Corgi Juniors late 1960s Whizzwheels Simon Snorkel Fire Engine Diecast Early Model with Thin Whizzwheels 1:64 Scale  

THE CORGI JUNIORS 1970 WHIZZWHEELS SIMON SNORKEL FIRE ENGINE DIECAST IS A VINTAGE 1:64 SCALE DIECAST MODEL PRODUCED IN GREAT BRITAIN BETWEEN LATE 1960S AND MID 1970S.  IT IS PART OF THE CORGI JUNIORS SERIES, WHICH EVOLVED FROM THE HUSKY LINE AND FEATURED LOW-FRICTION "WHIZZWHEELS" DESIGNED TO COMPETE WITH BRANDS LIKE HOT WHEELS. 
 
THIS FIRE ENGINE IS AN EARLY MODEL WITH THIN WHIZZWHEELS. THIN VS. THICK WHIZZWHEELS ON CORGI TOYS REPRESENT DIFFERENT PRODUCTION ERAS, WITH THINNER AXLES/WHEELS APPEARING EARLY IN THE 1969-1970S ERA, LATER EVOLVING INTO THICKER AXLE/WHEEL COMBINATIONS.
 
While the name Snorkel is often used to describe any aerial platform fire engine, the original Snorkel was manufactured by Simon Engineering of Dudley in the West Midlands. Simon was a very old company that dates back to the 1860s, when German immigrant Henry Simon set up a plant in Manchester producing equipment for flour mills and coal ovens. The company later diversified into a wide range of industries and is still around today, specializing in the design and manufacture of plastic factories. Simon Engineering introduced the Snorkel aerial platform in 1959 for firefighting and municipal applications. The Snorkel was a hydraulic platform with a two-section boom and platform cage that could be raised vertically and horizontally on a rotating turntable.
 
SIZE 65MM DEEP OR LONG 25MM HIGH 30MM WIDE SCALE 1:64

CONDITION: PAINT SCRAPES. ALL 4 WHEELS IN TACT. PLASTIC CRANE ARM OR SNORKEL MISSING. 
 
CORGI TOYS (1956-1970):
Corgi Toys, launched in 1956 by Mettoy in Swansea, Wales, revolutionized diecast vehicles by introducing plastic glazing ("the ones with windows") and, later, working, detailed features to compete with Dinky Toys.. 
Founded in 1956, the name was chosen to reflect the Welsh dog breed (due to manufacturing in Swansea) and to create a short, catchy brand name.
THE 1960S SAW THE RELEASE OF FAMOUS MODELS LIKE THE JAMES BOND ASTON MARTIN DB5 (1965), WHICH FEATURED POP-OUT GUNS AND AN EJECTOR SEAT. The James Bond Aston Martin DB5 (model 261) was the fastest-selling diecast toy car upon its release in 1965, with over 3.9 million produced.
EARLY CORGI MODELS INCLUDED PLASTIC WINDOWS AND, SUBSEQUENTLY, SPRUNG SUSPENSION, DETAILED INTERIORS, AND OPENING PARTS.
While the James Bond Aston Martin is iconic, the Batmobile is noted as a massive seller. Other popular ranges included Land Rovers, tractors, and military aircraft.
Corgi was produced by Mettoy from 1956 to 1983. In 1989 it as sold to Mattel. It regained independence in 1995 as Corgi Classics Limited. In 2009 it was acquired by Hornby Hobies 
KEY COLLECTIBLE SERIES UNDER THE CORGI BRAND:
ORIGINAL CORGI RANGE: Produced from 1956 to 1983.
HUSKY AND CORGI JUNIORS: Smaller, cheaper range introduced in 1964 to compete with Matchbox. In 1970, the Husky line was rebranded as "Corgi Juniors" to be sold in all retail outlets.
Following the end of an exclusive deal with Woolworths for Husky models in 1969, the range was rebranded as Corgi Juniors. Whizzwheels, or "Whiz Wheels," were added in 1970 to stay competitive with the "go-faster" market trend.
These models are known for their fast-rolling wheels, metal bodies, and often, plastic bases.
CORGI CLASSICS: Relaunched, high-detail models for adult collectors (1970s onwards). 
 
WHIZZWHEELS:
Whixxwheels (introduced by Corgi in 1970) are low-friction, fast-rolling plastic toy wheels with wheel and hub attached to metal pins, designed for high-speed performance on track sets. They replaced traditional rubber-tired (separate rubber tyres over hubs), slow-rolling, pin-fixed wheels ("regular wheels"), which often degraded or broke, aiming to compete with Matchboxs "Superfast" series. 
 
PLEASE ALSO SEE MY OTHER ITEMS LISTED. I HAVE VARIOUS CIRCA 1950s 1970s DIE CAST CARS AND TRUCKS FROM LESNEY, DINKY, CORGI, HUSKY AND OTHER COMPANIES ON AUCTION THIS WEEK. YOU ARE WELCOME TO COMBINE. SOME MODELS ARE RARE AND SELDOM COME UP FOR SALE.
 
YOU CAN SIMPLY CLICK ON MY NAME OR CLICK ON THE LINK BELOW. OR COPY THE URL UNDERNEATH AND PASTE INTO GOOGLE AND IT WILL TAKE YOU DIRECTLY TO ALL MY LISTINGS THIS WEEK. NOTE ALL MY AUCTIONS END AT 22H30.
https://www.bidorbuy.co.za/seller/3685641/ErnRex1545