266 - Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Something as these copies made in China are never the same as the original of course. I did not expect that; quality in the past is much better. I caress my original with the memories and the great quality, but it was expensive also, yet I did get it as a present on my twelfph birthday. The retro version is also more plastic than the original and the colours are fresh of course. Puppets are great. The box is fun but also a bit of a disappointment because the printing is less good and by this less detailled to look at. It is a nice model to keep in the box and the original in a nice showcase as a treasure of long ago, back to my youth. On the photo me and the original and as can be seen, also with the wrongly placed children. I fixed that later.

I already own an original 1968/69 first issue of this fantasmagorical model. It is fully complete and is probably one of the finest examples in the world. (see attached pictures). It is an early issue as the figures are painted with great care, whereas later they got a bit sloppy as speed of production 'ramped' up. As usual, the children in the back are in the wrong position. The original children figures have rear seat back 'flutes' molded into them and they only fit properly when the boy is on the left facing out left and the girl is on the right facing to the rear. I have carefully pulled mine from this replica and re-positioned them correctly. This model is really good, although bit disapointed that some parts are molded coloured plastic and not plated metal parts, as on the original.

Not perfect, but did stir up some memories.

Another fine re-edition cannot be acquired by non-British customers, because they cannot join the Corgi club, which is a pity. I wish I knew someone in Great Britain who would purchase these models and sell them to me (not at EBAY prices, of course). Big sigh!

I've an older edition. It's different in some details. Very interesting.