07/08/2025
A stunning rare vintage original Jaguar car leaper mascot chrome ashtray c.1950s or 1960s. During the 1950s and 1960s, Jaguar provided their dealerships with beautiful and substantial chrome ashtrays of which this is one. These ashtrays were not made available to the public we think. The main feature was the car leaper mascot that was the same as used on the cars.
The "7/10091/1 WBB" number on the base of the leaper on our ashtray is a casting number that identifies the manufacturer as Wilmot Breeden who made the car leaper mascots for Jaguar to go on their cars. This specific number car leaper mascot was used on the Mk 1, Mk 2, Mk VIII, Mk IX, S-type, 240, 340, and XK 150 models from 1955 to 1969. A slightly smaller leaper was provided between 1961 and 1970 on the large Mark Ten. The leapers were not provided as standard on the sports models because of their aerodynamic inefficiency although they were available as an optional extra except on the E Type.
Jaguars were immediately recognisable by their distinctive car leaper bonnet mascot designed by the illustrator Gordon Crosby and used in three forms from 1938 to 1970 with a break between 1951 and 1955. For sale: www.chapmanpugh-antiques.com
