Adventure Heroes

Antique Toy Trucks Toy trucks have been here for centuries. Larger vehicles used to serve as models for toys in the early part of this century. In the early part of this century Toy trucks were usually modelled after the full sized ones that ran on roads. Arcade, Hubley, and Dent manufatured an amazing variety of old toy trucks ranging right from toy dump trucks and tow trucks to delivery vans and even lifesaving equipment. An amazing variety of old toy trucks varying from toy dump trucks and tow trucks to delivery vans and even lifesaving equipment were produced by companies like Arcade, Hubley, and Dent. Also widespread were such highly specialized vehicles as water and pumper trucks. Most of these trucks were commonly seen on the streets of early America.

Early on sheet-steel was used as a material and a number of "friction" trucks and vehicles we produced. However, cast iron soon became the primary material for toy trucks because the casting process allowed for more precise replication of details than sheet steel. Forged iron soon replaced sheet-steel as the basic material as it allowed for more precise imitation of details.

The biggest miniature trucks were called "construction toys". Made of heavy-gauge sheet steel, they were often more than 2' long and strong enough for small children to sit on. They were usually made of heavy grade steel,were more than 2 feet in lenght and were sturdy enough to hold the weight of a child. Although they were just toys, most were very precise reproductions of dump trucks, hauling trucks, timber trucks and even into the earth movers, steam shovels, derricks, sand loaders, pile drivers, overhead cranes, and concrete mixers trucks. The best-known are trucks are the famed Buddy "L" line made by Moline.

Old Buddy "L" Toy Trucks The Buddy "L" line of trucks and vehicles and construction equipment were produced to withstand tough use and subjection to dampness and dirt. The vehicles and construction equipment under the Buddy "L" line were manufactured to endure rough use and exposure to dampness and dirt. Their baked-enamel finish was designed to be rust resistant, and the steel was sturdy enough to sustain an adult's weight. Therefore, many early Buddy "L" antique truck toys have survived. Nonetheless, because they are more than 50 years old, many are found today with rusted or repainted surfaces. Most of the trucks that can be seen today are almost 50 years old and are found with rusted or repainted surfaces.

Vintage Moline Toy Trucks Established in 1910, the Moline Pressed Steel Company manufactured full-size truck cabs and fenders for International Trucks until 1921, when Moline's founder, Fred Lundahl, began to manufacture the Buddy "L" toys, named after his son. During the 1920s, the firm used the same materials and methods of construction for both its toys and its full-size auto bodies, which explains the great durability of the toys. The toys owe their great strength to the fact that the toys were made with very materials and the constructional features that were used for making the trucks. The resources and techniques for building toys were changed in the 1930s. This practice was however discontinued after the 1930's.

Sturditoy Trucks - A real toy collector’s item because very few a left intact. Widely sold during the 1920s and '30s, Sturditoy antique trucks competed strongly with the Buddy "L" toys. Buddly "L" toys faced stiff competition fron the Sturditoy antique trucks which were Widely sold in the 1920s and '30s. The firm produced 15 models, including an American Railway Express truck, an ambulance, and several dump trucks. The firm manufactured a wide variety of trucks which included American Railway Express trucks, ambulances, and several dump trucks. Sturditoys were as stylish as Buddy "L" and Keystone vehicles, but were made of a lighter-gauge steel. As a result, they are usually found damaged or missing parts.

Tonka Toy Trucks Established in 1947, TONKA brand toy trucks were designed and made by the Mound Metalcraft Company until 1991 after which the company was taken over by Hasbro. Tonka Trucks are presently manufacture by Hasbro which took over the founding company that is the Mound Metalcraft Company in 1991. The impact of the Tonka truck concept has been lasting and pervasive, especially the Mighty Dump Truck and the associated "Mighty" line of construction equipment models introduced from 1964. The all-metal "Tonka trucks" were sold throughout the world and earned a reputation for being everlasting.

LARGEST 1/35 WWII GERMAN PANZER TANK MODEL COLLECTION 88+