New at Old Irish Racing

Yes! I meant the one by Zagato! So you’ve only black washed the regular wheels?

Well! They look spectacular!

Special Cats - These two recent additions to my collection are the handiwork of two master modelers in the UK.  I have spoken about Rodney Rawlings and his fine modeling craftsmanship in this corner of the forum previously.  This special acquisition from him is no less impressive than the other pieces of his work I have in my collection.  The other is from another master builder who has had a very prolific output over the years, Ian Burkinshaw.  As is often the case, the talent behind these creations doesn't get their full measure of due.  I am very grateful to be the care taker of these special models which really highlight the modelers art for awhile and take great joy in these finely crafted masterpieces that production based models in the hand just can't equal.

Jaguar XK150 - AMR built by Rodney Rawlings
Introduced in 1957, the XK150 was the third series of XK sportscars produced by Jaguar, beginning with the XK120 in 1948. The final development of the original XK120 design, the XK150 was at the time considered a more radical style than its predecessors, with its slab sides, larger glass area and roomier interior. While it initially retained the XK engine of 3.4L, the engine capacity was increased to a 3.8L DOHC six-cylinder engine in 1959. Disc brakes were standard and the ‘S’ model with triple carburetors and a redesigned head which increased output 265 bhp.





A refined continental touring car, production of the XK150 ended in 1961 in advent of the E-Types introduction. The XK150 was available as a drop-head coupe (DHC), a fixed head coupe (FHC) like this car and an open two-seat (OTS) roadster. With the different body configurations, engine and performance options, the XK150 was available to the discerning buyer in 12 different model options. Then there was also the choice of manual, manual with over-drive and manual transmissions. Not to mention the choice of wire or steel wheels!





Today's History Lesson #1: Over the course of thirty years (1975-2005) Andre-Marie Ruf’s AMR model company produced over 600 models under several different brands. AMR offered some of the best 1/43 white metal model kits money could buy and these kits in the hands of master modelers like Rodney Rawlings are fantastic creations. While AMR did offer some factory-built models, most were offered in kits. An exception are the AMR Danhausen models, which AMR built for Danhausen, the Germany toy retailer.





Danhausen would later buy AMR after Andre-Marie Ruf’s untimely death. Its interesting to note that Danhausen also sold models built by Western Models, Waldorf and Tin Wizard under the market names SD Modelle, Metal 43, Plumbies and Minchamps (yes, this is where Paul’s Model Art got its start). Pictured here with the AMR Jaguar XK150 is a factory built Danhausen/AMR XK150 (not in as nice condition) but an interesting contrast to the skills of a master modeler like Rodney which elevate the model over the skills of the builder used by AMR. Just an interesting 1/43 footnote.


Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Coupe - 1963 Sebring 12-Hours - Jaguar Model Club made by Ian Burkinshaw
One of the first two of eleven factory built lightweight E-Types for 1963, this was the second coupe built (S850660), the first going to Briggs Cunningham (S850659). This car was sold to West Coast distributor Kjell Qvale, who along with Cunningham had entered the cars in the 1963 Sebring 12-Hours. Both cars flown to Florida direct from England, and both arrived at Sebring in the Cunningham colors of white with blue stripes. Thanks to a can of red paint found in a Sebring hanger, the Qvale car soon looked different!. Drivers for Qvale would be experienced racers Ed Leslie and Frank Morrill.





While the cars looked almost identical to a street E-Type, they were powered by a 315 bhp fuel injected 3.8L aluminum engine, mated to a five-speed ZF gearbox. The car finished 7th overall and 1st in Class at Sebring, just ahead of the Cunningham car. After Sebring it was sent to San Francisco and entered in one other SCCA race at Laguna Seca before Qvale sold it to a customer with the intent of racing the car. Instead, it sat for 35-years covered in boxes in the owners San Francisco garage. When discovered, it only had 2,663 racing miles on the odometer and now all 11 factory lightweights were accounted for. Hence the nickname, ‘The Missing Lightweight’.





History Lesson #2 - About The Jaguar Model Club

Gary Oxley in the UK, started the Jaguar Model Club as a means in the pre-social media days to bring worldwide Jaguar enthusiasts who were also model builders and collectors together. He created the club in 1996 and by having a club membership, one received the Club newsletter/magazine which discussed both existing and new releases of Jaguar models, collector profiles and other related topics. The stroke of genius was his creation of the Model of the Year in 1997, of a custom handbuilt Jaguar model in a limited number of 50 models only available to club members. Jaguar Model Club Model of the Year editions were made until 2003 and included not only this E-Type, but the last V-12 E-type, a 1995 XJR (X-300) Saloon, Stirling Moss famous Reims winning C-Type from 1953, Jack Sears Equipe Endeavor Mk II from 1961 and both the XK180 and R-Type concept cars.



Each club model was made from a Provence Moulage base kit, handbuilt by master builder Ian Burkinshaw and usually with additional photoetch parts and/or modifications. Each model came with a base which carried the car information, edition number of the model in the series and importantly, signatures from drivers, designers and other important individuals associated with each car. As the club grew, so did demand so that additional models of an unknown number were made, but not as part of the numbered editions. Sadly, a flood in Gary’s basement destroyed most of the most ambitious Club project to date, a 1/24 model of the Group 44 XJR-5 (Of the original 44 examples planned it is not known how many survived.) Unfortunately, this loss was a heavy blow both economically and emotionally to what was already largely a labor of love and the Club disbanded less than ten years after its creation.



In addition to the models already mentioned, there were two limited editions made of the 1963 Cunningham Lightweight E-Type from Le Mans (25 pieces) and the 1953 Ecurie Ecosse C-Type driven to victory by Roy Salvadori at Goodwood (30 pieces) , as well as the XJ13 (? pieces) . These were made in addition to the Model of the Year and again, only available to Club members. Oxley also introduced the 100 Series (100 copies) which were models available to members and non-members in handbuilt and kit form about equally divided between built and unbuilt. They consisted of the 1959 XK150 Hartin Fastback and a Jaguar E-Type Modsports from 1969. To make things even fuzzier, Oxley also released at least one model under the Classic Jaguar brand, the 1964 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight from Le Mans. I belonged to the Club but circumstances precluded me from buying the models. I have been acquiring these handbuilt Jaguar models as I find them, usually at auction.

You deserve a good sit down with a glass of something special after all of this hard work Jerry.  Even for this non-Jaguarphile, it's easy to see these are very special models.  No need to pick a favourite, but cars with numbers will always score more highly for me.

Wonderful, rare models! True treasures!

Epic selection of Coventry's finest. Club models with their plinths are very special

What everyone else says really. Lovely models and I am somewhat envious of those with the ability to build them so beautifully.