Arcade No. 1650 Cast Iron & Pressed Steel Wrecker/Tow Truck ca. 1940 *SOLD*

1940 Arcade No. 1650 Cast Iron & Pressed Steel Wrecker/Tow Truck

This is a great Arcade no. 1650 cast iron and pressed steel wrecker in red and yellow with green accents. This wrecker was made in 1940 and was produced in low numbers which makes it highly desirable to collectors. Arcade made this as either a dump truck or wrecker.  This truck is all original with no touch ups, breaks, or repairs detected. The cast iron cab is red with silver paint accents. The rear chassis is made of pressed steel and is painted red. The dump box is also pressed steel painted yellow with green trim. Inside the dump box is the winch and boom with the tow chain/rope and hook. The tow chain/rope winds via the lever on the driver’s side of the truck. The black hard rubber tires say “Arcade Balloon 30×5.25” on the front tires and “Arcade Toys 6.00-16” on the rear tires. The tires and axles are in excellent shape and roll well. This wrecker is approximately 11″ (13” with boom) x 3″ x 3¼”.The paint is in great condition with the usual wear, chips, and scratches that are to be expected with age and play. We invite you to peruse the photos of this awesome collector’s piece to further determine quality and condition.

A brief history of Arcade Manufacturing Company of Freeport, Illinois:

The Arcade Manufacturing Company of Freeport, Illinois was originally founded as Novelty Iron Works by Edward H. and Charles Morgan in 1868, and conducted business in two small buildings with a staff of ten people.

The company operated between the years 1868 to 1946. They began making toys and coffee mills and then moved to a new site in 1893 (after fires, financial issues, and changing their name from Novelty Iron Works). 

Arcade toy catalogs appear to start at 1902 and as late as 1939. Arcade`s toy line included over 300 toy items. Yellow Cab was their first successful toy followed by Andy Gump in 348 and Chester Gump in His Pony Cart. Arcade also made toy banks, doll house furniture, and cast-iron penny toys.