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Back in 1966 when Corgi Toys issued their TV Batmobile, for around the first 6 months it was matte black (according to Corgi, though other sources claim it was only a couple or so). The photos supplied to Corgi to start the project had a distinct matte finish, but the TV show's producers decided to make the car glossy just before filming began. When Corgi execs saw the real car (or one of its doubles) while it was on tour in Britain to promote the new show, they realised the error and gave instructions to their Swansea team that the toy's paint job should be amended to gloss, which it was for the rest of its span.
Corgi Model Club have reissued this version of the car as a members only model, though in actuality it's not really matte, but more of a satin finish (as was the '60s toy). That's my own car, recently received, and I've now lost count of just how many versions of the '66 car I now own. I know I've got two originals, three gloss reissues, and now the matte/satin reissue as well. On top of that, I have a Husky version, a Corgi Juniors, several by Mattel (in various scales), at least a couple by Jada, and quite a few by other manufacturers. Like I say, I've lost count of precisely how many, but it's, well... many!
Anyway, only the matte/satin version is on show today (not any more, see below), but bear in mind my camera's flash may make it look shinier than it really is. (As of typing I've not yet taken the photos so I don't know how they'll come out.) However, there's no denying it's a thing of beauty every Batman fan should have, but you can't - unless you join the Corgi Model Club that is. (Or know someone who's a member who'll buy one for you.) So what's stopping you?! Join up right away! Meanwhile, in answer to a request from B, here are the the matte and gloss versions side-by-side. Click to enlarge for a better view.
26 comments:
Ah one of the most iconic toy cars of our generation. I still remember getting my Cirgi Batmobile as a kid , the memory still lingers. I'm not one for buying model cars at my age ( I have enough comics ) but it's a nice looking addition to any collection. Have a great Christmas when it comes Kid, and to all your many readers.
And the very same to yourself, McS - times ten. (Never had any 'Cirgi' toys when I was a kid - were they any good?)
Kid, I know your favourite sitcom is Whatever Happened To The Likely Lads so I assume you're aware that today is the 50th anniversary of the final episode, the 1974 Christmas special. You own the DVD box-set, don't you, so will you watching the Christmas special to celebrate the anniversary?
I'd forgotten it was the 50th Anniversary 'cos I don't really pay much attention to such things, CJ, but I'll probably watch the Christmas episode at some stage. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you.
Merry Christmas to you, Kid, and to Paul and all other Crivvies. I intend to scoff an entire Stollen later tonight washed down with a can of Jack Daniels whiskey & Coca-Cola (it's only 5% alcohol).
What's a Stollen? Hope you didn't steal it. (Guffaw!)
A Stollen is German and it's made with currants and it has marzipan in the middle and icing sugar on the outside. The texture is more like a fruit loaf than a cake but they are only available at Christmastime. I'm surprised you don't know what a Stollen is, Kid, as they are quite common in shops nowadays - I bought mine from Tesco.
There are times these days, CJ, when I forget things one day, but remember them another day. My memory has become erratic it must be admitted, and I have my suspicions as to why, but don't want to think about it. Having said that, I can't recall if I ever knew what a Stollen is or not, but perhaps it was reading the word (in your comment) outwith the context of a bakery or cafe. Or maybe I've seen them, but didn't remember what they're called.
Thanks for posting these photos, Kid - and a "Merry Christmas!" to you as well. Peering at the photos I can discern the paintwork as less shiny than the gloss Batmobile, but it doesn't look as matte as I imagined. Would it be possible to take a photo of gloss and matte cars side by side, if the difference becomes more obvious?
I'm impressed by the number of Batmobiles you've acquired over the years. Fifty-eight years ago I had the Corgi model plus a very scuffed Husky version (I found it in the playground at school). In recent years I got the small model included in the Batman TV series blu-ray set, which is still in its packaging.
I'll get around to showing them side-by-side before too long, B, but if you have a decent-sized screen, the 3 photos enlarge when you click on them. That might help you see them better. As stated (and admitted by Corgi), the car is more satin than matte, but the difference between it and the gloss one is obvious. I've got the DVD Batman set, which never came with a model. Is it the Mattel one, similar in size to the Husky?
The Batmobile with the blu-ray limited edition set is about 4 inches long, so bigger that the original Husky, but probably 75% of the Corgi Batmobile. I'll post a photo of it on my blog sometime in the next few days, when I can find a half-hour to get my thoughts organised.
