Hubley Manufacturing Company
Encyclopedia
The Hubley Manufacturing Company produced a wide range of cast-iron toys, doorstops, and bookends. Toys, particularly motor vehicles, were also produced in zinc alloy and plastic. The company is probably most well known for its detailed 1:25 scale metal kits of 1930s cars. For a time Hubley participated with Detroit automakers as a plastic promotional model maker. Many Hubley toys are now sought-after collectibles.
by John Hubley. The first Hubley toys appeared in 1909 and were made of cast-iron, with styles that ranged from horse drawn vehicles and dogs, to tractors and guns (Smitsonian Institution, website). Starting around 1940, the company shifted to diecast zinc
alloy molding (Johnson 1998, p. 96). Household objects such as doorstops and bookends were also produced. Automobiles, trucks and airplanes later became Hubley's main focus.
Hubley's casting process involved several steps. For a particular toy, bookend, or doorstop, metalworkers would first carve a wood form, or hammer out the basic design in metal. Pressing this form into finely compacted sand created an impression for molding. Cast iron heated to 3000 degrees was poured into the sand mold and, when cooled, the form would pop out. Rough edges would be filed away and the mold ready for mass production casting. Painters applied a base coat (usually white or cream but sometimes black) to cast figures whether toys or doorstops. Then, colorists used a variety of hues highlighting important details (Collectics.com).
By about 1960, different lines were introduced to distinguish toys for younger folk from products for older hobbyists. In fact, the company suddenly tried to compete with a variety of market segments all at the same time, pitting itself against other metal kid's toy maker, kit manufacturers, and British diecast producers. The company even dabble in plastic promotional models. Hubley offerings may have represented too broad of a competitive brushstroke, however, as the company was pretty much out of business by the mid-1970s.
Hubley made simple diecast metal toys all the way through the 1970s. One popular toy was a late 1940s (or perhaps pre-war) Cadillac sedan that sometimes came decorated as a taxi. Another common vehicle up through the 1970s was the 1934 Ford coupe.
Perhaps because of the complexity of casting a metal model, Hubley's range of marques for the kits was not that wide - basically a Ford Model A, a Packard, a Chevrolet, and a Duesenberg. The small range was made up for, though, in the number of variations for each car model. For example, there were 7 Ford Model A body styles alone, including a Sedan, Station Wagon, Coupe, Roadster, Roadster Pickup, Victoria, and Phaeton. The 1932 Chevrolet kit was made in phaeton, roadster and coupe versions. Another venerable model was the 1930 Packard, offered in Sport Phaeton, Dietrich, Roadster, Victoria, and Boat-tail variations, while the Duesenberg SJ was available in a couple of styles. Completing a Hubley model required a bit more dedication from the modeler as metal parts sometimes had to be filed and sanded in preparation for painting, and it was recommended screw holes all be pre-tapped (Gibson 1970, p. 15). In the later 1960s, Hubley kits were sold under the Gabriel brand name.
One model was a stately 1958 Chrysler Imperial, usually painted dark green. A more practical offering was the 1960 Chevrolet Corvair. Another, the 1958 Ford Fairlane sedan sheriff's car (decorated from "San Juan County"), had great front grille and side detail, though wheels were simple metal discs with rubber tires. The round police light was a diecast metal piece attached to the roof as opposed to red plastic pieces protruding through holes in roofs on other toy brands. A metro delivery van was also available in different liveries.
Also in plastic, Hubley made contracted promotional models, cars similar to those made by AMT, Jo-Han
, or PMC. Hubley's was unique in contracting models that other promo manufacturers did not get contracts for. While AMT or Jo-Han focused on sportier two-doors and convertibles, Hubley promotionals were a bit different, featuring station wagon and four-door configurations, or real manufacturers not picked up by the other model makers. For example, one of the cuter promos ever done - by any company - was the Austin powered 1960 American Motors Nash Metropolitan. The Metropolitan was made in a couple of two-tone color schemes - similar to the real car. A polybagged and simpler version of the Metropolitan was also made for the retail toy market.
