Superman Supermobile
Rick Wilson responds to a reader’s letter (almost) faster than a speeding superhero.
When Stephen Parry added a footnote to a letter (see previous page), it inspired me to have a quick look around to see what I could find, as I don’t have either of the Corgi models to hand in my collection. Thanks to the marvellous archive at Vectis Auctions, I didn’t even need to find a telephone booth to get changed in.
Modelled simply from drawings that appeared in a couple of DC Comics issues, Corgi released its No 265 Supermobile in September 1979.The design was also miniaturised further to become part of the Juniors range too, as No 11, but without the firing missiles.
The larger No 265 release had two main features – a rocket-firing mechanism (two projectiles from the nose of the craft) and a striking fist action, as depicted on the comic cover included here.This latter feature was activated by plated push pads just behind the air intakes on either side.
Modelled in Superman’s traditional blue and red colours, both replica sizes also featured his trademark “S” logo. Actually, both used the same sticker, so it appeared to be much larger on the Juniors version.
Both versions proved pretty popular, so there are a good number still to be found today, although expect to pay handsomely for the larger model. The mint condition, boxed example of No 265 shown here, complete with missiles still attached to their sprue, sold atVectis in November 2020 for £120.The very same model came back for resale in June of this year and sold for £140 this time. The Juniors version, as you might expect, comes in on the cheaper side. A mint example, still sealed in its carded blister pack, sold for £35 in January this year and, the following month, a pair were sold (different backing card designs, but both mint) for just £50.
Corgi used the option of gift set inclusion to further sales for both sizes. No 265 appeared in GS21 Superman Gift Set from September 1980, packaged with No 260 City of Metropolis Police
Car and No 929 Daily Planet Jet ‘Copter. A mint, boxed example of this marvellous set sold for £280 at Vectis in February.
The Juniors version appeared in two special sets, firstly as a 2-piece pack, No 2506, with Supervan – later as part of a 5-piece DC Comics “Superheroes” set, released as No 3114 in 1982, with Batmobile, Buick Regal Police Car, Batcycle and Batboat. An example of this pack sold for £420 in February. Could any of these prove to be your bank account’s kryptonite? DC