Jaguar E Type - Heller

[Technics]

 

Something that would fit the paddock at Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion or Goodwood. 

Neither stock nor a time attack car. Something in between.  oem+ is my goal.

For a starter kit it’s pretty complex with a tad vague instructions, quick to ruin a beginners day I would say. But it’s very detailed and impressive fit so far. I’m pretty impressed considering the cost of approximately a rattle can of primer. It’s a subject matter I could see building many times over in different colours and configs. I am not a Jaguar expert so bear with me.

 

[Kanada Kustoms]

Love these cars... Cool idea!  Nice start!

Edited October 13 by Kanada Kustoms

[PatW]

Looks good so far. But beware that I recently built one and didn't check the body top fit onto the base/chassis unit. The body was too big to fit onto the bottom chassis section all round too big an overlap to get the right fit. I had to purchase the Revell version and that was perfect! A lot more expensive but it fitted together perfectly.

[Technics]

Thanks for the tip, I definitely considered where it might lead. Having built three heller kits. One was a disaster for fit, the other two worked a charm I took a risk here on sale it was too good to pass up  a canvas for learning at worst. I love using my dremel and glue bomb when needed 😄. 

[dwc43]

5 hours ago, Technics said:

Thanks for the tip, I definitely considered where it might lead. Having built three heller kits. One was a disaster for fit, the other two worked a charm I took a risk here on sale it was too good to pass up  a canvas for learning at worst. I love using my dremel and glue bomb when needed 😄. 

Just for giggles, my car can lift the front tire too.   lol

 

Edited October 14 by dwc43

[Brudda]

Cool jag! 

[Ace-Garageguy]

Yes, yes yes yes, yes. Indeed.  

[89AKurt]

The CUT 7 hatch replaced with all glass, I like that!  Sort of Volvo 1800ES.

[Technics]

@PatW yikes! What a mess of a kit this is.

One morning I worked deeper into the instructions and did some test fitting… Im going with the base of Revell 😂. The choices heller made to build up the kit will take me weeks/months to fix to a lesser standard of just using a better base. Having said that it will make a cool kit bash build or something else entirely one day. Here’s to an improved new start.

 

 

 

[Technics]

 

Started by getting all the body panels fused. This kit requires some cutting to have the rear lower bumper fused into the main body. ( way less then the heller ) I cut off the lower rear bumper section off of the chassis with straight lines that shouldn’t be visible when finished.
 

Looking at references some cars have the rear lower bumper area seam cleaned smooth, some keep the lip but cover it in a strip of rubber, some have it hastily trimmed and painted. Not sure which I’ll do but first thought was sanded smooth and tidy. 

The suspension chassis parts go together like a dream. Modern day Revell is fantastic. 
 

The hood hinges nicely and before I test slid in the firewall in the hood to body section was way off which scared me. Now it’s 95% there. Not sure how I’ll sort it yet, one corner sits proud from the main body. The sections are off. I’d like to keep this build openable but it should look perfect closed. Maybe just a cheating dab of poster putty.  And yes I considered gluing it shut already 😀. Im the rather build 5 exterior model versions then one mechanically correct one. 
 

[Kanada Kustoms]

Looking good!

[Technics]

 

I got the project standing upright. As of now the front sits near perfect on one side, less perfect on the other. Stance is first best guess. The wheels are aftermarket with kit tires. The aftermarket ones looked far oversized once on the cars. I will continue to work the molded in body seams and part seams. 

Overall it feels great to see it at this stage. The front might still get fused in well see if I manage to get it to fit near perfectly both sides.

[shoeman]

Nice work so far, I have the same kit and like you plan on a period club racer build out of it.  Looking forward to your progress.

[Technics]

@shoeman Thank you 

I had this in primer for a while, cleaning up the body of seams, sink marks and miscellaneous. Filled in the original fuel door and mocked up a nice new motorsport style fuel filler.

While the airbrush was out I decided to start with pre shading some of the body. I’m narrowing down the colour I’ll go with.  Not sure if it will be high gloss, or satin with some colour variation. I’m feeling the latter at the moment.

It was also scanned in order make a low drag coupe transkit one day  

 

Edited November 29 by Technics

[absmiami]

On 11/29/2025 at 8:13 AM, Technics said:

It was also scanned in order make a low drag coupe transkit one day  

 

Edited yesterday at 08:14 AM by Technics

Was sort of hoping you mite look at some 24th sc subjects for a transkit - can we tempt you to do a proper 24th sc Jag engine ?  The Tamiya 6 cyl Jag engine in their saloon kit is good - its about half way there - 

[Technics]

@absmiami Nice! I’m not really fixated on mechanical accuracy so it doesn’t sound like something I’d do but it’s fun seeing a mechanical build though! Just learned it’s not for me.  
 

I committed to a colour. 3 light coats of an awesome metallic by firescale. Before I did so I base coated it in Tamiya XF nato black, covering the majority of the dark iron I started 🙂 .

I love the depth which is achieved in my opinion. The darker base coat(s) helped with this. 
 

[absmiami]

Lovely …

[Bainford]

Beautiful colour choice for the Jag.

[NOBLNG]

Yes that color looks fabulous on it!😎

[Technics]

@NOBLNG @Bainford @absmiami Thanks fellas!

Simply went for it. Freestyle based on photos.

Tamiya white vinyl tape, very softly applied, q tip and toothpick pressed in panel lines and corners. Tamiya XF NATO black with MLT. Remove tape almost immediately. 

Super happy. Racing stripes are a first for me.
 

Seeing my overview 2025 builds helped me point out stuff haven’t tried. Making dozens of lexan rc bodies recent decade helped with the arrogance to tape it 😄 and shoot without having the plan to so a day ago.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited 6 hours ago by Technics

[Bainford]

Super clean! Nice.