Britain's Toy Car Wars: The War of Wheels Between Dinky, Corgi and Matchbox

A great history of the model car business in Britain from the 1940s onwards. At the time I was just a very young collector, so I was unaware of what was really happening behind the scenes with the makers of these toys / models. This book tells what was really going on, and gives a great insight to the business, Strongly recommended.

I take a keen interest in model cars and whilst I own many books on the subject this volume from Giles Chapman offers both new pictures and detail. Whilst the title of the book makes reference to "Dinky vs Corgi vs Matchbox" it also includes pictures and references to other relevant marques including Spot-On and Hot Wheels and the part they played in the "Toy Car Wars".The book which runs to over 120 pages is well produced with plenty of pictures mostly in colour and informative text. I do agree with another reviewer that the greyish print colour doesn't help if you struggle with a lack of contrast but at least the font isn't too small. The book really does take you on a journey from the earliest models through to the present day and the pictures and reproductions of adverts will bring the memories floof0ing back. To me this book contains a lot of genuinely new material not found in my other books and charts the rise and fall of the UK based model car industry - I'm very pleased with this purchase.

This has to be one for the dedicated enthusiast. It complements any number of already published books on te subject, but is the first that I have seen that draws the threads of manufacturing history together and looks at the major players in the immediate post WW2 period in relation to one and other. Well written and illustrated, it included personal reminiscences from the author that many of his readers will be able to empathise with. If I had one complaint it would be about the choice of font for the text - which looks as if it has been printed in greyscale at high speed. The book deserves better than this.

It's amazing that this is the first time these three stories have been brought together, charting with detail and affection something which was a steady part of British life for decades yet which was gone overnight. I tore through this book in a few days and it really took me back to the times as a child I would gaze in wonder at a newsagent's glass cabinet of yellow and blue boxes. It's a nice touch that these colours are reflected in the book design.

This is a very interesting book and well written. I have at least 2 dozen Matchbox cars in their original boxes.

A great little story about the toy industry back in the day. Love it and recommend

Not enough photos of the model’s to much text

This book isn't a catalogue of all the models produced but a really interesting history of the makers. From sometimes basic backgrounds these iconic toy makers went on to rule the model world for many years, all of them encompassing my early memories. The sad decline in the markets is also recorded. A real nostalgic reminder with plenty of good pictures. This book will undoubtedly encourage the reader to discover more! A helping hand is the discography, but be aware that some of the more detailed reference books are quite expensive!

This book teaches you the very rich history of the “big three” toy car makers in Britain (some Hot Wheels in there as well), and gives you a behind the scenes look at all of the logistics and planning that these companies went through to manufacture, distribute, and sell their models. It covers the great successes but also the struggles that each went through.The book is great for getting a general understanding on how diecast cars evolved, and how historical events and trends had an impact on what sold and what didn’t.If you already admire and appreciate diecast/model cars, I highly recommend getting this book so you can admire and appreciate them even more!! You will learn so much and will find plenty of interesting facts to stay hooked all the way through. Such a great read!

Several pages of photos, the rest just text. A reading book, not a photo album.Kilka stron zdjęć, reszta sam tekst. Książka do czytania, nie jest to album ze zdjęciami.

A good gift for a Toy Collector of Corgy & Dinky

great

Ein interessantes Buch mit tollen Bilden über ein Nischenthema.Ein muss für Diecast Liebhaber die sich mit der Geschichte der drei wichtigsten Spielzeugauto Hersteller der 60er und 70er Jahre beschäftigen wollen.