The first ever Limited Edition (of 500) signed full-length book on Jaguar toys and models, and in it collector and enthusiast Michael Driver details many of the numerous many toys and models of the marque produced by manufacturers throughout the world. Not only that, he sets out to tell the story of the 'real' Jaguar car over the past 80 years through these models, from the earliest pre-Jaguar Swallows and SSs through to the classic models of the 50s, 60s and 70s.
All shapes and sizes of models are covered, from cheap, tiny plastic toy Jaguars to large and often very expensive scale models which can be extremely detailed. Besides the mass-produced die-cast models from well-known manufacturers like Dinky, Corgi and Matchbox , tin plate and plastic models plus the low-volume hand-built and kit-form models are included too. The latter are usually made in white metal or resin -- or even in chocolate!
The book contains over 2,000 photographs in full colour; these show the many variations of these miniature Jaguars, and archive pictures relate them to the real thing. Interestingly, much of this coverage is by size -- small, medium and large. This, along with the lists and specifications at the back of the book, help identify the rarer Jaguar toys and models which you might come across at autojumbles, toy fairs and swap-meets. Advice on collecting and what to look out for is included too, while the book has the distinction of a Foreword by Michael Quinn, grandson of Jaguar's founder Sir William Lyons.
Michael Driver has been a life long toy collector. His passion includes cars and commercial vehicles by Dinky Toys, Corgi Toys, Matchbox and many other companies. His interest also includes trains, tin toys and construction kits.
Over the years Jaguar models and Jaguar ephemera have become a major aspect of his collecting. He also has an interest in ‘real’ Jaguars and Jaguar related ephemera.