traditional Posted April 26, 2017 Posted April 26, 2017 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.
traditional Posted April 26, 2017 Author Posted April 26, 2017 (edited) More pics Edited April 26, 2017 by traditional
traditional Posted April 26, 2017 Author Posted April 26, 2017 (edited) A few construction pics The storage and battery compartment (scratchbuilt in styrene) Doors and gas filler door fabricated in brass Brass vent in open position Tight-swing door hinges Hand-made interior parts finished and painted Battery and storage bin in closed position Battery and storage hinged open Edited April 26, 2017 by traditional
Foxer Posted April 26, 2017 Posted April 26, 2017 All coupes are my kind of car and this is gorgeous! Fantastic job on the conversion and build.
dragstk Posted April 26, 2017 Posted April 26, 2017 WOW! Yea, what mike said!!Very impressive. Nice job
espo Posted April 26, 2017 Posted April 26, 2017 Beautiful build of a beautiful car. The roof looks as if it was made that way, you'd never know that you added it. Wasn't sure at first about the color, but the more I look at it the better I like it.
Impalow Posted April 26, 2017 Posted April 26, 2017 Man, outstanding! I love what you guys do with these. Very very impressive work.
XJ6 Posted April 27, 2017 Posted April 27, 2017 WOW I am lost for words, that is just Beautiful, Thanks for sharing a wonderful subject
Phildaupho Posted April 27, 2017 Posted April 27, 2017 I have always really liked the shape of the roofs on early XKs. Yours is gorgeous. Fantastic metal work.
Silver Foxx Posted April 27, 2017 Posted April 27, 2017 Awesome model , awesome building skills , so much great detail to look at .
PARTSMARTY Posted April 27, 2017 Posted April 27, 2017 Absolutely perfect in each and every detail !!!
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