At the rate that the values of certain cars are climbing, a vintage Doepke scale model like this 1950 Jaguar XK120 is about all we’ll be able to afford before too long. And even these ’50s vintage toys can stir up some serious numbers! It’s neat and collectible even if it is just a model toy so let’s see what’s here. This Doepke Jag is located in Dallas, Texas and is available, here on eBay for a current bid of $95 with seven bids tendered so far.
Like many from my era, toy metal cars in all sizes/scales were an important part of childhood. I had a lot of British-made Matchbox cars and probably still do though I don’t know where they are at the moment. Corgis figured into the mix along with some tinplate models and a whole host of Tootsie-Toys, the not particularly well detailed but inexpensive pot-metal, rubber-tired cars and trucks representing many marques. As for Doepke, that’s one that I unfortunately missed. Research indicates that Doepke Toy Company was started in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1946 but closed its doors in 1959 as a result of material cost increases and competition from lower-price competitors. A quick look around eBay and Etsy will reveal bull-dozers, cranes, trucks, and cars like this approximately 1/9 scale Jaguar example – some with $300+ price tags!
The biggest impediment to attaining full value with a toy like this Doepke Jaguar is the fact that it is a toy and small hands put it through paces that may have seemed extreme for the full scale, real thing. The powder blue finish of this steel-bodied Jag is in pretty fair shape – there are some typical scratches but it still presents well. Highly fragile components such as the steering wheel and windshield frame are still standing though the center divider of that frame appears to be separated from its base. And the driver’s side rear bumper guard has encountered a little street parking friction. Nice to see are the rubber tires which are showing no sign of dry rot or splits.
At 18″ in length, this Jaguar has some heft to it. Though the exterior is a bit light on detail, the underside, with its individual frame and steerable front wheels, placed this toy car in another class compared to some of its better-known competitors of the day. It actually reminds me of a simplified version of a complicated metal model car kit offered back in the ’60s by a manufacturer whose name I can’t remember. The instructions were laboriously extensive and involved a huge number of screws. Does this jog anyone’s memory?
Unknown is this Jaguar’s original 1950 price but a reference to a rubber-tired 1949 working crane with a $14.95 price was uncovered so that gives one a directional idea. The seller suggests, “A sweet addition for any collection!” It may also be a good buy if the auction action stays reasonable over the remaining five days but that remains to be seen for now. I don’t collect anything anymore, there comes a time when you run out of space and interest. But if vintage metal automobilia is your thing, this Jaguar deserves consideration, wouldn’t you agree?
When it comes to complex metal model car kits, the author might be thinking of Pocher, well-known for their large scale, highly detailed models. I have a K75 1934 Rolls Royce Phantom II Torpedo, 1:8 scale, 27″ long x 9″ wide x 9″ high. These classic kits were known for their high piece count (2,900 pieces for the model K75) and incredible detail such as working brake systems, engines with rotating crankshafts and moving pistons, windows that moved up and down, steering that operated, and when a tiny key was inserted into the dashboard the headlights lit up.
Wow!!!!
There are a number of companies making kits and built-up models of this caliber today. Back in the 1970s, though, the Pocher kits were pretty much unique. They are spectacular.
I’ve got a Pocher Alfa sitting in its box awaiting a lot of focused time to resume the build…..lots and lots of parts……!!!!
Hubley (sp?) Was another metal model, although not as detailed as Ford Guy’s. I had several of them.
I found a few on eBay and I think you are correct.
Thx,
JO
numbers matching, clean interior, no rust whatsoever…this may be the perfect project car for my pet hamster!
This would have been an expensive and high-quality toy when new. It still looks great.
I’ve seen a picture taken in the 1920’s of a child surrounded by probably 20 toy Citroen vehicles. They are large toys, probably 15 inches long or so, and the detail on them is spectacular. I think I recall that Citroen themselves made them, and the photo is likely a catalog or promotional photo. That era and caliber of toy is outside my model-car budget and collecting scope, as just one of them would probably be worth thousands of dollars today. Maybe if I didn’t spend so much money on real cars, I could afford one…
Kind of off the subject at hand but I thought I would post this for you guys to check out. His calendars are outstanding. Very talented kid!
https://anthonyryanschmidt.com/store/calendars
Anthony Schmidt is an amazing artist! Thanks for posting his website.
thanks for the website information. As the grandfather of a 14 yr old autistic boy, this warmed my heart more than I can tell you. I ordered a 2022 calendar. If you like cars and need a calendar, you need not look any further.
I had one of these baby blue jags when I was a kid. I loved the leaf spring rear suspension–it was so prototypical I got it as a kit for Christmas when I was 10 or so. It was a bear to assemble because the screws that attached the frame etc to the pot metal (?) body were self taping with slotted heads–they put up a tough fight. I played with it for years and, like so many other things I should have hung onto, it went in the trash.
Thomas toy co in Michigan has original and replacement parts for all the Doepke models, and many more parts for vintage toy cars and trucks. They have a 90+ page catalog crammed full of stuff no one else has.
As a serious toy collector and dealer, I’ve been buying from them for almost 40 years.
https://thomastoysantiquetoyparts.com/
They also made a nice 1950 MG-TD, in a similar scale. I purchased one a few years ago in very presentable original condition ( not concours) for $150.00. The TD’s generally range from $100.00 (missing parts, needing a paint job, etc) to a 99 point car that was treated to a frame off rotisserie restoration at $300-$350.00 . The XK-120’s always ran a bit more: they were usually painted the same wierd blue as this one. The proportions look right and the large scale is what really makes the Doepke cars stand out (Size matters!)
The Doepke Jags only came in the Baby Blue and Red. At first they were in kits only. Then later came ready built as I understand.