1977 Corgi Juniors 007 Lotus Esprit

This model is the Corgi Junior 60-b-1 Lotus Esprit S1 in white with 007 decal. It is represented in the underwater format as shown in the film "The Spy Who Loved Me" released in 1977.All detail is cast into the body of this model. The front has a black bumper (actually part of the base), black louvred windows, and red on white background "007" decal on the bonnet. The sides show cast representations of the doors, the wheel cover side fins, and louvred/shuttered windows. To the rear is another louvred window with representations of the missile launchers, the cement sprayer and underwater dye sprayer nozzles, and the rear stabiliser fins and extendable bumper.There is no interior or glazing, the glazing being replaced by the black plastic louvred shutters seen in the underwater scenes of the film.All wheels are of the "whizz wheel" type - hollow one piece plastic with a black 5 spoke center "hub".The base plate is black plastic and is marked Corgi Junior" at the centre top, "007 [with pistol]" in the middle centre, and "Lotus Esprit" at the centre bottom. A tiny "Made In, Gt. Britain" appears on two lines parallel to the front axle and between the two front rivets. The base is held in place with three machined rivets, two at the front and one at the rear.This item was issued between 1977 and October 1983..
The Corgi Juniors log on the base suggests this is an early copy. In playworn but complete condition.