9 - 2024, Corgi Batmobile - Corgi Hornby UK.

This model is available for all at Corgi UK (https://uk.corgi.co.uk/)

The incredible CORGI Toys 267 Batmobile returns to the range for the first time in over forty years with this newly tooled model! Featuring all the classic gadgets of the original including firing rockets, Batboat tow hook and a pop out chain slasher blade, this release also includes figures of Batman and Robin and classic recreation packaging.

Common features include:

• aqua glass
• recessed nostrils in the bat nose,
• rubber tyres and gold wheel hubs with red bats,
• a "Batmobile" label on the underside of the car, a turbine exhaust nozzle,
• a pulsating exhaust flame,
• longer tail fin tips and recessed taillights,
• gold beacon cage,
• with tow hook

https://uk.corgi.co.uk/community/blog-and-news/die-cast-diaries/batmobile-battastic-addition-corgi-range

Welcome to the latest edition of Corgi Die-cast Diaries, your regular blog review of all the news, updates and topical stories from the captivating world of Corgi die-cast model collecting.

We begin this latest edition with something of an apology. We’re sorry that we didn’t manage to post a blog last time around, but intend to make up for this by posting bumper content blogs over the next few editions, so will more than make up for it that way. Unfortunately, team holidays and something of a scheduling pinch point regarding model photography scuppered our plans for the previous edition, but that’s all in the past now.

As you can see from our header image this time around, our lead feature is a celebration of Gotham City’s finest, or at least our tribute to their famous mode of transport. With our Batmobile model taking its place in the Corgi range for the first time in many a year, we will be bringing you development details, exclusive imagery and some of the interesting features relating to the creation of this exciting new model, one which can claim association with one of the most popular die-cast models in the history of the hobby.

We will be following this up with our scale take on a pair of vehicles which we all stand a chance of seeing on Britain’s roads, or at least as magazine features, even if there isn’t a massive bat light illuminating the night sky. Marking the latest Ford Focus Mk.3 RS models to join the Vanguards range, we will have a selection of final sample images and release details to share relating to both of these models. Finally, and not to leave Aviation Archive collectors feeling left out, we will be looking at another recent model release from this range, a mighty aerial gunship which may well still be available in our warehouse, but has so far not featured within a Die-cast Diaries blog.

We have more exciting exclusives waiting in the wings still to come and can confirm that it’s going to be a wild ride, from a content perspective, over the coming weeks. Please join us for our latest visit to the wonderful world of Corgi models.

Holy Die-cast, is that a new Batmobile model?

One to warm the cockles of any superheroes heart, this picture featuring the engineering sample and pre-production sample models together proves that Batman’s about to get his wheels back.

It can sometimes be difficult when putting these blog update postings together, from a subject feature perspective. We know that there’s an army of Corgi collectors out there, both active and those currently on collecting sabbaticals, and we also know that you are fiercely passionate and supportive of the ranges which mean so much to you. This can mean that a Vanguards-centric edition may delight fans of these popular vehicle models, but may not be of huge interest to those who collect Aviation Archive and vice-versa. That being said, there are probably many collectors out there who have models from both ranges in their collections, but as a general rule, the majority of us have a strong range leaning in one direction, or the other.

Where we do have an opportunity to unite Corgi collectors one and all is through the models released in our TV and Film/Pop Culture ranges, models which are the continuation of die-cast heritage which stretches back to 1956 and have the ability to break down many a collector range preference barrier. We have a new model which falls squarely into that category up next, but going back to those range allegiances again for a moment, we think even the most steadfast of range supporters will still value hearing about the development of the latest models in other ranges, just because it’s interesting and of course, it’s all part of the wider Corgi Story.

As readers will already be aware and are now probably eagerly awaiting its arrival, the launch of our latest September - December model range witnessed the long overdue return of a true classic of a Corgi die-cast model, one which hasn’t featured in a Corgi range for over forty years. It also happens to be a model which comes close to rivalling the 007 Aston Martin DB5 in the annals of die-cast history, our 267 Batmobile. A model which again, many of our readers will no doubt remember with incredible fondness from the days of their youth, this model was called into action whenever we saw the bat silhouette shining in the night sky above Gotham City, or more usually, where we just happened to be playing with it in the house at the time. Totally capturing our imaginations, this fabulous model came complete with Batman and the Boy Wonder figures, and a whole host of exciting working features.

Another view of this dynamic die-cast duo. No Jokers here, this is just 100% classic Corgi.

A model which was first produced in 1966 to align itself with the incredibly successful American TV series starring Adam West and Burt Ward, which was also aired here in the UK, it’s interesting to note that that original series and its famous stars, only lasted for two years, but how this is still regarded by many as the iconic incarnation of the Caped Crusader and his sidekick, standing the test of time to this day. Mirroring the success of that original series, the original 267 Batmobile still vies for the position of the most successful Corgi car model ever produced, again with around 5 million models being produced over the lifetime of this hugely popular model.

