E type model

[fareaster]

A friend of mine has just acquired this, he tells me it is
¨Hand made in Ali by a guy in Jaguar factory in the 60,s,all working
front and rear suspension as per original,wire wheels with knock
ons,working diff with independent suspensionmwood rim wheel ans
working steering,hand beaton.2foot long and 9"" wide,must be a one
off,maybe a aprentice item¨





He is trying to find the name of the guy who made it, but if he was an apprentice then he would have been there at about the same time as me and I don´t remember anyone making it.
Anbody know anything about it ?

[Otto]

I can't help you with any info, but just wanted to say that's a pretty special model!

[lowdrag]

That really is beautifully done, but I have never heard of an apprentice making one during the time, although that doesn't mean it wasn't so. I have a Ronson table lighter here, mounted in wood veneered with bits left over from a Mk 2 dashboard, and those were quite common. I also have a very heavy brass ashtray with the leaper in the middle which was an apprentice piece.

The chance of finding who made it, if indeed it was made at the factory, are extremely slim since it was such a long time ago. Incidentally, the car looks rathe more a 2+2 than a coupé, so late 60s if so.

[fareaster]

Done a bit more digging and apparently the guy who made it was Roger Hardy, doesn´t ring any bells with me.
I´m told it´s up for sale

[XJ13]

The person who made the model certainly wasn't a Jaguar Apprentice before 1966. There were only ever about 15 apprentices at any one time and his name doesn't appear before then. It is possible he was employed by Jaguar in some other role or was an apprentice after 1966 (although his name isn't familiar to Peter Wilson who left the Competitions Department in 1966 and still keeps in regular touch with various Jaguar ex-employees).

The model looks like a S1/S2 coupe (length of doors etc) although the upright windscreen could have been an early 2+2 styling exercise?

I plan to be in Coventry again soon so will dig deeper.

Edited by XJ13 on Thursday 13th January 10:36

[evadog2]

Many thanks XJ13 for reply re this model E Type,its a coupe for sure,i cant verify if the guy i bought it off is telling the truth or just making it up,its a well made article and all hand made and beaton to shape by a coach builder for sure but the work thats gone into the front and rear suspension and the detail with upper and lower trunnions,stub axles,steering ball joints,knock off wheel spinners and wheels is a work of art.
the rear suspension is the same as original and a working diff that turns the rear wheels,the wood rim steering wheel is like original,rear drive shafts float up and down with suspension,it must have taken hours to do.
The bonnet is all hand made and beaton to shape and how he formed the air flutes so nicely made i dont knoe but they are perfect.
It would be great if someone reconised it,this guy i got it from says his had it 30 odd years,i know he showed it to me about seven years ago but would not part with it then.
Any way lets hope i get more news.many thanks Brian.

[fareaster]

XJ13 said:

The person who made the model certainly wasn't a Jaguar Apprentice before 1966. There were only ever about 15 apprentices at any one time and his name doesn't appear before then. It is possible he was employed by Jaguar in some other role or was an apprentice after 1966 (although his name isn't familiar to Peter Wilson who left the Competitions Department in 1966 and still keeps in regular touch with various Jaguar ex-employees).

The model looks like a S1/S2 coupe (length of doors etc) although the upright windscreen could have been an early 2+2 styling exercise?

I plan to be in Coventry again soon so will dig deeper.

Edited by XJ13 on Thursday 13th January 10:36

I started my apprenticeship (student apprentice starting at 18) with Jaguar in 1964 and there were a lot more than 15 of us. In the year of my intake there were about 10, and given that the apprenticeship lasted about 5 years, that gives approx. 50. Plus the craft and technical apprentices, must have been about 100. We all wore green overalls so were quite easy to pick out

[XJ13]

Perhaps I misunderstood Peter Wilson's comment to me that "there were only ever 15 apprentices at any one time"? Is it possible that 15 refers to the average intake? I will clarify with Peter when I see him next week.

Whatever, it is still an attractive and interesting model. If you do uncover any more info on it please post the results here.

[fareaster]

XJ13 said:

Perhaps I misunderstood Peter Wilson's comment to me that "there were only ever 15 apprentices at any one time"? Is it possible that 15 refers to the average intake? I will clarify with Peter when I see him next week.

Whatever, it is still an attractive and interesting model. If you do uncover any more info on it please post the results here.

Could be 15 is the yearly intake.
My claim to fame with regard to to the XJ13 is that I designed the battery carrier, not sure if survived the crash but if its got lightening holes of about an inch in diameter then it´s mine..... Really high tech stuff!!!

[evadog2]

Hallo guys again,ive now been told by the guy i bought it off it was a senior head tool maker,Rodger Hardy,does this ring any bells,he must be about 80 now i reckon .
Oh and also at one time it was in Tom Walkinshaws show room on display so maybe not a apprentice.
Thanks for all the help so far. Brian.