Corgi Diecast Collector's Guide: Trackside, Rail Legends, Chunkies & Only Fools and Horses

Hot Wheels might rule the pegs today, but for a lot of UK collectors the first diecast car they ever owned had a Corgi badge on the box. Corgi has been part of British toy boxes for 70 years, and its ranges are still some of the most searched-for models out there. Here's a quick guide to the Corgi ranges people ask us about most, and what to look for when you're buying.

A 1979 Corgi Juniors Incredible Hulk Mazda pickup, complete with the Hulk figure in the cage.

A very short history of Corgi

Corgi Toys launched in 1956, made by Mettoy at its factory in Swansea, Wales, and named after the Welsh corgi dog. Its big selling point was right there in the slogan: "The ones with windows". Corgi was one of the first diecast makers to give its cars clear plastic glazing, which made them look far more realistic than their rivals.

The most famous Corgi of all is the 1965 James Bond Aston Martin DB5, with its working ejector seat. It became one of the best-selling toy cars ever made. Today the Corgi name belongs to Hornby, which bought the brand in 2008, and it is still producing models for collectors.

Corgi Trackside

Trackside is Corgi's range of 1:76 scale vehicles, the same scale as OO gauge model railways. That makes them a favourite with railway modellers who want period-correct lorries, buses, vans and cars around their layouts, as well as with collectors of classic British commercial vehicles. Look out for well-known haulage and brewery liveries, which tend to be the most popular.

Corgi Rail Legends

Rail Legends brought famous British locomotives to the display shelf as diecast models rather than working train-set pieces. Expect to see the big names of the steam and diesel age. Because they were made as display models, the original packaging and stand matter a lot to their value.

Corgi Chunkies

Chunkies were Corgi's chunky, robust range made for younger children: fire engines, police cars, tractors, diggers and the like. They were built to be played with, so finding them in clean, boxed condition is harder than you'd think. Boxed examples are worth hanging on to.

Only Fools and Horses

Few TV cars are as instantly recognisable as Del Boy and Rodney's yellow three-wheeled Reliant Regal van with "Trotters Independent Trading Co" on the side. Corgi has made the van in several sizes and gift sets over the years, and it's one of the most searched-for Corgi models in the UK. Check the lettering is crisp and complete, and that any figures or extras that came in the set are still there.

Corgi vans, racing cars and Classics

Corgi Classics covered an enormous range: vintage delivery vans in company liveries, racing cars, buses and commercial vehicles. Vans are a great way to start a collection because there are so many liveries to hunt for, and prices are usually very reasonable. We currently have a Corgi Classics Ford Model T Van in Ford Motor Co 75th Anniversary livery, boxed, which is a nice example of the range.

Tips for buying Corgi

• Boxes matter. For most Corgi models, the box can be a big part of the value. Look for sharp corners, clean windows and no sun fading.
• Check for certificates. Many limited editions came with a numbered certificate. Having it makes the model easier to sell later.
• Look for small missing parts. Aerials, mirrors, ladders, figures and loads are easy to lose and hard to replace.
• Store them out of sunlight. Corgi boxes and paintwork fade quickly in a sunny room.
• Know the scale. Corgi made models in lots of scales, so check before buying if you want them to match the rest of your collection.

Shop diecast at Loads Of Wheels

We're a small Liverpool-based diecast shop, and every car is shipped in a proper box, never a mailer. Have a look through our Corgi collection and boxed and vintage diecast, or browse our full range, including Matchbox and hundreds of Hot Wheels, and if you're after something in particular, get in touch. New stock lands every week.