#1001 CORGI – SURTEES T.S.9 F.1. and TS.9B-F1 (150 and 153) (1972)

It is very interesting that Corgi released two models of fairly similar formula ones with just a few months difference.

The first model is the Surtees T.S.9 F1, although for its shape, it looks more like the previous year’s T.S.7. In the 1971 season, the team did not very well with their main drivers John Surtees and Rolf Strommelen. Derek Bell, Sam Posey, Brian Redman and Gijs van Lennep started one race each, and Mike Heilwood, two.

The second model is the TS.9B, the direct evolution of the previous model. Maybe this came to Corgi as a surprise, and they quickly made a few changes in order to have the actual model of the season available for sale, and not the one from the previous season. Note that the base is very similar… and that some parts are also the same or almost identical.

The car was not very successful in the 1972 season, although the ex-motorcycle pilot Mike Hailwood achieved great results and finished the season in 8^th place. The other drivers of the team that year were Tim Schenken, Andrea de Adamich, and also John Surteets himself, who only ran one GP.

As Formula ones are, in general, small cars, the scale is 1:36, but the size is the same or equivalent to that of the “normal” 1:43 cars in the series. No matter what, they are great models to have in your collection if you like Corgi models, formula ones or cars in general in this scale.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: SURTEES T.S.9 F.1. and TS.9B-F1 (150 and 153)
• Scale: 1:36
• Year: 1972
• Company: Corgi (Great Britain)
• Size: Around 10 cm long

#863 CORGI CUBS - JEEP (Nr. 501) (1977)

The Corgi Cubs were cars in the classic 1:43 scale size made with very few details, plain colours and simple and robust construction (no windows, plastic base, durable axles…)

The construction also reveals that Corgi was trying to produce these models as cheaply as possible, and so, the way the axles are attached to the chassis is cheap and kind of new. In the base there is some indication about a patent that has been applied and many collectors think this patent may refer to the way that the axles are attached to the plastic base.

They are based in very generic designs that do not depict any known (real) model. There are many different types of vehicles: trucks, lorries, vans, cars, helicopters, sport cars, race cars, hatchbacks and also the Jeep (ATV) shown in this entry. After all, small children rarely interest themselves for the real cars their toys represent, they want to have different types at early ages. Later things change.

And because things change, adults collectors do not like this series. Being “fantasy” cars has made that most collector do not even consider these toys. They just focus on the other Corgi series.

The Cubs models are actually rare, they were only sold during +/- 2 years, and then they disappeared. Probably they didn’t sold very well, and they were withdrawn from the catalogue. Despite being rare, they can be bought for very little money.

I am happy with my Jeep, I don’t think I would buy any other model from the series.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: JEEP (Nr. 501)
• Scale: Around 1:43
• Year: 1977
• Company: Corgi Toys (United Kingdom)
• Size: 9.5 cm

#846 TOYS FROM THE PAST - MUSEUM (IX)

See more of these entries here: http://toysfromthepast.blogspot.com/search/label/TFTP

See you next month!

Important notice: The items on display are NOT for sale.

 

 

 

 

#843 TOYS FROM THE PAST - MUSEUM (VI)

See more of these entries here: http://toysfromthepast.blogspot.com/search/label/TFTP

See you next month!

Important notice: The items on display are NOT for sale.

#839 TOYS FROM THE PAST - MUSEUM (II)

See more of these entries here: http://toysfromthepast.blogspot.com/search/label/TFTP

See you next month!

Important notice: The items on display are NOT for sale.

#760 CORGI – LOTUS-CLIMAX FORMULA 1 and COOPER MASERATI F/1 (Nr. 155 and 156) (1964 and 1967)

Despite having consecutive numbers and looking very similar, these two formula ones are 3 years from each other. The Lotus Climax was released in 1964, and sold pretty well, probably because it was the car in which Jim Clark won the championships in 1963 with a clear superiority above all other competitors. Almost one million pieces were sold.