I suspect that'll be a Mattel Hot Wheels Batmobile (not the smaller one similar to a Husky), which is a nice model, B. There was also a Batboat, Batcycle, and Batcopter. I'll put up a photo of the gloss and matte versions together once I snap a photo - probably tomorrow.
Thanks for posting the updated comparison photos, Kid. The difference is much more noticeable. I think I prefer the gloss version, myself. I hope that Corgi get around to re-issuing the Green Hornet "Black Beauty", if they can acquire the rights.
I suspect Black Beauty is practically a certainty to be reissued, B, and although I don't recall having it as a kid, I'll definitely get it if/when CMC reissue it.
Is it my imagination, Kid, or did a bit of touching up occur on Robin's hair with your Batmobiles? The other pics I've seen of these reissues reveal a rather overeager barber at work on poor Dick's barnet, or perhaps he was going through a pre-emptive postpunk follicular fashion attempt at the time?
Well spotted, that man. Yes, I did indeed bring Robin's crowning glory up to a 'fuller' standard as I prefer things to look as good as they can. Incidentally, the little 'spot' on both Robins' hair isn't a bit I missed, but the reflection of the camera flash.
I've now digitally removed them 'cos they'd started to bug me.
Well done indeed! Poor Richard Grayson looks hideous in original format; for all the adherence to historical mouldings, etc. I'd be much happier to see some attempt to make the poor kid look like his television counterpart. Let's not get started on Batman's bizarre ears and lack of chest emblem!
PS tempted as I am, still a bit on the fence about acquiring a 267 for myself - do I join the Corgi Club, pay a $35 joining fee I wouldn't have to if I lived in the US or UK and then have to buy an initial car I don't want in order to then buy a matte black Batmobile?
Do I pay a (local $) A$120 to get the shinier 267 with no strings attached?
Do I buy one direct from the UK for cheaper, but without the unfolding diorama box and with a permanently fixed boat hook and no in-and-out exhaust flame? (Short answer: Noooooooooo!)
Plus, have they fixed the typo on the certificate that refers to Adam West and Dick Grayson yet?
The options are exhausting (no pun intended) - being not too excited about the ordinary collector vehicles in the club, I'm veering towards not joining up, just buying the shiny car and finding someone who can paint Robin into a better haircut.
Corgi have made some subtle improvements in some areas by getting rid of casting lines and printing the Bat emblem on the car instead of using stickers. Regarding the figures, I think most people would prefer them to be just like they recall from childhood, and fitting the Bat onto the gold chest emblem would be problematic because of its size. The certificate for the matte version is different from the gloss one and doesn't mention the actors at all.
Don't they have a 'special deal' for joining the club in the US as they do the UK? And I think you can accept only the models you want, so I imagine when they contact you to say what the next model is, you can tell them you'll pass.
As for Robin's hair, I think some will get a decent 'hair job' as they're hand-painted (I think) by different people, but it's the luck of the draw - just as it was back in the '60s.
Incidentally, they've just announced that the first version of the Batboat will be released around August.
Free to join the Corgi Club in the USA, but $34.95 in Australia. We're given the option of three 'special price!' cars to purchase to validate the new membership, have to pick one of the three, can't choose from the entire range. Not told what the member's price of a Batmobile might be, so the whole thing looks a bit more effort than it's worth if I don't want to (re)start an ongoing collection. I did indeed have a lot of these as a little kid (no relation), but no desire to reacquire those others.
I guess if you only want the Batmobile then you'll have to pay over the odds on eBay, which is a shame.
Yeah, nah - to buy direct from Corgi UK or from Ebay it would be the cellophane/see though top box without the fold-out presentation diorama, plus it would have the non-removable batboat hook on the back fouling the exhaust flames.
Could buy a gloss one with the unfolding box diorama and working exhaust flames for a little more, a smidge under A$120 in local money - it's the little things that count, right? And probably less than paying for a membership, another car AND a Batmobile... but it's all a bit exhausting and maybe I'm happy just having thought about it and that's it.
Was thinking about Chitty Chitty Bang Bang too, then got that gerdawful song stuck in my head, no thanks.
That only leaves your money for 'wine, women, and song' then, Ex. Why waste it on those frivolities when you could have some great toys?
Sigh, you make a compelling case, Kid, the things we do for nostalgia..
Tell me about it, Ex. I bought the tee-shirt.
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