Corgi Toys @ 60 : a new tractor, replacement ambulance and a mail-order Transporter Set

 

It's July 1966 and, at last, we get a new Massey Ferguson 165 tractor to replace the 65 that first appeared in 1959. This is a fine-looking model, no. 66, with a device mounted in the front axle housing which creates a noise when pushed along. This does mean that you won't win many races with this model but then, a tractor, I don't suppose you would have tried.

This tractor has a nice solid exhaust pipe, although the thinner top piece is still a bit vulnerable. I am not aware of any variations of this.

Also issued in July 1966 was the revised version of the Superior Ambulance on a Cadillac chassis. As with the Commer Police van, the method of making a light flash was not working well and Corgi made a new insert which carried a bulb that should flash on its own when switched on.

The colour scheme was completely changed but the model number remained the same at 437. The decals and window treatment also get changed.

Whilst there were two main variations in the colour and style of the plastic repeater lights in the first issue, I believe there are just the clear type with angled ends on this model.

Lastly July 1966 saw the introduction of a new Car Transporter with a load of six cars. Initially this was only available as something you could order by mail or abroad as it was the export edition and numbered Gift Set 41.

The contents were almost always as shown below:

There will have been changes, however, over the years although the line-up of three Minis, Ford Cortina, Hillman Imp and Rover 2000 seems consistent for this Gift Set 41.

The cab is the Ford H series and this is very detailed, first seen with the Express Service truck in September. The Transporter on its own was available as 1138 Corgi Major from April 1966.

Unless you have the box and packing for mail order and some other evidence, it is now not possible to tell what was originally issued from what may have been re-made as a set at some later date, with Gift Set 48 being the number allocated to the home release to come at the end of the year.

Unlike the Express Service model, I am not aware of any 1138 Car Transporters getting the large shaped wheels, all that I have seen having the detailed large cast variety. Of course, someone may swap the cab and I have seen some trailers being pulled by a dark metallic blue cab, although that also had detailed cast wheels.