As you know Corgi went belly-up and sold their models to Home Bargains for 50p each.

Where did you get that idea from??

The diecast business of Corgi International was purchased earlier this year by Hornby, and is still in business, now trading as Corgi Classics.

What I think you will find is that the new owners have rationalised the ranges and end of range/end of line models were remaindered to the trade at bargain prices to clear them.

This has been normal practice for years, and Corgi in particular have had a constant stream of clearance items which end up being sold at toyfairs for about a quarter of their original price. I bought several of the early 144th scale ‘Aviation Archive’ models a few years ago from these sources.