Corgi juniors

[SMS88]

Yes the name 'Juniors' lasted a very long time, but it was the first models, the proper 1960's 'Juniors' range that were short-lived, morphing into the 'Rockets' range
in 1969 and we here on this forum, must be aware of the effect the original 'HOT WHEELS' had on not just Matchbox, but Corgi, Dinky and Lone Star as well, all of them adopting a low friction fast running wheel design.

I was not aware of the wider sales of the models outside of Woolworth's in the UK so thank's for that one SMS88.

Ghosty.

Its actually the ´´Corgi Rockets´´ range that can be justifiably described as shortlived - launched last half of 1969 and then taken out of production after Christmas 1971 market had been supplied! The last Rockets trackset came out in 1972 to use up stocks of track, ´´The Wall of Death´´ included Corgi Juniors Whizzwheels Capri with a motorcycle bought in from Britains as Rockets with their tunable chassis & solarbrite paint were already history ,too costly to compete with Matchbox Superfast at 2/3 of their price.
Corgi Juniors in 1970 were either converted to ´ ´WHIZZWHEELS´´or deleted to be replaced with new ´ ´WHIZZWHEELS´´ castings but the ´ ´WHIZZWHEELS´´ specification was dropped from new models and new designed packaging for Corgi Juniors during 1973 so it is also fair to call the ´ ´WHIZZWHEELS´´ name shortlived on packaging lasting just 3 years but remaining on metal baseplate castings until they were retired from the range.........

[GHOSTHUNTER]

You have hit upon the reason why this debate is taking place, the 'Range' names on packaging and 'Range' names on the models baseplates, taken on face value, is giving the conflicting production periods.

GHOSTHUNTER.

[SMS88]

You have hit upon the reason why this debate is taking place, the 'Range' names on packaging and 'Range' names on the models baseplates, taken on face value, is giving the conflicting production periods.

GHOSTHUNTER.

Corgi Juniors branded as Corgi Juniors were manufactured from 1970-1978 and then same concept rebranded simply as Corgi from 1978-1989 with the 1968 Husky designed Aston DB6 remaining in production for entire 20 years both with and without the roof hatch for the oo7 version.
Husky models were designed for Woolworths to compete with Matchbox 1-75 series without using or potentially damaging the up market Corgi brand. Once the profitability & success of Husky was established it was a smart move for Corgi to rebrand as Corgi Juniors to enhance the goodwill for the brand best known for the c1/43 scale range and a smart move for Woolworths to end their USA exclusive deal in order to sell Hotwheels in US stores from 1969.Corgi Juniors remained the small scale diecast in UK Woolworths well into the 1970s although I have never had it confirmed that Juniors were ever sold in US Woolworths pre 1976 because aside from Hotwheels, US Woolworths made a deal in 1970 or 71 that resulted in the Playart range being created for their stores to replace Husky once the Hotwheels Redlines flash in the pan was declining in 1971 and clearly over after Christmas 1972 when their sales collapsed ,US factory closed down, Redlines replaced with cheap speedwheels and spectraflame paint dropped at the Hong Kong factory. Hotwheels only had a very large slice of the 3inch diecast market for 4 years - 1969-72 - from 1973 (perhaps even 1972 worldwide where Hotwheels cost 50% more than Superfast outside USA) it was Matchbox Superfast on top with Corgi Juniors in 2nd place and Hotwheels in the mix with Playart and Majorette as also rans until their resurgence that began at the end of the 1980s and continued until the 2007-8 recession

[familybucket43]

Hello sms88 and ghosty. I`ve been through my collection of juniors and i have not got anymore husky based vehicles on a juniors card.....

[motorman]

I will be the first to admit that my knowledge of Corgi Juniors is limited. Can anyone recommend any good reference material/guides etc?

[GHOSTHUNTER]

This one is pretty good...http://www.vintagebritishdiecasts.co.uk ... /husky.htm

There does not appear to be any modern printed reference works apart from the John Ramsay Price guide...http://www.ramsayspriceguide.com/...but as it is really a price guide it can not detail the type of information we collectors go for, but like Nick's guide, it will list the core ranges with most of the known colours.

Ghosty.

[Ewan]

There is a guide written by Bill Manzke on Corgi Juniors and Husky. You'll find it on ebay 'Buy It Now' for £20 -£30. I don't have it so can't comment on how good it is.

[SMS88]

There is a guide written by Bill Manzke on Corgi Juniors and Husky. You'll find it on ebay 'Buy It Now' for £20 -£30. I don't have it so can't comment on how good it is.

It is very good - the only mistakes or omissions are in the variation guide at the back

[motorman]

There is a guide written by Bill Manzke on Corgi Juniors and Husky. You'll find it on ebay 'Buy It Now' for £20 -£30. I don't have it so can't comment on how good it is.

It is very good - the only mistakes or omissions are in the variation guide at the back

There is a guide written by Bill Manzke on Corgi Juniors and Husky. You'll find it on ebay 'Buy It Now' for £20 -£30. I don't have it so can't comment on how good it is.

Thanks Ewan and Mick that appreciated i will try to get a copy.

[MrGoodies]

Husky models on corgi junior cards was new to me! Seems to me that these are resealed? Need a good check of the card!
But possible to sell old stock.

Not new to me are Corgi Junior models with blank baseplates and with the small CJ Stickers on last series yellow Husky cards.
Here i know many variations.

Corgi Juniors selling start was 2-half of 1969, there was 2 different leaflets showing this. First line shown with old wheels,
same leaflet showing line-up of cars with Whizzwheels! Very interesting period!

Have fun
Wolfgang