Volkswagen Breakdown Truck (490)Available on its own (as Corgi 490) or as part of the GS36, GS37 and GS12 gift sets, the VW Breakdown Truck utilised tooling from the earlier VW Pick up (Corgi 431) but without that models rear tail gate. For the Breakdown Truck, the tail gate was replaced by a winch and hook which was operated by turning a rubber tyre included as part of a clever mechanism. The rear of the model was given a red plastic moulded tool box (with an integral hinged lid

Later models dispensed with the spare wheel for operating the winch

the box depicted an all-green Bentley – a colour the model was never available in

Sussex Tourist Coaches and the London and South Coast Haulage Co

The casting was based on that of Corgi 438 but given a new plastic moulding at the rear

plus Corgi’s famed jewelled lights

giving rise to many believing they had a faulty model

Of particular note for a Corgi Toy of this era

it was predominately used on very popular Brighton Routes until 1977

A red liveried version was produced until 1966

had an ingenious but erratic switch on the rear axle

its best feature is undoubtedly a fully-working winch

lapel sticker