This is an exceptionally scarce model and the first that I have seen in the many years that I have been collecting and researching Corgi Toys.

The first Austin Taxi was issued in October 1960 and this had a very long life, getting shaped fixed wheels in 1962 and then has a driver added for Gift Set 25 issued in July 1964, that model also having free-spinning shaped wheels. Later it loses the driver and gets Whizzwheels. A model with free-spinning wheels but without a driver was unknown to me and another colleague who has been studying Corgi taxis with me over the years.

Finally we found one and it also happens to be in beautiful condition with almost no signs of being played with, bright chrome and clean, clear windows. It is entirely original. Logically, one would have expected models produced late in its production to have been fitted with this type of wheel and axle but we would have expected to have seen one or two over the years. Alternatively, this may be a factory error and someone simply forgot to put the driver into the seat. I am not sure how the driver is fitted, whether there is any adhesive applied or whether a different interior is used but there is no evidence of the seat inside being any different to a normal #418 issue.

The rivets are definitely as they should be and the base has not been removed. I am confident, therefore, that this is a genuine, all original product and either a very late production model or a factory error. In either case it is something a little special and, unless I find that there are some more to be acquired, it will require a high price to persuade me to let it leave my collection.

It is my view that this model is actually considerably more scarce than any Corgi Models or sets from this era you will find that are fetching prices of this order at auction. 

The price includes a good original box. Photos will be added in due course.