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Richard Mcstay
59 articles

The end of an E-Type?

November 30, 2014 · in Automotive · · 26 · 1.4K

Firstly apologies to you all for destroying an iconic and legendary piece of British automotive engineering and history. Just thought I would need to get that out of the way!

This is actually my first model I have done on commission, it is for my mates son for a Xmas present. Apparently he has an interest in classic car restoration and loves the old , so I was given very specific orders to absolutely trash one! If it brings any comfort to anyone though, the model is hypothetically a barn find waiting to be restored back to its glory!

Personally my favorite Jag was always the XJ220 being born in the 80's. It would break my heart to destroy one of them!

The kit itself is an old . I'm not sure how old, but all the badly molded thick plastic, awkward fitting parts are making me think older than me! Assembly wasn't too much of an issue though, well as you can see I haven't really assembled it! I think if my mission directive was to display a band new, shiny straight out of the factory E-Type, I would have struggled to be honest. But I didn't so I won't complain.

The build was rather educational actually as it gave me a chance to have a practice and a play around with some different weathering techniques. I used the old hairspray technique on the body work to achieve the paint flaking, which was a new one to me but worked great. The rest was just a play about with the Mig pigments that I have recently purchased but never had the chance to use. I found that I achieved the best results by using a tiny piece of sponge held with tweezers to dab the wet pigments on, but you were probably all doing that when I was still at school so I'll shut up! The Mig pigment fixer was a good product when dropped over the dry powders with a pipette, I would definitely recommend that.

Thanks very much for looking.

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26 responses

  1. Hey Richard, that looks great mate.
    Sure saves trying to fit everything together.
    Nice weathering too.
    Well done mate.

  2. Pretty hard to make any "mistakes" in a diorama like that...came out well.

  3. Nice concept, Richard. Hope your mate's son appreciates the effort you've made here.

  4. The chickens are a nice touch. If you can build it like this you are more than capable of building it in a newer condition, although I would agree that you probably should start with a different kit.
    Maybe you can do the restored version for next Xmas.
    Very appealing Richard.

    • Cheers Al, the chickens were imported all the way from California from a dolls house company! Have you built this kit before? I was surprised when it said skill level 5 on the box, but under inspection I found out why!
      I have a couple of Le Mans cars in the stash, I'll do those to showroom condition!

      • If this is the kit I think it is I was building the Austin Powers "Shaguar" release. It has the Union Jack encompassing the body & I messed up my attempt to paint it so it ended up in cold storage on the shelf. The molding & fit left a lot to be desired.
        I do have a Heller XKE in the stash that looks more basic.

  5. Well done Richard, very convincing derelict. I think making a rusty wreck is much more difficult to achieve than a show room car.

  6. I have fond memories back about 48 years ago, driving an XK-E from San Francisco to Denver (1,800 miles) in 18 hours, including stopping to eat, etc. You could get away with that back then!

    That actually looks like an E I saw a friend tow into his garage for a restoration project a couple years ago.

  7. Well executed commission, Richard, I'm sure your friend and his son will be pleased. I suspect they will want the restored version next year... I briefly owned an E-Type in the early 70s, a LHD example bought cheaply from a USAF guy returning home. When I drove it I realised why it was so cheap, I don't think the bonnet had been opened during the two years he had owned it, I passed it on to another mug as quick as I could.

    • Thanks mate. I think we've all been there with a vehicle at some point. I'm always suspicious at any bargain in this day and age! Similar story when I bought my Hayabusa, the front forks and clutch went in the first month!

  8. Very good Richard! The rust weathering looks great. Iconic car, not often seen looking like that today! Not that it matters but I think the E type had an aluminium bonnet?

  9. Like the rust and weathering. Is that chicken s*it simulated on the rear shelf?
    🙂

  10. Very nice, but somewhat hurting, Richard. The weathering is stunning.
    Hopefully the lucky guy, who will get this masterpiece will take care of.
    The best (worst) looking Jag i have seen, Congratulations !

    BTW: Nice chicks 🙂

  11. thats some beautiful decomposition work you have there! It takes a lot of talent and eye for detail to make something look properly weathered and worn. my only feedback would be to say that craftsmanship of this level would really be complemented with a nice base - perhaps aside a beat up old barn, or in a grassy field. of course, that all depends on what your client wants, but excellent work just the same! 🙂

    • Thanks mate, really appreciate that! My original orders were just to do a rusty old car on a base. I got carried away myself a bit and de-constructed it. I wanted to do a more detailed base but I had a budget to work to unfortunately.

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