A faithful replica of the iconic Batmobile Batman and Robin used in their crusade to fight crime and challenge evil, this eye-catching black model was not only beautiful to look at, but also provided endless hours of fun, something the Corgi designers cleverly ensured when creating the model. It incorporated such appealing features as a flip out chain cutter on its bonnet, a projectile firing rocket launcher and a simulated rocket flame pulsating at the rear of the car when you pushed it along. This was a toy at heart and as such, was intended to be played with for many an hour, however, should your model suffer damage through over-enthusiastic play, or lose some of its paint, there really was only one thing to do, and that was to get a new one – Holy Replacements!

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An exclusive blog look at a CAD image created during the design phase of this project.

More Batmobile CAD imagery taken straight from Dan’s computer.

Following on from that successful first release, the model subsequently went into production several further times and was subject to some revisions, such as changes to its wheels and the addition of a Batboat tow hook in 1973, a modification which did away with the jet flame feature. All good die-cast things must come to an end, and the model disappeared from the Corgi range in 1983, leaving those models in the hands of collectors and in pristine condition, to change hands for incredible sums of money.

In a year which marks the 85th anniversary of Batman, we are delighted to have the Batmobile back in a Corgi range once more, a newly tooled model which takes its inspiration from that original classic model from back in 1966. Complete with figures of our Dynamic Duo, the new model has the pop-out chain cutter, the rocket launcher with 12 missiles included and the tow hook which may, or may not support the release of another Bat-tastic release to come – check the Gotham City grapevine for news of this in forthcoming range announcements.

Recreating a classic Corgi model

A fascinating insight into a historic Corgi project, this image shows the engineering sample of the Batmobile produced to be as faithful to the original model as possible.

For this latest update, we’ve been fortunate enough not only to receive a selection of exclusive development imagery, but also to spend some time with our Development Manager Dan, who gave us a fascinating insight into the work he did in allowing this classic model to ‘ride again’ within a Corgi model range. Looking at the CAD imagery he supplied, the obvious first question was to ask him what challenges he faced when attempting to bring this famous model back into the range – we were rather surprised to hear his answer.

Dan described how this project centred completely around designing and manufacturing a contemporary version of the classic Corgi 267 Batmobile model, making improvements wherever he could, but staying as close to the original model as possible. The team were allowed to take a rare and extremely valuable Batmobile from our archives, and systematically dismantle it, scanning every aspect of its construction to act as a CAD blueprint. In fact, Dan informed us that by far and away the most challenging aspect of this project was its requirement to remain faithful to the original model, one which was designed and produced in the 1960s.

Although there was the scope to refine and perfect certain elements of the new model’s design, retaining the charm and authenticity of the original on which it was being based was paramount and unquestionably created the most pressing design challenges for Dan.

We know we’re overloading you with images here, but they’re exclusives and they all feature our latest die-cast tribute to the iconic Batmobile!

Another issue which Dan described as being a bit of a headache was our interpretation of the original model packaging, something which really does mark this as one of the most important models in Corgi’s history. Thankfully, he had a secret weapon to help him with this, in the form of our incredibly talented Senior Brand Creative, Jules. Able to work graphic design miracles on even the most challenging of tasks, Jules spent a great deal of time maintaining the authenticity of the original model with this new project and we’re all incredibly pleased with what will soon be appearing in the range.

The Corgi team are proud to have produced a model which is a continuation of the Batmobile story in die-cast and whilst it does stay faithful to the original car from which it takes inspiration, there are some subtle differences which make this unique, but we’re going to let you discover those for yourselves.

One of the more noticeable improvements involves a tow hook and the moving flame feature which was one of the best loved innovations on the original model. Back in the late 1960s, a tow hook was added to the original model to allow the Batmobile to tow the Batboat and trailer, an addition which was welcomed, but ultimately didn’t work all that well. As the car was pushed along the floor, the turning wheels moved the mechanism which made the simulated jet engine flame move in and out of the rear of the model, however, this movement soon caused the trailer hook to become separated.

Ready for die-cast action, these next two images show the pre-production sample model used by the Development team to check every aspect of the new model, prior to production authorisation – Holy Release Dates!

A modification to this arrangement was made in 1973, where a permanent tow hook was tooled for the model, however, this also resulted in the removal of the moving jet flame feature, with Corgi playing the Joker with Batman fans everywhere.

We’re delighted to confirm that this new model has been designed to overcome this problem, and even though our new Batmobile does have a fixed tow hook, it also retains the jet flame feature which was so loved by the hundreds of thousands of youngsters who remember playing with this classic model.

We really can’t wait for you to see the new Batmobile and judging by the number of models ordered via the Corgi website and through model stores, we know you are too. That being the case, you will be pleased to know that we’re hoping to have some, if not all of these models in our warehouse at some point during next week, but please keep an eye on the Batmobile product page on the Corgi website for the latest availability information.