Vanguards is a highly prestigious, collectable model car brand celebrated by enthusiasts for its meticulously detailed 1:43 scale die-cast replicas. Rather than chasing modern Italian supercars, Vanguards acts as a beautifully preserved visual archive dedicated to half a century of classic British and European motoring history from the post-WWII era to the late 20th century.
Vanguards ignores hyper-exotics to focus entirely on the "unsung heroes" of historical family garages, performance saloons, and municipal workforces.
Today, the brand operates as an elite, core division under the famous British toy and hobby giant Corgi (which sits under the parent umbrella of Hornby Hobbies PLC).
The brand has a fascinating corporate history that marks its evolution across major British die-cast manufacturers:
- The Lledo Era (1996–1999): Vanguards was originally launched in 1996 by Jack Odell—the legendary co-founder of Matchbox.
- The Corgi Acquisition (2000–Present): Lledo was taken over by Corgi in 2000. By 2004, the Lledo prefix was formally retired, and the line officially became Corgi Vanguards.
- Hornby Ingestion (2008): Hornby Hobbies acquired the entirety of Corgi, turning Vanguards into their primary static 1:43 automotive platform.
Standard catalog entries are produced in strict, one-time limited production batches (often between 1000 to 3500 pieces). Every model ships on a molded display plinth with a clear dust cover and includes a numbered certificate outlining the fascinating real-world history and engine statistics of that specific car.
ford anglia 1967
cortina mkII 1966
cortina mkIII 1970
sierra rs cosworth 1986
xj series I 1968
land rover experience: defender 110 - range rover l322
range rover l322 2001
p6 1968
MG ZT 2001
herald 13/60 convertible 1967
wolseley six 1972
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