Corgi's Magnus Opus The James Bond DB5

In this video, we trace the 30-year evolution of arguably the most famous toy ever made: the Corgi James Bond Aston Martin DB5. From the "Goldfinger" craze of the 60s to the collector-focused reissues of the 90s, we look at how this die-cast icon changed over the decades. What’s in this video: • 1965: The Gold Standard (Model #261) – Why was the first movie car gold instead of silver? We dive into the "rush to Christmas" story and the gadgets that changed toys forever (ejector seat, machine guns, and bullet shield).  • 1968: The Silver Upgrade (Model #270) – Corgi fixes the color and adds even more Q-Branch tech, including revolving number plates and rear tire slashers.  • The 70s & 80s Refinements – How the casting evolved, including the transition to "WhizzWheels" and cost-cutting measures that changed the gadgets. • 1990–1995: The China Transition – A major turning point as Corgi moves production from Swansea, Wales, to China.  • 1995: The 30th Anniversary Reissues – We look at the gold-plated limited editions and the "Corgi Classics" (Model #96655/96656) that marked the first DB5s officially "Made in China." Key Features Comparison: • Original 1:46 Scale vs. Later 1:36 Scale • Gadgets: Does your ejector seat still work? • Base Markings: How to tell a British original from a Chinese reissue. Are you a collector? Check the base of your model! Does it say "Made in GT. Britain" or "Made in China"? Let us know in the comments which version you had as a kid (or still have on your shelf today)! #CorgiToys #JamesBond #AstonMartinDB5 #007 #DiecastCollector #VintageToys #Goldfinger #ModelCars