Benbros Zebra Toys

103 (10) Jaguar E-type

The Zebra Toys Jaguar E-type was possibly the best model Benbros created. It was an accurate copy of an iconic vehicle produced to a very high standard with fine detail, tinted windows, jewelled headlights, a plastic interior and a separately moulded steering wheel.

The body was a single casting which included the front oval grille and the rear number-plate 'AVS 104'. The first issue was painted metallic blue with red interior, white steering wheel and clear windows. The wheels were metal with large hubs and black tyres similar to those used on other early Zebra Toys models. The grille, front and rear bumpers and the rear number-plate were finished with silver trim and on the bonnet a decal number-plate was added.

A second variation with metal wheels was painted metallic brown. This also had clear windows but a yellow interior and brown steering wheel.

Although the real vehicle sometimes had a red leather interior, Benbros did not keep to red for long, switching to yellow or white and then pale blue which was the most common choice. The steering wheel also changed from white to brown and the windows from clear to tinted, either dark greenish blue, pale blue, or amber.

After the early metal wheels, Benbros changed to red or blue plastic and added a new metallic body colour of green to the existing metallic blue and metallic brown.

Underneath, the full-length base had a matt or gloss black finish and was rivetted onto the body at the front and rear. There was no detail except the number '103', 'Jaguar 'E' Type', 'Zebra Toys' and 'Made in England'.

The Jaguar E-type was sold in a black & white striped Zebra Toys box with a metallic-green vehicle pictured on the faces and the number '10' on the end-flaps.

Because Benbros used several different wheels, windows, exterior and interior colours, there are many possible variations of the Jaguar E-type. All are in demand and will fetch a premium at auction.

Variation 5 : metallic green, blue interior, blue plastic wheels, blue tinted windows

Zebra Toys Jaguar E-type

Some of the known variations

1) METALLIC BLUE         CLEAR windows                             RED interior         WHITE Steering wheel     METAL wheels

2) METALLIC BLUE         AMBER windows                            WHITE interior    BROWN steering wheel    METAL wheels

3) METALLIC BLUE         PALE-BLUE windows                    BLUE interior       BROWN steering wheel    BLUE plastic wheels

4) METALLIC BLUE         PALE-BLUE windows                    BLUE interior       BROWN steering wheel    RED plastic wheels

5) METALLIC GREEN      PALE-BLUE windows                    BLUE interior       BROWN steering wheel    BLUE plastic wheels

6) METALLIC GREEN      DARK GREEN-BLUE windows    BLUE interior       BROWN steering wheel    RED plastic wheels

7) METALLIC GREEN      AMBER windows                            BLUE interior       BROWN steering wheel    BLUE plastic wheels

8) METALLIC BROWN    CLEAR windows                              YELLOW interior BROWN steering wheel    METAL wheels

9) METALLIC BROWN    AMBER windows                             ?BLUE interior     BROWN steering wheel    BLUE plastic wheels 

Variation 1 : metallic-blue, red interior, white steering wheel, metal wheels

Variation 2 : metallic blue, amber windows, white interior, metal wheels, with box

Variation 8 : Metallic brown, clear windows, yellow interior, metal wheels