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A History of Pre-War Automotive Tootsietoys
by Clint Seeley
edited by Robert Newson

Part 8 & 9 - Tables

Clint Seeley's original text is in green, and my editorial additions are in blue.


Following is a tabular compilation of the models noted in the text.  The name of the manufacturlng firm was Dowst Brothers Co. prior to 1926, The Dowst Manufacturing Co. from 1926 to 1964, and The Strombecker Corporation since 1964.  However, these tables are limited to automotive toys made prior to 1941.

The catalogue numbers seem to lack consistency and do not follow a tidy chronological sequence.  A very large number of very small Items preceded most of the items listed here, and careful study of the 64 page catalogue of 1909 suggests that there had probably been some order which had provided the basic foundation upon which the later chaos had gradually been built.  Listing here will be roughly chronological, following numerical sequence only when similar numbers fall closely together.  I have rearranged Clint's order here and there where it seems more logical to me.  The first toy cars fell into a category of items numbered in the four thousands, and so the early cars pick up here and wander upward before encountering discontinuities which jump back down to lower numbers, even reaching 23 for the little racer bearing that number on its radiator, and eventually getting back to repeat nos.4634 and 4635.  Many omitted numbers referred to non-automotive items, while others just seem to have sunk without a trace.  Dates of first and last appearance in the catalogue include years in which a model may only have been shown in a boxed set while not being listed under its own number; a few models never appeared individually, and are thus listed here without any catalogue number.  In 1933 all models issued with rubber tyres were given an "0" prefix, whether added to older models with optional tyres or on new models issued only rubber-shod.  The "0" was dropped in 1937 and later catalogues and is not shown here, except (in the comments column) where optional tyres exist.  Dates before 1925, and in 1927 and 1928 are estimated, and could be off by a year, but not likely more.  Listed under "designation" is the name or names shown for the item in the catalogues.  Many Items are known among collectors by some other title, and this is noted in parenthesis.  Markings on the outside of the casting are shown in double quotes under "comments".  The lengths may be off by a millimetre or so, due to swelling or distortion of some of the castings, to poor lighting in the museum storage vaults, the author's failing vision or shaking hand or some other alibi.



AUTOMOTIVE TOOTSIETOYS AND PRE-TOOTSIETOYS MADE BEFORE 1941
Click on the model name to see a photo of the item

Cat.
No.

Designation 1st year
in cat.

