Whilst my VHS project has had to be put on the back burner for financial and technical reasons, my new obsession are Corgi Rockets, largely because I've found so many so cheaply this month!
A complete Rockets novice, I do remember adoring them as a kid, easily as much as my redlines.
Currently, for me, it's much easier finding Rockets than redlines, so it makes more sense to collect them.
It's a steep learning curve and I've been picking Bill's brains.
Apart from the usual Rockets there are some unusual sets out there containing some strange vehicles, so as I'm just discovering them, I thought I'd share them here too.
First up is Jerry's Banger, seen here with the little canon.
It's a Corgi Junior Whizzwheels but rather confusingly was included in the Corgi Rockets Tom and Jerry Crazy Chase Set.
Strange that they didn't use proper Rockets but as I say, I'm still learning!
The other car was Tom's Go Cat.
Seen here in the flesh and one I've yet to to find.
Next up is the equally odd Rockets Wall of Death Special set. Again this Rockets box contained two Corgi Juniors.
Here are the two vehicles. Is that a standard Whizzwheels Ford Capri? Which bike is that? Anyone know? Oddly, the Capri illustrated on the set box top is fully liveried.
Last but not least, the Rockets Alpine Ski Set.
Like the other two sets I certainly never saw this when I was a kid.
Looking at it I find it an odd choice for a Rockets.
The skiier is the main event. Again, I've never seen this in all the years I've been car booting.
Have you?
All fascinating stuff but I think I'll stick to the regular Rockets I think. I may have a chance of finding them!
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There were two versions of the Tom and Jerry Cars. The originals were from 1971, and were part of the Corgi Juniors Extras line of film and TV tie-in models. The later pair, from 1980 (including the one you have), were totally different models, but along the same lines.
ReplyDeleteI do not think I have ever seen that skier model before. Looks as though it might have only been available in that Alpine Set, so it is going to be really rare now.
I do not recall having ever seen the Rockets in NZ in the 1970s.
The one Woodsy has is the earlier release, with 18th century cannon. The 1980 one has an awful green plastic bin on the front as a gun
DeleteThanks Paul. I knew you'd know about the Juniors.
DeleteCorgi Rockets were a great line, but very limited in their release. I got a few sets at the time, as they were always cheaper than Hot Wheels and the tracks were more exciting than Superfast. I have the Grand Canyon set, which zips a car across a gap in a special cable car and the Wall of Death set. The Capri has a set of sticker to apply and the Drag Bike is unique to the set. Around the time of release, they got the rights for the James Bond film O.H.M.S.S with George Lazenby as Bond and released a lovely mini line of cars and a two bobleighs. The Alpine Ski set may have been an extension of the Bond theme, which was set in the Alps, but I read recently that Mattel sued Corgi for similarities to the Hot Wheels flexible track and the line ended shortly after. Most of the Rockets cars found their way into the Corgi Juniors line, with a standard chassis and a more sober paint job. Corgi also made an electric car line, 'Electro Rockets', which probably precipitated further ire from Mattel for infringement on their Sizzlers line. Matchbox had similar issues with the battery powered 'Scorpions' line, which fizzled out shortly after release in 1973. Bill
ReplyDeleteFascinating Bill. What a shame Corgi got burned. Do you think they'd peaked with Rockets anyway?
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