Corgi VA07308 Ford Cortina MkI – London Transport Radio-Control

The car modelled is one of two Cortinas acquired by London transport in August 1965 and stored until February 1966 when they were registered and converted into LT’s first prototype radio-control cars in order to take part in an experiment designed to increase the efficiency of bus routes. The cars carried both a silver and gold badge bus inspector who communicated with a control room at the East Divisional Office in Manor House. The experiment was a success and in 1967, in order to extend the fleet, eleven Ford Anglia estates were purchased and, like the prototypes, fitted with illuminated roof mounted LT roundels.