Last year
in cat.
Length
mm

Comments
4528
Limousine 1911
1928 47 Spoked wheels until about 1927, then disc.  "TOOTSIETOY" not cast on model.
4570
Automobile (Model T Ford Tourer)
1915
1926 77 Prior to being listed as 'Ford' called 'well-known flivver'.  Spoked wheels until about 1923, then disc.  "TOOTSIETOY" not cast on model.
4610
Truck (Model T Ford Pick-Up) 1916
1932 77 Not named 'Ford' until a boxed set of 1929.  Earlier 'companion to flivver'.  Spoked wheels until about 1923, then disc.  Without or with "TOOTSIE TOY" cast on model.
4629
Sedan (Yellow Cab) 1923
1933 72 Without or with "TOOTSIE TOY" cast on model.
4630 to 4635
Delivery Vans (Federal Vans) 1924
1933 75 "GROCERY", "BAKERY", "MARKET", "LAUNDRY", "MILK" or "FLORIST", though some of these may have dropped out during earlier years, "GROCERY" being the only catalogue illustration by 1931.  Without or with "TOOTSIETOY" cast on model.  No.04630 with rubber tyres issued 1933 (only "MILK" is known).  For the special versions with department store names, see the list in part 2.
4636
Coupe (Packard?) 1924
1933 76 The much copied five-passenger coupe.  Without or with "TOOTSIE TOY" cast on model.
4638
Mac(k) Stake Truck 1925
1933 82 The name was spelled 'Mack' by 1928, by which time the trademark "M" emblem was cast into the front.  Without or with "TOOTSIE TOY" cast on model.  No.04638 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
4639
Mac(k) Coal Truck 1925
1933 82
See 4638.  Without or with "TOOTSIE TOY" cast on model.  No.04639 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
4640
Mac(k) Tank Truck 1925
1933 82
See 4638.  Without or with "TOOTSIE TOY" cast on model.  No.04640 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
170
Interchangeable Truck 1925
1931
Boxed set with one Mack chassis and the above three bodies.
4641
Touring Car
1925
1933 78 'One of the latest models of a popular make of Touring Car' it says in the catalogue.  Without or with "TOOTSIE TOY" cast on model.
23
Racer 1926
1933 74 Removable driver, later fixed onto seat.  "23" cast on grille.  Without or with "TOOTSIE TOY" cast on model.  No.023 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
4642
Long Range Cannon
1931
1941 95 Towed by either no.4654 or 4646.
4643
Anti-Aircraft Gun (Mack Truck) 1931
1941 70 This, the searchlight truck and no.190X car transport were the only 'early Macks' to be cast in zamac after 1933.  No.04643 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
4644
Searchlight (Mack Truck) 1931
1941 70 No.04644 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
4645
New Mail Truck (Mack) 1931
1933 76 "US MAIL AIR MAIL SERVICE" cast on sides.  No.04645 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
4646
Caterpillar Tractor
1931
1939 77 Driver integrally cast.
4647
Army Tank (Renault FT17)
1931
1941 79 Camouflage finish.
4648
Steam Roller 1931
1934 73 Obviously from a diesel prototype.  We have a tendency to be sloppy with the terms 'steam roller', 'steam shovel' etc.
4651
Safety Coach (Fageol) 1926
1933 90 Without or with "TOOTSIE TOY" cast on model
4652
Hook and Ladder 1927
1933 105
No.04652 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
4653
Water Tower 1927
1933 91 No.04653 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
185
Fire Department
1927
1931  
Boxed set with one chassis and the above two bodies.
4654
Tractor 1927
1932 76 The early farm tractor.  Without or with towing loop.
 - Box Trailer
1928
1932 67 ) Sold only with 4610 Model T Ford Truck and 4654 Tractor in boxed sets nos.5010 and 7003.
 - Road Scraper/Rake
1928
1932 92
)
 - Gun Tractor 1931
1932 76 US Army modification of no.4654, sold only in boxed set no.5071 Field Battery Set with cannons 4642 and 4662.  "USA W-1881" cast on ammunition box.
4655
Ford Coupe (Model A) 1928
1933 65 Sold in individual box.  No.04655 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
4656
(Buick) Coupe in Garage 1931
1932 58 Tinplate garage 65mm long.  Coupe issued from 1930 as no.101.  Without or with "TOOTSIETOY" cast on model.
4657
(Buick) Sedan in Garage 1931
1932 58 Tinplate garage 65mm long.  Sedan issued from 1930 as no.103.  Without or with "TOOTSIETOY" cast on model.
4658
(Mack) Insurance Patrol in Garage 1931
1932 58 Tinplate garage 65mm long.  Insurance Patrol issued from 1932 as no.104.  Without or with "TOOTSIETOY" cast on model.
4662
Mortar Type Cannon
1931
1933

4665
Ford Sedan (Model A)
1929
1933 68
Companion to no.4655.  Sold in individual box.  No.04665 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
 - Ford Mail Truck (Model A)
1931
1933 66 Sold only in the 'Air Mail' boxed set no.5041 with Mack Airmail Van no.4645, pylon, planes and figures.
4666
Racer (Bluebird I)
1932
1941 95 'World's Fastest Racer'.  "TT" on sides.  No.04666 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
4670
(Mack) Trailer Truck 1929
1932 100 Mack tractor with two semi trailers: "A&P" and "AMERICAN RAILWAY EXPRESS".
4680
Overland Bus 1929
1933 95 "OVERLAND BUS LINE" on sides, "OVERLAND" at rear.  Separate grille piece.  No.04680 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
190
(Mack) Auto Transport Truck
1931
1933 215 Red, with two Buick sedans (103) and one coupe (101).  No.0190 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
190X
(Mack) 4-Car Transport
1933
1936 272 Red, with two Buick sedans (103) and two coupes (101).






