Spare time

 

I have just acquired two Datsun 240Z models, the #394 edition that was available from 1972 and stayed around until 1977. The early issue had the open 8-spoke wheel which replaced the ugly types that had been fitted on Whizzwheels models previously. Only a few models got this wheel: the #284 Citroen SM, #316 Ford GT70, #329 and #391 Ford Mustang, #393 Mercedes 350SL and #396 the other Datsun 240Z. Each of these, except the Ford GT70, also gets the later closed 12-spoke chrome wheel. (Maybe the Ford GT70 does get them but I have yet to find an example).

It was only when I was taking these photos, however, that I realised there was another interesting difference. In the back there is a spare retained by some cross-shaped device.

In the earlier edition teh wheel is quite small and look solid plastic and the retaining piece appears quite flimsy.

In the later edition there is what looks like a treaded tyre, similar to what is on the model and this fills the retaining device which also seems a little sturdier (although that may just be how it seems).

The stickers were supplied on a separate sheet with the model so you will find these in a variety of places or, as in the case of the later edition here, not attached at all.

The interior of the later edition also looks slightly darker but that may be because it has been exposed more to light than the other one.

The wheel in the earlier edition looks suspiciously like what might have been a 'pepperpot' or 'four crowns' style of the old Whizzwheel placed face down. It makes me wonder whether the model was going to get the older style and the spare was never changed. As we know, Corgi never paid a great deal of attention to the spares. Witness the #202 Renault 16TS with Whizzwheels but a nice #260 style wheel as a spare and, of course, the Lamborgini and Ferrari Dino still have the intended 'Golden Hacks' wheel as a spare.

What I need to figure out is whether the change of spare happened at the same time as the change of wheel - in other words are there a possible four variations of this model or just two?

When I first found the Datsun many years ago, I remember noticing that one has a nice and bright metal fitting for the bumper and spotlights whereas another had what seemed to be black metal. Perhaps this was merely how the bright metal aged? Or are there two types of bumper fitting? Something I need to look into again.

It is, I suppose, equally likely that the #396 editions will also have a different spare and I'll try to obtain a pair to compare in the near future. These models tend to be pretty cheap still, although well-made and with jewels and opening doors and an attractive interior. It had a long life and even re-appeared in 1998 when a special edition made for a racing driver who raced in these and whose name escapes me. I was in correspondence with him at one point as he wanted to sell the whole of his stock of around 3000 which Corgi had made for him. They appear from time to time and are worth getting if you collect the  British-made 1:43 editions.

Deep Purple In Stock

After a long time searching, I've finally found a purple Toyota 2000GT #375 at a reasonable price. These are quite scarce and even the more easily found blue version isn't that common. Apart from the annoying wheels, these are very good-looking models and the paintwork glorious in these totally unrealistic but still delightful bright, mirror finishes.

This was only produced for a couple of years, the cast being initially made for the James Bond #336 model. In fact, it carried on being used for this for many years afterwards with lots of re-issues during the China days.

The purple and blue editions, though, are worth getting - nice, simple models with the pretty jewelled lights, unusually retained at the back too! Normally the addition of Whizzwheels meant that things like jewels were replaced with paint or blobs of plastic or just ignored completely.

Even something similar to the James Bond flag is retained, albeit now as a bizarre red aerial! They made a nice cream interior for the #375 model and, of course, you don't need to worry about the boot not closing.

When putting my catalogue together, I hadn't needed a 'Japanese' section because there was only the one model issued during the pre-Whizzwheels era and that was the James Bond version so I could list that under the Film & TV heading. There simply were not many Japanese cars on the road in the 1960s.

You might have seen an early Corolla in the later part of the decade but it was really the 1970s before you'd see more than one or two, when the Datsuns started to sell here. So for the Whizzwheels part I did need a Japanese section, not just for the Toyota but also for the lovely Datsun 240Z models.

As far as I can tell, there was never a Toyota 2000GT produced in convertible mode. They were manufactured as a sloping back model, similar in side view to the later Jaguar E Types. This one was produced for the film, though, and I expect one or two others were created by specialist collectors too.

Made in Japan

394 Datsun 240Z

375 Toyota 2000GT

336 James Bond's Toyota 2000GT

I had to split up my web site pages into smaller sections and decided to follow the Corgi catalogue practice of British, American and European models. It was only when the Whizzwheels ones were running off the page that I realised I had to put a Datsun 240Z somewhere and a Toyota 2000GT would be joining soon too.

As I had a TV / Film type category for the normal ones the one and only Japanese car was taken care of there.

Corgi made a brand new cast for the 240Z and this survived well. As well as the 'East African Safari' red version from 1972 to 1977 there is a nice white Rally model that saw three years on sale in the middle of that period.

The Toyota first appeared in the 1960s as the James Bond car with rockets firing from the boot. This cast gets quite a surprise return in 1970, sprayed in a delighful mirror-effect blue. The boot stays firmly shut but the jewels are still there and it is an attractive model. It is only around for a brief year and a bit from 1970 to 1972, though, and I have seen very few for sale. 

What does reappear, though, are two further uses of the cast for the Bond car in the 1980s, possibly the longest gap other than the DB5 #270 re-use in gold-plated 30th and 35th anniversary models.