VBD2 is closed. Please go to https://vbd3.co.uk instead.

I've never owned one of these so I'm afraid I've got no idea, sorry. Perhaps someone else reading this has this model and could chip in. It might be a bit cheeky, but could you ask an ebay seller to post some close up photos of the strings in case it sheds any light on it?

Hang in there Chris, I know someone on another forum who specializes in restoring Corgi models and I am due to meet him in person at an upcoming toy fair later this Month, I'll ask him about it and see what he says.

GHOSTHUNTER.