Carter Tru-Scale ca.1950s Pressed Steel International Harvester Turquoise TR-501 “International Pick-Up Truck” *SOLD*

Carter Tru-Scale ca. 1950s Pressed Steel International Harvester Turquoise TR-501 “International Pick-Up Truck”

We have for you a ca. 1950s pressed turquoise TR-501 “International Pick-Up Truck” side-step truck that was manufactured by Carter Machine & Tool Co./Carter Tru-Scale of Rockford, Illinois.

IH, aka International Harvester, wanted a toy line to complement their real-sized equipment. Our toy is the sought-after two-tone truck with a folding bed, steering, detailed water slide stickers, and realistic rubber wheels. That says nothing about the masterful steel pressings that perfectly mimic the real truck’s sheet metal. The black rubber tires are still intact, but as per usual with toys of this age, they may have petrified, discolored, warped, and/or cracked. We did not notice any issues. The truck’s often lost steering spring is missing.

This piece is in good all original condition with no breaks, restorations, repairs, or touch-ups. This piece shows the usual patina, fading, dust, chips, scuffs, surface rust, scratches, missing accessories, and wear that are to be expected from age and play. It is approximately 12 ¼” L. We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition.

A brief history of Carter Machine & Tool Co./Carter Tru-Scale of Rockford, Illinois:

1940-1990

Founder: Joseph Carter

Specialty: Scale model pressed steel replica trucks, tractors, and farm equipment.

Carter Machine & Tool Co. was founded in Rockford, Illinois in 1940 by Joseph Carter. The company started out by building special machines and dies. In the late 1940s, Carter Tru-Scale began making pressed steel scale model replicas of trucks, tractors, and farm equipment. At the time Carter also began as a jobber for Nylint until they began manufacturing products on their own.

In 1950-51, the company acquired ESKA Company, Inc.’s manufacturing operation and moved it from Dubuque, Iowa to Rockford, Illinois. The acquisition allowed Carter Tru-Scale to expand its farm toy production under the Carter Tru-Scale and ESKA brands. At this time they obtained the licensing rights for Deere, International Harvester, Case, Oliver, and Allis Chalmers from ESKA.

In 1956, Carter was synonymous with quality scale models and they began manufacturing licensed brand toys for the original equipment manufacturers, marketing them under the Carter Tru-Scale name.

In 1985, Carter was sold to Superior Toy Co. of Chicago, Illinois which continued the production of Tru-Scale toys until they filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1990.