Miniatures News, July 1966
The advent of a new Corgi “Classic” is always enthralling and their latest in this series, a remarkably detailed 1912 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghost with many-windowed Barker Pullman limousine body, is outstanding. Measuring 4 in. in length, this little model is finished in silver and is detailed even to the extent of different-sized wheels front and rear with artillery spokes and rows of retaining nuts (their brass finish is a bit suspect, however), toolboxes, luggage rack round the roof, Acetylene cylinder, carriage side-lamps, “button” upholstery, brass headlamps hung in period brackets, starting handle, road springs, spare tyre and rim on the lofty roof, rain-aperture in the windscreen, seats, steering column and wheel, etc. Underneath, the crankcase, carden shaft, gearbox, transmission brake, propeller shaft, back axle, radius rods, petrol tank and exhaust system with cut-out are faithfully outlined.
If criticism is justified it must concern the “Spirit of Ecstasy” mascot, which surely was not almost as tall as the honeycomb of even the low Edwardian Silver Ghost radiator ? However, this could easily be removed, and there is still the correct, tiny R.-R. badge on the radiator itself. The bonnet lacks imitation rivets, but they were not to be found on this particular Rolls-Royce which is a model of the car Ferranti bought from the Sword Collection. Incidentally, there is a theory that the unusual body was ordered by a hire-firm intending to promote grand tours of the Highlands, the multi-window arrangement being desired for maximum visibility. These comments apart, this truly fine miniature, No. 9041 in the Corgi “Classic” series, is the best thing of its kind yet released, and must make enormous sales; will, indeed, surely be as good an ambassador for poor old Britain as the real Silver Ghost was from 1907 to 1925. It retails for 14s. 6d.
In their normal series Corgi have introduced a German Police version of the VW 1200, with steering operated through the roof beacon, this 3 5/8 in. long model, No. 492, selling for 7s. 9d.
Those who build model cars in miniature will welcome the 1966 Monogram catalogue, price 1s., which covers the wide range of magnificently detailed plastic car and aeroplane kits offered by this manufacturer. When winter leisure permits we hope to describe the building-up of their 1934 Duesenberg SJ torpedo phaeton, a 9 5/8-in. model from Kit No. PC81. Meanwhile, this catalogue, covering kits for making almost anything from a 1930 Model-B Ford to a 1 /24th-scale Ferrari 275P, is published by A.A. Hales. Ltd., 96, Station Close. Potters Bar, Herts.— W.B.