Corgi Toys @ 60 : the Wickerwork Mini-Cooper and a Beast Carrier

 

November 1965 brought us the Beast Carrier in an individual box. Previously it had only been available in Gift set 33 with a Ford 5000 Tractor. It still has the four different calves inside on a card 'straw' base and a green plastic mesh above.

I am not aware of any variations to this model in its life from 1965 to a quite extraordinarily late 1972.

Also lasting quite a while in the catalogue will be the Mini-Cooper with deluxe wickerwork as it says on the box, with Morris Mini-Cooper on the base, this being essentially a way to give the #227 model a longer life.

It starts with the old type 1 casting and normal shaped wheels. Later the Type 2 mini casting is used and then cast wheels get added too. I seem to recall that I have had both transition models - type 1 with cast wheels and type 2 with shaped wheels - but I may need to check that before you go looking for a missing variation! It would seem unlikely that both exist but that did turn out to be the case with the #416 RAC Radio rescue Land Rover with the headboard and wheel types, so who knows what was possible?

The 'Wickerwork' comprises plastic panels which were quite easy to remove without damaging the black paintwork. So you may well encounter many black Mini-Coopers with red roofs! 

The later models are often used to make reproductions of the Pop Art Mini as they have the right casting, jewels, interior, wheels and base.

The film Shot In The Dark was released in the UK in 1965 and starred Peter Sellers and this gave much publicity to the stylish (for those times) Mini - something upon which Corgi were particularly good at cashing in.

Corgi Model Club update

 

To bring you up-to-date with the Corgi Model Club issues, I have just received the Oldsmobile Super 88 #235. This is a super version, very well reproduced and, whilst I notice that some people have been unsure about the colour, I find it pretty much identical to my original.

As always with the Club issues, the detail is far more accurate than Corgi could have achieved in the 1960s. I think someone does need to have a word with the Chinese, though, about the wheels which have never looked quite right on all the 'shaped wheel' models. You'd think that getting the profile right would have been relatively easy compared to all the bits that they have matched perfectly.

I have always been a fan of this very simple model that has no special features but was great to play with and reliable in that it didn't have anything to go wrong. I only had the metallic silver-blue model myself and was delighted to find this colour many decades later! 

Last month we had another use of the Impala casting, this time in Police Patrol finish. Again, it is a lovely version and just like my original.

The second edition Impalas have also been a favourite of mine and I am always on the look-out for the saloon and taxi editions with cast wheels, considerably scarcer than the shaped wheels which are themselves not that easy to find as production of the originals was very short. The Police and Fire editions, however, did last rather longer and in those cases it is the shaped wheel editions that are less common.

Two months ago saw the arrival of another use of the Mini casting. 

The RAC International Rally edition #333 is reproduced in its later 'Morris' badged form with cast wheels. The axle ends are a little big, I feel. As always, the detail is super but those plastic 'jewels' are simply not 'jewels' and let things down a bit.

We get a fortunately peelable label across the ends of a 225 Austin Seven box, reflecting well what was on the shelves at the time of the original issue.

Another favourite - there are so many interesting variations of the Mini-Cooper (never mind the Minis generally!) - so this group has been nice to receive and briefly review.

I wrote about the previous issue - the #276 Oldsmobile Toronado some time ago. The next models due to come our way are as follows:

• #224 Bentley Continental in black over silver
• #803 Yellow Submarine (red hatch edition)
• #436 Citroen Safari ID19
• #266 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
• #406 Land Rover in yellow with black cab roof
• #492 VW European Police Car (Dutch export edition in white)
• #107 Bat Boat & Trailer (incl. connector piece)
• #334 BMC Mini-Cooper Manifique in green

I detect a considerable amount of influence on production by those fans of TV/Film-related issues! I guess that's also where the profits are with a wider audience than just those of us happy with fairly 'normal' vehicles. This particular group has no really new issues other than the Yellow Submarine, Chitty Chitty and the Bat Boat which must have meant a good saving on production costs, especially with the Bentley, Citroen, VW and Mini which required merely some fresh paint and a decal or two.

These also follow, as I am sure you will have noticed, three models that are re-workings of a previous release in each case.

I continue to receive these models but only now keep one or two of particular interest. I have several of the releases over the last few months available should anyone wish to have these at not a great deal more than cost price, including some matt black Batmobiles which will be more expensive although not as much as some seem to go for on Ebay at the moment.

More new old Corgis

You may remember the issue of a reproduction 474 Ford Thames Ice Cream Van (the one with musical chimes) way back in January 2020. My article is here if you have forgotten.

The COVID-19 virus interrupted production in China and we had been hoping that what appeared to be a well-intentioned project would get going again. Earlier this year promotions started to appear once more in magazines and the original web site offered the Ice Cream Van once more. There would appear to have been very many more of these issued than first time round - tens of thousands rather than a mere 1000 or so, according to some estimates I have read. The firm managing the project do seem to have got things moving again. They have a strict 'one model per household' rule and so I was unable to get hold of another Ice Cream Van but other people are reporting that the model itself appears identical but with a different box and different paperwork coming with it. In particular, the Certificate now specifies a number and has a different design to the first issue.

