JAGUAR by AMR... By Gary Oxley Member No.1

Jaguar Model Club Page 1 of 16 O N - L I N E M A G A Z I N E page 69 JAGUAR by AMR . . . By Gary Oxley Member No.1 ANDRE-MARIE RUF 1946 to 2004 ...
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O N - L I N E

M A G A Z I N E

page 69

JAGUAR by AMR . . . By Gary Oxley Member No.1

ANDRE-MARIE RUF 1946 to 2004 As can be seen from the picture above, Mr. Ruf loved Porsche and Ferrari ( as well as Jaguar cars ), this photo was just one photo taken on one shelf of his AMR workshop. AMR only worked in White Metal which like Paddock and Le Phoenix always worked out slightly larger than most 1:43rd models ( are the tape measures bigger in France !!! ).

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Andre-Marie Ruf, born 16th February 1946 was mad about cars even before he could talk, it wasn't surprising then that he went into the French technical automotive industry. He started his love affair with model cars by altering for himself, early Norev die-cast models.  

AMR - EARLY YEARS 1st APRIL 1975 AMR WAS LAUNCHED His very first model in a series he named '1200' was a Porsche Turbo RSR from Le Mans in 1974, to prove ( if we ever needed to ), he loved Jag's too, the XJ SII Saloon was his second ever model ( 1200/2 AMR 224 ), followed by a Ferrari 365BB, then a Daimler Double Six then another racing Porsche. Like most things in life, when it's gone it's gone, and not until then do we start to think ..... ''I miss that now''.  AMR are one of 'those things' we probably took for granted, sadly Andre Marie Ruf's life was cut short by a mile with his sad death. In his early days he only produced his models built, these now very rarely come up for sale and command BIG MONEY. It is also a very little known fact that Andre-Marie produced many of the first MINICHAMPS models for them. I by no means claim to be an expert on AMR, but love it or hate it, Ebay now seems to be the measure as to what's out there in this big wide world. As I state below, I've never seen the three early models listed ( AMR 46, AMR 88 & AMR 96 ), but this definately doesn't mean they don't exist, it's just strange that Ebay hasn't thrown at least one of these up so far ???. Another factor could be that these AMR early code numbers were allocated to models produced for other companies ( I know Mr. Ruf worked for a few in his early days, including Minichamps I know of ).

AMR 46

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This was a 3.4 MKII Saloon released in 1981, I've never seen one of these. MEMBERS PHOTOS / INFO ... VERY WELCOME

AMR 88 This early AMR XK150 Roadster model again, I've never seen, but I understand Ref: AMR 424 shown below was a better updated version of this model. MEMBERS PHOTOS / INFO ... VERY WELCOME

AMR 96 This early AMR XKR-5 was a Group 44 car from Miami in 1984 from the IMSA Series. MEMBERS PHOTOS / INFO ... VERY WELCOME

AMR 224

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In the early days, AMR only supplied models built, AMR 224 was one of these, a rare XJ Series II Saloon. In all the time I've been following models I've only ever seen two colours available .... Silver and Black. Both these carried the same 224 code. If you know anymore, please inform us to update our database. This early XJ captures the real XJ well but I think the boot-lid tapers down too much against Sir Williams version !!.

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Thumbnail 4 shows the fact that early base plates were hand-scribed, the days before engraving machines and photo-etch plates of course.

AMR 423

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AMR did a very nice job in capturing the XK150 FHC with KIT 423, from every angle it looks great but if I am to criticise it on one thing, it would only be one thing .... the chrome grille is too wide ( see below on KIT 424 - Thumbnail 12 ). You will also see within this article many examples of the AMR instructions, these are a nice reminder of the early days, hand-drawn slightly amateurish against what we see now in some kits, but these were the days before computers were a tool available to the model kit makers ( Thumbnail 8 above is the first example ). Also with this kit you will see what was to become a trade mark of all the AMR kits, their unique square polystyrene kit boxes with clear vac-form lids ( see Thumbnail 6 above ).

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AMR 424 Same with the AMR XK150 Roadster, KIT 424, from every angle it looks  great but Thumbnail 12 shows how AMR got the radiator grille wrong against the real XK150.

