Corgi Toys @ 60: A Loader and a Ramp

Here's a model you could really play with. Fold down the massive rear ramp and attach the winch to stones or whatever was lying around the floor and attempt to wind it in. Slap up the ramp closed and set off. Unfortunately, there was nothing else available in the range with which to unload at your destination but if you'd chosen a car then it could be rolled or pushed off.

This would last through to 1963 when the Bedford TK style cab would replace it. The 1100 Bedford Carrimore Low Loader model did not have suspension and the only variations I am aware of are the yellow and red cab colours, mid or dark blue (both metallic) shades for the carrier section and late editions will have shaped wheels in place of the flat ones. QDT have an example with a red handle on the winch but I am not so sure that wasn't just a one-off oddity.

I wonder what colour cab it had. Either would seem appropriate. This is a new combination for me and I hope to have this particular one in a while. It looks like a late model

The other item released in April 1958 was the Corgi Service Ramp.

This is almost identical, apart from colour, to the Mettoys 'Castoys' service ramp produced in 1950 and is one of two models that were continued into the Corgi era. (The other was the Karrier Bantam truck). Now quite hard to find - indeed, I am looking for one myself at the time of writing - in fully functioning condition, this is a splendid piece of engineering that might have been a great addition to any garage display.

It even has holes so that you can fix it to a surface to prevent movement as you pull the lever to raise whatever you have driven on to the ramp.

To the best of my knowledge these Corgi ramps were always silver on a blue base.

Here is the best picture I can find of the original Mettoy product.

The Mettoy Company's New Miniature Numbers

Following my figuring out what the model cast, featured in my first Wilford Collection post, was for I found what looked like a dilapidated example of the 502 Standard Vanguard model itself.

Now, this is about 66 or 67 years old so I was prepared for a bit of a wreck but, apart from losing virtually all its paint, this is still working very well indeed. I had been intrigued by the catalogue listing that said it had steering and a brake. That's more than you'd get, even from a Mechanical model from Corgi, for many more years.

Although not obvious from this photo, or even at first glance on the desk, the inside of the car is chock full of mechanisms. 

I haven't got an original key but the clockwork motor can be wound up and off the model goes. At the front, the 'fog light' can be moved towards the left or right which, in turn, changes the angles of the wheels. This is remarkably accurate - not the axle rotating about a central point like Dinky did for years and which never looked right, but a form of parallel steering which worked wonderfully well and looked right too. Amazing.

At the back is a lever which can stop the motor operation. Again, a very precise bit of engineering indeed, controlling a simple ratchet device.

There is no brand or text of any description on the base so this may well be something that we could easily have missed when rummaging through boxes of other people's toys.

The dark grey colour is actually quite suitable for this early 1950s model but the remaining bits of beige paint spoil its appearance a bit. I may give it a coat of something close to its original colour, if I can find out what that was, that is. I am guessing a sort of sandy beige colour like the small bits remaining but I'll have to find some more and see whether there were other colours. Here is one that I found while drafting this so light grey is one option.

There is also a Rolls Royce currently for sale in a similar colour.

The Wilford Collection Pt1

I am delighted to report that I now have many of the interesting items from the desk or drawers of Mr Percy Wilford, Senior Model Maker in the 1950s and 1960s at Corgi in Northampton and his son Robert, Senior Development Engineer in the 1970s.

The items cover a vast range, from the fascinating and probably unique to some probably common late items. Rather than attempt to catalogue everything in one go I have decided to release details over the next few weeks, one group at a time.

I shall start with the oldest item which really has to have a group of its own.

This is a master model, in what I think is brass, of one of the forerunners of Corgis. A range of New Miniature Numbers was introduced by The Mettoy Company in 1950 with a Standard Vanguard and Rolls Royce, each in two sizes. This appears to be the model for 502, the smaller Standard Vanguard.

It is 70mm long, heavy and attached to the simply varnished wood block by a bolt.

 The New Miniature Numbers disappeared from the Mettoy Catalogue in 1954. This must be a unique and quite special item in Mettoy / Corgi history.

I have just acquired one of the original 502 Standard Vanguard models. It is in very poor condition but I hope to be able to clean it a little and will include photos here as soon as it is available.

Although this chunk of metal has polished to a lovely bright silver (with a golden radiator grill) and is not as golden brown as those shown in this illustration from The Great Book of Corgi, the style is very similar - see how the wheel areas are represented.

The album, containing higher resolution images, for this item can be viewed at this link.