Bearing in mind that no payment was required for the first model (if one ordered the next issue) and, even if someone did pay for it the price was a mere £1.99, I think we were all surprised to see these selling for £100 or more back in early 2020 but put it down to life in an Ebay world. I have to say now that £100 may have been a bargain if the buyer also received the bits and pieces as well, as there will not be many of those around.

Finally, rather later than some of my colleagues, I have received the second model in the series, the 339 BMC Mini-Cooper S 1967 Monte Carlo Winner. There were two versions, the early one had shaped wheels but this is the later issue with cast wheels.

That's the original. Below is the Chinese reproduction.

It's very good, with a very well-matched paint. I understand that the people doing this consulted Corgi for things like the colour reference to ensure that was right. (I am intrigued that there were records to consult and do wonder what else might be in the archives that Hornby acquired, but that's another story!)

The first thing that strikes me and one or two colleagues is the 'soft', almost plastic look to the jewelled lights. Whilst getting the headlamps white and fog lamps yellow as in the issued model, the inserts used seem a little cheap.

The RN177 decal is pleasantly 'yellowed' and not bright white as all the reproduction transfers seem to be but, unlike most of them, it does have the right font. The spacing and size of the digits isn't quite right but that is a minor criticism.

The most annoying fault for me is the rear number plate which has an odd spacing for the characters and looks significantly less deep than the original. The Rally stickers are also small, as you can see from comparison with the original below.

The roof rack is a splendid copy, as are the spare wheels and pins attaching them.

It's nice to see the base reproduced nicely, with the original style of text and layout retained but, of course, featuring Made in China now.

The box is very similar on four of its six sides. The original had different illustrations on opposite sides but this has the same scene printed twice. Otherwise only minor text differences are made and the obvious difference is the side that displays all the production and legal stuff. Luckily, that can sit at the bottom when the box is displayed in a cabinet.

The card itself is the right weight but the printing process used and/or card coating create a very shiny finish which is not particularly pleasant. I also found the changed design of the flaps on the ends very annoying, making them extremely difficult to open without causing a tear. Perhaps this prevents accidental opening and damage en route but I do think they should have taken a chance and left the flaps as they were. This is a most frustrating design and I now leave one flap permanently open to avoid more trouble.

Overall, this is an excellent reproduction and I admire the effort that seems to have been put in to this project and the prinicpals involved do seem to care about getting things right. I believe they have experience from Atlas and their excellent Dinky reproductions and the whole thing has a very similar feel to it, with the planned future issues, lots of goodies issued at the start and options to stop any time. I shall be continuing with this and wish them well.

Next, I believe, is The Saint's Volvo P1800. I hope they use better jewels this time but cannot imagine there is much else to go wrong there.

The Wilford Collection Pt 4: Minis

As I have spent most of the last two weeks studying Minis and creating ever-lengthening lists of what collectors may wish to search for, it seems appropriate to take a break from the gold and probably very expensive items and look at some of the more 'normal' models that I have available from the office drawers of the two Mr Wilfords.

Included in this post are five Rally Mini Coopers from the 1964-66 period and a reproduction of the Wilford family Mini from 1972.

The Mini Coopers all have a little extra detailing in silver and all but the Sun Rally 333 models have what seem to be unique Monte Carlo decals, being noticeably smaller than those on the issued models. Apart from the extra detailing, the Sun Rally models do look like those that were issued.

It is a little sad, perhaps that a Whizzwheels edition of the Morris Mini Minor was used! The old shaped wheels were a far better likeness to the real thing. Below is a 1966 advert for the Morris. The model is otherwise really very good!

This is a charming little item, with all the little details presumably added by Mr Wilford who then mounted the car using a simple bolt through a varnished wood base. 

The unique Rally Minis should fetch a good premium over and above the price one would expect to pay for the normal models and the company connection should add some value to the two 333s too which are themselves identifiable with the extra detailing.

The Wilford family Mini is just a delightful item to have and if you must have a Whizzwheels Corgi Mini then I guess this will be as good as any! So Mini collectors, get in touch and reserve any that you might like. These are being made available only here and on my main site at the moment to give our regular visitors and colleagues the first chances of acquiring them.

249 Morris Mini Cooper 'Wickerwork'

Just three of these to find. During the production run cast wheels were introduced and then shortly afterwards, a change of casting was made.

I have read of editions being issued with no red roof but, at this stage, I am not sure that these may not just be mistakes or samples so do not list them.

For an explanation of the different types, please see my article titled Minis - the different types in September 2017.

Mini Coopers

It was a long time ago that I first tried to list the different Mini Coopers. My first article was mainly written to help my own searches but I gather that quite a few people found it useful. It was, though, pretty basic now I look again and some of the photos that should have appeared have moved location and the links to them no longer work. Now I have my own for most of them and I have discovered lots of new variations so I think it is time to have another go at this. I should also express gratitude to Mr Lee Harris for his expert corrections and explanations of my first draft.

