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Larry's '51 Jaguar XK120 coupe....In his own words


traditional

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1/24 1951 Jaguar XK120 FHC (Fixed Head Coupe) in factory Suede Green

 

Since no model manufacturer makes a high detail COUPE version of a Jaguar XK120, this kind of project was 'right down my alley'. The starting material for this model was a damaged Franklin Mint roadster...broken windshield and missing its fabric top, thus a perfect candidate for my coupe conversion. I used the roof from a too tall and narrow Burago coupe toy. After cutting out the roadster passenger opening somewhat, the severed roof was carefully bent into a wider configuration and, with judicious rotary tool grinding, was installed from the underneath until the appropriate height was achieved. It is attached with both epoxy and tiny sheet metal screws at the rear deck and 'A' pillar positions. The side vents, fuel lid, doors, hinges, and window frame details are formed in soldered brass while all the interior panels, dash, batteries, etc. are fabricated in styrene. The windshield frame, door cranks, and handles are done in plated brass wire. The coupe-unique air filter intake system is done in both styrene and brass. The exhaust pipe is done in aluminum tubing. The model also required some modifications to the chassis, floor, trunk, etc. to appear factory accurate.  Paint is automotive base coat/clear coat depicting correct factory Suede Green exterior and interior while smaller details are done in Testors, Tamiya, and Dupli-Color.

 

  Besides the obvious addition of a permanent roof and headliner, the FHC (coupe) differs from the roadster in the following ways:

 -different door edge shapes

 -a different shaped dash board in wood

 -different interior door panels

 -an interior rear package tray that folds open exposing a storage bin...which itself folds forward     to expose two 6 volt batteries

 -a different air intake filter arrangement with a large diameter inner fender-well duct carrying air from a 'front of radiator' mounted round filter assembly to two separate smaller flexible ducts passing through the inner fender-well to the twin SU carburetors

 

Interestingly, sun visors were NOT present on any production XK120 Jaguars.

It is estimated that 90% of XK120s left the Coventry factory with steel wheels.

ALL steel wheeled XK120s had rear wheel 'spats' (skirts).

Factory production colors, surprisingly, did NOT include Red or British Racing Green...but did include Black, Gunmetal (metallic silver), four different greys, Ivory, Pale Green Metallic, Bronze, and Suede Green.

It is believed that NO XK120s left Coventry with white wall tires though perhaps some were retrofitted by US authorized dealers.

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A few construction pics

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The storage and battery compartment (scratchbuilt in styrene)

 

 

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Doors and gas filler door fabricated in brass

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Brass vent in open position

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Tight-swing door hinges

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Hand-made interior parts finished and painted

P4200733.JPGBattery and storage bin in closed position

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Battery and storage hinged open

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Edited by traditional
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