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As well as selling
cars, Arthur Daley certainly drove around in a few too. |
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As well as selling
cars, Arthur Daley certainly drove around in a few too. |
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George Cole talks to Brian Hawkins about Jags
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During the preparation of Brian Hawkins's book The Phenomenon that was Minder, George Cole often talked about Jaguars. George Cole told the author how over the years he became a dedicated Jaguar enthusiast. The following information, not included in the book, has been included here with the kind permission of both Brian Hawkins and George Cole. |
George Cole said: “We always had a production base in London – it was a different one each series. I would leave home at 5:30 in the morning and drive to the base and a driver would take me on to the location. For the first few series’ I used to drive an old Ford Capri (not the one in the opening credits). When we got to the end of the fourth or fifth series I was talking to the location manager about the Minder Jag and he said, ‘You ought to put in a bid to the company to buy it.’ I thought about it for a while and said, ‘Why not.’ So I put in a bid and it was accepted.
A couple of days later the TV Times phoned me and asked if it was true that I had bought the Minder Jag. I said that it was and they said they wanted it as a prize in a competition. I said, ‘I'm sorry but I want it.’ A few days later they came back to me and said, ‘If we can get Jaguar to make you an offer you can’t refuse on a brand new Jag would you let us have the old one back.’ I said, ‘Of course’ and Jaguar made me a good offer. I’m on to something like my seventh or eighth new Jag now. Currently I’ve got an X Type. It's a bit shorter than all the others and it’s the first one I’ve been able to get into my garage!”.
The Terry McCann Years
- SERIES 1 to 3
JAGUAR XJ6 4.2 Series II - SNV 696M
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The first Jaguar that Arthur drove was a Silver Series II Jaguar XJ6 and featured throughout both series one, two and briefly in certain episodes of series three. Pictures of the car also feature in both the opening titles and the closing credits. This particular shot is taken from the series three episode Birdman of Wormwood Scrubs. |
Interestingly, this car only appeared in certain episodes of series 3: Birdman of Wormwood Scrubs, The Son Also Rises and You Need Hands which also happen to be the only episodes that feature Terry's original white SLE 71R Capri or we don't see Terry with his own car. This could perhaps suggest that certain episodes in series 3 were filmed originally for series 2. Apparently unconfirmed reports say this car has been auctioned off since the series, but if anyone has any further information on its whereabouts feel free to contact us.
The Terry McCann Years - SERIES 3
MERCEDES 280E - NLM 76V
In series 3, Arthur dropped his Jaguar for this silver Mercedes 280 SE. This car can be seen in the five series 3 episodes: Rembrandt Doesn't Live Here Anymore, Dream House, Back In Good Old England, Why Pay Tax? and In.
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Other than these five episodes from series three, this car was never to be seen again. It is unclear why Arthur moved over to a Mercedes for these few episodes but as a car dealer it would be quite common to drive a few cars on the off chance. The shot on the left is taken from Rembrandt Doesn't Live Here Anymore and the shot on the right is taken from Dream House. |
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In the shot on the right look closely at Arthur's cigar - it is in his left hand. In the shot immediately before this one in the original Dream House episode (shot from behind) he has it in his mouth! Thanks to fellow Minder fan, Graeme Smith for information about this model.
The Terry McCann Years - SERIES 4
to 6
DAIMLER SOVEREIGN - DYO 979V / VDU 342X
From series 4 to series 6 Arthur drove pretty much only one car, a yellow Daimler Sovereign 4.2 Series III (with its distinctive fluted grille and bootlid plinth) which also featured in the 'Minder On The Orient Express' Christmas Special in 1985. The DYO 979V is actually a prop plate. The real registration VDU 342X.
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This car was originally won in a TV Times competition in 1985 and later sold to a Mr John Maxfield. Mr Maxfield donated this car to Salisbury Hospice in 2002 for their summer raffle draw. The new winner of the car didn't want it and it was won on ebay in 2003 by fellow Minder fan Dez. This shots shown here are taken from the 1984 Christmas Special 'Around The Corner'. This is probably Arthur's best remembered car. |
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Dez has kindly shared some photos of the car and these along with more details about the story of this car be found on Arthur's Yellow Daimler Page.
The Terry McCann Years - SERIES 7
JAGUAR - D533 ERW
In the final Dennis Waterman series of Minder (series 7), Arthur's Jag had changed again! This time to a silver XJ6!
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This very smart looking car was acquired by fellow Minder fan Mark in February 2005 after passing through various people's hands over the years. He is setting about restoring the car in his spare time and Minder.org would like to wish him all the best in doing so! Mark has his very own website set up all about the car and the on-going restoration project that can be found by clicking here. Well worth a visit! |
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The picture on the left shows the car in the series itself, the picture on the right was taken in September 2007! Well done to Mark H. for all his hard work!
Arthur's Other Motors - The Terry McCann Years
 JAGUAR XJ6 4.2 Series II - TAN 488M This car was seen in the first episode of series 3 Dead Men Do Tell Tales and very briefly in Looking For Micky when Arthur is kidnapped by Freddie Baker. |
 CORVETTE STINGRAY - AGS 699W This car was seen only in the series 3 episode Broken Arrow - in the next scene it is vandalised by kids and Arthur sends Terry around to salvage what's left. |
 ROVER SD1 - DOL 426V This car was seen in the series 2 episode A Nice Little Wine - the explanation for Arthur using a Rover in this episode is that he is testing it. |
 ROLLS ROYCE - RCT 123 This car was seen in the series 4 episode Senior Citizen Caine - Arthur gives Cecil's son a "modest down payment" for the car as he dreams of owning it. |
If you have any further information about any of these cars, or have any extra details you would like to add to this page please feel free to contact us.
During the Ray Daley Years
Arthur also drove a number of Daimlers and a Jag
...to be continued!
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