Corgi

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Pop-culture licensing built Corgi's reputation decades before "diecast collectible" became its own category — the brand's 1965 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 remains the best-selling toy car ever made. Today's Corgi diecast lineup carries that same instinct for film, TV, and aviation subjects into vintage cars, military vehicles, and scale aircraft, still cast with the opening doors and detailed interiors the brand pioneered generations ago.

About Corgi

Corgi Toys was founded in July 1956 by Mettoy, a British toy manufacturer started in 1933 by German émigré Philip Ullmann, with production based in Swansea, Wales. The brand set itself apart from rivals like Dinky by adding features collectors still expect today — plastic window glazing, detailed interiors, and opening doors, bonnets, and boots. Corgi has changed hands several times since Mettoy's 1984 closure — through Mattel, independent Corgi Classics Ltd, and, since 2008, Hornby — but has continued producing new diecast releases throughout.

What Makes Corgi Collectible

Corgi built its name on licensed film and TV tie-ins long before that was standard practice in diecast — its 1965 James Bond Aston Martin DB5, complete with working gadgets, sold more than seven million units and remains the best-selling toy car ever produced. That same licensing approach carries through today's catalog, spanning classic and modern vehicles, military models, and the brand's long-running Aviation Archive aircraft range, each finished with the opening features and detailed castings Corgi has been known for since the 1950s.

Popular Corgi Ranges

Corgi's current catalog is organized into several named ranges:

Vanguards: Classic British cars from the 1950s through the 1980s.
Aviation Archive: Diecast military and civilian aircraft spanning early flight through modern jets.
Original Omnibus: Diecast buses and commercial vehicles.
Licensed film & TV vehicles: Officially licensed replicas from franchises including James Bond and Thunderbirds.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Corgi's most famous model?
The 1965 James Bond Aston Martin DB5 — it's recognized as the best-selling toy car ever produced, with more than seven million units sold across its various releases.

Who owns Corgi today?
Corgi has been owned by Hornby, the British hobby group, since 2008, following earlier ownership by Mattel and independent Corgi Classics Ltd.

What features set Corgi apart from other vintage diecast brands?
Corgi was known for adding plastic window glazing, detailed interiors, and opening doors, bonnets, and boots — features that helped it stand out from rivals like Dinky.

Does Corgi still make aircraft models?
Yes — the Aviation Archive range covers diecast aircraft from early flight through modern military jets.

Is Corgi a British brand?
Yes — Corgi was founded in 1956 in the UK and manufactured for decades in Swansea, Wales.

Shop Fairfield Collectibles' Corgi lineup for decades of licensed diecast history in one place. From the legendary Bond DB5 to today's Vanguards and Aviation Archive ranges, there's a piece of Corgi's story for every kind of collector.