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Post by mike on Mar 7, 2018 15:59:35 GMT -6
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Post by JCON on Mar 7, 2018 16:01:59 GMT -6
Never heard of that company but that sure looks like a cool kit!!! Awesome score Mike!!!  |
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Post by mike on Mar 7, 2018 16:09:21 GMT -6
I really like this kit! The instructions say Hubley Division, Gabriel Industries. Does that help?
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Post by JCON on Mar 7, 2018 17:46:04 GMT -6
The Hubley Manufacturing Company produced a wide range of cast-iron toys, doorstops, and bookends. Toys, particularly motor vehicles and cap guns, were also produced in zinc alloy and plastic. The company is probably most well known for its detailed scale metal kits of Classic cars of about 1:20 scale. Starting in 1960, Hubley participated for a couple of years with Detroit automakers as a plastic promotional model maker. Many Hubley toys are now sought-after collectibles.
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, issued in various scales, were more expensive than plastic models, and, when finished, were naturally 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 1:20 scale range of Ford Model As and 1932 Chevrolets, a 1:22 scale range of Packards, and two 1:18 scale Duesenbergs. 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 kits were 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 as a Speedline Phaeton and a Town Car. 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.
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Post by JCON on Mar 7, 2018 17:47:28 GMT -6
Perhaps Hubley's diversification in the 1960s overtaxed its profits, weakening it financially by the 1970s. Hubley was purchased by toy maker Gabriel about 1969 and continued to make its regular 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.
Around 1980, Hubley was acquired by CBS Toys which later sold many dies to Ertl and Scale Models, both of Dyersville, Iowa. For example, the Hubley Ford 4000 tractor was reproduced by Scale Models, up through the 1990s and perhaps later (Scale Models 2010). In the 1990s, some Hubley vehicles like the school bus, were also reissued with minor variations from the original casting.
Ertl has now stopped production of all of the original toy dies and molds purchased from Hubley. As a result, all remaining Hubley/Ertl metal kits are fairly rare. They can be purchased from auction web sites as well as from collectors and older hobby stores.
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Post by BUCKY on Mar 7, 2018 21:28:09 GMT -6
I have one or two Hubley kits from right around 1960. One is a 1960 Ford station wagon. It is molded in plastic, and is 1/25 scale. It seems to be a well done replica. Mike, this kit of yours looks like it was well made. Looking forward to seeing you build it!
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Post by mike on Jul 4, 2018 23:33:35 GMT -6
Joe, thank you for the information!
Bucky, I look forward to seeing your 1960 Ford!
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Post by JCON on Jul 4, 2018 23:53:15 GMT -6
No worries!!!
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