After searching around, I could not find any references to this kit here or in any other forum,
and I actually only knew about the existence of this kit earlier this year.
It reached my hands just a couple days ago.
Since this subforum is to review those unusual kits or our latest findings,
I thought this was a good place to write this short review.
The subject:
Jaguar XJ Sovereign HE
The naming here can be a bit confusing, as "Sovereign" was a Daimler denomination
for Jaguar XJ cars sold carrying the Daimler badge until 1983,
and some top luxury XJ received the "Sovereign" surname name after 1983.
But the "HE" (High Efficiency) designation was given to some models between 1981-1985 that used improved engines.
At least that's what I've come to learn after reading several articles online.
So...
This kit represents a Jaguar XJ with HE engine, and since it was luxury version, received the "Sovereign" surname (not XJ).
From what little I can understand, that car should have been produced around 1983-1985.
If there's any expert on Jaguar history, please chime in and correct me if I'm wrong.
The above photo is from Twitter user @Zaman_198, and his comment reads: "Jaguar advertisement, 84-85 approx."
https://twitter.com/zaman_198/status...923394/photo/1
That same photo was used for the cover of the kit:
The Kit:
The size of the book is 27X 20 cm (10.5 X 8 in)
Soft cover, metal staples holding all the pages.
20 parts pages, printed on thick cardstock (0.35mm thick - around 0.014 in. )
so the 20 pages are in total 7mm (9/32 in) thick.
Includes a transparent acetate sheet to make the windows.
The kit has full interior, and a crude representation of the engine (more about that later).
Unlike the cover photo, the model's color is green, not black.
Pages are a nice white satin finish on the printed side, while the back of the sheet is creamy and textured showing the rough fiber of the material.
The kit was designed and printed in Italy.
Designer's name is Sergio Baratto, well known artist who's produced many technical drawings and cutaways.
Sergio Baratto
While trying to track Mr. Baratto's work, I couldn't find any other references to more paper kits.
It is possible that this Jaguar was his only paper kit ever designed/released.
As far as I know, this kit was a freebie in the Jaguar dealers in Italy.
I have not seen this kit in any other language. So this must have been a local Italian exclusive.
The italian text on the back cover reads:
"Concept and production by Dorland Italiana,
Marketing and Publicity agency
for Jaguar Cars Ltd, in collaboration with Il Piacere.
Model created and designed by Sergio Baratto.
Printed by Littorama, Milan."
Instructions:
The instructions come in regular paper, stapled on the center of the main book.
(mine came off when checking the book, staples were too short and didn't hold them well.)
The format is a quite unusual two 4-panel sheets spreads.
I found this layout a bit confusing and disordered. A simple 16 pages booklet would do perfectly fine.
While I don't like the layout of the instruction pages, it is worth to note
that instructions diagrams are excellent, clear, and very well done.
There is little chance to make things wrong.
Graphics on the parts are wonderful, considering they were made around 1983-1985.
All the usual elements are there:
Hand drawn, thick lines, 80's colors, noticeable use of (real) airbrush, as well as many hand-painted details and textures.
A real visual treat.
Many details were oversimplified, and those pedals look awful, but the effect is good overall.
Bellow you see the engine and the wheels:
very basic construction, lack of volume, a bit crude, but well painted.
A very nice kit. At least as seen in printed form.
I have never seen one built, and I'm still considering whether or not to build mine.
This kit is not so easy to find, but there may be some around.
It's difficult to estimate how many were printed 500? 1 000?
Hard to know, but being a promo item I guess not many.
If you wish a simpler, 2-page Jaguar, there is a 1968 Series I red XJ6 simple kit at:
Jag-lovers brochures - a cutout model XJ6!
Thanks for reading.