The Corgi Citroen DS is a scarce late version with spot lights, similar to those on the Monte Carlo version, but cast in, not jeweled. The base is also the same as the Monte Carlo car, with no axle holes, and the wheels aren't fixed to the axles. I've just noticed that the glazing unit also includes a downwards-facing hump in the ceiling, which was presumably added to clear the rally car's aerial. I've included a couple of comparison shots next to the normal version. I spotted a mint boxed one of these with a stall holder I know well, who is a true Corgi expert. The price was well out of my range, so I was very pleased to find this very acceptable example on another stall at a fraction of the price. The Whizzwheels Mini has had some small touch-ups, but it's nice to find a presentable one of these at sensible money, and I didn't have this version with tinted windows.
I was very happy to find a selection of Spot On accessories. I think I now have a full set of road signs. These signs are metal, whereas the few I already had are the plastic variety. The road works are missing a few pieces, but I like the hut and plastic ring of dirt. I'm not sure the best way to display the signs, as normally I just place them here and there in the cabinet, but that won't work too well with this quantity.
The best part was the majority of a small Shell service station set, which I can add to my existing BP set. The baseplate wasn't there, but when trying to fit it into the cabinet this is probably an advantage!
Spot the difference! There are lots of policemen with truncheon around, but the one without (from the speeding MG Midget) has been harder to track down. The Fiat is a repaint, but very nicely done, and was a good price.
A couple of old Dinkies.
I ended up buying 2 of the 6-rivet Pullman car transporters. I try not to go too crazy for variations, but sometimes I get carried away. The first one I bought was very nice. The second one wasn't quite as good, but was a lot cheaper, and I noticed that this one has the early lettering on the side where each word is on a separate transfer, with the backing visible. Needless to say, this isn't showing up in the photo... The lettering was also a much darker shade of blue. The lighting set is there in its box, but I don't think I'll be installing it in my service station - it looks a rather basic set up.
The one with the transfers (shown at the bottom of the picture below) has an earlier casting on the cab. The casting around the slot (for tipping versions) is thinner, and there are no bosses to keep the back wheels apart. Strangely, all of my articulated lorry and dustcart Bedfords have this "early" type of casting, even late ones with windows added (and the dustcart has a winder, so you'd think the beefed up metal around the slot would have been useful).
Spot the different shape where the front wings meet the bumper. Earlier version on the right.
A friend who runs a local model shop came with me and he dropped off some Yesteryears with Vectis, including the second maroon Spyker he's had during the past year.