A more conventional promo line by Hubley were the full-size Ford wagon and sedan series starting in 1960, a niche not covered by AMT. The 1960 Ford wagon, molded in powder blue, was apparently a contract wrestled away from PMC
which had the Country Wagon and Ranchero contract for 1959. Hubley continued offering a full-size Ford wagon and sedan for the 1961 model year, but apparently only made a wagon for 1962. Hubley's promotional offerings could have been the arrow that killed PMC as a promotional producer, since PMC's '59 models were its last.
The 1960 Ford was made of cellulose acetate which tended to warp - but the 1961 and 1962 models were made of styrene, so body shapes were better preserved. Body details were just as good as AMT or Jo-Han. Hubley promo chassis detail was not quite as elaborate as AMT or MPC
for the 1960 model, but it was better than Jo-Han's 'smooth slab' chassis with no detail. For the 1961 and 1962 versions more chassis detail was added as well as all sorts of specifications and ad slogans, similar to AMT.
All the Ford wagon years were available either in solid color, two-tone paint with the roof painted a different color than the body, or with "wood panel" vinyl siding popular on many period upscale wagons. For example the 1960 Ford Country wagon was available normally in a solid powder blue, a powder blue with wood siding, or a medium green with a brownish gold roof.
An earlier Hubley plane was the Lindberg-style Ford Tri-power. A double rotor Sikorsky helicopter was available. Post World War II, nice replicas of the Curtis P-40 Warhawk and the Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighters were made, which averaged eight to nine inches long. A Hubley toy line during the 1960s was "Kiddie Toys". One of this line's most popular diecast airplanes looked like a P-47 Republic Thunderbolt, with the exception of an open cockpit and upward folding wings like an F4U Corsair. This plane came in a variety of bright colors, and had spring-loaded retractable landing gear with thick rubber wheels. The landing gear body covers were unpainted metal and not fuselage or wing color. Often planes and cars were available in gift sets.
Ultimately, the Hubley name was purchased by Ertl, which acquired some of the original toy dies. In the 1990s, some Hubley vehicles were reissued, like the school bus, with minor variations from the original casting.
History
The Hubley Manufacturing Company was first incorporated in 1894 in Lancaster, PennsylvaniaLancaster, Pennsylvania
Lancaster is a city in the south-central part of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. It is the county seat of Lancaster County and one of the older inland cities in the United States, . With a population of 59,322, it ranks eighth in population among Pennsylvania's cities...
by John Hubley. The first Hubley toys appeared in 1909 and were made of cast-iron, with styles that ranged from horse drawn vehicles and dogs, to tractors and guns (Smitsonian Institution, website). Starting around 1940, the company shifted to diecast zinc
Zinc
Zinc , or spelter , is a metallic chemical element; it has the symbol Zn and atomic number 30. It is the first element in group 12 of the periodic table. Zinc is, in some respects, chemically similar to magnesium, because its ion is of similar size and its only common oxidation state is +2...
alloy molding (Johnson 1998, p. 96). Household objects such as doorstops and bookends were also produced. Automobiles, trucks and airplanes later became Hubley's main focus.
Hubley's casting process involved several steps. For a particular toy, bookend, or doorstop, metalworkers would first carve a wood form, or hammer out the basic design in metal. Pressing this form into finely compacted sand created an impression for molding. Cast iron heated to 3000 degrees was poured into the sand mold and, when cooled, the form would pop out. Rough edges would be filed away and the mold ready for mass production casting. Painters applied a base coat (usually white or cream but sometimes black) to cast figures whether toys or doorstops. Then, colorists used a variety of hues highlighting important details (Collectics.com).
By about 1960, different lines were introduced to distinguish toys for younger folk from products for older hobbyists. In fact, the company suddenly tried to compete with a variety of market segments all at the same time, pitting itself against other metal kid's toy maker, kit manufacturers, and British diecast producers. The company even dabble in plastic promotional models. Hubley offerings may have represented too broad of a competitive brushstroke, however, as the company was pretty much out of business by the mid-1970s.
