112: Purdey’s Triumph TR7

DINKY 112 PURDEY’S TRIUMPH TR7 (1978-80):

Dinky 112 Purdey’s TR7 was produced between 1978 and 1980 appearing after the TV series, The “New Avengers’ ended in 1977.

The model added a ‘P’ to the bonnet as well as silver stripes, which were not on the actual car. This was presumably to further differentiate it from the  TR7 Sports Car 211 and the rally version 207. The car also had opening doors and flexible bumpers.

TV SERIES – THE NEW AVENGERS:

The New Avengers was a British secret agent action television series produced during 1976 and 1977. It was s a sequel to the 1960s series, The Avengers.

The series picked up the adventures of John Steed (Patrick Macnee) as he and his team of “Avengers” fought evil plots and world domination.  In the new series he had two partners: Mike Gambit (Gareth Hunt) and Purdey (Joanna Lumley).

Joanna Lumley

Purdey’s had a number of vehicles during the TV series and one of them was a British Leyland Triumph TR7.

ACTUAL CAR V DINKY TOY:

Purdey’s TR7 from the Avengers TV series and the Dinky model.

PRE-PRODUCTION:

The model first appeared in the 1978 trade catalogue with different decals to the released version. Interestingly it looks like Purdey is spelt PURDY….

BOXES:

Purdey’s TR7 was only available in the last hanging box type, with either a blue or a rarer red header. The interior was blue for the blue header and yellow for the red header.

The box advertised Steed’s Jaguar 113 which was never commercially produced, although a few sales examples were made and occasionally appear on auction sites.

GIFT SETS:

Gift Set 307 had 112 Purdey’s TR7 and 113 Steed’s Jaguar. Only Purdey’s car was ever commercially released. Note the first version of the set featured the TR7  with different decals to the commercially produced version and features poorly drawn artwork. The second version of the set has a TR7 with no decals or in other words a 211 TR7 Sports Car.

 

CATALOGUES:

Purdey’s TR7 appeared in the 1978 Trade catalogue but sporting different decals to the production version.

The TR7 also appeared in the 307 New Avengers Gift Pack which was never released.