========================= CORGI =======================
I don't know about the newer offerings, but Corgi toys, as well
as Dinky (Meccano) and a host of other companies, have been
making LLBCs for years. Some time ago, Bill Sohl of VTR (and
this list) compiled, with some help from yours truly and several
others, a complete list of Standard and Triumph models and toys
from scores of manufacturers. The list appeared in an issue of
_The Vintage Triumph_ (e-mail me if you want more info on the
list).
Thanks to my parents and a local bike/hobby shop, I was supplied
with a fair number of Triumph models, along with bicycles and
American Flyer trains, for birthdays and Christmases as a kid in
the 1960s. I still have one of the first two given me -- a
Herald Coupe in blue and white, although it became a BRG
convertible in my model hobbying days, to match the real Herald
convertible (still have that, too) a friend and I painted that
color in during summer vacation from high school.
As I reached chronological adulthood and beyond, I found myself
collecting both full-size and 1:43 Triumphs still. The smaller
ones are much easier to store, restore, care for and display,
BTW.
There are any number of dealers for the old ones as well as new
issues; ads can be found in _Hemmings_ and _Old Cars Weekly_ as
well as various LBC magazines. Toy fairs are also a good place
to look, though. As with any other type of flea market, prices
are as flexible as a rusted TR6 frame, so cruise the whole
market and get a feel for going rates. Don't just grab the first
one you like. Some of my best finds were found not in displays
of dozens of scale LBCs, but almost buried amongst the love
bugs, Corgi Impala taxis and Kojak Buick Century models.
AND, unless you're the type of collector who really gets into
the mint/boxed thing, stay away from same; they're usually too
expensive. If you're lucky, you might find a battered one really
cheap, which you can then refinish to match your real car.
Warning: 6-7 years ago, when marriage/mortgages put my full- and
scale-size collecting into remission, I had watched prices on
the old stuff rise to almost absurd heights. Perhaps that has
leveled off along with prices for full-size LBCs.
Andy *I still have my pin from the Corgi Modelers Club* Mace
P.S. Has anyone ever seen a full-size Cortina Estate Wagon with
the Country Squire-esque imitation wood sides? I have three
Corgi versions of same!
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