Cars & trucks
The Hubley Manufacturing Company made accurate metal replicas of many popular American cars and trucks, with some foreign models also represented. Construction, farm, and fire vehicles were commonly produced, as well as motorcycles. A couple of earlier examples were a detailed 1934 Chrysler Airflow, a 1934 Ford coupe, and a 1930s Studebaker. In good condition, Hubley's 1937 Lincoln Zephyr pulling a trailer can bring in several hundred dollars (see O'Brien, 1994, for a more detailed history of Hubley vehicles). Up through the 1950s the emphasis was on children's toys.Hubley made simple diecast metal toys all the way through the 1970s. One popular toy was a late 1940s (or perhaps pre-war) Cadillac sedan that sometimes came decorated as a taxi. Another common vehicle up through the 1970s was the 1934 Ford coupe.
Classic Metal Kits
About 1960, however, a change occurred as Hubley became known for its detailed metal car kits, which were unique in a market of dominantly plastic offerings. Hubley even set up its Scale Model Division for these products. These metal kits, normally issued in 1:25 scale, were more expensive than plastic models, and, when finished, were quite heavy. Complexity in detail was often seen - with opening hoods, doors, moving phaeton panels and detailed engines and chassis.Perhaps because of the complexity of casting a metal model, Hubley's range of marques for the kits was not that wide - basically a Ford Model A, a Packard, a Chevrolet, and a Duesenberg. The small range was made up for, though, in the number of variations for each car model. For example, there were 7 Ford Model A body styles alone, including a Sedan, Station Wagon, Coupe, Roadster, Roadster Pickup, Victoria, and Phaeton. The 1932 Chevrolet kit was made in phaeton, roadster and coupe versions. Another venerable model was the 1930 Packard, offered in Sport Phaeton, Dietrich, Roadster, Victoria, and Boat-tail variations, while the Duesenberg SJ was available in a couple of styles. Completing a Hubley model required a bit more dedication from the modeler as metal parts sometimes had to be filed and sanded in preparation for painting, and it was recommended screw holes all be pre-tapped (Gibson 1970, p. 15). In the later 1960s, Hubley kits were sold under the Gabriel brand name.
Real Toys
Another direction around 1960, was Hubley's pre-assembled Real Toys line (called Real Types in Canada). These cars were about 1:50 scale and measured approximately 3 1/4 inches long (Johnson, p. 96). Real Toys generally had no interiors, but detail and body proportions were spot on. Though these were a bit smaller, the competition seemed to be British Corgi and Dinky Toys.One model was a stately 1958 Chrysler Imperial, usually painted dark green. A more practical offering was the 1960 Chevrolet Corvair. Another, the 1958 Ford Fairlane sedan sheriff's car (decorated from "San Juan County"), had great front grille and side detail, though wheels were simple metal discs with rubber tires. The round police light was a diecast metal piece attached to the roof as opposed to red plastic pieces protruding through holes in roofs on other toy brands. A metro delivery van was also available in different liveries.
Hubley Promotionals
From about 1959 to about 1962, Hubley got into making plastic models in about 1:24 scale, just a tad larger than the standard 1:25. Some of these were more toy-like for the retail market like a Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud, a Mercedes-Benz 180 roadster, a Triumph TR-3, and a Renault Dauphine. The Renault featured a realistic sliding 'moon roof'. "3 in 1" and "4 in 1" plastic kits were also offered for most of these. Whether the built "promos" were actually used by the foreign company's is uncertain, but it would have been a different angle for an American promo company as none of the other main plastic model makers made promotionals for anything but domestic automakers.Also in plastic, Hubley made contracted promotional models, cars similar to those made by AMT, Jo-Han
Jo-Han
Jo-Han is a manufacturer of plastic scale model car promotionals and kits originally based in Detroit. The company was founded there in 1947 by tool and die maker John Hanley - a year before West Gallogly's AMT and about the same time as PMC...
