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COLLECTING 007 – UK James Bond CORGI Toys
Part one – 1965-1989
WRITTEN & COMPILED BY KEVIN HARPER

COLLECTING 007 – UK James Bond Corgi Toys 1965-1983

Since the debut of their iconic Aston Martin DB5 in October 1965, CORGI Toys have been tied-in to the James Bond film series with the release of highly detailed die-cast scale models of vehicles seen in those films starring Sean Connery, George Lazenby and Roger Moore as 007. These much-loved toys have since become collectors’ items and command high prices at auction if accompanied by their original packaging. Even CORGI's annual catalogue detailing their forthcoming releases became a treasured item in every schoolboy’s satchel. Endlessly pored over in the school playground; these colourful marketing brochures featured stylish artwork, and later photographs, displaying the toys in dynamic situations. The catalogues showcased CORGI's full range of products and new releases, many of which made their way onto a child's Christmas wish-list.

Launched in the UK in 1956, CORGI Toys (a trademark of Mettoy Playcraft Ltd) were later pioneers in the production of some of the most detailed scale models of iconic TV and film vehicles, including Roger Moore's Volvo P1800 from The Saint, John Steed's vintage Bentley and Emma Peel's Lotus Elan from The Avengers, the Batmobile, and Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, in addition to their James Bond range. Most of the highly-detailed die-cast models were devised by French toy designer Marcel van Cleemput (1926-2013) whose clever innovations made CORGI's models stand out from their competitors. His award-winning designs kept the company profitable for three decades, until the eventual demise of Mettoy in 1983.

Corgi poster

Listed below are all the toys first issued by CORGI to tie-in with the release of the James Bond films from 1965-1983. Most of the original models were also issued in a smaller less-detailed version.

Click on a title to see more detailed images and specifications of the CORGI Toys that proved 007 collectibles weren't just for adults!

Aston Martin DB5 (1965) Corgi 261

Toyota 2000GT (1967) Corgi 336

Aston Martin DB5 (1965)
CORGI 261

Toyota 2000GT (1967)
CORGI 336

‘New’ Aston Martin DB5 (1968)

Aston Martin DB6 (1970) Corgi Junior 1001

‘New’ Aston Martin DB5 (1968)
CORGI 270

Aston Martin DB6 (1970)
CORGI Junior 1001
[also Husky Extra 1401 (1966) & CORGI E40 (1979)]

James Bond Bobsleigh/S.P.E.C.T.R.E. Bobsleigh (1970) Corgi Juniors 1011-1012

Mercury Cougar (1970) Corgi D924

James Bond Bobsleigh/S.P.E.C.T.R.E. Bobsleigh (1970)
CORGI Juniors 1011 - 1012 (series also included CORGI 1010)

Mercury Cougar (1970)
CORGI D924 (part of CORGI Rockets range D923-925 & D928)

Moon Buggy (1972) Corgi 811

Ford Mustang Mach 1 (1972) Corgi 391

Moon Buggy (1972)
CORGI 811

Ford Mustang Mach 1 (1972)
CORGI 391

Lotus Esprit S1 (1977) Corgi 269

Stromberg Helicopter (1978) Corgi 926

Lotus Esprit S1 (1977)
CORGI 269 & CORGI E60

Stromberg Helicopter (1978)
CORGI 926 & CORGI E3

Aston Martin DB5 (1978) Corgi 271

Space Shuttle (1979) Corgi 649

Aston Martin DB5 (1978)
CORGI 271

Space Shuttle (1979)
CORGI 649 & CORGI E41

Drax Jet Ranger (1979) Corgi 930

Citroën 2CV (1981) Corgi 272

Drax Jet Ranger (1979)
CORGI 930 & CORGI E73

Citroën 2CV (1981)
CORGI 272 & CORGI E115

Octopussy Gift Set (1983) Corgi E3019

Corgi Gift Sets (1966-1981)

Octopussy Gift Set (1983)
CORGI E3019

CORGI Gift Sets (1966-1981)

A management buy-out re-formed the company as CORGI Toys Limited in March 1984, who in 1989 sold the CORGI brand to American Toy manufacturer Mattel. The company was re-launched as CORGI Classics Limited in 1995 and has produced new versions of its iconic James Bond models, adding further to the range with replicas of most of the cars seen in the entire 007 series. These models were now aimed squarely at the collectors’ market, rather than toys to be played with by children. 2006 saw CORGI release a new version of the classic Aston Martin DB5 as seen in Casino Royale, alongside a new model DBS. In May 2008, CORGI Classics was bought by the international models and collectibles group Hornby, who continued to release new models to tie-in with the popular series of James Bond films starring Daniel Craig. The legacy continues with the 25th James Bond film No Time To Die (2021) which sees the return of the Aston Martin DB5 and V8 Vantage models, allowing CORGI to once again issue new editions of their classic die-cast collectibles.

COLLECTING 007 – UK James Bond CORGI Toys
Part two – Special Editions & Prototypes 1993 to date

Goldfinger 30th Anniversary Aston Martin DB5

Corgi Classics  ‘James Bond Collection’ (1997)

Goldfinger 30th Anniversary Aston Martin DB5 (1993)

CORGI Classics ‘James Bond Collection’ (1997)

Corgi ‘The Definitive Bond Collection’ (2000-2001)

Corgi ‘The Ultimate Bond Collection’ (2002)

CORGI ‘The Definitive Bond Collection’ (2000-2001)

CORGI ‘The Ultimate Bond Collection’ (2002)

Die Another Day Aston Martin Vanquish DVD concept

Corgi ‘The Directors Cut Collection’ (2003)

Unreleased Die Another Day - Car in Ice DVD concept (2003)

CORGI ‘The Directors Cut Collection’ (2003)

Corgi & Bond 40th Anniversary Limited Editions (2005)

Corgi Aston Martin DB5 Casino Royale edition

CORGI & Bond 40th Anniversary Limited Editions (2005)

CORGI Aston Martin DB5 Casino Royale edition

CORGI ‘Era Sets’ (2007-2009)

CORGI Die-cast Vehicles (HORNBY era)

CORGI ‘Era Sets’ (2007-2009)

CORGI Die-cast Vehicles (HORNBY era)

Goldfinger & Thunderball 50th Anniversary editions

Current and future editions

Goldfinger & Thunderball 50th Anniversary editions

Current and future editions


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