THE CORGI AVENGERS GIFT SET BENTLEY

Here’s John Steed at the wheel of a 3 litre 1927 ‘Le Mans’ Bentley, and Mrs Emma Peel standing next to a Lotus Élan S2; the two model cars that make up The Corgi Avengers Gift Set (GS40)

The Avengers debuted in 1961, originally focusing on Dr David Keel played by Ian Hendry, investigating the murder of his fiancée, and getting help from the mysterious John Steed played by Patrick Macnee. The character of Steed intrigued viewers, and over time the character’s importance increased.

As the series progressed, Steed evolved into the more familiar bowler-hatted, umbrella brandishing, English gentleman who had assistance from a youthful, modern female sidekick. It gave the series man or M. appeal – get it? Yes, by now I think everyone knows the story behind that one!

Like many cult TV fans I prefer the two Emma Peel seasons, which are the ones I saw when they first aired in 1965. I loved the Spy-Fi elements combining Science fiction with espionage, as well as occasionally spoofing contemporary series like The Man from Uncle, Mission Impossible and Batman.

When it came to cars, during the series, John Steed drove several vintage cars including half a dozen different Bentleys.

Emma Peel played by Diana Rigg, drove a white Lotus Elan S2 in her first season (Season 4) and a powder blue Lotus Elan S3 for her final season. (Season 5)

The Avengers Gift Set GS40 was released in January 1966, and continued in production until 1969, after 190,000 were made.

It cost 16/11d at the time, and according to The Great Book of Corgi, and the Little Wheels Museum website the Bentley came with a red body, and the Élan in white.

However, many collectors insist that a uniquely coloured green ’Avengers’ Bentley also turned up as part of the set, albeit very rarely, replacing the familiar red one.

An intriguing idea worthy of an Avengers episode itself, and rumours I’ve been aware of for a while, although I have to admit I can’t say I’ve ever been sure I’ve seen what I’d consider to be the genuine article, especially as there are plenty of very good restorations along with  plenty of replica parts around.

Now, way back in 2013, I did a previous post on The Avengers Gift Set.

I mentioned that from time to time a gift set crops up that has a Steed figure wearing a darker suit sitting in a green Bentley, and suggested that this Bentley is from the Corgi, ‘World of Wooster’ set that was released in 1967.

The driver was gentleman’s gentleman Jeeves, played by Dennis Price in the TV series of the time. The set also featured a standing figure of Bertie Wooster. (Played by Ian Carmichael)

At that time I got a couple of anonymous comments which insisted the green colour of the Wooster Bentley is different to a ‘genuine’ Steed Bentley, and that the figures are different. They went on to direct me to the front cover of a collectors magazine which does show an Avengers gift set with an apparent green Bentley with green running boards and red wheels.

Fast forward six years to now, and a lengthy, but interesting comment from reader, Andrew Hill, which prompted me to do this re-post.

Andrew is adamant that the fabled green ‘Steed’ Bentley exists. He goes on to say that it has a different shade of green compared to the Corgi 9001 model and has red wheels.

 (Corgi released their Green 9001 Bentley with steel wheels in February 1964. At the same time Corgi released a red 9002 Bentley with red wheels. Both had covered tops rather than folded down.)

Andrew continues to say that some Avengers Gift Sets may have also had the green Bentley with black running boards and mudguards. (Like the more familiar Steed red one) The ‘World of Wooster’ Bentley has gunmetal grey ones. That would certainly be very rare.

Another telling point, which also applies to the red Avenger Bentley, is the Steed figure as opposed to the Jeeves figure. Steed has both hands on the steering wheel, while Jeeves has his left arm lower than his right.

Finally, the upholstery on the gift set Bentley is brown. The ‘World of Wooster’ Bentley is red.

Andrew then continues with some suppositions, speculating that there are three possible ‘genuine’ sets. The familiar red Bentley with black running board and gold wheels; A rarer green Bentley with green running boards and red wheels; and possibly, although unconfirmed  green Bentley with black running boards and maybe gold, red, or even steel coloured wheels.

So, with the help of Andrew’s comments and checking out those Corgi sources it would appear that there are certainly five (and a possible sixth?) different Corgi Vintage Bentley variations:

In 1964, Corgi released their original classics; 9001: a green body with steel wheels, brown upholstery, and green running boards, and 9002: a red body with red wheels, brown upholstery with black running boards. Both these models have their hoods up. A combined 497,000 produced

In 1966, Corgi releases their Avengers Gift Set (GS40) featuring a red- bodied Bentley, with black running boards, brown upholstery and gold coloured wheels. As far as I can ascertain the red Corgi Steed Bentley is the only one with gold wheels, so even if the figure is missing it’s easy to identify. A total 190,000 Gift Sets produced.

The Steed figure has both hands on the wheel and wears a light grey suit. This is certainly true, although I have seen ‘Jeeves’ figures in sets which claim to be genuine, but obviously that’s no guarantee.

Now it seems a few green- bodied versions slipped through (possibly with either green or black running boards, it hard to know for sure after all this time), brown upholstery, and red wheels. The green colour is apparently different to the 9001 model, possibly lighter.

Finally, in 1967 Corgi releases the ‘Worlds of Wooster’, in green, possibly the same as the ‘green’ Steed Bentley, with gunmetal grey running boards, steel wheels and red upholstery. 45,000 produced.

The Jeeves figure is at the wheel with arms at different levels and wears a dark suit.

So, while it’s certainly not conclusive, I hope that answers some of the mythical Green Steed’s Bentley questions. Obviously, the Corgi Bentley is just the same model re-painted or altered, but it’s nice to know where each version fits.

My set does have original red and white vehicles. Both figures are original; however the box and umbrellas’ are replicas’.

The green ‘Steed’ Bentley is as I bought it, apart from the figure which I added from another Bentley, so don’t judge it on that.

I can’t see any evidence it’s been altered. The green paint on the body and running boards  looks factory applied, and interestingly is exactly the same colour as my ‘World of Wooster’ Bentley body. The upholstery is brown as it should be. The base is also gunmetal grey like the ‘Wooster’ Bentley, although the wheels are red.

Now, could this be a ‘genuine’ Green Steed Bentley, one of a few that found their way into possibly later editions of the set and different enough to set it apart from the ‘Wooster’ one?

Now, unless Corgi had a habit of mixing and matching on a regular basis when it came to quality control I’m happy to think it just might be.

Anyway, I think I’ve gone as far as I want to go on this. Unless someone wants to send me gratis a 100% genuine green Corgi John Steed Bentley model with positive proof that it is, rather than just the usual anecdotal evidence or directing me to another website I think we’ll leave it there.

Mrs Peel, I’m needed!

Here's the Corgi reissued Avengers Bentley. This time in green.

Thanks go to Andrew Wood of the Little Wheels Website and Andrew Hill for his comment.