Sunday, October 9, 2016

#730 CORGI – ADAMS DRAG-STAR (1972)


There are some Corgi models from the early years that I love for being quite accurate, or for representing rare models that were not made by other manufacturers, but in this case, I love this model for its weirdness.


To my knowledge it is not based on any known model. I have been looking for it thinking it is maybe an “Adams Bros” creation, but I couldn’t find it anywhere. The toy model is often refferred as Adams 4-engined “Drag-star”, although 4-engined is not casted on the base (but maybe on the box or in some promotional catalogue).



If it exists or not, however, is secondary, the design is amazing, no doubt about that, and the finishing by Corgi is also great. I love that red colour that fades into (the base-) orange, the small plastic figure inside the cabin/cockpit, the four lined-up motors that leave some space for the pilot to see between them, the usage of chromed and black parts, the great wheels (think and big behind, small at the front), and the action feature of that rear-bumper that can be triggered from the front. Is it really a bumper? What is the purpose of it? It is also not very important… as I said before, just looking at the car brings happiness to car-lovers and car-fanatics like me.

This model was first released in February 1972, being among the most popular that year. It came with whizzwheels.


I don’t know if you would agree with me, but during the 70s, there were tons of great concept cars and prototypes that caught great attention. This continued during the 80s, but then it disappeared in the 90s. Today there are more and more car manufacturers, but they do make these rare prototypes only in very rare occasions. I guess with the current automation in factories, it would be too costly to design only one unit of some avant-garde car for shows that is really fully-functional (including security aspects, durability and more). Today, they just show some concept art or 3D animations, but back then, you could really go somewhere and see the car yourself.


FACTS AND FIGURES:
  • Name: ADAMS DRAG-STAR
  • Scale: Approx. 1:43
  • Year: 1972
  • Company: Corgi Toys (Great Britain)
  • Size: approx. 11 cm

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