, or PMC. Hubley's was unique in contracting models that other promo manufacturers did not get contracts for. While AMT or Jo-Han focused on sportier two-doors and convertibles, Hubley promotionals were a bit different, featuring station wagon and four-door configurations, or real manufacturers not picked up by the other model makers. For example, one of the cuter promos ever done - by any company - was the Austin powered 1960 American Motors Nash Metropolitan. The Metropolitan was made in a couple of two-tone color schemes - similar to the real car. A polybagged and simpler version of the Metropolitan was also made for the retail toy market.
A more conventional promo line by Hubley were the full-size Ford wagon and sedan series starting in 1960, a niche not covered by AMT. The 1960 Ford wagon, molded in powder blue, was apparently a contract wrestled away from PMC
Product Miniature Corporation
Product Miniature Company, or PMC for short, was a company that manufactured various pre-assembled plastic promotional models, banks and toys in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. It was started by brothers William Edward "Ed" and Paul Ford in 1946 and ended car model production about 1965...
which had the Country Wagon and Ranchero contract for 1959. Hubley continued offering a full-size Ford wagon and sedan for the 1961 model year, but apparently only made a wagon for 1962. Hubley's promotional offerings could have been the arrow that killed PMC as a promotional producer, since PMC's '59 models were its last.
The 1960 Ford was made of cellulose acetate which tended to warp - but the 1961 and 1962 models were made of styrene, so body shapes were better preserved. Body details were just as good as AMT or Jo-Han. Hubley promo chassis detail was not quite as elaborate as AMT or MPC
Model Products Corporation
Model Products Corporation or MPC for short, was a plastic model company started in 1963. It produced highly accurate and detailed kits and pre-assembled promotional models, mainly of cars...
for the 1960 model, but it was better than Jo-Han's 'smooth slab' chassis with no detail. For the 1961 and 1962 versions more chassis detail was added as well as all sorts of specifications and ad slogans, similar to AMT.
All the Ford wagon years were available either in solid color, two-tone paint with the roof painted a different color than the body, or with "wood panel" vinyl siding popular on many period upscale wagons. For example the 1960 Ford Country wagon was available normally in a solid powder blue, a powder blue with wood siding, or a medium green with a brownish gold roof.
Aircraft
Hubley produced a wide range of airplanes, often reproducing actual military aircraft with good detail. Like the automobiles, Hubley aircraft were manufactured from multiple pieces which were usually put together with screws. They had moving wheels and guns, and sometimes retractable landing gear. The wheels were often manufactured of rubber.An earlier Hubley plane was the Lindberg-style Ford Tri-power. A double rotor Sikorsky helicopter was available. Post World War II, nice replicas of the Curtis P-40 Warhawk and the Lockheed P-38 Lightning fighters were made, which averaged eight to nine inches long. A Hubley toy line during the 1960s was "Kiddie Toys". One of this line's most popular diecast airplanes looked like a P-47 Republic Thunderbolt, with the exception of an open cockpit and upward folding wings like an F4U Corsair. This plane came in a variety of bright colors, and had spring-loaded retractable landing gear with thick rubber wheels. The landing gear body covers were unpainted metal and not fuselage or wing color. Often planes and cars were available in gift sets.
Overdiversification?
Perhaps Hubley's diversification in the 1960s overtaxed it's profits and weakening it financially by the 1970s. Hubley was purchased by toy maker Gabriel about 1969 and continued to make kits and diecast kids toys through the 1970s. A series of generic make diecast toy trucks were available in a variety of forms (dump truck, tow truck, etc.) up until about 1980. Gradually, the Hubley name was downplayed in favor of Gabriel.Ultimately, the Hubley name was purchased by Ertl, which acquired some of the original toy dies. In the 1990s, some Hubley vehicles were reissued, like the school bus, with minor variations from the original casting.