Британский бренд Corgi отпраздновал 70-летие масштабной выставкой в Ковентри

A BELOVED British maker of world-renowned toy vehicles celebrated its 70th anniversary with a landmark exhibition in Coventry. Corgi held its ‘70 Years of Making Memories’ event at the Coventry Transport Museum. The showcase brought together iconic models spanning the decades, celebrating the pieces that defined their eras like the first Corgi model – the Ford Consul – an original vintage 261 James Bond Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5, original vintage 267 Batmobile, the first Vanguard release and first Aviation Archive release. Visitors were also offered a first look at exclusive new products including the Star Trek 60th anniversary model, new James Bond models – Aston Martin Valhalla and Corgi 70th James Bond DB5 Collection – and the first ever Corgi model of the legendary Ford GT40. Guy Stainthorpe, MD for Corgi Brand and founder of Corgi Model Club, said: “Corgi is one of those rare brands that genuinely transcends generations. For 70 years it has been part of British family life – not just as a toy, but as a shared memory passed from grandparent to grandchild. “At a time when our own research tells us that hands-on hobbies are being squeezed out by screens, that feels more significant than ever. “This anniversary is a celebration of everything that Corgi stands for; the craft, the stories, and the very British instinct to make things with care and keep them for a lifetime.” Originally introduced by Mettoy Company in the UK in the summer of 1956 and manufactured in Swansea, Corgi revolutionised the toy car market as ‘the ones with the windows’ – introducing windshields, interiors and diamond-crystal headlights, as well as innovations like spring-mounted suspension and doors, bonnets and boots that opened. Over seven decades, Corgi has produced some of the most recognisable model vehicles in history. The growing popularity of TV and movie themed models, heralded by the 1965 James Bond DB5, helped Corgi achieve iconic status around the world with the original selling close to four million units, becoming the fastest selling toy of all time.