This is my Corgi 271 James Bond Aston Martin DB5.
The 1/36 scale 271 was released in May 1978, and followed
Corgi’s previous Bond DB5 die-cast, the 1/43 scale C270. Although the C271 went
through a few packaging changes, it was the last of the James Bond Aston Martin
die-casts to be made in Great Britain by Corgi Mettoy.
While it could be argued that Corgi’s C270 is the best
version of the early James Bond DB5 Corgi models, improving on the original
award winning gold C261, a series of cost cutting measures at Corgi Mettoy
during the late seventies, which cut back on the features (tyreslashers &
revolving number plates) of the later
C270 models, meant a brand new retooled
James Bond Aston Martin DB5 at a larger 1/36 scale had be created - Enter the
new and not necessarily improved C271.
The larger C271 retained some of the same features as the
previous versions – retractable machine guns (which come through the radiator
grill, rather than the side lights) ; ejector seat (using a slightly different
spring system than the previous
versions) ; bullet screen (thinner and activated by the rear over -riders
rather than the twin exhausts) ; telescopic over riders.
My version, going by its window box and header card (showing
a photo of the previous C270 version apparently) which uses the Bond ‘007 logo incorporating Union Flag colours is dated 1979, so it would have been
presumably bought just after ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ appeared in cinemas and just prior to ‘Moonraker. Quite remarkable really,
in that the popular DB5 hadn’t appeared in a James Bond film since the 1965
film, Thunderball.
Corgi Mettoy went into receivership in 1983, and after a
management buy- out in 1984 the company became known as Corgi Toys Ltd. Corgi’s licensing agreement with Eon was
renegotiated, and the remaining stock of C271 models were re-packaged in a
generic blue window box re-numbered 271/1
More cost cutting meant the figures of Bond and his ejecting passenger were no longer painted,
This 1:36 scale model stayed into production until 1990 when
production moved from Swansea to China following Mattel Inc. buying the company
in 1989.
In 1991 Mattel produced their first James Bond Aston Martin
DB5 which is more or less the same as the model produced in Swansea. It’s dated 1992, and as I pointed out earlier,
it’s made in China. It’s numbered 94060
and has a red mirrored 007 badge on the left of the card plinth. A re-release
in 1992 placed the badge on the right.
Following this, Mattel produced a further two more 1:36 007
DB5 re- releases using the same model celebrating the anniversary of
Goldfinger. In1993 a gold plated edition
(96445) was made, but remarkably sold out before it hit the shops, and in 1994
the silver/grey 94060 was reissued in a different window box showing photos of
the features, and with a painted backdrop, but without the badge.
In August 1995 the Corgi management bought back its
independence from Mattel and formed Corgi Classics Limited. A new Bond film,
Goldeneye was about to hit the cinema, with a new Bond actor. Pierce Brosnan
was to become the next 007, and this time the film would feature the return of
the Aston Martin DB5…
My previous post on the Corgi 261 Gold 007 Aston Martin. http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/licence-to-play-007-and-corgi-261-aston.html
My previous post on the Corgi 261 Gold 007 Aston Martin. http://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/licence-to-play-007-and-corgi-261-aston.html
Believe it or not, it was as a result of a conversation I had with then managing director Chris guest, that this model was spruced-up several years back. It was given a superior paint job, wipers were incorporated into the windscreen, and lights were added to the wings. They also fixed the fit of the roof hatch, as the mould had become worn over the years. there were other changes too, which you can read about on my blog in a post called 'Let's touch base - Corgi D.B.5 #271'.
ReplyDeleteHi Kid, I really appreciate your input on the Corgi Bond stuff, you obviously love the Corgi Aston Martin DB5 models as much as I do. Your chat with Corgi themselves obviously did a lot of good. Yesterday, strangely enough I was looking at one of the improved models you've described which belonged to a mate and fellow Bond fan. He'd picked it up second hand without a box so he couldn't give me too many details - Am I right in thinking it appeared at the time of Casino Royale's release or after? I'll certainly try to track one down.
