Corgi Toys were die-cast toy vehicles manufactured by Mettoy in the United Kingdom between 1956 and 1983, begun as competition with Meccano's Dinky Toys cars. They were manufactured in Swansea and were exported worldwide, selling in large numbers. Many popular models were licenced versions of cars made famous by television shows and films, such as 'The Man from U.N.C.L.E.' and James Bond. Most models featured specific innovative functions, such as windscreen wipers that moved when the car wheels turned, or 'Trans-o-lite' headlamps and rear lights that, when sunshine shone through their components on the car roof, made the lamps appear to light up. These functions, and the licenced vehicles links with 1960s popular culture, have made the cars particularly collectible. Kept in their original boxes in mint condition, many sell for high prices at auction.