Corgi Toys 249 MIni-Cooper Colour Trial

Notes

Purchased by a Corgi specialist, this is one of a cache of mid 1960’s models which included colour trial models, donated to Barnardo’s Charity upon the death of a relative. The Barnardo’s charity shop is located just a few minutes from the old Corgi headquarters….

A never-issued version of this much-loved little car with a smart bright red and black finish with Corgi Factory POLICE transfers on bonnet, roof, boot and doors. Most eye-catching of all is the Black Beauty (The Green Hornet) transfer on the roof! Sparkling jewelled headlights and suspension on spun wheels.
Finely-treaded original tyres are well-shaped.

There is a link between The Green Hornet and the Mini Cooper.
A few years ago an Italian company produced a Mini-Cooper with a Green Hornet roof label. We have also seen mock-ups of a box very similar to the Corgi Green Hornet box but for the Mini and called Green Beauty Urban Pursuit Vehicle!
We haven’t yet found a ‘60’s image online showing the Mini in the comic or TV series but it has to be out there somewhere!
We would be very grateful if anyone can shed any light on the connection between The Green Hornet & the Mini-Cooper.

There is light marking to the paint finish and the occasional POLICE transfer nick. The Green Hornet transfer is perfectly intact.