Corgi had many innovations; one of the company’s cleverest innovations the Golden Jacks ‘Take-Off Wheels’ system which first appeared in March 1968. Authentically detailed die-cast take off wheels were fitted to these models and were attached to the axle by means of the ‘Golden Jacks‘ – die-cast golden metal stands, which when folded downwards both released the wheel and supported the model.

There were 7 cars fitted with “Golden Jacks”:

The Corgi model Mini Marcos GT850 (341), finished in metallic red, was the first in the series of Take-Off Wheels models and was introduced in March 1968. (this was also the first I found).

2. Rover 2000TC

3. Oldsmobile Tornado

4. Chevrolet Camaro

5. 1968 London to Sydney Marathon winning Hillman Hunter rally car

rally car 6. Rolls Royce Silver Shadow Coupé



7. Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

The Ferrari Dino and Lamborghini Miura were planned to have take-off wheels and “Golden Jacks” but ultimately released with Whizzwheels instead. One enterprising collector reverse engineered these cars to see how they would look with golden jacks Dino and Miura customised for Golden Jacks

The DeTomaso Mangusta doesn’t have take-off wheels, but the whole chassis detaches.

Spare Take-Off Wheels were available separately in packs of twelve. The Oldsmobile Tornado, I picked up cheaply has two of its wheels were missing…