice. Looks so elegant. May I ask what colour this is? I am thinking of doing the same.

Your version is bookmarked for inspiration. Thank you for showing!

When I built this model about 20 years ago ROG offered an additional line of enamels called "Car Metallics". I used here #395 Diamantblau/Diamond Blue but I am afraid that these enamels are no longer available.

You can mix an almost identical shade rather easily using Humbrol enamels (or the corresponding Revell paints) as I did on these two models:

1956 Austin Healey 100-Six

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234951445-1956-austin-healey-100-six/

1959 Jaguar Mk II 3.8 Saloon

http://www.britmodeller.com/forums/index.php?/topic/234965259-1959-jaguar-mk-ii-38-saloon/

15 parts Humbrol Aluminum Metallic #56

5 parts Humbrol Baltic Blue Metallic #52

1 part Humbrol Sunset Red Metallic #51

Schwarz-Brot · March 28, 2017

Sorry Jürgen, did not realize you built this one back in the days! Danke trotzdem für die Info.

Grüße in den Norden,

Jan

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1965 Jaguar E-Type S1 4.2 OTS

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