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AMR 455 AMR did a great job with their XJR-5 as can be seen with Thumbnails 13 & 15, getting the shape spot-on. Decals in this kit allowed either car 40 or 44 to be built.

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18 Thumbnail 18 shows the Bob Tullius Group 44 XJR-5 from Le Mans in 1985, built from KIT 455. This XJR-5 was the most successful Tullius effort at Le Mans. Fittingly Bob drove the Car 44 with Chip Robinson and Claude Ballot-Lena to a class win in the GTP Class, finishing 13th overall, although a cylinder down of the 12 Jaguar gave them !!!.

AMR 480 This AMR XJR-6 kit produces either Car 51 or 52 from SPA, Belgium in 1985. This was TWR's first season after taking the Jaguar charge on from Bob Tullius ( with some bad feeling between them after Bob said Tom stitched him up to get the deal ). Again AMR produced a very good kit of the single headlight early car with flat rear-end, this design would be returned to after various experiments with the rear of the XJR's.

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Thumbnails 24 to 26 show three photos I've come across which show models that have been offered for sale on Ebay. Note the choice of BRG, none are correct, but sometimes cameras play tricks with light so who knows !!.

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Thumbnail 27 is the only photo I could find of the XJR-6 at SPA, it shows Car 51 negotiating the Le Source Hairpin on it's way to 5th place. Sadly, Spa was to claim the second fatal crash in a row. Both were ex-F1 German drivers , Manfred Winklhock died at Mosport in Canada then Stefan Belof was killed trying to overtake his Porsche team-mate  Jacky Ickx at Spa. Sadly the winner Bob Wollek in a Porsche would also lose his life later in his career. Jaguar XJR-6 - SPA 1985 Car 51 : Martin Brundle (GB) and Mike Thackwell (GB) finished 5th.

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Car 52 : Jean-Louis Schlesser (F) and Hans Heyer (D), retired with severe handling problems. Thumbnail 28 is from my photo collection, it shows a better photo of the XJR-6 from the next round at Brands Hatch. Note the car had now sprouted a front raised nose spoiler to try and combat the cars handling problems. Out of all the XJR's I think this car looks the most unattractive, I don't think BRG suits a modern race car, although Tom and Jaguar were probably trying to salute the past which I can understand. ( My photo is signed by Jan Lammers, I think he has one of the best signatures ever ).

AMR 494

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This AMR XJR-6 is the car from Le Mans in 1986 when TWR were trying the experimental rear end, with pointy rear bodywork ( see Thumbnail 31 ). This obviously didn't work because they soon reverted back to the flat back ends. I have this kit in my collection and it's a really nice kit of the XJR-6, I like this XJR-6 best even down to the early less fussy Silk Cut decals ( Thumbnail 32 ). It's quite rare to see this kit these days, even Ebay has only thrown a couple up over the last few years, this is one of them when I think the seller didn't know what they were worth. I just happened to be on-line at the right time and has he put the kit for sale with a buy it now of £40 .... I pounced !! and couldn't believe my luck. It had been on ebay for less than a minute !!, I found it when I clicked 'Refresh' on the first page. KIT 494 allows you to build any one of the three Jaguar entries, Car 51 of : Derek Warwick (GB), Eddie Cheever (USA) and Jean-Louis Schlesser (F). This car retired in the 16th hour with a puncture ( after 239 laps ).

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Car 52 of : Brian Redman (GB), Hans Heyer (D) and Hurley Haywood (USA) retired in the 5th hour with fuel pressure issues ( after 53 laps ). Car 53 of : Gianfranco Brancatelli (I), Win Percy (GB) and Armin Hahne (D) also retired making it a total nightmare for the Jag's, this cars driveshaft failed in the 9th hour ( after 154 laps ). In comparison the winning Porsche 962C of Bell, Stuck and Holbert completed 367 laps. Thumbnail 32 shows how splendid the AMR Le Mans XJR-6 can look when built, showing for the first time TWR's twin stacked headlights and single vane rear wing.

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It was hard luck for Car 51 ( Thumbnail 34 ) because they were going well and had moved into second place chasing the Porsche, when Schlesser timed through   the Mulsanne speed-trap at 221mph had a massive blow-out wrecking the XJR-6's suspension,   bodywork and rear mounted gearbox ( interesting to note, two years later the fastest  1988 XJR-9 was timed 20mph faster, through the same speed-trap at 241mph ).

