traditional Posted April 26, 2017 Share 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traditional Posted April 26, 2017 Author Share Posted April 26, 2017 (edited) More pics Edited April 26, 2017 by traditional Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike 51 Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 WOW! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
traditional Posted April 26, 2017 Author Share 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 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Foxer Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 All coupes are my kind of car and this is gorgeous! Fantastic job on the conversion and build. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dragstk Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 WOW! Yea, what mike said!!Very impressive. Nice job Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
espo Posted April 26, 2017 Share 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. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Impalow Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Man, outstanding! I love what you guys do with these. Very very impressive work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
landman Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 WOW! X2 and then some. Absolutely beautiful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Funkychiken Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Wow, amazing build! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donb Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 All the above x2. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Howard Cohen Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Modelbuilder Mark Posted April 26, 2017 Share Posted April 26, 2017 Wow, looks great! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldnslow Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Really nice Cliff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
XJ6 Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 WOW I am lost for words, that is just Beautiful, Thanks for sharing a wonderful subject Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phildaupho Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 I have always really liked the shape of the roofs on early XKs. Yours is gorgeous. Fantastic metal work. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisR Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Awesome!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GeeBee Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 A work of art , absolutely stunning .... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Silver Foxx Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Awesome model , awesome building skills , so much great detail to look at . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PARTSMARTY Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Absolutely perfect in each and every detail !!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjordan2 Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Superb. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhilX Posted April 27, 2017 Share Posted April 27, 2017 Fantastic realization. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peekay Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 Beautiful car and a beautiful model of it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom99 Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 Outstanding!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dougwintz Posted April 28, 2017 Share Posted April 28, 2017 OMG! as they say. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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