General Motors Series

The length measurements might vary a bit due to different degrees of tilt of the rear spare tyres.  Colours varied in different years, the body always different from the chassis.  Wheels were black in some years, gold in others.
6001
Buick Roadster 1927
1933 79 "Buick" on grille.
6002
Buick Coupe 1927
1933 77 "Buick" on grille.
6003
Buick Brougham 1927
1933 79 "Buick" on grille.
6004
Buick Sedan 1927
1933 79 "Buick" on grille.
6005
Buick Touring Car
1927
1933 79 "Buick" on grille.
6006
Buick Delivery Truck
1927
1933 82 "Buick" on grille.
6101
Cadillac Roadster 1927
1933 79 "CADILLAC" on grille.
6102
Cadillac Coupe 1927
1933 77 "CADILLAC" on grille.
6103
Cadillac Brougham 1927
1933 79 "CADILLAC" on grille.
6104
Cadillac Sedan 1927
1933 79 "CADILLAC" on grille.
6105
Cadillac Touring Car
1927
1933 79 "CADILLAC" on grille.
6106
Cadillac Delivery Truck
1927
1933 82 "CADILLAC" on grille.
6201
Chevrolet Roadster 1927
1933 79 "CHEVROLET" on grille.
6202
Chevrolet Coupe 1927
1933 77 "CHEVROLET" on grille.
6203
Chevrolet Brougham 1927
1933 79 "CHEVROLET" on grille.
6204
Chevrolet Sedan 1927
1933 79 "CHEVROLET" on grille.
6205
Chevrolet Touring Car
1927
1933 79 "CHEVROLET" on grille.
6206
Chevrolet Delivery Truck
1927
1933 82 "CHEVROLET" on grille.
6301
Oldsmobile Roadster 1927
1933 79 "OLDSMOBILE" on grille.
6302
Oldsmobile Coupe 1927
1933 77 "OLDSMOBILE" on grille.
6303
Oldsmobile Brougham 1927
1933 79 "OLDSMOBILE" on grille.
6304
Oldsmobile Sedan 1927
1933 79 "OLDSMOBILE" on grille.
6305
Oldsmobile Touring Car
1927
1933 79 "OLDSMOBILE" on grille.
6306
Oldsmobile Delivery Truck
1927
1933 82 "OLDSMOBILE" on grille.
6-01
Roadster 1933
1933 79 No name on grille.  No.06-01 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
6-02
Coupe 1933
1933 77 No name on grille.  No.06-02 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
6-03
Brougham 1933
1933 79 No name on grille.  No.06-03 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
6-04
Sedan 1933
1933 79 No name on grille.  No.06-04 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
6-05
Touring Car
1933
1933 79 No name on grille.  No.06-05 with rubber tyres issued 1933.
6-06
Delivery Car
1933
1933 82 No name on grille.  No.06-06 with rubber tyres issued 1933.






Funnies Series

5091
Funnies Set
1932
1933
Contained 'action' versions of the models.
5101
Andy Gump (Roadster) 1932
1933 70 "348" cast front and rear.
5102
Uncle Walt (Roadster) 1932
1933 82
5103
Smitty (Motorycyle & Sidecar) 1932
1933 78 See also no.807.
5104
Moon Mullins (Police Wagon) 1932
1933 73 "POLICE PATROL" on sides.
5105
Kayo (Ice Wagon) 1932
1933 74 "KO ICE COMPANY" on sides.
5106
Uncle Willie (Motor Boat) 1932
1933 84 "MAMIE" on sides.






