Agricultural Supplies Info

Today, many pre-war die cast cars are considered rare and collectible items. The earliest die cast items and vehicles were made of ZAMAK alloy that didn’t stand the test of time particularly well. There was a tendency for these miniatures produced in the early 1900s to form cracks and break. The alloy is zinc-based with aluminum and other metals not known for durability. Consequently, pre-war cars in excellent condition command precious prices at auction.

Chicago – From Metal Type to Die Cast

In America, the road to die cast model cars was paved by Charles Dowst who saw an amazing new technology displayed at the 1893 Columbian Exposition in Chicago. The Line-O-Type machine was targeted at publishers and captured Dowd’s attention since his family was in the business. Simply – the Line-O-Type made it possible for metal letters to be molded, set in lines of type, inked and printed for newspapers and magazines.

But Dowst, being an innovator, imagined other uses for the technology. In 1904 his plant is Chicago, renamed “Dowst Metal Novelties,” began to produce other miniature items such as small animals and whistles, rings and toys that were used as prizes in the popular “Cracker Jacks” boxes. By 1906, Dowst noticed how fascinated children were with the appearance of horseless carriages on the city streets and soon toy cars were rolling off the assembly line. By 1910, the company was producing a line of Model T Ford replicas that were very detailed, yet affordable.

An early catalog from the Dowst firm pictured a variety of items from pins and cuff links to tiny trains, boats and horse-drawn fire engines. Experts say the first real die cast automobile made its debut in the catalog in 1911 – a diminutive limousine with a closed in top and extended hood characteristic of cars from that period.

In 1922, Dowst made yet another mark in history when he expanded the company’s line of toys and named them “Tootsie Toys” in honor of his granddaughter. The Tootsie Toy brand continued to produce a variety of die cast models that were characterized by high quality during the years leading up to WWII. This era marked the birth of the die cast industry in America and other companies soon jumped on the bandwagon.

England Innovator Launches Dinky Die Cast

At about the same time, die cast models were being introduced “on the other side of the pond,” in Liverpool, England. There, in 1901, a clerk named Frank Hornby created a technology he called “Mechanics Made Easy” – which soon morphed into Meccano. The company’s first successful products were 00 gauge model railway systems. But Hornby took railway cars and engines further, producing entire die cast scenes to create a railway station. There were workers, passengers, track, stations and other accessories that proved extremely popular. So popular that, by 1910 the sets were being exported all over the world and led to expansion of the company to France and Germany. By 1922, the Meccano opened a branch in Elizabeth, New Jersey.

It was in 1934 that Meccano adopted the name which it still bears today, “Meccano Dinky Toys.” This came with the release of a set of die cast cars in the 1:43 scale. At a cost of 4 shillings, a youngster could own a sports car, a truck, delivery van, tractor or tank. Other models followed and the company grew more faithful to reproducing accurate detail in its model cars.

But, many Dinky die cast cars suffered from lack of quality in the metal used in casting during this prewar period. Consequently, models from this era in excellent condition are highly prized and sought after. In 1994, for example, a Dinky delivery van produced in 1937 sold at auction for $19,355. A post war 1952 Dinky Foden lorry fetched 12,000£ in 2003 – or about $19,560 at the 2003 exchange rate.

For many collectors, die cast cars from this era offer a few important enticements. They are rare and, therefore, may be a decent investment. Secondly, they are brimming with nostalgia for another, perhaps simpler time and place. These Tootsies and Dinky cars are not modern reproductions of historic vehicles, but die cast models that survived the hands of children and the test of time.

Diecast Legends Podcast – 1st March 2010

Model 404 International Harvestor Toy Die Cast Metal Pedal Tractor $950.00

Tara Toy Corporation Mini Die Cast Truck Case with Tractor-Trailers (Yatming) $299.00

ANTIQUE HUBLEY DIECAST RED TRACTOR TRUCK TOY FIGURE $233.75

70s John Deere Deluxe Utility Shed Tractor Wagon Set Diecast Ertl Toy $219.95

Ertl John Deere Precision Elite Series # 1, 4450 Tractor Die-Cast Toy $175.00

7 Vintage John Deer Diecast Toy Lot Farm Tractor Lawn Mower $149.99

3 INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER TRACTORS _ DIECAST TOY 60 NR $125.00

Ertl John Deere Precision Key Series 10, 4960 Tractor Die-Cast Toy $125.00

International IH Farmall 544 Farm Toy Tractor Die Cast Wide Front Played With $125.00

Case IH Quad Trac Tractor 1/32 Toy USA Made Box Die Cast Scale Models $122.22

Big Bud 440 Toy Farmer Tractor 1/32 Toy Triple Wheels Box Die Cast Articulating $122.22

Ertl John Deere Precision Key Series 9 2510 Tractor with 50 Mower Die-Cast Toy $115.00

Vintage 1:12 Ford 8600 W/3PT Farm Toy Tractor NIB! Ertl Diecast Vehicle! $113.63

CAT Challenger 95E Agricultural Tractor 1/32 Toy Box Norscot Die Cast Ag Tractor $111.11