AMR 495 AMR next made the XK120 OTS road car which was a real beauty, they made it with rear spats and steel wheels. Paddock later bought the rights to produce this in various colours ( see On-line magazine Page 60 ).

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AMR 505 & AMR 506 From all the AMR kits I think their XK140 FHC is the best, everything about this kit looks great to me. The only difference between KIT 505 and KIT 506 is the later kit has wire wheels and no spats.

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AMR 510 KIT 510 is a kit close to my heart owning a real version of one of the best cars ever made in the universe, the Series One E-type FHC. AMR did a fantastic job of creating a true miniature of this car, the only criticism is shown in Thumbnail 48.

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46  You can see in Thumbnail 48 that AMR didn't quite get the headlight shape right, the AMR kit is much too round against the unique and very hard to capture, real headlight, shaped by the great .... Malcolm Sayer. Thumbnail 47 shows my model build in Primrose Yellow with a Black interior.

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AMR 511

49 KIT 511 is a kit of the Series One E-type Roadster, the same description applies to this kit as mentioned above ( KIT 510 ).

AMR 512 AMR then made the XK120 FHC with spats and steel wheels, another fine kit which captures the real car a treat. Paddock again bought the rights to produce this in various colours ( see On-line magazine Page 60 ).

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AMR 1114 52 This AMR E-type twin-set was released in 1991 to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the real car. Their was a Blue Roadster and a White FHC, each

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mounted on a round wooden plinth, then housed inside a very exclusive wooden case with brass engraved name plate ( Thumbnail 52 ). These were over £500 for the set, but still sold well.

AMR TRADEMARK The AMR kits also become a trade mark of their own, in their unique square polystyrene boxes with clear vac-form lids with AMR colour label on one side. I know I've spent time trying to find certain kits in my collection, all in similar boxes, not so with the AMR kits, they are instantly recognisable ( see Thumbnails 52 & 53 ). 53

54   Any decals for the AMR kits were neatly taped underneath the box in a specially recessed part of the polystyrene box shown.  

R.I.P

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Andre Marie Ruf .... you will be missed. He once said ..... ''My goal is to create models that collectors are thrilled to have and that I am proud of. I work everyday so that to own a Ruf model, becomes owning a true piece of art rather than owning a scale replica model ''.

  He passed away on the 1st August 2004, aged 58, Leukaemia taking him from us. AMR46

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White Metal

MKII Saloon

3.4 Car issued in 1981

AMR88

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White Metal

XK150

Roadster kit, later re-issued as AMR424

AMR96

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White Metal

XJR-5

IMSA - 1st Miami 1984, White with twin Green stripes

AMR224

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White Metal

XJ Saloon

XJ12 Series 2, known colours are Silver or Black

AMR423

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White Metal

XK150

Coupe version with wire wheels, known colour BRG

AMR424

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White Metal

XK150

Roadster version with wire wheels, known colours are White or Dark Blue

AMR455

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White Metal

XJR-5

Group 44 Le Mans 1985 version, White with twin Green stripes

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AMR480

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White Metal

XJR-6

BRG with White stripes car No.51 or No.52 from SPA

AMR494

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White Metal

XJR-6

White with Purple Silk Cut colours, Le Mans 1986, builds cars 51, 52 or 53

AMR495

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White Metal

XK120

OTS Road car, colours needed

AMR505

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White Metal

XK140

Coupe version with steel wheels and rear spats, known colour BRG

AMR506

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White Metal

XK140

Coupe version with wire wheels, colours needed

AMR510

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White Metal

E-type

Series one 3.8 Coupe with wire wheels, colours known, White or Primrose

AMR511

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White Metal

E-type

Series one 3.8 Roadster with wire wheels, known colour Blue

AMR512

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White Metal

XK120

Coupe version with steel wheels and rear spats, colours needed

AMR1114

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White Metal

E-types

30th Anniversary twin set in wooden case, Blue Roadster, White Coupe

Thanks Gary http://www.jagweb.com/jaguarmodelclub/2005/olmag/2_69/onlinemagp69.htm

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