Diecast British Corgi toy vehicles, 1933 onwards

The Mettoy Co. Ltd was a British toy company that was founded in 1933 by Philipp Ullmann, a Jewish businessman who had fled Nazi Germany. The company was originally based in Northampton, England, and specialized in the production of die-cast toys, such as model cars and trucks.

In the 1940s, Mettoy began producing a line of toy cap guns, which became very popular with children in the UK and around the world. The company also expanded its range of die-cast toys, introducing new models of cars, trucks, and other vehicles.

During the 1950s and 1960s, Mettoy continued to more... grow and expand its product line, becoming one of the largest toy manufacturers in the UK. In 1953, the company introduced a new line of die-cast vehicles, which were marketed under the name "Corgi". These toys were highly detailed and featured moving parts and other realistic features, and they became very popular with children and collectors alike.

In the 1970s, Mettoy faced increasing competition from other toy companies, and the company struggled to maintain its market share. In 1983, the company was acquired by the Hong Kong-based firm Playcraft Toys, and the Mettoy name was phased out.

Mettoy is remembered as one of the most innovative and successful toy makers in British history, and its products are highly collectible among toy enthusiasts. The company's Corgi range of toys are particularly sought after, and many collectors consider them to be among the finest die-cast toys ever produced. less...

Corgi Toys were produced by Mettoy Playcraft from 1956. Made in Swansea, South Wales, they were named after the Welsh dog, the favourite breed of the Royal family. The name was short and snappy like that of their intended rival, Dinky, and both Mettoy and Playcraft were based in Swansea, Wales giving it added relevancy.

Die cast vehicles were of a very high standard and came with many attractive features – plastic windows (Dinky cars had open windows) and from 1959, spring suspension and detailed plastic interiors.

The early ’60s saw the introduction of ‘jewelled’ headlights and opening doors and boots more... .

One of the first ranges produced was the Chipperfield Circus range in 1960, and in 1964 the Corgi Classics range of veteran and vintage cars.

This focus on moving parts and features made Corgi the natural choice to produce James Bond’s gadget-packed Aston Martin DB5 in 1965, one of the most popular toys ever made with sales of nearly three million.

A host of other film-and television-related toys followed such as the Batmobile and The Man from U.N.C.L.E. car (1966) ; The Avengers’ Bentley and Lotus Elan and the Green Hornet’s Black Beauty (1967); Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968) and many others, including further Bond cars.

In 1970, Corgi introduced their Whizzwheels line to compete with Mattel’s hugely successful Hotwheels series.

As a result of competition, particularly from US company Mattel, and a fire at the Swansea factory the company got into financial difficulties in 1983, resulting in a management buyout the following year. Five years later, Corgi was acquired by Mattel, followed by another management buyout in 1995 and then the sale of the company to American collectables manufacturer Zindhart, which changed its name to Corgi International.

In 2008 Corgi International came back into British hands when it was acquired by Hornby Hobbies Ltd. less...