| I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 21-12-2006 22:14 |
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FlaBat
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I finally GOT ONE!
It?s only been nearly 40 years, but when I was a kid I begged my parents for a Corgi Batmobile. The one I wanted is known as #267 and the version I coveted most was a set that included a Batboat on a trailer. I never got one. Both my sister and I got Corgi Jr. (1:64 scale) versions. With the power of the Internet it would seem easy to get one now, and it is, the problem is that they are almost always beyond my financial reach. Even slightly beat up versions go for top dollar and forget about Mint, those fetch a thousand dollars or more.
A few months ago, my (now former supervisor) boss and I were talking and he mentioned he had one in his collection somewhere at home. His now adult son had it someplace and he would find it and give it to me. He?s reason was sound. Knowing I had a rather extensive Batman collection already, he knew I would provide a good home for it. I got it today and I am so tickled pink I feel like a kid again!
Now, it?s almost 40 years old and it's certainly not mint, but it?s in good shape for her age. His kids did get a hold of it a few times as it has a few broken pieces. From what I know it?s an early edition 1966 or 1967 with Red Bats on Gold Wheels. It does not have the tow hook for the Batboat trailer. The paint is still great with only one or two notable paint chips. The cutter still works, as does the pulsating flame out the back. The right front suspension is shot with the wheel tucked up under the fender. The rear seams a little soggy too. Most of the antenna is gone with only a stub remaining. Batman is missing too, but Robin is still seated. Only one Red Rocket is left but all three tubes fire. The blue canopies are both cracked and the front one on Robin?s side is missing a chunk of it and the "antler" on Batman's side was broken off long ago. Still she?s a beauty.
I can?t seem to put this Batmobile down for very long. It was a childhood dream to own one and now it?s here. I?ve already ordered replacement parts for it as I intend to restore it. I?m going to leave the paint, although I may try to touch up the chips. The paint cleaned up nicely with a microfiber towel and shines nice enough. I?ve never done a restoration like this, but I found some online tutorials that look easy enough to follow. If anybody has any additional tips for me please post them.
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| RE: I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 21-12-2006 22:34 |
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Chris
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Congrats! Those are awesome!!
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| RE: I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 21-12-2006 22:51 |
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Caleson
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So he just handed it to ya? That's great. And it is a pretty cool looking item; the highly primitive Robin figure gives it that old artifact appeal, and I'm amazed at the great condition of the paint. My mom's been buying a few childhood toys from the late '50s/early '60s as well after finding her old toy clothes iron at her parents' ranch. It's an actual plug-in iron with a partially melted handle. They obviously didn't have much toy saftey regulation in those days...
I guess the closest thing I can compare to this is my desire to get a now rare and somewhat highly valued Knock-Out Joker from The Dark Knight Collection (my mom wouldn't buy it for me that first and only day I saw it in K-Mart 16 years ago).
I would try and restore it too, but what could you do for the bubble windshields and missing Batman figure? Sounds like a tough but fun job ahead of you.
Edited by Caleson on 21-12-2006 22:54 |
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| RE: I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 21-12-2006 23:08 |
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brucexbatman
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Nice!! Is it just me or are the windows on the front cracked?
Batman: Year Two |
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| RE: I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 22-12-2006 06:12 |
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TLD
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I recall seeing one of those at a convention some years ago. At the time I used to frequent comic and other conventions with a friend. He still spends a great deal of time with them. Me? I'm a little more picky about my acquisitions.
Congrats on yours, 40 years is a long time to wait. |
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| RE: I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 22-12-2006 07:51 |
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FlaBat
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Caleson wrote:
So he just handed it to ya?
Yeah he did, even wrapped it up for Christmas
Caleson wrote:
I guess the closest thing I can compare to this is my desire to get a now rare and somewhat highly valued Knock-Out Joker from The Dark Knight Collection
Yeah, me too. That?s the one figure that?s hard to find and expensive to buy when you do find it. I want one really bad, but may never get one.
Caleson wrote:
I would try and restore it too, but what could you do for the bubble windshields and missing Batman figure? Sounds like a tough but fun job ahead of you.
The parts are online and I already ordered replacements for what?s missing or broken including a better painted Batman and Robin. Drilling the six rivets under the car will be the hard part. I may buy a real beat up one from eBay cheap just for practice. Once the car is apart it looks easy enough to replace the broken parts.
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| RE: I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 22-12-2006 10:06 |
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spencer1984
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Great find, and overall beautiful condition for its age (the rocket tubes & paint look amazing). The replacement parts should really finish it off nicely.
From the pictures, I'd say it was an early '66, version #2 - the first version was flat black, and by late '66 Corgi had started adding the tow hook for the trailer. One of the more rare cars to find, congratulations! |
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| RE: I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 22-12-2006 13:12 |
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real-dark-knight
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FlaBat wrote: Still she?s a beauty.
