Mettoy had a factory at White City Road, Fforestfach in Swansea, Wales since 1949 (it was officially opened by King George VI on 2nd April of that year). Since 1956 Mettoy’s then new model car brand Corgi Toys started to produce at that factory (which was extended for Corgi).
The Factory at its peak
At 1.30pm on Monday 10th March 1969 a fire broke-out in Corgi Toys’ warehouse next to the factory totally destroying a whole year’s stock of Corgi Toys.
The truck and car almost look like Corgi models…
For this reason, stocks of Corgi were in short supply for Christmas 1969 and some lost models such as the majority of Mini Mostest and white Man from Uncle stocks were never replaced. That’s why they’re rare. Much of the wreckage from the fire was bulldozed away from the factory and into large holes around the perimeter dug to accommodate it (I’m not sure that would be allowed today!).
Lyndon Davies, former CEO of Hornby Group and owner of Oxford Diecast lived nearby and as a child recalls managing to find four burned Batmobiles. In his book, ‘A Journey Through Time’ he notes that all the James Bond Astons‘ had been sold and none were in the warehouse. Though I do know for sure there were plenty of Bond Toyota 2000 GT’s involved! From 1995 through to 1999 the area was redeveloped and the site of the old Corgi factory and all the fire damaged Corgis was excavated to build the foundations for roads and buildings.
Sad, sad, sad
These fire damaged Corgis then started turning up at UK swapmeets in large numbers. But what price a fire damaged Corgi? Undamaged figures were sold as new-old-stock whilst half melted Corgi’s were £1. Rare melted Corgis such as the Mini Mostest were £4.
Thansk for sharing. In 1991, the Swansea factory and offices were closed, long after Mettoy ceased to exist after a management buyout.
I’ve only heard stories of the fire damaged Corgi’s. It’s nice to see them finally and that Rowland has managed to acquire some!
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