Only a limited run of 5000 of this model were produced and my research indicates that about 3100 were issued to collectors by the Corgi Model Club in late January 2022. Because the Club were not satisfied with the paint finish on this model, and one or two other minor things, they made a new version, released in June 2022 for members. There was an option for this first issue to be returned for the free replacement or members could order another.
Whilst the second re-issue may be available to order from the Club website, this first re-issue was not, nor could it be supplied to addresses outside the UK by the Club. Accordingly there is a strong demand for this first issue from those who see it as an investment as well as those who need to have every edition in their collection.
All the features work well and it looks pretty stunning. I have no particular problem with the finish at all. It will be supplied with the documents that came with it from the Club, including the packing material and outer box and everything is as new.
There has been some confusion around these two issues - the matt 1st issue and shinier 2nd issue - because the Corgi Model Club appear to have issued the same limited issue documentation with some of the 2nd issue as they issued with the first! I have discovered that Certificates of Authenticity numbered after 3100 are (almost certainly) 2nd issue models so you need to be careful when purchasing a 1st issue as the photos may not be good enough for you to distinguish between the scarce 1st issue and what will be a much more common 2nd issue.
My photos should demonstrate the difference between the two finishes quite clearly. With many of these having been returned and, naturally, many being retained in collections, there really is not going to be many available now to buy, making this a particularly scarce item and well worth paying significantly more for.