Overlooked Variations By Steve Butler

Two Examples of overlooked variations occurred last year and only a couple of months apart. It involved two persons whose rather vast toy vehicle collections both consist in part of a diverse number of post war Hubley toy vehicles. And, most are minty and boxed or as close thereto as opportunities permitted. The examples consisted of the following two fire trucks, toys that were boxed for single sales:
• Hubley #520 Fire Truck – in factory catalogs from 1956 to 1961

• Hubley #513 Fire Pumper – in factory catalogs from 1958 & 1959

Hubley #520 Fire Truck – Given its long production run (1956 to 1961), the #520 was a popular item that has remained readily available for collectors. It is a 19-inch die cast white metal truck that is expectedly weighty.

Hubley #513 Fire Pumper – Despite the two year issue indication shown in factor catalogs (1958 and 1959), Hubley discontinued production of the #513 mid-1958 or earlier. At least that was what a former Hubley employee told
this writer in 1999. The man also added that the returns because of damage and/or lost parts were very numerous.

(Note the obvious potential break points on the truck and also that the ladders and high pressure hoses would easily fall off the truck due to the lack of retainers.) All this is mentioned because the #513 is a very scarce truck and especially if all original as well as being both complete and not damaged.

It seems to have taken several decades to identify and document two probably overlooked variations in these collectible Hubley fire trucks 1950s. And, the two collectors involved are likely somewhat embarrassed because it took them so long to do so.