A Ford Focus on Raptors and Mustangs in Transit and in scale

Welcome to the latest edition of Corgi Die-cast Diaries, your regular blog review of all the news, updates and topical stories from the captivating world of Corgi die-cast model collecting.

For this latest Corgi update, we will be keeping our feet, or should that be our tyres, firmly on the ground, as we bring you a quartet of impending new Vanguards releases, each one a new or relatively new tooling project and each one our scale representation of a different Ford design. As the Vanguards range continues to go from strength to strength, we're delighted to be in a position to bring you exclusive imagery featuring production sample examples of the third releases from our Ranger Raptor and Focus ST toolings, just the second release from our Transit Custom and by way of a blog exclusive, a first look at our new Ford Mustang Mk6 Mach 1 tooling. Just so we can include a little aviation reference in this update, the Mustang is actually finished in 'Fighter Jet Grey' and it really does look like its capable of hitting speeds approaching Mach 1.

By way of a little breaking news addition to this latest update, we will be including a single image taken in the Corgi showroom this week, as work has been continuing on an exciting new project at our Head Office site, but we'll have more on this development a little later in the article. For the eagle eyed amongst us, you might just be able to make out a decorated sample of our new 1/48th scale BAe Harrier II in the picture, a model which will be the headline feature in a forthcoming edition of Die-cast Diaries.

It's all new model action in this latest update from the world of Corgi.

Mustang - A flying machine on four wheels

How good does this look! New Vanguards Ford Mustang Mk.6 on parade and ready for action.

When talking about the Ford Mustang, we think we can just about get away with a section heading such as the one above, particularly as most observers on this particular subject attribute the naming of Ford's exciting new muscle car back in the early 1960s to Executive Stylist John Najjar, a man who was an enthusiastic admirer of America's famous P-51 fighter aircraft of the Second World War. Whatever the inspiration behind the name of the Mustang actually was, it was undoubtedly an automotive flying machine and one which like the P-51, would go on to forge itself an almost iconic status.

As our new Vanguards Ford Mustang Mk.6 model prepares to make its much anticipated range debut, we are presented with one final opportunity to introduce this modern motoring classic to our Die-cast Diaries audience, with the help of an exclusive selection of product imagery and another of our photographer Michael Collins' imaginative 'specials'. Although our choice of the Ford Mustang Mk.6 as one of our latest Vanguards new tooling projects may have come as a surprise to some, there is no doubt that its announcement was met with overwhelming positivity and a healthy pre-order book to boot, so we know many of our readers will be very much looking forward to this final pre-release update.

A car which immediately became an aspirational purchase for anyone who thought themselves a style conscious driver, the Mustang had a distinctive long front bonnet (hood if you want to stay American) and a relatively compact cabin, attributes which gave it a really purposeful, almost aggressive appearance, making this it a car to be reckoned with. In actual fact, this distinctive styling would prove so popular that it would inspire a new generation of vehicles from several rival motor manufacturers, including such US classics as the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird and Dodge Challenger. A little closer to home, European markets would also be impressed with the Mustang's styling, resulting in the introduction of such models as the Toyota Celica and the Ford Capri, both types which were thought to have taken design inspiration from the Ford Mustang.

A vision in Fighter Jet Grey, the images being shown here all feature advanced production samples of the next four Ford model releases to join the Vanguards range, including this particularly handsome Mustang Mk.6.

The original Ford Mustang underlined its star billing within the Ford line-up by its appearance in several high-profile movies of the period, such as James Bond’s ‘Goldfinger’ and the classic fast-paced action thriller Bullitt, big screen appearances which would only serve to further enhance the reputation of this powerful and hugely desirable new car. The name chosen for the car is thought to have been suggested by a senior designer and stylist working at Ford’s at the time, a man who was a huge admirer of the famous Mustang fighter aircraft from the Second World War. He thought that as the Mustang proved to be a real war winner and something the American people were rightly proud of, it seemed a fitting name for this new muscle car, particularly as at that time, the new car would have to fight for its position within the Ford range.

Over the years, the classic styling of the original Mark I Mustang has been ‘tinkered with’ by designers in order to maintain sales numbers which have always been strong, providing the model with regular, sometimes quite dramatic facelifts. It does have to be said that some of these styling decisions weren’t always particularly successful and when compared with the original, are much less pleasing to the eye, however, they say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder and someone at Ford must have thought they were a good idea at the time.

The latest iteration of Ford Mustang styling is definitely something of a design return to form for Ford and was unveiled in December 2013, a car surely most people would love to own and one which again stays faithful to the car’s iconic origins. Although you should never generalise on matters such as this, would you describe the Ford Mustang as being a car which would appeal to men, and a certain type of man at that? Perhaps a style conscious sports star or an actor/stuntman who works on action movies, or are we making too many assumptions here? Whatever the target audience, there is no doubting that the latest version of this American classic is one which Steve McQueen, who as we all know was the ‘King of Cool’, would have looked right at home driving, therefore making this a car many millions of people would love to own.