New Holland TJ450 1:16 Farm Toy Tractor Scale Models Duals NIB! Diecast Vehicle! $105.00

HUGE CASE IH FARMALL MODEL 400 FARM TRACTOR TOY 1950'S DIE CAST FARM TRACTOR $102.50

CASE-O-MATIC 800 TRACTOR, 1990 TOY FARMER MODEL, 1/16, DIECAST, NIB $100.00

Ertl Toys Die cast John Deere 4 x4 Tractor in Original Box $100.00

Dinky Toys 688 Morris Artillery Tractor Diecast Model $99.99

Ertl Toys Die cast John Deere MFWD Row-Crop Tractor in Original Box $90.00

Vintage International Harvester Tractor Backhoe Toy Die Cast RARE 70's model $85.00

COCA-COLA TRACTOR TRAILER IRWIN TOY BY HARTOY IN CANADA 1988 METAL DIE CAST $85.00

White 2270 Diesel Tractor Farm Toy Wide Front Diecast $84.99

NEW BIG BUD 16v-747 1/64 1:64 Die Cast Metal Toy Farmer Edition 760 H.P. Tractor $84.99

Vintage Dinky Toys Road Grader Die Cast Tractor 963 $84.99

OLD Tootsie Toy Semi Truck MINT Tractor Trailer TootsieToy Truckline Diecast $84.00

Case Centennial Plow ZJD1604 Farm Toy DieCast Tractor $82.99

John Deere 9630 4WD Farm Toy Tractor DieCast BLADE ERTL $79.99

Case DC-4 LP Gas Wide Tractor Farm Toy ZJD1608 DieCast $79.99

Ertl 1998 Farmall 706 Lafayette Farm Toy Show Edition Tractor1/16 Scale Die-Cast $79.99

Cockshutt 4-row planter Farm Toy Tractor Diecast SCT333 $79.99

WINROSS REDDAWAY TRUCK LINE TNT 75 YEARS DIECAST BOX TRIPLE TRACTOR TRAILER TOY $75.00

Siku 3051 Massey Ferguson 1 : 32 Diecast Toy Tractor $75.00

Oliver 950 Wide Gas Tractor Diecast Toy SpecCast NEW $74.99

Vintage John Deere 620 W/3PT Farm Toy Tractor Ertl Diecast Nice Clean Old Toy! $74.00

CASE case-ih die-cast toy tractor vintage looking GREEN JLE series #9 $71.00

1/16 JOHN DEERE 4620 TOY TRACTOR w CAB 2002 COLLECTOR EDITION 15282 ERTL DIECAST $70.00

OLIVER 1855 DIECAST GREEN TOY FARM TRACTOR PREOWNED $65.00

Two John Deere 520 Ertl Toy Tractors 1/16 & 1/64 Wide Front Die Cast NIB 37224 $64.99

ERTL NO. 1456 BACKHOE/LOADER FORD 555A VINTAGE DIE-CAST TOY TRACTOR 1/32 SCALE $64.99

John Deere 3350 Tractor 100 Recangular Baler 1/32 Die Cast NIB toy Ertl jd $64.99

Vintage Tootsietoy Die-Cast Truck Tractor Trailor Toy $64.95

International Farmall 404 Die Cast toy Tractor $64.95

Ford 1952 "8N" DIE-CAST toy tractor Danbury Mint 1/16 new in box N*I*C*E $61.00

Minneapolis Moline G550 wide front collector toy tractor w/ box Ertl MM die cast $60.00

John Deere 1953 Model 40 Tractor Farm Toy DieCast Ertl $59.99

Harley Davidson coin bank tractor trailer truck toy model 1/64 diecast 1994 $59.96

SIKU John Deere 7530 Tractor 1:32 scale diecast toy NEW $58.29

vintage 6 pc Ertl 1/64 diecast toy John Deere tractor implement set $58.00

TOY JOHN DEERE DIE-CAST 9 X 6 INCH TRACTOR A W/CANOPY ITEM #197 COLLECTIBLE $56.99

Shaw's Supermarket toy tractor trailer delivery truck Die-Cast Metal Replica $55.99

8670 New Holland Tractor 1/32 Scale Toy Ertl Britains Die Cast Metal Tractor Box $55.55

INTERNATIONAL HARVESTER FARMALL 504 GAS TOY TRACTOR, 1/16, DIECAST, NIB $55.00

KUBOTA BX22 TRACTOR TOY DIE-CAST NEW IN BOX $51.00

ERTL - 1/16 SCALE JOHN DEERE 7820 DIE-CAST METAL TOY FARM TRACTOR - IN BOX $50.00

Hubley 1940's Antique Die-Cast Toy Tractor $50.00

John Deere Styled Letter A B D G H M R Tractor Ertl Diecast Metal Toy 1/64 Scale $50.00

John Deere 530 Farm Toy Diecast Tractor NEW Ertl $49.99

1969 JOHN DEERE 3020 DIE-CAST TOY TRACTOR $49.99

CATEPILLAR D 11R TRACK TYPE TOY TRACTOR NORSCOT DIE CAST 75 YEARS GOLD MIB $49.99

SpecCast SCT 370 Massey Ferguson Red/Gray 1/16 Scale 65 Gas Wide Front Tractor $53.32 Massey Ferguson 65 Gas Wide Front. 1:16 Scale. Recommended Age: Adults. Mint in Box. Die Cast. Highly Detailed with Working Parts....

