Lots of new models appeared in September 2024, after a quiet August.
First is the Simon Snorkel Fire Engine, a Corgi Major issue #1127. This was a remarkable model that stayed in the dealers' lists through to 1976, pretty much unchanged. The 1964 issue came in a thick card box with a lid, later replaced by a window box with shaped polystyrene holding the model inside. There were many, many sold and good models are easy to find today. The only early variations were the metal pipes which could be silver or gold. Later the wheels would be updated to the detailed commercial vehicle type.
Next is the first of two Public Address Land Rovers. This is the green one with red interior and 'Vote for Corgi' on the sides. In the back is a politician, fixed on a rotating base, with a microphone and there is a free-standing girl handing out leaflets. Amusingly, the politician gets changed for a clown in 1965 and the girl becomes a chimpanzee for the Chipperfields Circus version.
A nice variation can be found with a yellow interior and this can be found both with and without a tin hook at the back.
The next issue was quite a surprise and it's one that I missed as a child. I remember one of my first searches when starting to rebuild my collection in 2012 was for a blue Mercedes-Benz 220SE, using catalogue number #230. Only then did I realise that this edition was quite different. The obvious change is the lack of steering. That was such a shame as Corgi's steering was something I really liked but I have to assume that the intricate production necessary for the steering mechanism was making #230 an insufficiently profitable model. It is also possible that Mercedes-Benz had been in touch to tell them that they had the boot shape wrong as that gets revised.
In place of steering, we get two cases in the boot, one of the opening ones and one small flat case. The spare wheel is retained.
There is an interesting variation with either yellow or cream interior in the blue model.
The red model is a quite delightful metallic cerise and quite distinct from the flat colour of the previous model. This seems always to have the yellow interior but I guess it would be entirely feasible for some to have had cream - I just haven't seen or heard of any to date.
Whereas the #230 models can be found with window units that do and don't incorporate a centre pillar at the side, the #253 models do seem all to have this feature.
All the Mercedes-Benz 220SE models have small shaped wheels.
A lovely model that I didn't miss and was very pleased to own and play with was the E Type Jaguar, #312. This came in liquid pale gold. There are shades of more silver colour too. This was #307 given an extended life with the new finish, a driver, racing stripe and wire wheels. It was only the third model to get these nice wheels (following the Buick Riviera and Chevrolet Sting Ray).
I have heard of variations with some bases having one rivet whereas all I have ever seen have had two. I need more information about this as a variation.
The fifth new issue this month 60 years ago was the first Minivan from Corgi. This was nicely presented in a box containing a tray with illustration and with a police dog-handler and police dog on a lead.
A few models were issued with a tray that did not have an illustration attached and the surface uncoloured.
There are many variations. Whilst all the early editions will have shaped wheels, later models get cast wheels. The base can have either AUSTIN MINI - VAN, AUSTIN MINI VAN or AUSTIN MINI COUNTRYMAN. Whereas the later plain van can be found with different treatment of the grille, this Police edition seems always to have the simple and unpainted grille.
The interior window unit is slightly different to that fitted to the plain van which is issued a few months later and you may find these get interchanged, the police one having cross-hatching on the inside panel and the van doesn't have that section at all.
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