Two-inch and three-inch series

101
(Buick) Coupe 1930
1934 58 See no.4656.  Without or with "TOOTSIETOY" cast on model.
102
(Buick) Roadster 1930
1934 58 Without or with "TOOTSIETOY" cast on model.
103
(Buick) Sedan 1930
1934 58 See no.4657.  Without or with "TOOTSIETOY" cast on model.
104
(Mack) Insurance Patrol 1931
1934 59 See no.4658.  Without or with "TOOTSIETOY" cast on model.
105
(Mack) Tank Truck 1932
1934 59
108
Caterpillar Tractor 1932
1934 52 No driver.
109
(Ford) Stake Truck
1932
1934 57 "TT" on sides.
110
(Bluebird I) Racer 1932
1934 68 The smaller one (compare 4666), no driver.
111
Ford Sedan 1935
1941 76 1934 Ford (issued 1935) had separate grille and rubber tyres.  Redesigned as 1935 Ford (issued 1936), one-piece casting, solid rubber wheels.
112
Ford Coupe 1935
1941 76 1934 Ford (issued 1935) had separate grille and rubber tyres.  Redesigned as 1935 Ford (issued 1936), one-piece casting, solid rubber wheels.
113
Ford Wrecker 1935
1941 81 1934 Ford (issued 1935) had separate grille and rubber tyres.  Redesigned as 1935 Ford (issued 1936), one-piece casting, solid rubber wheels.
114
Ford Convertible Coupe 1935
1936 76 1934 Ford (issued 1935) had separate grille and rubber tyres.  Redesigned as 1935 Ford (issued 1936), one-piece casting, solid rubber wheels.  Differs from 112 only in paint finish.
115
Ford Convertible Sedan 1935
1936 76 1934 Ford (issued 1935) had separate grille and rubber tyres.  Redesigned as 1935 Ford (issued 1936), one-piece casting, solid rubber wheels.  Differs from 111 only in paint finish.
116
Ford Roadster 1935
1939 78 Probably not released until 1936 as a 1935 Ford.
 - Ford Roadster with fireman-driver
1939
1941 78 Sold only in boxed sets.
117
Zephyr Railcar 1935
1936 97 I don't understand why Clint included this in the listing, since he omitted all the other Tootsietoy trains.
118
Airflow DeSoto
1935
1940 76
120
Oil Tank Truck
1936
1939 77
121
Ford Pick-Up Truck
1936
1939 73
123
Ford Light Delivery (Camel-back Van)
1937
1939 77 "Special Delivery" and in custom liveries - see the table in part 6.
1043
Ford Sedan and Camping Trailer
1937
1941 139






Grahams, LaSalles, new Mack Trucks etc.
511
(Graham) Roadster
1933
1936 102
Rear-mount spare wheel.
512
(Graham) Coupe
1933
1936 102
Rear-mount spare wheel.
513
(Graham) Sedan
1933
1937 102
Rear-mount spare wheel.
514
(Graham) Convertible Coupe
1933
1936 102
Rear-mount spare wheel.  Differs from 512 only in paint finish.
515
(Graham) Convertible Sedan 1933
1936 102
Rear-mount spare wheel.  Differs from 513 only in paint finish.
516
(Graham) Town Car 1933
1936 102
Rear-mount spare wheel.
611
(Graham) Roadster
1933
1936 98 Twin side-mount spare wheels.
612
(Graham) Coupe
1933
1936 98
Twin side-mount spare wheels.
613
(Graham) Sedan
1933
1936 98
Twin side-mount spare wheels.
614
(Graham) Convertible Coupe
1933
1936 98
Twin side-mount spare wheels.  Differs from 612 only in paint finish.
615
(Graham) Convertible Sedan 1933
1936 98
Twin side-mount spare wheels.  Differs from 613 only in paint finish.
616
(Graham) Town Car 1933
1936 98
Twin side-mount spare wheels.
 - (Graham) Roadster
1933
1937 98
No spare wheel.  Shown only in boxed set 5360 'Bild-a-Car', but also sold with full axles.
 - (Graham) Coupe
1933
1939 98
No spare wheel.  Shown only in boxed set 5360 'Bild-a-Car', but also sold with full axles.
 - (Graham) Sedan
1933
1939 98
No spare wheel.  Shown only in boxed sets 5360 'Bild-a-Car' and 5350 'Taxicabs'.
712
(LaSalle) Coupe
1935
1939 108

