The reissued Black Beauty from 2001, originally released by
Corgi in 1967 until 1972.
Unsurprisingly, the new Corgi version is very similar to the
original, but does differ in a number of ways.
The first thing is there’s no figure of Kato at the wheel,
or The Green Hornet leaning out of the rear window. The newer model does come
with a separate out of scale figure of Kato, but unfortunately, no Green
Hornet. It’s a bit like doing a model of the Batmobile and including a Robin
figure but no Batman!
The reissue comes with two missiles and two radar scanners, pretty
much identical to the originals, which are launched in exactly the same way as
the 1967 version, by flicking the side switches.
The wheels are different, but with the reissue looking a
little more screen accurate.
The front lights differ. The original has clear green
plastic set in orange surrounds, while the reissue uses a turquoise plastic
with chrome surrounds.
The rear lights are a slightly different shade of red on the
reissue and the lower rocket covers are not painted.
The roof logo isn't as detailed, or as sharp as the original
decal.
The bases on both are similar, with the reissue retaining
the circular indentation used for the lever which turned the Green Hornet
figure ,however the original has the words, ‘The Green Hornet’s Black Beauty’,
while the reissue has, ‘ Green Hornet Inc.’ Both have an embossed Hornet,
although the reissue is a lighter shade of green.
So there you have it, The Corgi reissue, and a quick run down of the main
differences between the old and the new die cast models.
Here's the links to my previous Green Hornet posts:
http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/green-hornet-part-6-polar-lights-black.html
http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/the-green-hornet-part-5-corgi-black.html
http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/the-green-hornet-part-4-tv-tornado.html
http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/the-green-hornet-part-3-rise-of-bruce.html
http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/the-green-hornet-part-2-tv-series.html
http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/the-green-hornet-part-1.html
Here's the links to my previous Green Hornet posts:
http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/green-hornet-part-6-polar-lights-black.html
http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/the-green-hornet-part-5-corgi-black.html
http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/the-green-hornet-part-4-tv-tornado.html
http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/the-green-hornet-part-3-rise-of-bruce.html
http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/the-green-hornet-part-2-tv-series.html
http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2016/04/the-green-hornet-part-1.html
Scoop, after following your posts on the Black Beauty I've had to put this near the top of my bucket list (no, sorry, it's not at the top yet). Several times within the past year or so I've got outbid on eBay or decided to pass up buying one. The vintage toys are priced out of my league but there are modern versions available for a reasonable amount.
ReplyDeleteHi Ed, the reissue cost me just under £15, which puts it around $20 in your currency. It's a fine display model, but the original sixties version with the figures of Green Hornet and Kato inside is the clear winner for me. Mine isn't mint but it's not damaged. It cost around £25 when I got it (just over $30) Some people are prepared to pay daft money for one, though. My advice is don't go for a mint example, but make sure the Hornet's gun isn't damaged. Good repro boxes, missiles and scanners are fairly easy to find at a reasonable cost. Good hunting!
DeleteLovely post Scoop. I see the boxed re-issue quite a lot in Antique markets. I see the original quite a lot too and prices do vary. Its such a gorgeous car, so simple in design really. I can't think of a British car that ever had such a simple saloon design. Maybe a Lada but that's not British. It is without doubt up there with the Aston Martin and the Batmobile as an icon of our Sixties childhoods.
ReplyDeleteHa, ha!I don't think Green Hornet fans would thank you for comparing the Black Beauty with a Lada, Woodsy, a modern Bentley or a UK Chrysler 300C maybe, but definitely not a Lada : D
DeleteI have (what appears to be) an original car but the wheels are different to both these on this page. I have three altogether (1x differs) and when I check the base of the car compared to the other two it doesn't look like the car has been opened looking at the studs - any ideas, I can send pics if you contact me - cheers
ReplyDeleteHi, thanks for the comment. The original Corgi BB had either spun or cast wheels. The one in my photo shows spun wheels so you may have one with cast wheels.
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