Vanwall Racing Car

The Vanwall was added to the range in July 1957 in British Racing Green, a red version came out very soon after. There are a lot of variations to look for but in terms of value it is colour that matters. Red ones are worth more than green ones. The car was made in this form until 1961 when it got suspension, a driver and a new racing stripe. It was also renumbered 150s. You will find racing numbers 1, 3 or 7. The seat can be silver or yellow and there are two base castings. One has 'Corgi Toys' and 'Vanwall' in large type running front to back, the other has it in smaller type running side to side. Some have 'Made in Gt. Britain' and some have 'British Made'. Screens can be tinted blue or not tinted and the wheels can be plain turned hubs or cast spoke effect. None of these variations affect value.

The 150s in 1961 was the last gasp for the '50s Vanwall. Corgi really got their money's worth out of this model. They managed to stretch it out until 1965 when Formula One racing cars made this look like a dinosaur. However in its time it was an elegant and successful machine, being Stirling Moss' weapon of choice. The 1961 outing was always red with a blue & white racing stripe, racing number 25 and the car gets spring suspension and a driver.

The plated car is a real rarity and snapped up at a toy fair in Slough, Jan 09. There was a stall heaped up with scrap die casts, it was a dealer clearing out all the accumulated dross of years. Among it was this little gem. For £3 I got this, a Commer PB chassis with a good casting needed for another project, a Cooper Maserati from which I can use the wheels and a restorable Lotus 11 Le Mans. Bargain of the day I thought. It says 'Trophy Models' on the bottom. It was part of a small range made for Marks and Spencer in I think 1961. They were all sports cars of one sort or another and all plated with red seats and red radiator grilles, mounted on plinths, which accounts for the holes in the bottom. I don't know what it is worth as I've never seen one sold.