19
Jaguar XJ-S Notchback Hot Rod
Building the Hasegawa Jaguar XJ-S kit in 1:24 scale, I noticed that it is virtually impossible to lower the car properly without modifying the wheel arches. Bolt-on overfender are always an option, but it didn’t feel right with the lines of this classy coupé. Instead of cutting up the body of the plastic model, I put it back into the box and switched to Adobe Photoshop. After many failed attempts to relocate the wheel arches, I decided to hotrod the sled just for fun. This is entirely fictional for now, but could be done in reality. XJ-S prices are low and it isn’t exactly a rare car nobody dares to cut apart and weld back together in a different way.
The frame was extended to get the proportions right and to make it less butt-heavy than the stock design, I reshaped the C-pillars. Inspiration for this mod came, believe it or not, from the foxbody Mustang notchback. I think it improves the proportions of the car, but at the same time takes away one of the design quirks that make the XJ-S so unique and instantly recognizable. In order to keep with the classic hot rod theme, I didn’t use the Jaguar V12, but added four cylinders to a Ford V8 just for the heck of it. Open headers should provide an adequate soundtrack to match the visual impact.
01
For quite a long time I’ve been fiddling with the idea of creating a BAJA-spec truck. Not a regular truck, though. I wanted to start with a regular road car. Eventually I decided to start with a 2005 Ford Mustang convertible as a base. A BAJA-style Nissan Frontier donated the running gear and the rear part of the tube frame including the spare wheel carrier. The body of the Mustang has been modified extensively in order to fit the tube frame, suspension and massive tires. Looks quite mean now, doesn’t it?
24
The 1968 Ford Mustang Shelby EXP500 Black Hornet inspired me to create a classic Mustang Shooting Break.
Apart from the roof, the body was lowered and a front spoiler has been added. The original Shelby wheels have been replaced with period-correct Mag Wheels.