Metallic blue and metallic green

In a chat a couple of days ago a collector was interested in the metallic green and metallic blue colours that Corgi had used and reckoned that several models had the same colour. I have also wondered about this and thought the best thing to do would be to get out as many as I had lying around and take a closer look.

Let's start with the mid metallic green, first seen on the MGA, Rover 90 and Citroën, with the second issue of the Austin Cambridge possibly getting it as its second colour in the two-tone edition.

Whilst the MGA and Rover 90 are very much alike, the Citroën is a bit lighter and the Austin seems to have more blue in the mix. They are certainly all pretty close but I would say that only two have the same paint. Those two being produced at the same time encourages this view too. 

There are not many in the lighter metallic green shade. One I do not have to hand is the two-tone Ford Consul which has a similar shade as part of its finish. Of the others then the Renault and TR3 are so close I am inclined to say they're the same. Both the colours of the Thames and Bentley look very much the same too but, in my opinion, differ slightly from the others. The Minivan is an outsider here, being quite different.

Now for the blues.

I'll start with the light blue finishes and the Rover and Jaguar are close but not the same. The Buick is also different with a touch more green. The other Jaguar is out on its own with nothing like it!

Amongst the darker shades of metallic blue I had expected to see some matches but no two appear the same.

In the last group of mid metallic blue shades it is the same story. When you put one next to the other, no two match here either.

Now I do know that there are also many shades within the production period for some models, especially the Ghia, Jaguar 2.4 and Rolls-Royce in this group and for the Oldsmobile and Hillman Imp in the other group. In the light green section the Bentley and Thames each have quite broad shade ranges (especially in the pale colour). So it is quite possible that, had I used some other models, we might have found more matches or more differences. I am inclined, therefore to conclude that, apart from a few models where production took place at the same time, for the vast majority of Corgis issued, no particular policy of using the same colours applied. Particularly where the different production periods are separated by several years then any match would seem accidental if, indeed, there has been any. Paint of different quality and composition will age differently too so, with some of these that I have illustrated being more than 60 years old it is difficult to be certain about anything!

With the new Corgi Model Club issues, we get to see the design sheets which specify the colours they want the Chinese factory to use. I was going to say that that might give us a guide as and when they produce some items which might be in the same colour but, unless the Club had access to records which specified the original colour then they may well just be working from an old model themselves. So that might not be of any help either.

If anyone does know all about Corgi paint suppliers or specifications for old models then do get in touch. In the meantime if you have any other matches, tell us about them.

The Metallic Green Club

382 Porsche 911S Targa

Some very attractive Corgi models have been produced in metallic green. Here are all the cars that I have at present and if I find any more I shall add them. Starting with the Porsche 911, a very realistic model and, apart from an odd casting join line on the rear wing, this is excellent. Strangely, it was a strange police version that came out first in 1970, the normal sports car appearing in 1971.

316 Ford GT 70

The Ford GT70 also came out in 1971 but had a much shorter lifespan, being withdrawn in 1973. This has the better eight spoke wheels and nice jewelled lights at the back. The Porsche has jewelled headlights and both have that air of good tradition about them and sit happily next to the pre-Whizzwheel cars.

329 Ford Mustang Rally

Much later, in 1973, came this lovely Mustang Mach1. It had been around the previous year in red as a Bond car from Diamonds Are Forever but I reckon this is by far the more attractive model. It has an even later set of wheels - the Bond version can be found with both this type and the eight spoke but, thankfully, not the old ugly ones.

284 Citroen SM

I have written separately about France's contribution to the metallic green set with the wonderful and very collectible Citroen SM. This was around from 1970 to 1976 but is still very hard to find in good condition and the mauve version is the rarer.

222 Renault Floride

France's previous entry to this club would be the Renault Floride - all the colours used for that model actually look great.

334 BMC Mini Manifique

The British have two cars that can be included: the later Mini in a very similar shade to the Porsche 911 and the second Rover 2000 in a bit of a dull shade of green.

275 Rover 2000TC

Finally, another American - the Ghia L6.4. It looks rather dull in this photo. I must take some more as it is definitely 'greener' than it appears.

241 Ghia L6.4

And, I think, that completes the metallic green section. Unless, of course, I find something else. I have a suspicion there are some more out there!