VA15501 - Ford Mustang Mk.6 Mach 1 - Fighter Jet Grey

Ford’s 2015 sixth-generation Mustang was the first to be officially offered in the UK as
a factory-built, right-hand-drive car and in 2021 the iconic Mach 1 was added to the range. Mach 1, the term used to indicate supersonic flight, first graced a production Mustang in 1969 when jet aviation references were very much part of the American lexicon. The original fastback-only Mach 1, which featured a ‘low-gloss’ black finish on a bonnet secured by competition-type pins, was an instant hit, helped by the publicity created when it captured 295 speed and endurance records at the Bonneville Salt Flats. The 2021 Mach 1 echoes that high-performance heritage by featuring a sonorous DOHC 454bhp V8. 

In addition to featuring evocative graphics, the 2021 Mach 1 could be ordered with a 10-speed automatic gearbox or a Tremec 6-speed manual with rev-matching software, just one of a host of features aimed at making it more driver-focused and prepared for track use. They also included separate engine and transmission oil coolers, massive six-piston Brembo brakes and clever MagneRide® adjustable dampers calibrated to work in harmony with stiffer springs and anti-roll bars. The manual example modelled was one of the first UK-specification Mach 1s and joined Ford’s PR fleet in September 2021. It was road tested by various magazines including EVO, CAR, What Car and Auto Express as well as starring in the music video for singer James Arthur’s song, ‘Ride’. 

Yet more new Vanguards delights

A mini Ford collection in itself, this quadrangle of impending new Vanguards releases will soon be gracing our display cabinets. 

As we speed headlong towards the end of British summer time and that extra hour for us to spend dusting and rearranging our display cabinets, in advance of the arrival of these four Ford heavyweight releases, we thought we would spend this final weekend spoiling you, from a model image exclusives perspective. The next three models we are about to feature are all second and third releases from their respective toolings, so still really quite new in their release cycles. Each one incredibly appealing in its own right, both the Ford Transit Custom and the Ranger Raptor are actually two of the largest and heaviest models to ever feature in a Vanguards range and whilst both wear the famous Ford badge, are very much representative of our desire to introduce different, some might say surprising, new subjects to the range.

Let's continue with our new model Ford fest visit to the Vanguards model showroom. 

VA15102 - Ford Transit Custom Trail 2.0 - Race Red

The Ford Transit has offered unrivalled versatility since it was launched in 1965 and the 2020 Transit Trail has expanded the vehicle’s capabilities even further. Designed for users who need the ability to work in conditions where traction is limited such as building sites or rural areas it was offered in two specifications. The front-wheel drive Trail featured a Mechanical Limited-Slip Differential (mLSD), developed in partnership with well-known driveline specialists Quaife, that automatically directed torque to the wheel with the most grip. For those needing a workhorse to use off-road, however, the 4x4 model offered intelligent All-Wheel Drive with dynamic torque distribution between all four wheels to maximise traction.

The short wheelbase van modelled was used by Ford for PR work but the Trail was also available in numerous body styles including the Kombi, Double-cabin-in-van, or the Single and Double-cab chassis. All Trails were visually distinguished by a large matte black FORD ‘statement grille’, black cladding on the body sides, unique 16” alloy wheels and Trail badges on the front doors. The interior featured durable easily cleaned leather seating, a FordPass Connect onboard modem with WiFi hotspot for up to ten devices and a Quickclear heated windscreen, which cleared ice and mist in seconds, even when the engine has only just been turned on. The Trail range was a unique proposition for those needing an off-road capable vehicle with impressive carrying capacity and connectivity. 

VA15303 - Ford Focus Mk3 ST - Race Red

The third generation Focus, codenamed C346 while being developed, was announced in December 2010 and remained in production in Europe until 2018. Despite the car not being available as a 3-door, Ford continued a long tradition that had started with the Lotus-Cortina and offered a performance orientated version, the ST, which went on sale in the UK in the summer of 2012. It featured a 247bhp turbocharged 4-cylinder 2-litre EcoBoost engine, mated to a six-speed manual gearbox, giving it impressive real-world performance and a 0-60 mph time of 6.2 seconds. The ST was much praised by the motoring press as a driver’s car and is now considered a modern classic. 

The ST featured a torque vectoring system which reduced the torque steer often suffered by powerful front-wheel-drive cars and this, allied to sports suspension that reduced the ride-height by 10mm, gave the car tenacious grip and rewarding handling. The Electronic Stability Control had three options, allowing drivers to pick a level of assistance applicable to their skill and the conditions, while the brakes, which featured 320mm front discs, were powerful and reassuring enough to help exploit this. The ST was easily distinguished from less performance orientated Focus models by its honeycomb grille, 18-inch wheels, rear diffuser and centre-exit dual exhaust, while the interior featured Recaro sports seats, leather-trimmed ST steering wheel, red-stitched gear knob and Ford Power Starter Button.

