Notifications
Clear all
1:64 Scale & Smaller
6
Posts
2
Users
22
Reactions
5,751
Views
Topic starter
24/01/2021 4:02 pm
The Corgi Rockets range first appeared in October 1969. Corgi owner, Mettoy saw that Hot Wheels and their tracks were very attractive to children. They decided to make toys even better and faster. To add more "play value" Corgi Rockets had die-cast metal bases that featured a central channel where a separate black nylon chassis, that also held the wheel and axle assembly, would fit. Despite the fact that the axles were somewhat thicker than their rivals, particularly Mattel’s Hot Wheels which used thin wire axles, the low friction properties of the nylon chassis in which the axle and wheel unit sat allowed Corgi Rockets to be the fastest on the track. The chassis could be removed using a Golden Tune Up Key.
Corgi Rockets were sold in conjunction with a series of track sets and this led to losing a court case to Mattel who claimed copyright over flexible plastic tracks on which the cars ran. As a result, Corgi Rockets stopped production in late 1971.
If you still have any, please show yours.
25/01/2021 1:25 pm
Hi David
I certainly remember Rockets. My bother had the Grand Canyon set for Christmas 1970 - great fun. Corgi also issued WhizzTrack for their larger scale toy cars. Some components were interchangeable with both systems.
Even though I have tried many internet searches I could never find out what the beef was with Mattel. Lone Star when they introduced their Flyer versions of their Impy cars had a similar track system to Rockets. Matchbox meanwhile had short sections of track that could be connected together and their system lasted for ages. One why around Mattels patents.
If Matchbox found out that Mattel used their Ford Mustang for the mule to test their first Hot Wheels car then I wonder if Mattel would ever get their Hot Wheels cars and system off the ground.
I do have some images of Rockets cars and other fast-wheels cars on my FlickR album:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisstar4/albums/72157625432244416
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
25/01/2021 4:38 pm
Corgi Rockets Ford Escort MKI Rally Car the best small scale toy rally car:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisstar4/4518967852/in/album-72157625432244416/
This 1:64ish model represents the London - Mexico rally winner from 1970. This rally started at Wembley Stadium in London on 19 April and finished in Mexico City on 27 May and covered around 16,000 miles (25,750 km) through Europe and South America. It was won by Hannu Mikkola and Gunnar Palm.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisstar4/4518967974/in/album-72157625432244416/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisstar4/4518333969/in/album-72157625432244416/
This is the backing card to the model. The golden key was used as a tool to release the chassis. The sticker promotes this model as the winner of the Daily Mirror World Cup Rally. The small white sticker states the price, 20p, I paid for it many years ago! So I must have bought it post 15th February 1971 as this is the date when Britain went decimal. G.N.C.S. stands for Greater Nottingham Co-operative Society - the store I bought it from.
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
25/01/2021 5:54 pm
Corgi Rockets Pit-Stop Kit
https://www.flickr.com/photos/chrisstar4/5221075031/in/album-72157625432244416/
To keep your Rockets tuned these kits were offered - note this one is for Chassis C.
I bought this for the art work as much as the contents. Rockets did have a Porsche Carrera 6 and a fella with a spare wheel.
Autominologist residing in the Robin Hood County
Nottinghamshire England UK
Topic starter
29/01/2021 10:50 am
I've added lists of the available Dublo Dinky and Mini -Dinky that were made earlier
The Corgi Rockets range had 33 known models in it plus 39 packs of accessories. For its limited availability, the range was quite extensive.
The models were:
901 Aston Martin DB6
902 Jaguar XJ6
903 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL
904 Porsche Carrera 6
905 The Saint’s Volvo P1800
906 Jensen Intercepter
907 Cadillac Eldorado
908 Chevrolet Astro 1
909 Mercedes C111
910 GP Beach Buggy
911 Marcus XP
913 Aston Martin DBS
916 Cabaro Bertone
917 Pininfarina Alfa Romeo P33
918 ital Design Bizzarini Manta
919 Todd Sweeney Stock Car
920 Derek Fiske Stock Car
921 Morgan Plus 8
922 Ford Capri
923 Ford Escort 007 James Bond
924 Mercury Cougar XR7
925 Ford Capri 007 James Bond
926 Jaguar Mark Ii Pace Car
927 Ford escort World Cup Rally Car
928 Mercedes-Benz 280 SL Spectre (from James Bond)
930 Bertone Runabout Barchetta
931 Old MacDonald’s Truck
933 Ford Holmes Wrecker
937 Mercury Cougar XR7 James Bond
975 Super Stock Gift 1- Volvo P1800 and Corgi Rockets Trailer with Stock Car
976 Super Stock Set 2 - Ford Capri and Corgi Rockets Trailer with Derek Fiske Stock Car
977 Super Stock Set 3 - Jaguar Pace car and Stock Cars.
978 James Bond Gift Set of 4 cars
Currently, Corgi Rockets command the highest auction prices of all Corgis due to rarity.
A mint boxed 978 recently auctioned for more than $3500.00.
Topic starter
31/01/2021 11:30 am
Just dug out another one. This is the #909 Mercedes C111.
Karl Schnelle and Karl Schnelle reacted