SpecCast CON 009 Schield Bantam C-35 Backhoe Die Cast $46.47 Schield Bantam C-35 Backhoe. 1:50 Scale. Recommended Age: Adults. Mint in Box. Die Cast. Highly Detailed with Working Parts....

SpecCast JDM 191 John Deere MT Narrow Front Tractor Die Cast $64.50 A replica of the 1948-1952 tractors, the MT with its 4 speed transmission, was able to travel up to 12 miles per hour. The 2 cylinder engine inches simple construction and long life make them very economical. SpecCast is a leading manufacturer of quality die-cast, Polynesian and pewter collectibles including 1:25 vehicles, 1:64 tractor-trailers, pewter belt buckles and new Polynesian lawn and gard...

How to Restore Classic Toy Cars, Trucks, Tractors, and Airplanes $19.95 This colorful book is a treasure chest of advice and ideas on restoring the most popular transportation toys of all eras and conditions. Readers will find easy-to-follow information on how to restore based on condition, when to restore (and when not to), the best techniques and tools, and common pitfalls to avoid. Author Dennis David offers a series of detailed case studies of ten recognizable tr...

Ertl Toy Tractors $24.95 In more than one respect, Ertl, long the most celebrated name in diecast toy tractors, is much like Tonka: both were founded shortly after World War II in the basements of enterprising Midwesterners. Although Ertl, also like Tonka, has produced countless toy trucks, this book will focus solely on the Iowa toymaker's true bread and butter: toy tractors produced from 1945 to present. Two hundred col...

John Deere Farm Toys: Identification Guide, Value Guide, Inventory List $29.95 This new second edition and newly-updated book shows that John Deere farm toys hold their value better than other brands, and are usually worth more. Today's collectors need a guide, like John Deere Farm Toys, to identify and price their toys....

New Ray Die-Cast Truck Replica - Peterbilt Pneumatic Dry Bulk Trailer, 1:32 Scale, Model# 13863 $23.99 1:32 scale heavy-duty truck replicas feature die-cast cab and functional door, moving wheels and lifelike details. Each with authentic colors, realistic graphics and various moving parts. Ideal for both collectors and kids. Scale Size: 1:32, Material Type: Die cast metal, Movement: Functional door, moving wheels, and other moveable parts, Dimensions L x W x H (in.): 24 x 4 x 7, Items Included: 1 D...

New Ray Die-Cast Truck Replica - Peterbilt 379 Flatbed Trailer with I-Beam, 1:32 Scale, Model# 14343 $22.70 1:32 scale heavy-duty truck replicas feature die-cast cab and functional door, moving wheels and lifelike details. Each with authentic colors, realistic graphics and various moving parts. Ideal for both collectors and kids. Scale Size: 1:32, Material Type: Die cast metal, Movement: Functional door, moving wheels, and other moveable parts, Dimensions L x W x H (in.): 24 x 4 x 8, Items Included: 1 F...

John Deere 99135 Ertl Toy Tractor Ceiling Fan Pull $17.50 Created from a real 1:64 scale Ertl toy tractor. Die-cast metal with some plastice parts. Fits any ceiling fan or light with chain pull switch. Tractor measures 1.75" tall....

Hot Wheels Monster Jam Truck Case $11.50 The Hot Wheels Monster Jam Truck Case can hold up to 15 Monster Jam trucks, 1:64 size, such as the Grave Digger, Stone Crusher or Eradicator! This rugged and durable case features a carrying handle so you can transport your Monster Jam trucks anywhere!...

Angel Baby Bedding Toy Railway Toy Bag $52 Angel Baby Bedding Toy Railway Toy Bag

2011 Ferrair Toy Holder $39.95 2011 Ferrair Toy Holder

Cariboo Toy Arm In Teak $29.9 Cariboo Toy Arm In Teak

Cariboo Toy Arm In Mahogany $29.9 Cariboo Toy Arm In Mahogany

Cariboo Toy Arm In Espresso $29.9 Cariboo Toy Arm In Espresso

Cariboo Toy Arm In White $29.9 Cariboo Toy Arm In White

KidKraft Limited Edition Toy Chest $174.99 KidKraft Limited Edition Toy Chest

KidKraft Thomas and Friends Toy Box $99.99 KidKraft Thomas and Friends Toy Box

CoCalo Monkey Mania Plush Toy $18.99 CoCalo Monkey Mania Plush Toy

BABYBJORN Wooden Toy For Baby Sitter $39.95 BABYBJORN Wooden Toy For Baby Sitter