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Topic starter
10/12/2025 11:47 am
When the Jaguar XKE was released in 1961, there were so many orders to fill that a racing version had to be put on the back burner. The E-Type Light weight for the 1963 Le Mans race got an all aluminum body, special intake and extraction vents, a gutted interior using some lightweight aircraft parts. Just a handful of these were built by the factory and privateers. This car registered 5115 WK was driven by Briggs Cunningham and Bob Grossman at Le Mans to a 9th overall and 2nd in class. It ran a 3.8 liter aluminum block and monocoque chassis. The engine produced anywhere from 300 to 344 HP depending on configuration. This Replicarz model is a bit troubling. The first thing I noticed was that the racing stripes ended at the roof and did not continue to the rear valence. I initially couldn't find enough pictures of the 1:1 for comparison. Then Amalgam released a 1/8 model of 5115 WK (for a mere $28,000) that offered a good profile comparison and something looks off.
The other curious thing is the driving lights on the Amalgam model are not integrated into the front clip.
Anyway, here's the rest of the pics:
10/12/2025 12:53 pm
....so, you're saying that Amalgam's $28,000 model isn't quite accurate? It sure looks great, right? 😎 🤔
10/12/2025 2:03 pm
They just couldn't get my 1:43-scale resin chromed 1968 Corvette right.
After the third try they finally did it.
When every modelbuilder should know that chroming a resin model is a very tricky job, where the resin keep breathing.
So apparently their skills are (were) not that high. 
10/12/2025 2:45 pm
@rich-sufficool and @Chris - I, too, was surprised to read in your comments that Amalgam made an error on their $28,000 scale reproduction. As I'm sure you already abundantly know, racecars are notorious for making changes based on race venue or even modifications made on raceday. With respect to the lighting at LeMans, my research shows they got it right. And for me, that's a relief because Chris committed to buying this Amalgam model for me for Christmas, and I didn't want to see him waste his money! LOL! 
Topic starter
10/12/2025 3:22 pm
@marty-johnson OK, I get it. You guys are busting my chops. You should get the Amalgam model. If nothing else, you can chop it up for the parts bin.
10/12/2025 3:32 pm
10/12/2025 10:52 pm
The XKE models of this car that I got were made by Paragon and were missing not only the stripes down the back but also the roundels on the boot and the gasket between the top and the body.
Here are pictures of the cars at the race and the repairs I made
I actually made a decal kit that I sent out to a few people so they could make their models more accurate. I did the #16 car as well
Hard to understand how they could miss such things as the additional cost is next to nothing.
10/12/2025 11:31 pm
Outstanding Frank, I salute your commitment to authenticity AND that you developed a kit to help others - VERY nice! 😀 😎 😀
11/12/2025 9:05 am
Thanks for the pictures and writeup Frank. Love those Jags.
11/12/2025 10:55 am
Interesting stuff. I’m now buying much in1/18 these days but do have multiple 1/43 versions of the Le Mans lightweights plus a few other versions. My decals appears to be accurate, at least on my Provence Moulage versions. Great post, Rich.
11/12/2025 11:29 am
"I’m now buying much in1/18 these days....."
Awesome, load-up David! Grab all the 1/18s you can, overall, IMO, the best "bang for the buck!" Enjoy! 😀 😀 😀 😉 😉 😉 😉