Talbot Matra Rancho

No, it is not really a Talbot or a Matra. It is a Simca 1100 van with windows in the sides and rear seats added. It is also Chrysler Europe desperately trying to put off their inevitable demise. To think that all the Rootes Group heritage, Hillman, Sunbeam, Humber, Singer, Commer, ended with a few warmed over old Simcas. As a concept though; way ahead of its time. The Citroen Berlingo and its rivals are really doing exactly the same thing now, however when this came out it just looked like it was trying to be a Range Rover.

I suppose this model is here because it proves that even post 1980 there were some people at Corgi who understood the ethos of the brand. If you list the buttons that have to be pushed to make a 'real' Corgi this one hits most of them - OK - almost everything opens and the rear tailgate is unusual (unique I think) in that the window is unframed Perspex, the rear seats fold flat, it has nice detail touches like an aerial, French number plates cast into the bumpers - typical extra features that complete the package. It is also a very attractive object of itself.

Corgi released the Talbot Matra Rancho in (457) 1981 and it remained in production after the brand changed hands in 1983. It was either green, orange or red with black trim or white with blue trim. No version seems to be more sought after than any other. It is also used in a number of sets; under Corgi Toys in 1980 there was one with as motorcycle trailer (GS25) and in 1981 one with a Hesketh racing car on a trailer trailer (GS26), post Mettoy I've found one with a dinghy on a trailer.