From the
ground-breaking release of Dr No in 1962, to the release of the most successful
James Bond film ever Casino Royale in 2006, the OO7 phenomenon is unsurpassed
in the history of cinema. In 1965 Corgi Toys signed an agreement with Eon
Productions, the makers of the hugely successful James Bond franchise, to
produce diecast model cars from the OO7 films. It was to be the beginning of a
relationship that would continue to this day, and produce the most famous toy
car of all time – The James Bond Aston Martin DB5. Since then, Corgi have
produced an unparalleled catalogue of highly detailed models associated with
all of the movies – the Aston Martin being the most synonymous with agent OO7.
To celebrate this remarkable achievement and partnership, Corgi have just
released four superb gift sets with all the packaging notes and booklet
biographies written by our very own co-publisher Dave Worrall, who has worked as a
consultant for Corgi for over fifteen years, and was the author of the highly
successful (and now out of print) book, ‘The James Bond Diecasts of Corgi’
(1996 Solo Publishing). All sets are limited editions, with
‘limited’ being the key word.
SEAN CONNERY SET
This 1:36 scale set consists of the classic Aston Martin DB5
and the Rolls Royce III Sedance de Ville from Goldfinger, released in 1964 with
Sean Connery as 007. The original (and definitive) James Bond, Connery starred
in 6 of the films, five between 1962 and 1967, and a single return, Diamonds
are Forever, in 1971. The set includes a booklet about his portrayal of 007.
(1500 pieces worldwide).
ROGER MOORE SET
As the booklet enclosed with this set will tell you in
detail, Roger Moore personified the ultimate smooth James Bond between 1973 and
1985, appearing in the role than seven times. This two-piece set of
1:36 scale replicas reproduces the Lotus Esprit Underwater vehicle from The Spy
Who Loved Me (1977) and the Lotus Turbo from For Your Eyes Only (1981). (1500
pieces worldwide).
PIERCE BROSNAN SET
Both the Aston Martin Vanquish V12 and the Jaguar XKR in
this two-piece 1:36 scale set of replicas reproduce the heroic cars from Die
Another Day, the 20th film in the James Bond canon. The film was Pierce
Brosnan’s fourth and final performance as the elegant secret agent appearing
from 1995 to 2002. A booklet enclosed with the set outlines his career as 007.
(1500 pieces worldwide).
ASTON MARTIN DB5 2-PIECE SET
A set that encapsulates the first and the latest Bond film
the DB5 appeared in. This two-piece set of 1:36 scale models includes a
re-issue of the very first James Bond die-cast model released by Corgi in
October 1965, the classic Goldfinger Aston Martin DB5, together with the latest
DB5 from Casino Royale. The set comes in a film canister box and includes a
booklet telling the history of Bond and Corgi. (3000 pieces worldwide). (See illustration at the beginning of this article)