ERTL Toy Company, founding video . . .

[GlenPettit 1,717]

Came across a very interesting video on the founding of the ERTL Company (Toy tractors), I'ld like to share.  I'm into these 1:16 scale toys, but only the small LAWN MOWERS.  I have about 35 now, guess that they made about 50 different lawn tractor toys over the years in cast metal.  They never made a Wheel Horse nor a Craftsman Lawn Mower. These toys are on eBay, as "Toy Lawn Mowers, Garden Tractors".

 

http://gardentractortalk.com/forums/topic/29181-ertl-welcome-to-the-farm-toy-capital-of-the-world/

 

Here's a couple of my Lawn Mowers.  That Wheel Horse on the left is really a Snapper/Simplicity that someone just replaced the decals on. There are about six other companies that have made "Garden Tractor-Lawn Mowers", but nowhere near the Ertl metal quality.

Of these 'other' Lawn Tractor models, Ertl usually made only up to about a 2,500 run, but they made a whole lot more of the John Deere lawn mowers, sometimes 20,000 models, farmers are really into the Green toys, there are many national collector shows devoted to just to these Ertl toys.

 

Glen

Edited November 9, 2013 by GlenPettit

[squonk 41,695]

It's toy lawn mower picture time! Most of mine are beat up. They go for a good buck at auctions. Love the  wagon Glen.

 

 I have about 30 die cast tractors but these are my GT's For some reason, I like the beat up Allis the best, Paid a buck for it!

 

Edited November 9, 2013 by squonk

[AMC RULES 37,141]

Always wondered why nobody has reproduced a better    likeness. 

Seems a little round hood should be pretty easy to do.    

[squonk 41,695]

Always wondered why nobody has reproduced a better    likeness. 

Seems a little round hood should be pretty easy to do.    

You have a few in your shed!   

[neil 2,410]

There was talk of a wheel horse model being made, sometime last year  in LAGTC  magazine . They were advertising garden tractor models for sale starting with a Panzer , dont know what ever happened to the promotion or if it ever got off the ground , Maybe Kate gauthouzer would know

[AMC RULES 37,141]

 

Always wondered why nobody has reproduced a better    likeness. 

Seems a little round hood should be pretty easy to do.    

You have a few in your shed!   

 

RJ's yes, but unfortunately...no 3D laser printer...yet.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q3SVTBrKyZk 

Edited November 10, 2013 by AMC RULES

[JimD 3,345]

Enjoyed the ERTL video and the pictures of your nice collection Glen. Thanks for sharing them with us.

Edited November 10, 2013 by JimD

[RMCIII 838]

Collected the tractors for quite some time as a kid. Played with them more than I probably should have. Those late 60's and early 70's Ertl products were truly top notch. I had several complete sets of tractors, wagons, plows, drags, combines, interchangeable heads the whole nine yards. One day, before I went into the service, mom wanted to have a garage sale up at grandmas house in Mt. Morris, Il. These collectables had become quite a collection. I had 3 large, 24" x 32" x 24" boxes full of farm Ertl toys. I had taken them up to the sale, just as a "what if" scenario came up. I really had no intentions to sell the collection. I had no clue what to even ask. The collection drew many questions, and had lots of offers. The last day, a young mother, who was single, and you could tell struggling financially came to look over what was left of the clothing. While she looked, the little boy of about 2, managed to find his way over to the collection. The little guy lit up with a huge smile and began begging his mom for just 1 tractor. I overheard her quietly tell him she needed to spend the money they had on clothes so she could work. Broke my heart. So what does a 17 year old kid do with a collection of toy tractors he will not see for at least 4 years? You guessed it. As she stepped up to pay for the clothes she found, I smiled at the little boy, and I asked him what he would do with a tractor. He said he would share it with his friends and "little brother". As the lady turned to leave I said you forgot something. As she turned around I was holding 1 of the boxes of the collection. Tears immeadiately filled her eyes and her little boys. She could not even speak. I asked her if her car was big enough to carry all 3 boxes. All she could do was shake her head yes. As I.finished loading the last box, I turned to walk up the driveway and saw my mom and grandma with tear filled eyes. They knew what that collection meant to me, but they also knew the young lady, had just lost her husband about 3 months ago. I had no idea the magnitude of the simple jesture I had done would be such an inspiration to my mom and grandma. Go figure.

Edited November 10, 2013 by RMCIII

[squonk 41,695]

Great Story   I go to a lot of farm Toy auctions. The attachments bring more than the actual tractors now. Some cost more than a nice 

[RMCIII 838]

Sorry for the spelling errors. iPhone is difficult to see the errors.

[RMCIII 838]

Great Story   I go to a lot of farm Toy auctions. The attachments bring more than the actual tractors now. Some cost more than a nice 

 

Yep, those collectable tractors and attachments, do bring big dollars for the right ones.