Woodsy
Following on from the other day and the Corgi model of the Basil Brush car, here are a few more details. All the photos are from Ebay, as I do not have this model.
Corgi launched a small series of veteran and vintage car models in 1964, called Corgi Classics, as a revival to the Matchbox Models of Yesteryear. A 1910 Renault 12/16 was released in 1965.
This came in either lavender, 1965-66 (70,000) sold; or in yellow, 1965-67 (120,000 sold). Both had spoked wheels, and a black plastic top in the raised position. Each colour had its own model number, 9031 was lavender, and 9032 was yellow.
In 1971 Corgi dusted off the Renault die, and re-issued it as 808 Basil Brush and his car. This version had solid disc wheels, and a folded down top, with a large plastic figure of Basil at the wheel. The car was mainly red and yellow, with the top in light blue.
There was also a soundbox and two laugh tapes so you could 'Hear Basil Brush Laugh !'. Not having the model, I do not know how this worked. A photo in The Great Book of Corgi by Corgi Chief Designer Marcel Van Cleemput shows a long red plastic strip. Sales were 187,000 between 1971 and 1973, almost equal to the previous versions.
Paul Adams from New Zealand
Very interesting Paul. I do like how die-casters recycled models for TV characters like this.
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