Kit Manufacturer : AMR (France)

Model : Jaguar XJR5 Le Mans 1985

Cost of kit: $95 AUD (second hand)

Group 44 Jaguar XJR5 at Le Mans 1985 photo Dave Eames

The Model was purchased second hand as I had bought the 1984 models when new but not the 1985 ones. AMR kits were never the cheapest in fact they were quite expensive back in the 70’s and 80’s when they were new. They fetch a relevant price these days and will, I’m sure, increase in value since the death of their creator Andre Marie Ruf earlier this year. They are one of the few models collected simply because of the name.

	Like all AMR kits of the period the model comes in a polystyrene container with a clear lid. Good instructions are included in French and English. Kit consists of white metal castings for all body parts, interior, and most ancillaries. Some photo etched parts, plated parts, turned wheels and rubber like tyres. Decals are by Cartograf of Italy.
	Either of the Group 44 cars car can be made from this kit. Car # 40 Driven by Brian Redman – Herly Haywood – Jim Adams or # 44 Driven by Bob Tullius – Chip Robinson – Claude Ballot-Lena. I am going to build car # 44 this time. This kit was released around 1985 and by the standards of those days is excellent, by today’s standards you would expect to see more photo etching but little else could be improved.
	The casting is the very best. As always with AMR kits you need little preparation before painting, a quick clean up of the flash and a light rub down with 800 grit wet and dry will be sufficient. Test fit all parts at this stage just in case you need to modify them and degrease with glass cleaner (Windex). Well that’s what I use for metal or resin kits and it’s always worked for me

Dave Eames

Dave has travelled many continents in search of models and built over a thousand himself. He is one of the many passionate collectors of model cars. The 1/43 has become the collectors' scale, enjoyed by diverse enthusiasts from the man in the street, to rock stars and royalty alike.