I’ve got about 8, some were NIB, some half assembled with parts missing, some used. All were purchased from Ebay, and some went for $15, others as high as $30, Depending on how badly I wanted it. I’ve seen some prices as high $150-$200 for those things. Like ta say, it’s buyer beware. And an excellent job on your Hubley Tutorial!..
((i’d have to hunt through photos to find pix of them since I didn’t take any specifically of the cars)
Gee, thanks. I didn’t realize that the depot hack I have is actually one of those models. I originally built it when I was a kid, and rebuilt it several years ago when the tan rubber tyres has dry rotted and split. I used automotive (black) vacuum tubing to make new tyres.
Uh oh, I just learned something. Thanks Boomer
I have really enjoyed your article.
I just realized when I looked at the boxes I had one of the original ones when I was a kid! I wonder whatever happened to it!
One of the models that I acquired only had 2 tires, my solution was to make a rubber mold of the tires and cast them in resin. Had to file off the inside ridge on the wheel, but it was getting glued on anyway.
I did find one…Depot Hack
Excellent post on Hubley. I have been looking at these recently and wondered about the entire range. You have put it all in a nutshell. Well most of it I guess, about as good as it gets.
I have sussed out a source of early 1:20 van trucks by Matchbox.
The Ford Model TT truck 1917~1927 was similar to the T Model but had a longer wheelbase, sturdier rear wheels and a different, slower rear axle drive. They were sold by Ford as a running chassis only so there were various styles of bodywork made. Some specs below:
Wheelbase: 126"
Tread width: 56"
Wheel Diameter: 24"
The Matchbox 1925 Model TT Trucks which came out about 10 years back had no scale on the boxes but are advertised as 1:24, 1:20 and 1:18. It is an unusual scale, perhaps that is why they chose not to specify it on the box which has caused much confusion.
I ordered one to measure it up. It scales very close to 1:20 with a wheelbase of 152mm, tread width of about 72mm and wheel diameter of 30mm. I have matched one up to a Ford Model T RailCar by SanCheng and the front features are very similar in size.
They are available in:
CocaCola - Yellow/Black (modern signage)
Champion Spark Plugs - Yellow/Red
Ford Parts Delivery - Black/Gray
100 years Ford - White/Blue (modern signage)
(http://www.largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/94/bf/01/1bcd6_2dbb.jpg?c=9360)
(http://www.largescalecentral.com/public/album_photo/96/bf/01/1bcd8_87e3.jpg?c=af07)
Andrew
Very informative. I had wondered about what was a good price for the Hubley models on eBay. I also had never seen the Matchbox 1925 truck before. Thank you all for posting this.
Tom
Great write up. I really enjoyed it and learned some good stuff. I have been looking around for these. Im mainly looking for the Model T trucks but as you said they are way overpriced. So far the only good deal I got was the Woody (shut up Rooster) new. Im always looking but keep loosing bids
Ummmmmmmmmm HARLEY’S ??? 
Fascinating selection of old time vehicles Boomer. I thought the dust bowl folks were the Beverly Hillbillies.
Good stuff! I have quite a few of these. I scored big at a flea market. I didn’t realize there were so many though.
Thanks boomer!
Terry
Good post and lots of good info.
I do have more than a few of these:
(http://www.jbrr.com/Pics/Vehicles/IMG_1743.JPG)
Though I normally keep them outside all year long, I brought all of them in this year for a major cleanup and rehab.
I first prime them and bake the paint for over an hour. Then I put on the finish color coat and bake it again.
All of these have now been sprayed with clear Krylon. The rubber tires do not hold up well outside, especially the white ones. I have replaced the tires with some Magic Sculpt. I have also used JB Weld to fill cracks in the white tires, then repainted the tires.
The other thing that goes is the chrome. I paint all the chrome pieces with my Sophisticated Finishes platinum paint and it holds up very well.
I usually skip the motors when I’m building these, and I don’t need to open the hood. In fact, I glue the hood in place.
These are all ready to go back outside in the spring, or maybe even a bit before.
Nice write up Boomer, very informative.
Boomer K. said:
One problem with the matchbox Model TT trucks is matchbox produced the exact same model in both 1/24th and 1/48th scale. Anybody buying one should make sure which scale you are getting. The 1/20 ones are hard to find but have been going for around $35 on e-bay.
Boomer, often the sellers are confused about the scale and they are listed as 1/24 or 1/18. The 1/20 scale model is a 1925 Ford Model TT, about 9" long that takes up much of the box which is 13" long and 5" high.
Matchbox also have a 1/43 scale 1926 Ford Model TT Truck in their ‘Yesteryear’ range.
Another distinguishing feature of the 1/20 scale model is that it has side and rear lanterns but the 1/43 scale one does not.
Andrew
Great write up Boomer. I’m going to save that one!
Nice write up.
I have a few of those still in the boxes somewhere in the shop. Might have to find them.
You might have to put them up for bid John!
I like that prototype photo of the tiny truck hauling the huge log.
Ray Dunakin said:
I like that prototype photo of the tiny truck hauling the huge log.
I think the log would be driving the truck most of the time. The TT only went 20 MPH or so but those brakes would be cooking for anything but a slow crawl. At least you could jump out easily if it all got out of hand.
Andrew
