Urgent media query, 1969 E Type

[Kevin77]

Hello everyone! I'm hoping you can help me with an E Type query - I've been told this is the best place to come! I'm a writer and I'm working with a publisher producing some E Type content. We have a 1/24 model that we hope the people on this forum can confirm is, indeed, a 1969 model. Pictures are below – any help will be much appreciated!

[Simon P]

Series 2 on an 'H' plate - that would indeed make it a 1969 car ('H' plates were issued from August 1969 to July 1970).

Hope this helps. Models of Series 2 cars are quite rare - do you know any more about it?

Simon

[Kevin77]

Hello Simon! Many thanks for that and for such a swift reply. I guess I'd just feel comfortable if the people on here, who know quite a bit about E Types (!), could kindly look at the images and confirm it does fit the bill for a 1969 model. Was the front registration plate ever positioned below the grill, like it is in our scale model, or more commonly across the bonnet? Cheers, Kevin

[Simon P]

It would be far more common for the plate to be of the stick-on variety, attached across the forward part of the bonnet (there's a long history to this which I won't bore you with!).

The model itself looks reasonably accurate. As a two-seater it would have had a third windscreen wiper, and the exhausts are possibly a little too far apart, but other than that it looks fine.

[Kevin77]

Hello Simon, many thanks again. The model is a four seater, so would this have had just the two windscreen wipers? If you have the time, please feel free to bore me regarding the registration plate – the publisher is keen to be as accurate as possible!

[Simon P]

Ah, ok. I couldn't quite make it out from the angles the car's been photographed from, but in that case if it's a 2+2 the wipers are correct.

As for the front number plate I can perhaps do no better than to quote direct from our own forum Knowledge Base:

33. Bonnets have an oblong slot on the under panel to accommodate a swivelling number plate activated by a lever as the bonnet is raised. It was only used for export cars once Jaguar found the UK authorities were unperturbed by the stick on number plate. The hole was plugged with a rubber grommet ? anyone ever seen one?

34. The stick on front number plate is technically illegal in the UK but Jaguar seem to have got away with it because it was a beautiful car and such an export success. It remains illegal to this day although recently one of the Jaguar Clubs approached the DVLA for a definitive answer. They said they were unconcerned and it had become 'custom and practice' on an E-Type for over 40 years so no action would be taken. This concession applies to no other car - past, present or future.

Hope this helps

Simon

[Kevin77]

Very, very helpful, Simon. Thanks again!

[Red Kite]

It is the accepted norm that UK cars have the front number plate stuck on the bonnet.

Do you have a side view ? I cant see the chrome strip on the top of the doors.

[Gfhug]

Is that a very big aerial on the rear right wing? Looks too large. As the four seater (actually 2+2) is 9 inches longer than the 2 seat FHC and had taller doors, a side view or two would help us identify any errors there.

It certainly looks very good, especially when compared with some models out there, and if we can help you get if right then there'll be a few of us who wouldn't mind asking if you can manage the FHC and OTS (open two seater, or roadster as is sometimes called).

Also, when you've got it right, please keep us posted as to what it is all about.

Geoff

PS, checked that registration and it shows the car doesn't have an MOT or tax, not even a SORN, best get it done!!

[Kevin77]

Ha! I'll get the MOT sorted asap! Here are some side shots (ignore the plinth that says 'Type E 1962' as this will be changed to 'E Type 1969'). Did the Series II have an aerial, as our model does? Many of the images I have found of a circa 1969 E Type shows no rear aerial. Thanks for any advice!

[Simon P]

Bearing in mind the limitations of 1/24th scale, I'd say that looks pretty good!

Aerials were dealer fit rather than factory fit, so there are no hard-and-fast rules on position or type. If it's not too late I'd say you'd be better off leaving it off altogether - as Geoff says what's there at the moment is the only thing really that currently looks clumsy about the model as it stands.

Simon

[Gfhug]

My only comment now is that the car doesn't look tall enough. Seems the extra length for the 2+2, but not the extra height, only a couple of inches. Do you have an earlier car to compare it with, eg a 1962 shown on the plinth? You should see a longer and higher car.
Otherwise looking good.

Come on you S2 2+2 owners, where are your comments?

Geoff

[Marcus2571]

I was always told that the correct aerial placement was on top of the bulkhead, possibly so the driver could lean out and pull the aerial up as needed! Looks nicer too as the body work lines are uninterrupted.

[mark10337]

Not great in a LHD car - unless you have arms like Inspector Gadget! Just had mine removed from the front bulkhead which was the original fitting placement. It was later moved to the rear as standard not sure about the date.

There are a number of engine differences that pin timelines through 68, 69 and 70. Also on the interior dash. So it depends how perfect you want to be. Some engine and interior pictures to fawn over will soon have us picking at bits and pieces

[ralphr1780]

Here is a pic of my '69 OTS.
The exhaust pipes are just under the reverse lamps, and the radio aerial on the rear right wing:

[Simon P]

Yes, you're right, and here's my '69 FHC for comparison:





Still something not quite right about how they appear on the model though. Maybe it's simply an optical illusion caused by the fact that the solid ends make them stand out more, or maybe they're mounted a little high - it's difficult to say.

[PeterCrespin]

The chrome side strips should slope downwards towards the back, NOT parallel to the window base.

The rear overriders (or presumably the entire rear bumper moulding?) seem/is upside down.

The roofline is a little flat for a 2+2 - in practice it is slightly more humped.

You will have to fit spinners and they vary. That UK car would have had spinners aith teo 'sars' on.