Hubley History by Rick Black, El Paso Texas

The Hubley Manufacturing Company was incorporated in the early 1890s by John Hubley in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, and produced wonderful toys throughout its history. Early Hubley production consisted of numerous cast iron toys including various horse drawn vehicles, guns, household appliances, and more. With the automotive age, cars, trucks, and other transportation became their focus. Early Hubley toys were cast iron, but after World War II the company switched to a die-cast zinc alloy. The trade name Kiddie Toys was used from 1946 through 1958. In 1965, Hubley was sold to Gabriel Industries, who continued the manufacture of Model A cars and trucks using the same molds (Hubley and Gabriel parts are interchangeable) until the early 1990s. At that time, Scale Models, a division of Ertl, acquired the rights to produce the models. Just after 2000, Scale Models discontinued production of most cars, including the Model A Ford kits. These are the facts I've been able to gather; I'd appreciate any additional information or corrections! Please contact me by clicking on my name, above, to send me e-mail. Updates 6/5/07: Reader Mike Renihan writes: "A lot of Hubley toys were destroyed in the early days of WWII when owners of the toys donated them to the government to be melted down for the war effort." Thanks for this additional piece of information, Mike. The remaining Hubley toys are more valuable.

Hubley Model A Kits over the Years

Hubley Wagon Pre-1965	Hubley Roadster Not sure of date; looks more recent than 1965 but box says "HUBLEY"	Gabriel Phaeton 1965-1990?
Scale Models Phaeton 1990s	Scale Models Fordor 1990s

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