Corgi Toys

Corgi was created by the Mettoy company in July 1956. Mettoy was formed by Philipp Ullman and Arthur Katz in 1936 producing tin plate mechanised toys. In 1956, the first Corgi toy, an Austin Cambridge was launched and the Corgi company was born. In 1983 the company hit financial difficulties and went into receivership but a management buyout saved the company and Corgi Toys Ltd was formed in 1984. Mattel became the owners of the company in 1989 and continued to build the Corgi range despite early reservations by the trade. After a further management buyout, the company was finally bought by

 the far eastern company, Zindhart. 1999 saw the accusation of Lledo further strengthening its range and saving another British die-cast company from doom.

The first Corgi fire vehicles were the Bedford Utilicon fire tenders based on the Bedford CF van. They came in red fire department livery and green AFS livery of the Auxiliary Fire Service.

Notable vehicles are in the Corgi Major range including the Bedford Turntable 1964, the American La France 1968, and the Chubb Pathfinder of 1976.

The Corgi Classics range continues to produce fine detailed models, mostly limited editions, in both American and British models.

Corgi Sections

• Corgi Juniors Smaller range to compete with Matchboxes 1:75 range.
• Corgi Classics Corgis range of highly detailed, sometimes limited edition models.
• Corgi General Includes Corgi Major models.
• Fire Hero's New small range of vehicles