There are loads of releases of this casting over the years. I originally thought this to be the first release of the open top version, but when I got the bottom off I found it had suspension and was therefore the later 'S' release. The usual way for Corgis to get suspension is to have the axles fitted into slots so that they can move up and down and to provide a spring wire down each side of the car, This one has a small butterfly spring for each axle.

The history of this Corgi is quite hard to sort out. It came out first in 1958 as an open sports with no suspension. In 1961 it gained its unique springs described above. In 1963 it got a driver and in 1964 it got spoked wheels. You will see it in white, off white, shades of blue and plated silver. The interior can be blue, yellow or brown, it may or may not have a driver - in a grey suit with a red bow tie, it may or may not have a racing stripe and racing numbers.

You may be forgiven if you are confused. Any of the above in mint condition still in its box will be worth good money. Top value is for the 1961 release white car, suspension but no driver, blue seats, racing stripe or the 1963/64 plated car with a driver and with or without spoked wheels.

This example has been in the hands of a small child with a paint box, a child who wanted it to be black with a blue grille. Water colour paints thank goodness. I managed to get most of it off with a little effort I then ordered a new screen & steering wheel from Steve Flowers and stripped the car down to give it a good clean before reassembling it with the new parts.