CORGI
The Definitive Bond Collection
65002 – LOTUS Esprit
from JAMES BOND 10th movie – The Spy Who Loved Me
Submarine Version With Surface-to-air-missiles
Die Cast
Scale 1:36 ? Actual size 4.5’x2”
Condition: Stock as issue (old stock stored in original factory shipping packaging)
Last one in my inventory!
This model was "Sold Out" by Corgi in 2002.
This series has distinctive packaging that looks great!
Most Corgi models released in their Movie & TV line are in 1:36 scale. They aren’t a high end of diecast models but are great memorabilia items.
“Remember those retractable fins for submersible operation, and the surface to air missiles fired from underwater? Here they are again, this time in 1:36 scale, based on the vehicle starring in Roger Moore's third outing as 007 in the 1977 box office hit (which cost $14 million to make and has since grossed no less than $185 million!)”
The Corgi Definitive Bond Collection by Corgi was in production from 1999 till 2003. In 2003 in order to comply with the toy industry safety standards Corgi removed all operational features from Bond Vehicles. As the result the Definitive Bond Collection was abandoned. Simplified models were released as part of James Bond 007 Series, which was a part of Corgi Toy Series. Most likely this move by Corgi based on idea that they could dramatically increase sale marketing this line as a toy. Probably Corgi didn’t reach this goal since just in a couple years all Bond’s vehicles that were stripped of their features got them back and models were reintroduced as collectables. Corgi issued new Bond Collection – Directors Cut.
In my personal opinion as a collector, I believe that the Definitive Bond Collection had the most attractive packaging among all Corgi Bond Series.
Models from this series were sold out long time ago. I just found very limited quantities of models from this series in my warehouse. And decided to list them on the eve of 21st Bond movie premiere in US movie-theaters.
