The history of Corgi started in 1933, when German Philip Ullmann founded Mettoy, an abbreviation for “Metal Toy”, in Northampton, England. Ullmann already had experience in the toy market before moving to England. He owned a toy factory in Nuremberg, Germany, where he made brass toys. Shortly afterwards, he became associated with a former employee of his Nuremberg factory, Arthur Katz.
A few Mettoy Tin Toys
Initially they manufactured toys similar to those previously manufactured in the Nuremberg factory. In the 1950s, they started producing “diecast” (die-cast) toys. The first model was a rope-powered racing car made of cast aluminum but with brass wheels. Shortly afterwards they switched to cast zinc, also equipping the cars with cast wheels and molded rubber tires. Other models were also produced in the same way and ended up being called Castoys, short for Cast Toys. We can say that these models were the ancestors of the Corgi models.
With the factory already established, they decided to produce a series of diecast cars to compete with Dinky, which dominated the British market.
The birth of Corgi
In 1956 Mettoy founded Corgi Toys. The name Corgi was a tribute to the company’s new headquarters, Sanwsea, in Wales, where the Corgi dog breed originated. Known as Welsh Corgis, the breed is famous for its loyalty and intelligence. The choice of name reflected the company’s dedication to creating miniatures of high quality and detail, becoming a symbol of excellence in the sector.
Corgi’s first releases were miniatures of British vehicles: Ford Consul, Austin A50 Cambridge, Morris Cowley, Vauxhall Velox, Rover 90, Riley Pathfinder, Hillman Husky, Austin-Healey 100 and Triumph TR2.
From the beginning, Corgi sought to differentiate itself through the precision and authenticity of its miniatures. In addition to cars, commercial vehicles such as trucks and buses were also produced. Attention to detail and the use of cast iron gave the miniatures exceptional strength and durability, making them popular with children and collectors of all ages.
In the following years, Corgi expanded its product line to include racing cars, military vehicles, airplanes, and even characters from popular movies and TV shows. Corgi miniatures have become true objects of desire for automotive enthusiasts and aviation aficionados due to their unparalleled quality.
One of the striking characteristics of the Corgi was the incorporation of special features in its miniatures. For example, the scaled-down cars featured opening doors, functional steering, and even realistic sounds. These additional details added value to the products and made Corgi miniatures true standout pieces in any collection.
Over the years, Corgi has expanded its global presence, gaining admirers around the world. Their miniatures were exported to several countries and received praise for their quality and authenticity. The company has also established partnerships with famous automotive brands, allowing the reproduction of iconic models on a reduced scale.
Despite having faced some challenges over time, Corgi has remained true to its reputation for excellence and adapted to market changes. With the advancement of technology and the emergence of new materials, the company expanded its product line to include miniatures in other materials, always maintaining the high quality standard for which it has become known.
Miniatures from the 2000s
The history of Corgi is marked by a passion for precision, authenticity and attention to detail, which makes it a reference in the world of cast iron miniatures. Corgi continues to delight collectors and miniature enthusiasts around the world. Each Corgi miniature is a testament to the company’s enduring commitment to offering exceptional products to those who appreciate the art of collecting.
Have you checked out our Hot Wheels – Matchbox catalog? It is constantly updated and already features more than 4,000 miniatures. Click here to take a look!
Já deu uma olhada no nosso catálogo Hot Wheels – Matchbox? Ele é constantemente atualizado e já conta com mais de 4.000 miniaturas. Clique aqui para dar uma olhada!
¿Has echado un vistazo a nuestro catálogo Hot Wheels – Matchbox? Se actualiza constantemente y ya cuenta con más de 4.000 miniaturas. ¡
Haz clic aquí para echarle un vistazo!