Mercedes-Benz 240D

Another 1:36 item this time initially available in four colours (285), metallic blue, metallic silver, bronze & beige. Values are moderate and not dependent on colour. It is typical of the Corgis of the period with predictable features and so so modelling, not an overwhelming item, but a nice, if rather staid, car. It was introduced in 1975 and remained in the range in this civilian form until 1981, the car on which it was modelled had been in production since 1968 and was replaced in 1976. Corgi seemed to do that a lot, i.e. put a soon to be obsolete car into long term toy production. This is a model of the Mercedes W114/W115 produced from 1968 through to 1976 when the legendary W123 replaced it.

The car is also found in a gift set with a caravan (GS24) available from 1975 to 1979.

The taxi version (411 or 4111) was released in February 1976 and was deleted in 1979. It is found in orange/black all cream and red/black, this latter being a German export issue. Also in February 1976 there were two Police issues (412), one in black and white, the other a German Polizei car in green and white.

In July 1982 there were two releases, 284 'NOTRUF 112' which is the emergency call number in Germany (equivalent to 999 in the UK and 911 in the US) and 291 Euro Rally car, neither of these were withdrawn. It is worth noting that the Great Book of Corgi Pocketbook has this rally car as 'East Africa' which appears to be a typo. I can find no other evidence of an East Africa rally Mercedes.

In the post-Mettoy era the casting was revived for the James Bond Octopussy car. In the movie the car had its tyres shot out and was driven along a railway track.  There are two releases 05701 The Definitive Bond Collection car was released in 2001 with which you are given the option of displaying the car on the road or on the rails supplied with the tyres removed. In 2002 it was released again in The Ultimate Bond Collection (TY05702) this time without the railway lines and all four road tyres in place.