This book presents a unique selection of the most rare and collectible toy cars made in Japan and Hong Kong in the 1950s and 1960s. Three particular groups of toys are covered: the magnificent large-scale tinplate cars made for the American market; the smaller but equally sought-after Japanese diecasts by Model Pet, Micro Pet, and Cherryca Phenix; and plastic friction-drive cars made in Hong Kong. Some of the toys pictured are so scarce that they are believed to be among a mere handful that survive in mint condition with their original boxes. This book provides many fascinating new insights to the history of the companies that made and distributed the toys, using long-forgotten trade journals, rare catalogs, and interview with people who worked in the toy business at that time.

This unique selection of the most rare and collectible toy cars made in Japan and Hong Kong in the 1950s and 1960s, includes large-scale tinplate cars made for the American market; the early Japanese diecasts by Model Pet, Micro Pet and Cherryca Phenix; and plastic friction-drive cars made in Hong Kong. Many fascinating new insights into the history of the companies are presented, using long-forgotten trade journals, rare catalogs, and interviews with people who worked in the toy business at that time.