DeleteThe next Corgi DB5's I'll have a look at it will probably be the 1995 ones, based on the C270 .I know,judging by what I've already read on your blog you're not so keen on those two, especially the gold one, but I thought I'd still give them a once over, with perhaps a slightly less critical eye than yours ;D
My next Bond blog will probably be on the DAF Moon Buggy, just for the sake of variety. Cheers
Ah, now there's the thing, Scoop - time goes by for me so fast these days that I can't keep track of it. A year seems like a month, and a month seems like a week, etc. I have a suspicion that the new improved version came out before Casino Royale, but I could be mistaken. I'm also not sure just how long after my chat with Chris Guest that it came out either. I'd guess at least a year, but again, couldn't swear to it. I'm sure I've got some follow-up letters from him somewhere, so if I ever find them, I'll check out the date and let you know, as that'll give me a clearer idea of the time frame.
DeleteThanks for that Kid, I know what you mean about time flying...Meanwhile I'll keep my eyes peeled, and maybe track one down.
DeleteCheers
Hamleys stores were still selling them about a year ago, so it should still be possible to buy one new. Hamleys charge around £20-£25, but other shops usually sell them cheaper. Failing that, eBay.
DeleteI think I've found one on eBay. No date but numbered CC04306. Goldfinger mentioned on the box.
DeleteIf that's the one being sold by Abra666, it doesn't have the tyre-slashers. Corgi did a version of the 271 just a few years back (which was still available 'til fairly recently I believe) which had the wing mirrors and tyre-slashers (though no revolving number plates). That's the one to go for because it also has a better looking base. I'll see if I can dig mine out and post a pic of it on my blog for you.
DeleteCheers for that Kid.
DeleteYeah, it is the one being sold by abra666.
DeleteScoop, I've spent hours digging through a cupboard and emptying boxes and just found mine. Contrary to what I wrote earlier, the one being sold by abra666 IS the one with tyre slashers and the better base. It's even got rubber tyres. Snap it up if you can.
DeleteCheers Kid
DeleteGreat informative post Scoop, gorgeous pictures, taken not blurred! ha ha. I loved my older DB5 as a kid in the Sixties. I think mine was gold. Who couldn't adore ejecting the bad guy!
ReplyDeleteThanks Woodsy, I like your 'taken not blurred' quote, I can see me pinching that one for a title ;D
Deletelike Kid I'm a big fan of Bond, so while I'm in the mood I'll be doing a few more sporadic 007 posts.
Cheers
Pinch away! ha ha. Have you got Kleemput's Great Book of Corgi Scoop? I got one years ago and forgot I had one. It goes so far back in my adult life that it has my daughter's pet guinea pig's teeth marks on the edges! I can scan the section on the DB5 if you want and get it over to you.
DeleteHi Woodsy, no I don't have that book, sounds good and a few scans of the Bond stuff would be most welcome Ta!
DeleteYou got it double O Burrows! BTW might you cover the 007 Toyota 2000 in one of your cool posts?
DeleteThanks Woodsy. Yes indeed, the Toyota 2000 GT is another favourite : )
DeleteA very crude model compared to the original bronze coloured version...
ReplyDeleteHere's an earlier post I did on the gold Corgi 261 Aston Martin, Kevin.
Deletehttp://projectswordtoys.blogspot.co.uk/2017/08/licence-to-play-007-and-corgi-261-aston.html
Awesome model, congrats!
ReplyDeleteGreetings from Argentina
https://retroautosenescala.blogspot.com.ar/
The Aston Martin DB5 is among the most famous Aston Martin car due to its make use of by Mission impossible in Goldfinger (1964). Even though Ian Fleming had positioned Bond within a DB Tag III inside the novel, the DB5 was your company's latest model if the film had been made. The organization was initially hesitant, but had been finally persuaded to a item placement offer. The car utilized in the film was the initial DB5 model, with an additional standard car used for tricks. Two even more modified vehicles were created for publicity trips after the film's release.
ReplyDeleteThanks for this Jinawa. Very informative. Did you work for Aston Martin?
DeleteActually, the Aston Martin made a 'cameo' appearance in Diamonds Are Forever.
ReplyDeleteYes indeed an Aston Martin does appear in DAF. In Q branch, an Aston Martin DBS is being fitted with what looks like six missiles into the engine compartment. Very much a cameo, Kid, blink and you miss it. Maybe they used the cameo of a DBS because it was the current model, and one had featured in the previous OHMSS, which had very little in the way of gadgets.
Delete