713
(LaSalle) Sedan
1935
1939 108

714
(LaSalle) Convertible Coupe
1935
1936 108
Differs from 712 only in paint finish.
715
(LaSalle) Convertible Sedan 1935
1936 108
Differs from 713 only in paint finish.
716
Doodlebug 1935
1938 102
(Briggs-Lincoln) John Tjaarda prototype.
6015
Lincoln Zephyr 1937
1939 104
Not a good model of any real Lincoln Zephyr, being a Lincoln grille on the Doodlebug.  With or without clockwork motor.
6016
(Lincoln Zephyr) Wrecker 1937
1938 106
Merely the above 'Lincoln' with tow boom.  With or without clockwork motor.
1044
Trailer (Caravan) 1937
1939 120
"TOOTSIETOY ROAMER" cast, steel floorplate and tow hook.  Sold singly only in 1937, then in set no.180.
180
Roamer (Lincoln Zephyr and Trailer) 1938
1939 215
Boxed set of 6015 and1044.  Clockwork motor in 1938 only.
187
Auto Carrier (Mack with three '230' series cars) 1941
1941 216
Sheet metal trailer carrying three up-tilted cars, one-piece tractor, single rear wheels.
191
Contractor Set (Mack tractor, 3 trailers) 1933
1941 311
Side dumper trailers.  Separate chassis on tractor with single rear wheels.
192
Milk Truck Trailers (Mack with trailers) 1933
1941 337
One semi-trailer and two full trailers, all with "TOOTSIETOY DAIRY" printed.  1st type tractor with separate chassis, 2nd type one-piece tractor, single rear wheels on both versions (see 805).
198
Auto Transport (Mack with three Fords) 1935
1941 277
1st type tractor with separate yellow painted chassis, 2nd type one-piece tractor, single rear wheels on both versions.
801
Mack Stake Trailer 1933
1941 137
"EXPRESS" cast on trailer sides.  1st type tractor with separate chassis and dual rear wheels on tractor and trailer.  2nd type one-piece tractor and single rear wheels on tractor and trailer.
802
Mack Oil Trailer 1933
1939 138
"DOMACO GASOLINE & OILS" on trailer sides.  1st type tractor with separate chassis and dual rear wheels on tractor and trailer.  2nd type one-piece tractor and single rear wheels on tractor and trailer.
803
Mack Van Trailer 1933
1936 139
"LONG DISTANCE HAULING" cast on trailer sides.  1st type tractor with separate chassis and dual rear wheels on tractor and trailer.  Probably not issued in the 2nd type.
804
Mack Coal Truck 1933
1938 100
"CITY FUEL COMPANY" cast on sides.  1st type with separate chassis and dual rear wheels.  Four wheel version from 1936, at first with a separate chassis, then a single cab/chassis casting.
805
Mack Milk Trailer 1933
1939 145
"TOOTSIETOY DAIRY" on trailer sides.  1st type tractor with separate chassis and dual rear wheels on tractor and trailer.  2nd type one-piece tractor and single rear wheels on tractor and trailer.
806
Wrecking Car (Graham) 1933
1939 105

807
Delivery Cycle (Motorcycle  & Sidecar) 1933
1933 76
Adapted from 5103.  Curiously, the catalogue number was actually 0807, although the model did not have rubber tyres.
808
Milk Delivery Car (Graham) 1933
1939 98 "TOOTSIETOY DAIRY" cast on sides.
  - Tyre Van (Graham) 1935
1939 98 "COMMERCIAL TIRE & SUPPLY CO." cast on sides.  Sold only in boxed sets 5300 'Tootsietoy Motors' (1935) and 5360 'Bild-a-Car' (1938-9).
809 Ambulance (Graham) 1935
1941 98 After 1938 sold in no.5220 Army Set.  Re-introduced as a single item in 1941 in camouflage paint.
810
(Mack) Wrigley American Railway Express Truck 1935
1941 103
"WRIGLEY'S SPEARMINT CHEWING GUM The Standard of Quality RAILWAY EXPRESS AGENCY" transfer on sides.  1st type with a separate chassis, 2nd type a single cab/chassis casting, single rear wheels on both versions.