VA15203 - Ford Ranger Raptor - Frozen White

Just to reaffirm, all the model images being shown on this update feature advanced production examples of all four models, meaning all scheduled for imminent release, other than the Focus Mk3 ST, which is scheduled to arrive in early December.

The Ford Ranger Raptor mixes the tough, go-anywhere ability of other models in the Ranger line up with the comfort demanded by drivers and passengers more used to cars than pick-ups whilst also offering the performance and driving pleasure that enthusiasts enjoy. The Raptor was developed by Ford Performance, a division of Ford famous for developing cars wearing the legendary RS badge, and is powered by a 2-litre Bi-Turbo Ford EcoBlue diesel developing a mighty 500 Nm of torque, which is distributed to the Ranger’s four-wheel drive system via a 10-speed automatic transmission, so it’s always in the right gear at the right time whether it’s being used in an urban environment or off-road.

The load and towing capacity are less than the standard Ranger because of a chassis redesign that makes the Raptor more refined than its commercial cousins. Coil springs replace the leaf springs that are so common on the rear of pick-ups and it has cleverly designed Fox dampers with bypass valves that give a comfortable ride on a wide variety of terrain. The vehicle modelled was the third Raptor that Ford UK retained for press and PR work and was the first to feature the striking Raptor Decal pack, a popular optional extra. It was featured in a detailed road test film presented by Rebecca Jackson for the CarGurus UK YouTube channel and many magazine and newspaper articles as well as Ford publicity material.  

All four of these new models will be welcome and extremely attractive additions to the Vanguards range and we are delighted to confirm that three should be available imminently. We are expecting the Mustang, Transit Custom and Raptor to arrive in our warehouse next week, although we will have to wait a little longer to get our hands on the Focus ST, as this isn't due to arrive with us until the beginning of December. Having said that, it would make for a rather spectacular stocking filler for the Vanguards collecting loved one in your life!

Classic Corgi models on show in The Wonder Works

Aviation Archive heavyweights each and every one, but can you spot the latest addition to the range?

Anyone fancy a quick game of spot the new Corgi BAe Harrier GR7a model to end this latest update? 

As our Brand Manager has been engaged in preparing a Corgi display for a spectacular new visitor attraction at our Margate HQ site this week, he also took the opportunity to make some changes to our 1/48th scale jet aircraft display, sneaking in the PP sample model of the first release from our spectacular BAe Harrier II tooling. This collection of classic British post war jets looks magnificent as part of any die-cast model display, but when arranged in close proximity to each other, positively demand we pay them some attention.

The display plinth in the Corgi showroom now boasts the second and third Phantom models, the most recent English Electric Lightning, the latest Eurofighter Typhoon and as of this week, the pre-production, fully decorated sample of the new BAe Harrier and don't they look the business! As you would expect, the new Harrier will feature extensively in a forthcoming edition of the blog, news which will be music to the ears of many Aviation Archive collectors. Of all the models currently in this growing collection, it could be argued that the Harrier has appeal which transcends traditional collector groups, as it's an aircraft type which is still held in extremely high regard by large sections of the population, despite the fact that it's now almost thirteen years since they were prematurely withdrawn from service.

Our readers can also look forward to a future review showcasing the exciting new attraction due to be unveiled at our Head Office site, The Wonder Works. Due to be a significant visitor attraction in the Margate area and wider county of Kent, The Wonder Works is intended to be the ultimate haven for enthusiasts, featuring all of the iconic hobby brands under the Hornby Hobbies umbrella. Opening on 30th October, the brand teams have worked incredibly hard to make this an enjoyable destination for everyone, whether they have enjoyed our models in the past or not, but for those who are invested in our brands, this could just be a little piece of heaven on earth for you.

For those people able to visit the Wonder Works in person from the end of this month, we think you're going to absolutely love the experience, however, for those who might have to plan their visit a little further into the future, we intend to bring you a lavishly illustrated review of the attraction, just to show you what you're missing.

Please look out for more Wonder Works details via our official social media outlets in the very near future, because we can't wait to welcome you.

We begin and end with the same image, one prepared as our Die-cast Diaries branded header and this version as shot by our photographer Mike.

That's all we have for you in this latest edition, however, we will be back as usual in two weeks' time, with a further selection of model project updates to bring you. Between editions, we are always interested to hear your views on all things Corgi, so if you feel like dropping us a line to comment on anything blog, collecting or Corgi model related, or even to suggest a topic you might like to see us cover in a future edition, please do drop us a line at diecastdiaries@corgi.co.uk.

If you can’t wait for the next blog, you will find plenty of Corgi model collecting discussions taking place on our official social media channels, access to which can be obtained by clicking on the respective links at the foot of the Corgi website homepage. 

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Thank you for continuing to support our Die-cast Diaries blog. Our next edition is scheduled for publication on Friday 3rd November.

The Corgi Team