May 1962
227 Morris Mini Cooper

There were three main colours: blue and two shades of primrose. All had white roofs but all colours appear with and without white bonnets. 

The blue cars could have a red or lemon interior. For the primrose cars it was always red.

Wheels were always shaped but could be fixed or free-spinning.

Racing numbers 1, 3, and 7 and each can be found in thick or  a noticeably thinner typeface.

February 1964

317 BMC Mini Cooper S

1964 Monte Carlo Edition

The first red and white Cooper, easily identifiable by the spotlight on the roof. Like 227 in many respects, with just the two headlamp jewels.

Listed in the catalogues and boxed as a BMC Mini Cooper S but looking pretty much the same as a 227 to me and with Morris Mini Cooper on the base!

Mercifully simple, there are no known variations of this one. The wheels are shaped, rarely fixed or, more usually, free-spinning and it is RN 37.

February 1965

321 BMC Mini Cooper S

1965 Monte Carlo Edition

A new cast for this one, with two fog lamps built in above the radiator grille.

This does have BMC Mini Cooper S on the base. Three fog lamp jewels and this is the first with a sump guard fitted below the front bumper. No variations for this one either - they all had shaped, free-spinning wheels and RN 52.

November 1965

249 Mini Cooper Deluxe

With the same base as the 321s but reading Morris Mini-Cooper comes one of only a few black cars from Corgi.

You'll find this with a red roof and plastic panels on the sides and boot to resemble the 'Wickerwork' that was used to decorate a few real Minis (for the price of a small house at the time). It has no fog lamps, just the two jewelled headlamps.

There are two variations - one with normal, shaped wheels and one with cast, spoke effect wheels. All have yellow interiors

January 1966

321 BMC Mini Cooper S

1966 Monte Carlo Edition

Back to the earlier cast for the second 321 model which came out less than a year later. Another very easy to identify as it has ridiculously big signatures on the roof. No fog lamps in the cast.

Two fog lamp jewels and shaped, free-spinning wheels. This also has the sump guard and all models have RN 2. BMC Mini Cooper S on the base.

February 1967

333 BMC Mini Cooper S

International Sun Rally Edition

Similar to the 317 and second 321 models but this one has four fog lamp jewels in the grille. There are three main variations!

Austin badge and grille, shaped wheels

The Austin is the earlier of the two and has the comparatively small headlamp jewels. Re-tooling produced a 'chubbier' cast for the Mini which was used for later editions. That had a Morris badge and grille and slightly bigger headlamps. The Morris only has cast wheels.

Austin and Morris versions each issued with cast wheels

RN 21 on the doors, sump guard and four jewel fog lamps in the grille on all models. The Austin grille and normal shaped wheels are the most common type (although these are still pretty scarce).

The base has BMC Mini Cooper S.

March 1967

339 BMC Mini Cooper S

1967 Monte Carlo Edition

Very shortly after the 333 comes another Monte Carlo edition. This is nicely obvious with its oversized roof rack. Again, this comes in several flavours.

Austin badge and grille

Morris badge and grille

Each of the 'Austin' and 'Morris' cars can be found with cast spoke effect wheels. The 'Austin' can be found with normal shaped wheels too.

All these have RN 177, four fog lamps and sump guard as for 333. I have seen both yellow and white jewels used for the headlamps and the fog lamps although I am fairly certain that all the earliest ones were yellow. With the re-tooling mentioned above going on at the time, the Austin, with smaller headlamps will be seen as for the 333 model. However, with the availability and comparative ease of fitting replacements this is not always easy to distinguish now.

Each model can also be found with either paper Monte Carlo stickers or with these as transfers.

Summer 1967

349 Morris Mini Minor 

'Pop Art' Edition

Only available to order by post from a members' bulletin, this is not a Mini Cooper but, being vaguely red and with the two headlamp jewels you might just come across one that has lost its stickers and initially gets mixed up with the Coopers. OK, you would have to be really lucky to find one like that! But here it is anyway.

No variations or racing numbers.

December 1968

334 BMC Mini Cooper S 'Manifique'

This comes in two colours: metallic green and metallic blue. Everything opens and it has a sliding inner roof lining. No other variations.

March 1971

282 BMC Mini Cooper S

The first Whizzwheels Mini Cooper was really the preceding 334 re-issued with fewer opening bits and some different colours.

Just the one edition, I believe, with the 339 RN 177 added. they must have had some spare supplies of those.

January 1972

308 BMC Mini Cooper S

Monte Carlo Edition

The second Whizzwheels edition, just a 339 now with yellow paint.

Clearly, there were still RN 177 stickers lying around. This has the same four fog lamp jewels as 339 and also the roof rack and sump guard. This example has the Morris badge and grille. It did occur to me that there may be Austin variations out there but I am assured by Mr Harris that there will not be, this being the later, re-tooled edition which bore the Morris badge.

That's the end of line for Corgi's Mini Coopers in 1:43 scale as we know them.