The second model, a Cooper Maserati, was released in 1967, but I cannot identify it among the cars that run that year or the previous one. The colour and decoration may point to the Rob Walker Racing Team, but I do not know who drove this car with RN7.

Both models were discontinued in 1969: the Lotus maybe after the death of Jim Clark in 1968. The reason why the Cooper was also discontinued after only two years is also unknown to me... despite being so short for sale, it was sold 726,000 times.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: LOTUS-CLIMAX FORMULA 1 RACING CAR and COOPER MASERATI F/1
• Scale: Around 1:43
• Year: 1964 and 1967
• Company: Corgi Toys (Great Britain)
• Size: approx. 7 cm

#730 CORGI – ADAMS DRAG-STAR (1972)

There are some Corgi models from the early years that I love for being quite accurate, or for representing rare models that were not made by other manufacturers, but in this case, I love this model for its weirdness.

To my knowledge it is not based on any known model. I have been looking for it thinking it is maybe an “Adams Bros” creation, but I couldn’t find it anywhere. The toy model is often refferred as Adams 4-engined “Drag-star”, although 4-engined is not casted on the base (but maybe on the box or in some promotional catalogue).

If it exists or not, however, is secondary, the design is amazing, no doubt about that, and the finishing by Corgi is also great. I love that red colour that fades into (the base-) orange, the small plastic figure inside the cabin/cockpit, the four lined-up motors that leave some space for the pilot to see between them, the usage of chromed and black parts, the great wheels (think and big behind, small at the front), and the action feature of that rear-bumper that can be triggered from the front. Is it really a bumper? What is the purpose of it? It is also not very important… as I said before, just looking at the car brings happiness to car-lovers and car-fanatics like me.

This model was first released in February 1972, being among the most popular that year. It came with whizzwheels.

I don’t know if you would agree with me, but during the 70s, there were tons of great concept cars and prototypes that caught great attention. This continued during the 80s, but then it disappeared in the 90s. Today there are more and more car manufacturers, but they do make these rare prototypes only in very rare occasions. I guess with the current automation in factories, it would be too costly to design only one unit of some avant-garde car for shows that is really fully-functional (including security aspects, durability and more). Today, they just show some concept art or 3D animations, but back then, you could really go somewhere and see the car yourself.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: ADAMS DRAG-STAR
• Scale: Approx. 1:43
• Year: 1972
• Company: Corgi Toys (Great Britain)
• Size: approx. 11 cm

#693 CORGI – LOTUS ELITE and VW POLO “POLIZEI” (1976 and 1979)

Here are two more Corgi models, the first one is the Lotus Elite, 315-C1 in red (1976 to 1979). This model was also available in yellow (301-C1, racing decoration), green (315-C2, “Wings Flying Club”), dark blue (382-B1) and black (GS 32-B3 Lotus Racing Set)

The second model is more interesting, since it is a VW Polo “Polizei”, 489-A1 in white/green (German Police) (1979 to 1980).

The Polo was also available in yellow “ADAC” (4894-A1, German road service), yellow “POST” (289-A2, German postal service), green (289-A1), grey (302-C1, Racing decoration), yellow “Swiss PTT” (no number, Swiss postal service), plus other variants that do not appear in Force (see #340)

The cast was later modified and sold as VW Turbo (312-C1, White or Beige with racing decoration)
What interest me about this Polo model is that is has a German Police decoration, and it is not the only model. I don’t know in which numbers they were sold, but it seems that the German market was very interesting also for Corgi (not only for Matchbox), and by the end of the 70s, Corgi also tried to gain some market share in Germany. No matter what, the Polo is a very curious and nice model, since I am not quite sure, if the German police ever used the 1970s Polo as a patrol car.

For more information about Corgi Toys models in 1:36 scale, please visit entries #99 and #563.

FACTS AND FIGURES:

• Name: LOTUS ELITE and VW POLO “POLIZEI”
• Scale: 1:36
• Year: 1976 and 1979
• Company: Corgi (Great Britain)
• Size: approx. 10 cm