1965 Jaguar E-Type S1 4.2 OTS

[Plastheniker]

Hi,

Maybe 20 years ago Gunze Sangyo produced two versions of the same 1/24 car kits:

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 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.

[Cookster007]

Lovely build of one of the most beautiful designs ever created!

Cheers

Anthony

[F1Tommy]

Very nice work. Great wire wheels.

[OWhite3]

gorgeous

[ZoomZoomMX-5]

Gorgeous model, the wire wheels really take it to the next level.

[BVC500]

Beautiful work! I agree with you - sometimes pewter/white metal parts don't make any sense, especially when the part can be rendered in plastic and chromed well.

[safetyfast]

Wonderful work and the wire wheels make the build. The Jaguar E-type is a true timeless classic motorcar.

[rgriffs]

great job you have done, just looking at doing the curbside kit last night, i have several, plus the hi tech one in my stash.

[Plastheniker]

Thanks for all replies!

Originally Posted by rgriffs

great job you have done, just looking at doing the curbside kit last night, i have several, plus the hi tech one in my stash.

Lucky you!
I built two other all-plastic versions, namely Lotus Elan (steel rims) and Triumph TR 3 (hand-lace wires). Both kits made really nice models.
The double kit Messerschmidt/Isetta is still in my stash. I am really looking forward to building them.

[lemansnut]

Beautiful model, the color really suits it well. Had a chance at one of these a couple of years ago but the price was a little more than I was willing to pay.

Mike

[Martini Man]

beautiful work, proper color for that car.
what color did you use?

Paul

[Plastheniker]

Thanks for the recent replies!

Paul, as I implied I built the model about 20 years ago, so I don't really remember. I can say, however, that I use almost exclusively Humbrol metallics for decades. Therefore it is very likely that I used a mixture of Humbrol enamels here, too, plus one or two layers of clear.