Corgi Model Club: Hillman Hunter

Here's a lovely re-issue from the Corgi Model Club. It's the 302 model Hillman Hunter with kangaroo. The kangaroo alone almost makes this worth getting as reproductions are not great and cost around £15 or so. A reproduction window box is also quite expensive and, if you need a box then I would maintain that one that has one side bearing the 2024 details is just as good, although that text and data does obscure a large part of the map that is clear on an original. Add excellent wheels, a great set of transfers and a tray that can be swapped over and you're really getting a good deal with this one. The model itself is a superb match in practically all respects. The only criticism I can make is that they're still using some less attractive plastic 'jewels' and this is more noticeable as the model has six of them.

In the pack the car is well-protected on the tray by two pieces of foam plastic. The kangaroo and transfers are in plastic bags and the instruction leaflet is tucked away in the pocket below the car with the transfers.

The 'Golden Jack' wheels are excellent and, again, far better than the reproduction ones that I've seen.

I had not actually opened the toolbox on the roof on an original model, always concerned that the hinge would fracture! So it was nice to feel a nice click on shutting it and the silver tools inside are very attractive.

Like the original model, the car sits quite low and has little by way of suspension.

The steps at the rear seem a little bigger, or extend further, than I recall, but I don't have a model with which to compare so It may just be my memory not being very good.

I don't recall something else - the 'roo bar' has a lower piece that keeps it at a vertical angle. I seem to think that the originals were flimsier for a start and lacked that piece in their design. Again, I may be wrong. The re-issue one does seem to be more sturdy, however.

The box is the early variety with a number.

Here you can see the intrusion of the data on the map. I guess there's not much else you can do about that. All that nonsense has to go somewhere nowadays.

The transfers look perfect and could well be a valuable addition for anyone who has lost their originals as I'm sure it would be hard to tell the difference, other than these looking rather new and fresh.

All in all a remarkably good reproduction of the original. I can see the leaflet, tray, transfers and, of course, the kangaroo appearing with the 1969 model in many collections as those pieces are the ones that get damaged or go missing.