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In July 1965, the nation’s toy shops stocked a new type of die-cast model car – ‘Corgi Toys - ‘The One’s With Windows’.  At a time when rival products lacked such a feature, this was important news indeed for the discerning consumer. Corgi cars also came in individual illustrated boxes while Dinky Toys supplied their products in trade-packs to retailers. 

The initial models produced at the Swansea factory were the Austin A50 Cambridge, the Austin-Healey 100, and the Ford Consul Mk. I, the Hillman Husky, the Morris Cowley, the Riley Pathfinder, the Rover 90 P4, the Triumph TR2 and the E-Series Vauxhall Velox. You could also purchase a Bedford CA and a Commer lorry in a variety of forms. Naturally, all ambitious toy shop owners immediately dialled the sales office on MONarch 0440 for more details.

Sixty-four years later, the name of Corgi is renowned worldwide. Here are just a few highlights from their first three decades:

1957 – Citroën is the first overseas marque to be modelled by Corgi, even if the full-sized UK-market DS hailed from Slough.

1959 – The Renault Floride became the first Corgi fitted with seats and “Glidomatic” spring suspension. Models are now packed in the famous blue/yellow box.

1960 – The Aston Martin DB4 is the first Corgi with an opening panel; the model would go on to form the basis for a certain 007 tribute. In October the “Motorway Patrol” Ford Zephyr Mk. II Farnham Estate was marketed as being ‘as modern as the M1 itself’ - all for a mere 4/6d.

1962 – The Cadillac Superior Ambulance featured battery-powered flashing lights.

1963 –  The Rover 2000, launched in October, boasted Trans-O-Lite headlamps, which worked from a “light box” on the rear window. The Chrysler Ghia L.6.4 came with an opening boot, doors and bonnet, tip-up seats and a model Corgi on the back parcel shelf – a bargain for just 8/6d.

1964 – Corgi fitted their “Driving School” Austin A60 Cambridge with working steering. In a major publicity coup, the firm issued a scale model of Paddy Hopkirk’s Monte Carlo-winning Morris Mini Cooper S only a few weeks after the event.

1965 – This was a pivotal year for Corgi. March saw the introduction of their first film/TV spin-off model in the form of The Saint P1800 - with a model of Roger Moore in the driver’s seat. The company already produced a standard Volvo, and a request from a Swedish retailer inspired the eyebrow-raising Simon Templar version. Production reached 312,000 in just nine months.

For the “Jet Set”, there was the Chrysler Imperial Convertible, with a specification that included opening doors, bonnet and boot, plus a set of golf clubs in the luggage compartment.  And October 1965 saw the company unveil their 007 Aston Martin, to tie-in with the impending release of Thunderball.

The price was 9/11d – expensive by pocket-money standards but still cheaper than a full-scale Aston Martin -  and you gained a die-cast model that boasted machine guns, bumper rams, a bullet screen, and – of course – an ejector seat complete with a miniature figure.

The original die-cast “Bond Car” featured gold rather than silver paint finish as the company believed the latter looked ‘unfinished’. The demand was such that Corgi delivered some 750,000 to retailers before Christmas Eve. The proud owner also gained a “007” lapel badge while the box contained the owner’s ‘top secret documents’, which had to be kept hidden. After all, you had long suspected your woodwork teacher of being a Spectre agent.

1966 - The Batmobile debuted in October and proved so popular that the factory had to switch to a 24-hour production cycle. Corgi boxes started to adopt a “window” format. And for keen golfers, there was the Ford Consul Cortina “Woody” Estate while The Avengers box-set paid tribute to Steed and Mrs. Emma Peel.

1967 – The Lincoln Continental “Executive Limousine” was fitted with opening everything, a boot finished with purple carpet and, even a “working” colour television set.  For the Sean Connery fans, there was Corgi’s second Bond Car - a Toyota 2000GT with boot-mounted rocket launchers.

1968 – The 007 DB5 is enlarged and now painted silver. The price was a fairly steep 10/9d, but the Aston Martin now featured tyre slashers and revolving number plates fore and aft. The Mini Magnifique, with its sliding sunroof, is quite possibly the ultimate die-cast model of this car.

1969 – The specification of the fondly remembered Corgi Renault 16 included reclining front seats.

1972 – January saw the launch of the rather splendid Range Rover Police “Vigilant”. The Diamonds Are Forever moon buggy is Corgi’s third Bond Car.

1977 – A white Esprit equipped with pop-out fins, a rear stabiliser and rockets fired from the roof became the Corgi’s Bond Car No. 4. The Lotus reached the shops in the week The Spy Who Loved Me premiered in the UK.

1978 – Corgi unveils their second Simon Templar car in the form of a white Jaguar XJS.

1980 – The Professionals’ Ford Capri 3.0S Mk. III was an essential purchase for the country’s youth. Mark One Productions intended the show to be ‘hard-hitting’, but Corgi wisely discerned that much of CI5’s fan-base was aged ten.

1981 – Bond Car No.5, the yellow Citroën 2CV of For Your Eyes Only fame, made its bow in June. And the other must-have model of the year is Corgi’s “Royal Wedding” Austin Mini Metro.

Why choose Lancaster Insurance?

Here at Lancaster, we love classic cars as much as you do and we understand what it takes to protect them for future generations.

We have links with some of the top classic car clubs around the country and some of our policies even offer discounts of up to 25% for club members.

Other benefits of classic car insurance through Lancaster can include:

• Historic rally cover
• Static show cover
• Limited mileage discounts
• Choice of repairer
• 24-hour claims helpline

Give your classic the protection it deserves and get a quote for your classic today.