Corgi Toys Prototype Buick Regal

Notes

An exciting and unique find!
During 2000, items from the personal collection of Marcel Van Cleemput, Chief Designer for Corgi were sold. The owner asserts that this model of the larger scale (1:36) Buick Regal (later used for models such as the Kojak Buick, the Superman Police Car & the Buick Regal Police Car) was purchased at this auction.

We believe that this prototype uniquely finished in gloss white with a black interior and formed holes on the roof for a sign (perhaps POLICE sign?) never made it past this prototype stage.

Points to note:

1) This prototype model has a plain black base with brass screws and detail on the all-metal front and rear bumpers too that did not make it past this stage.

2) During 1976 the Kojak Buick model was released and of course this model was finished in bronze, with a white/cream interior, plastic bumpers and no formed holes for a sign on the roof.

3) During 1977, the Buick Regal was issued in metallic blue with a white interior and POLICE sign on the roof, although the production model roof sign is set towards the front of the roof and not the mid-point as in this prototype example.

4) During 1979, the Buick Regal model became the Superman Police Car finished in metallic blue with a white interior and four formed holes on the roof for the lights and sirens.

5) We believe that this model in white with intended opening doors (that do not open) and unique with a detailed black interior, and metal bumpers (with detail that was never used for the production models) was never issued and was a precursor for the Kojak Buick Regal model, the Buick Regal Police Car and the Superman Police Car.

For comparison only, please take a look at the prototype model placed in the middle of this image with the Kojak Buick and the Superman Police Car alongside.

6) We believe this prototype example was designed during 1974 and was the basis for the Kojak Buick Regal model, the Superman Police Car and the Buick Regal Police model.

We are not able to locate this precise prototype in the Losch Catalogue. However, not all models were pictured and many were not even named in the listings, merely sold in groups.