This object consists of 2 parts, some of which may be located elsewhere.

Volkswagen "Toblerone" Van

Toy Van
1963 (manufactured)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Die-cast toy Volkswagen van, painted sky blue, with clear plastic windscreen and windows. There is a small opening on the roof of the van, inside of which is a clear plastic rod connecting to the van's headlights. Along the sides of the van are pasted printed paper decals advertising Toblerone chocolate. The black plastic tyres are mounted to silver metal hubs, the underside of the toy is painted grey. The original card box is of printed card.

Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Packaging
  • Van
Titles
  • Volkswagen "Toblerone" Van (manufacturer's title)
  • Corgi (series title)
Materials and techniques
Die-cast metal, painted; plastic; printed card
Brief description
Model Volkswagen Toblerone van and box made in Great Britain by Mettoy Ltd in 1963
Physical description
Die-cast toy Volkswagen van, painted sky blue, with clear plastic windscreen and windows. There is a small opening on the roof of the van, inside of which is a clear plastic rod connecting to the van's headlights. Along the sides of the van are pasted printed paper decals advertising Toblerone chocolate. The black plastic tyres are mounted to silver metal hubs, the underside of the toy is painted grey. The original card box is of printed card.
Production typeMass produced
Marks and inscriptions
  • 'Chocolat Tobler' (Decal on side of van)
  • 'Toblerone' (Decal on side of van)
Credit line
Given by Mettoy Co. Ltd.
Historical context
This was a revamp of a previous Corgi model, but the first to incorporate the TRANS-O-LITE system. This was basically a means of transmitting a light source from one point to other points without using electronics. A light source could be shone through the roof of the van, where it would be bounced of the highly polished plastic rods set into it and would be emitted through the van's headlights.
Subject depicted
Bibliographic reference
Van Cleemput, Marcel R. The Great Book of Corgi 1956-83. London: New Cavendish Books, 1989. p. 131
Other number
441 - Model number
Collection
Accession number
MISC.54:1&2-1963

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Record createdJuly 1, 2009
Record URL
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