Corgi Tarzan Gift Set 36: The Origins

In 1976 Corgi released Gift Set 36 Tarzan, one of the most magnificent they ever produced. The Set re-used a number of existing Corgi models, but in new colour schemes.

Having already looked at the Tarzan Set on MC in February, I thought this time we would see where the various items came from. Most details are from The Great Book of Corgi, by Corgi Chief Designer Marcel R. Van Cleemput.

Corgi had first released a Long Wheel Base Land Rover in 1957 (the year after the range was launched), but this was to 1/46th scale. In 1976 a new model appeared, in 1/36th scale, which was much larger than before.

It came as part of Gift Set 31 Safari Land Rover and Animal Trailer (with lion) in April 1976. The model had an opening rear door; and a hardtop roof, with a hatch in it, and a Game Warden looking out.

It was painted white, with black zebra stripes, and red Game Warden labels on each side. The Tarzan model was metallic green with sand-yellow stripes, and a solid roof.

The two-wheeled trailer had a plastic ramp at the rear, and a white plastic cage top. It was painted to match the Land Rover.

A plastic lion, standing on a base, with one paw raised, was the load. All these items were included in the Tarzan set, except for the Game Warden figure.

The boat and trailer came from Gift Set 28, released in August 1975. This comprised a 1/36th scale Mazda B1600 pick-up truck (already available on its own), rubber dinghy in red and yellow, and a scuba-diver in full gear to pilot the boat.

The Tarzan set dropped the pick-up, changed the diver to a White Hunter, and moulded the dinghy in different colours. I am not sure if any other items were re-used, but the change-over in scales around this time would have made it difficult to use any existing Corgi models, since they would appear under-sized next to the newer 1/36th scale items.

Do you have any of these toys?

Four photographs from Worthpoint

Paul Adams from New Zealand