This is the latest issue from the Corgi Model Club and their first Golden Jacks issue.
They have chosen the common metallic green edition with a tan interior, the one that most of us would remember, although I have a suspicion that we'll be seeing a white version next year.
The first thing I noticed when it arrived was how shiny and bright the wheels are. I really don't remember mine ever being that clean and bright but that may just be my memory. Now, of course, the cast material used on the originals has invariably turned dull and grey. Maybe collectors will be swapping these new wheels for their old ones!
The second thing you'll quickly notice is the continued use of plastic instead of glass for the 'jewelled' headlamps. Yes, they look neat and the colour's pretty accurate but they're no substitute for the original type and I can't imagine the cost would be dramatically more.
The spare wheel holder on the boot lid is excellent, with a satisfying click when you close it. I shall not be opening and closing mine often, though, as I expect it will be as vulnerable as the original to crack and break after a lot of use. That's entirely understandable, by the way, and not a criticism of the new issue.
Here you can compare the two. I only have one with the red interior but it is still, in all other respects, a fair comparison. At the front we have mentioned the headlamps. Otherwise it is very good, maybe with slightly fatter side lights and the new model has a better defined TC logo/
Other than the obviously brighter wheel material, there is no discernible difference in the side view.
At the rear too, everything looks great, even the design of the spare wheel cover device.
The paintwork on the new issue is more 'grainy' than the original and has a somewhat brighter green appearance.
I haven't checked but this may be the first re-issue with the later tyre design. This has been replicated really well and will be another useful spare that this model provides!
