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JAMES BOND
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JAMES BOND
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Please note this article is not intended to be the definitive listing of all CORGI James Bond models. Some editions were made exclusively for the overseas market and therefore not generally available in the UK. Models illustrated are not to scale. |
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Following the demise of Mettoy in 1983, CORGI underwent a management buy-out which kept the company alive until the brand name was sold to the American toy manufacturer Mattel in 1989. In 1995 CORGI regained its independence as a new company now named CORGI Classics Limited with headquarters in Leicester, although the manufacture of its models now moved to China. The company reissued many of its classic legacy models in new packaging with the emphasis now on the collectible market, rather than as toys to be played with. Many James Bond models were re-released in different collections, including some vehicles never originally issued to tie-in with the respective films in which they appear. Some models were also released in alternate packaging for different markets, making a definitive listing of all variations virtually impossible to compile. Illustrated on this page are some of CORGI's later reissues, and special collections of selected models from 1993 to date. |
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To commemorate the 30th Anniversary of Goldfinger, CORGI issued a special gold-plated Limited Edition of the iconic Aston Martin DB5 introduced in that film, which subsequently became the multi-million selling toy originally released by the company in 1965. The gold-plated edition was actually released a year early and the model sold out before reaching stores. Limited to 7,500 units, the 1:36 scale model was supplied with a numbered certificate of authenticity and retained the pop-out machine guns and overriders, rear bullet-proof shield, and the famous ejector seat featured on the 1965 original. A similar gold-plated model was released in 1995 to celebrate the 35th Anniversary of Goldfinger (#04202), this time a production run of 6,900 units. Another gold-plated version followed (CC04307) in 2005 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of both CORGI and Goldfinger. For this release 12,000 1:36 scale pieces were produced for distribution worldwide. Despite their limited edition status both later releases are still widely available at modest cost on the collector's market. |
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To tie-in with the release of GoldenEye (1995) CORGI Classics reissued the 1:36 scale Aston Martin DB5 once again, although none of the working features are seen in Pierce Brosnan's debut film as 007. Xenia Onatopp's red Ferrari 355 was released alongside the DB5 but never reissued in any subsequent collection. |
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1995 also marked the 30th Anniversary of the release of CORGI's original multi-million selling original Aston Martin DB5. To commemorate the occasion CORGI produced a replica of the 1:43 scale 1968 C270 version with all the original working features not seen on any model since. The model was limited to 29,000 units worldwide with packaging similar to those editions on sale throughout the 1970s. |
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The model also came with a numbered certificate of authenticity and the ‘Secret Instructions’ and badge from the 1968 version, although the badge was now the 1978 Union Jack style 007 logo. The original retail price was £19.99. |
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A gold-plated edition was also released in 1995 this time limited to 19,500 units worldwide with an original retail price of £24.99. The 1995 issue included all the working features of the 1968 C270 edition and was again supplied with ‘Secret Instructions’, spare bandit figure, and mounted on a black plastic plinth housed inside a clear Perspex display case. |
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To tie-in with Pierce Brosnan's second James Bond outing Tomorrow Never Dies (1997), CORGI Classics re-released a silver Aston Martin DB5 as featured in the film. Although the car seen in Tomorrow Never Dies does not use any of the special features from earlier films, the new edition retained the pop-out machine guns and overriders, rear bullet-proof shield, and the ejector seat. A second limited edition of 1,000 units (#04303 not illustrated but in similar packaging) was later produced exclusively for the Collect '99 exhibition held at the Wembley Exhibition Centre in London. This version came with a numbered certificate of authenticity and had Collect '99 decals on the bonnet and doors. |
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This prototype (above) has had its roof sealed and been resprayed, the ejector seat mechanism and front machine gun mechanism have also been removed, the original grille has been replaced with a solid grille made of resin and painted gold, the bullet proof screen still works. |
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Also in 1997 CORGI Classics issued seven die-cast replicas of original James Bond toys; this time with a hand-painted metal figure of James Bond, or one of the villains associated with the respective film. This time the Aston Martin DB5 reverted back to the original 1965 gold livery, and the Citroën 2CV now had its roll-top roof painted black. |
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![Corgi Classics 65301 Citroën 2CV For Your Eyes Only (1981) & James Bond figure [Roger Moore]](collectibles/corgi/corgi_cc65301.jpg) |
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A new series of ten models appeared in 1999 at the smaller 1:64 scale (similar in size to the defunct CORGI Juniors range). These so-called ‘Authentic Replicas of Famous James Bond Vehicles’ were housed in attractive film-themed carded packaging, and came with a colour collector card featuring a scene from the film. The same series had been issued a year earlier under the Johnny Lighting brand in the USA with almost identical packaging (pictured below right). The US Johnny Lightning series was subsequently expanded with additional 1:64 scale models. The die-case metal body and chassis for this series of models were manufactured in China and licensed by CORGI for distribution under their own brand name, so technically not an original CORGI product. Curiously the name of the vehicle is not mentioned on any of the packaging for the Johnny Lightning or CORGI editions, and an identical Aston Martin DB5 (with etched ejector seat roof opening) appears twice in the series representing both Thunderball and GoldenEye. The Lotus Esprit from The Spy Who Loved Me in this series is the land-based version instead of the underwater submarine edition previously released as a CORGI Junior in 1978. |
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In 2000/2001 CORGI issued 17 1:36 scale models as part of ‘The Definitive Bond Collection’ series all housed in film poster themed packaging. Several of the models were working replicas of the original 1960s and 1970s editions, whilst other were making their debut in the collection. CORGI also issued two ‘3 for 2’ boxed sets; a BMW Z8 and Diorama special edition limited to 5,900 units, and in 2002 released a 4-car metal film canister set with miniature clapperboard limited to 12,900 units.
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Made from metal and resin and plated gold - the interior and tyres have been painted matt black over the gold plating, maybe made for promotional purposes. |
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A very nice resin model made in two parts and well-detailed even down to the Lotus badge. |
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| Detailed resin model plated gold, maybe made for promotional purposes. | ||||
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Almost solid resin with nicely detailed interior, no working mechanisms. |
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Made from resin, no working mechanisms, headlamps and number plate are made from paper and glued on. |
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