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COLLECTING 007 – UK CORGI Toys
WRITTEN &
COMPILED BY KEVIN HARPER |
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For their next 007
toy, CORGI chose not to issue a scale model of either of the two Lotus
Esprit's seen in For Your Eyes Only (1981), and instead
released the Citroën 2CV belonging to Melina Havelock (Carole Bouquet)
but driven by James Bond (Roger Moore). Unusually the model did not
feature in the CORGI catalogue for 1981, although the Moonraker
Shuttle, Drax Jet Ranger, Lotus Esprit and Aston Martin were pictured
as part of Gift Set No.
22. Both versions of the toy (#272 & E115) are shown in the For
Your Eyes Only Exhibitors’ Campaign Book along with packaging, so
the model must have been prepared well in advance of its June 1981
release. The Campaign Book also shows the full colour 30" X 20"
landscape style double-crown
poster (pictured above) which was displayed in Boots The Chemists
stores in the UK as part of a promotion during the release of the
film. When originally issued, both sizes of the toy were packaged in a
hinged card box featuring colour photos from the film. Counter
dispensers holding 24 models were also supplied to stores. The larger
toy featured a spring loaded bonnet and open roof, whilst its smaller
companion had opening doors and a closed roof. The 2CV casing was
later reissued as catalogue #346 in a different colour. |
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CORGI
272 – Citroën 2CV (1981) |
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CORGI
E115 – Citroën 2CV (1981) |
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CORGI
1358 – Citroën 2CV Twin Pack (1982) |
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Collector's Note: The CORGI 2CV was issued
in two versions, a pale lemon and deeper orange-yellow finish. In order to
sell surplus stock CORGI issued the two models as a twin-pack in 1982. The
difference in colour is more noticeable when the two sets are seen
side-by-side. Both versions appear to have been issued simultaneously, and
were even in circulation when the smaller model was repackaged in the
Roger Moore art blister-pack (pictured above). |
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CORGI
E3019 – Octopussy Gift Set (1983) |
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CORGI's final original
James Bond toys were issued in the summer of 1983 to tie-in with the
release of Octopussy. The toys were only ever available in the Gift
Set E3019 and no larger scale versions were originally produced. The
Acrostar mini-jet has folding wings to fit inside the horsebox, but the
workmanship on this model is particularly crude when compared with CORGI's
other smaller scale toys.
Collector's Note: The
Range Rover convertible and horsebox models as issued differ in colour and
design from the prototype versions pictured in the 1983 CORGI Catalogue.
The Range Rover model was also produced with a chocolate-brown or
orange-brown finish, and with beige or white seats. |
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By 1983 Mettoy (and their
competitors) were finding it hard to stay afloat as video games took a
hold on the market. In an attempt to keep its products contemporary,
Mettoy even began production of their own Dragon computer, which was aimed
at younger users. The expense of this project eventually proved a drain on
the company's resources, and profits were seriously diminished. In October
1983, CORGI Toys were forced to call in the Official Receiver, just three
years after the demise of competitors Dinky Toys, and one year after
Lesney (who owned the Matchbox brand). Although the CORGI brand lived on,
there were no new James Bond related toys issued until the late 1990s, when CORGI
Classics Limited started to release legacy editions of their James Bond
models. |
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CORGI
94060 Aston Martin DB5 (1989-1991) |
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The Aston Martin DB5
model C271 was still available throughout the 1980s with the final version
manufactured in England released in 1989. Although not associated with any
particular James Bond film at the time, the model was clearly issued to
tie-in with the release of Licence To Kill and included a badge
with the red silhouette of 007 used on other promotional material for that
film. The model was reissued again in 1991 by which time CORGI brand was
now owned by Mattel. Both logos appear on the new packaging which now
included an alpine background on which to display the car. A still of the
Aston Martin DB5 from Goldfinger (1964) could be seen on the rear
of the packaging. |
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CORGI JAMES BOND GIFT SETS |
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