Larger models including Jumbo Series
Jumbo series was called 'Torpedo' in 1940 and later.
1006
Standard Oil Truck 1939
1941* 149
"STANDARD" cast on sides.
1007
Sinclair Oil Truck 1939
1941* 149
"SINCLAIR" cast on sides.
1008
Texaco Oil Truck 1939
1941* 149
"TEXACO" cast on sides.
1009
Shell Oil Truck 1939
1941* 149
"SHELL" cast on sides.
1010
Wrigley Truck 1940
1941* 114
"WRIGLEY'S SPEARMINT CHEWING GUM The Flavor Lasts" transfer on sides.  Later issued without transfer and called 'Large Box Truck'.
1011
Tractor 1941
1941 102
Red and silver or green and silver, black rubber wheels.
1016
Roadster 1936
1941* 149
Vague resemblance to an Auburn.
1017
Coupe 1936
1941* 144
With or without tin baseplate.
1018
Sedan 1936
1941* 146
With or without tin baseplate.
1019
(Pick-Up) Truck 1936
1941* 146

1026
Cross-Country Bus 1938 1938 150
"GREYHOUND" cast on sides.  Single colours.  No.1045 in different packaging.
1027
Wrecker 1937
1941* 146

1040
Hook and Ladder 1937
1941* 139
With driver and three ladders.  Reissued in 1948 with closed wheel arches.
1041
Hose Car 1937
1941* 116
With driver and water cannon.  Man at rear from 1938 on.  Reissued in 1948 with closed wheel arches.
1042
Insurance Patrol 1937
1941* 111
With driver.  Single ladder and man at rear from 1938 on.  Reissued in 1948 with closed wheel arches.
1045
Greyhound DeLuxe Bus 1937
1941* 150
"GREYHOUND" cast on sides, blue and silver.  With or without tin baseplate.  See also no.1026.
  - ('Trans-America' Bus) 1941
1941 150
"TRANS-AMERICA" cast on sides, red and silver or red and cream.  Shown only in 'Jumbo Set' no.750 in 1941 catalogue.
  - ('Tootsie' Bus) 1937
1941 150
"TOOTSIE" cast on sides, tin baseplate.
1046
Station Wagon 1940
1941* 113
The larger one.  Two colours and silver trim with white tyres and chrome hubs pre-war.
4634
Supply Truck 1939
1941* 111
Adapted from 1042.  Only in sets in 1939-40.
4635
Armoured Car 1938
1941* 100
"U.S. ARMY" cast.






'230' series
230
(LaSalle) Sedan 1940
1941* 85
A crude likeness.
231
(?Buick or Pontiac) Coupe 1940
1941* 80
Even cruder.
232
(Cadillac or Buick??) Touring Car 1940
1941* 76
Dubious.
233
Roadster 1940
1941* 81
Boat-tailed.
234
Box Truck 1940
1941* 79
A smaller version of 1010 without adverts.
235
Oil Truck 1940
1941* 79
Later modified with added lights and detail.
236
Hook and  Ladder 1940
1941* 77
Driver and ladders integrally cast.
237
Insurance Patrol 1940
1941* 77
Has hose reel.
238
Hose Car 1940
1941* 79
Has water cannon.
239
Station Wagon 1940
1941* 77
Two colours and silver trim pre-war.






'260' series Shown in the 1941 catalogue but never produced.
260
Yellow Cab 1941
1941 185
Air-N-Lite Paramount cab.  Never produced.
261
Checker Cab 1941
1941 185
Same casting as above.  Never produced.
262
Fire  Engine 1941
1941 185
A water cannon.  Never produced.
263
Hook and  Ladder 1941
1941 185
Single extension ladder.  Never produced.




* The asterisk denotes that the model continued in production after 1941 or was reintroduced after the war.  In such cases, wheels were black rubber and paint usually monochrome.



Thus endeth the lesson.  Irate corrections, comments, additions and condemnations will be gratefully received.  I ask only that they be carefully and accurately documented, preferably accompanied by the evidence.  Especially the condemnations.

C.B.C.L.




© Robert Newson