Buddy L Pressed Steel Firestone Tire & Tow Truck *SOLD*

Buddy L Firestone Tire & Tow Truck For Sale

This entry comes to us from Indiana and is a bit below our normal level of condition.  That said, it is Buddy L and all original except a replacement tire in the back.  It represents one of the last of the large steel trucks Buddy L made and traces to 1953 International truck designs.

Length is approximately 24 inches.

The truck is a highly desirable version with the Orange and Blue coloration with official Firestone stickers and badging.  All four tires roll and are in good condition.

As seen, we have only about 80% paint remaining and flaking.  Some corrosion is present around the truck’s rear and the front bumper and original lights are well tarnished and darkened.  Most all stickers are still present and accounted for though.

A brief history of Moline Pressed Steel Company/Buddy L Toy Company of East Moline, Illinois: 

The Buddy L Toy Company was founded in East Moline, Illinois in 1920 by Fred A. Lundahl. However, Moline Pressed Steel Company did not actually start manufacturing toys under the Buddy L name until 1921 starting with a pressed steel pick-up truck that expanded into a veritable fleet of almost 30 cranes and other construction toys some five years later. Up until that point, Moline Pressed Steel Company manufactured parts for farm implements, truck parts, and automobile fenders and other stamped auto body parts for the automobile industry. 

It is interesting to note, that the company was named after the founder’s son Arthur whose nickname was Buddy L. Lundahl started the company because he wanted to make toys that were new, different, and durable. Buddy L produced cranes, steamrollers, trucks, trains and construction toys.  

Throughout the years the company that manufactured Buddy L had many names beginning with Moline Pressed Steel Co. until Mr. Lundahl sold the company during the depression. After that the company switched hands a few times before being sold off in 1995 by SLM International under bankruptcy protection. By 2010, Buddy L was owned by Empire Industries of Boca Raton, Florida, a subsidiary of Empire of Carolina where it has become more of a name than a toy maker. In 2001, after filing bankruptcy Empire Industries and its holdings were sold to Alpha International, Inc./Gearbox Pedal Car Company/Gearbox Toys/J. Lloyd International of Cedar Rapids, Iowa.  

Other names: Moline Press Steel Company (1910 -1913); Buddy L Manufacturing (1930); Buddy L Wood Products (1944); Buddy L Corp. (to date).