Brilliant. Really pleased for you. And the fact you didn't pay ?????s just makes it nicer still.
I had Corgi Batmobiles as a child that (obviously) I really wish I still had. This would've been mid 70s.
I've still got many of the worthless cars/boats/trains/aeroplanes - none of which are that interesting. My nephew plays with them. I do however wonder what happened to the Star Wars and Batman stuff. If I knew then what I know now.............
Wicked story Flabat! |
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| RE: I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 22-12-2006 13:49 |
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Catfan
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Way to go! I had one of those myself years ago, and hope I can locate it one day!
Located at http://www.catwomanfan.com
The 1965 FBI Tribute site
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| RE: I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 27-12-2006 21:29 |
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tomstoyz
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Cool find! It's a real shame the windshield is busted. The paint looks really great & it still has the RARE bat-stickers on the doors, wow!
You might check out a website of a friend of mine who does restoration of these Corgi Batmobile cars. He might be able to hook you up w/ some spare parts. His URL is:
http://www.allbatman.com
Please visit the NEW BAT-BLOG!
http://www.bat-blog.com
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| RE: I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 27-12-2006 23:20 |
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FlaBat
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Thanks, I've seen that site and one other that shows step by step how to restore one. I was trying to buy a "beater" one on eBay just to practice drilling the rivets out and was out bid at $7.50 at the last second.
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| RE: I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 28-12-2006 01:50 |
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Drunken Fist
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Nice acquisition! Good luck with restoring it. 
See my Myspace profile!
CHECK OUT MY BLOG! |
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| RE: I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 28-12-2006 10:03 |
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spencer1984
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FlaBat wrote:
Thanks, I've seen that site and one other that shows step by step how to restore one. I was trying to buy a "beater" one on eBay just to practice drilling the rivets out and was out bid at $7.50 at the last second.
You can also use a current Johnny Lightning car for drill testing. They have pretty much the same consistency as the old Corgi stuff, so you can get a feel for the material without spending too much (Matchbox and Hot Wheels have gone to plastic in their bodies and/or chassis in a lot of cases, so it won't be the same). |
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| RE: I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 28-12-2006 19:34 |
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Tom-Tom
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um, how are you gonna fix it? im not sure you could find the batman that came with it to easily. the flame should be easy, just cast it. |
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| RE: I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 29-12-2006 18:01 |
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real-dark-knight
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FlaBat wrote:
Thanks, I've seen that site and one other that shows step by step how to restore one. I was trying to buy a "beater" one on eBay just to practice drilling the rivets out and was out bid at $7.50 at the last second.
I've used a sniper on Ebay for a few years now; It's so much easier - I go in 3 seconds before the end of every auction even if I'm logged out. 25 cents a go, money well spent. Recommended to all.
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| RE: I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 29-12-2006 19:08 |
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FlaBat
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Tom-Tom wrote:
um, how are you gonna fix it? im not sure you could find the batman that came with it to easily. the flame should be easy, just cast it.
Easier than you may think. I found a site that sells the parts and I ordered all the parts that need to be replaced. With the exception of the die cast body, just about every other part is out there. There were a couple million made between 1966 and 1973 so the hard part is getting the car itself.
If you buy a beater to fix up the hard part will be drilling out the rivits that hold it together. Once that's done the rest of it just falls into place. I have not got the new parts yet, but I'll post after pictures here when I'm done.
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| RE: Restoring corgis -
Posted on 30-12-2006 06:50 |
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Marcus
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Hi everyone ! I restore these corgi batmobiles on a regular basis. If anyone needs any help or pictures let me know ...I would love to help.
If I could figure out how to install picture or if anyone could help to I would post some pix..
At last count I have 148 corgi original batmobiles of the varying models with about 12 others in varying stages of restoration
Marcus |
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| RE: Restoring corgis -
Posted on 30-12-2006 07:11 |
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Marcus
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Hi Marcus again
If anyone needs to see the site on how to restore the corgi's let me know. Also I can give a list of different suppliers on parts. I have written articles on restorations and will offer any advice as needed.
If anyone can tell me how to put pictures on this site I will post them. I have collected corgi batmobiles fo over 10 years.
Marcus |
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| RE: I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 30-12-2006 11:05 |
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batboy99
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OH MY GOD!my dad wants that exact one!he said he used to have one whe nhe was little and we have been searching for one!do you think we could find it on ebay?
Batman YTB is the best site on the net!
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| RE: I finally GOT ONE! (Corgi Batmobile #267) -
Posted on 30-12-2006 12:23 |
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FlaBat
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batboy99 wrote:
OH MY GOD!my dad wants that exact one!he said he used to have one whe nhe was little and we have been searching for one!do you think we could find it on ebay?
There are a lot of them on eBay. Search for Corgi Batmobile 267 and a huge list will show up. I had been bidding on some of them, but they always went over $100.00 so I lost all the bids.
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