Code 3 Collectibles
Customized scale model vehicles from Los Angeles.
Code 3 Collectibles was a manufacturer of customized scale model vehicles, headquartered in Woodland Hills, Los Angeles. Its founder, Arnie Rubin, had previously founded Funrise Toy Corporation, which owned the Tonka brand among others. The company was best known for producing high-quality scale models of emergency vehicles—such as ambulances, police cars, and fire trucks—though its product line also included trucks and cars. Code 3 held a license to produce Star Wars spaceship models.
The company’s models were stock vehicles that had been customized or converted. For example, plain white cars or vans were painted or decaled with police liveries, including stripes, badges, and force codes, and fitted with extras like lightbars and tools. Similarly, plain trucks could be decaled or painted to match a company’s livery. Sometimes parts were added, removed, or newly created to increase realism.
On April 25, 2007, Matrix Holdings Ltd. agreed to purchase Code 3 Collectibles in a multimillion-dollar deal. Production ceased on August 19, 2011. The final model released was a Seagrave Marauder Aerialscope lettered for FDNY Truck 46.
Quick Facts
- Industry
- Collecting
- Predecessor
- <!-- or
- Founded
- 1997
- Founder
- Arnie Rubin
- Defunct
- 2011
- Hq Location City
- Woodland Hills
- Hq Location Country
- U.S.
- Products
- Scale model fire engines, trucks, cars
- Parent
- Matrix Holdings Ltd. (2007–11)
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The models created by Code 3 Collectibles were stock models which had been customized or converted from their original state. A few examples of Code 3 Collectibles models include plain white cars or vans which have been painted or have had decals added with the livery of a police force such as stripes, force badge/crest, force code, etc. Extras such as lightbars and possibly tools have been added as well. Another example would be a plain truck which has been decaled/painted to have the livery parts of a company. Sometimes creating new parts, removing parts, or adding extra parts are done as well to add to the realism of the model.
On April 25, 2007, Matrix Holdings Ltd. entered into a multimillion-dollar agreement with Code 3 Collectibles to purchase the company. On August 19, 2011, Code 3 Collectibles announced that it was stopping all production. The last model released to date is a Seagrave Marauder Aerialscope lettered for FDNY Truck 46.
Reader's Guide
Code 3 Collectibles carved a niche in the scale model industry by focusing on customized conversions of stock vehicles, particularly emergency and fire apparatus. Their approach—taking plain white or generic models and adding authentic police or fire livery, lightbars, and tools—set a standard for realism in the die-cast hobby. The company's licensing to produce Star Wars spaceship models broadened its appeal beyond emergency vehicle collectors. The acquisition by Matrix Holdings Ltd. in 2007 marked a corporate transition, but production ceased in 2011, with the final model being a Seagrave Marauder Aerialscope for FDNY Truck 46. The company's legacy lies in its meticulous customization process, which involved painting, decaling, and sometimes fabricating new parts to achieve accuracy. Collectors continue to seek out Code 3 models for their detail and the specific liveries they reproduced, preserving the company's reputation for high-quality, handcrafted replicas.
Did You Know?
- Code 3 Collectibles was founded by Arnie Rubin, who also established Funrise Toy Corporation.
- The company was a licensee to produce Star Wars spaceship models.
- Code 3 Collectibles was purchased by Matrix Holdings Ltd. on April 25, 2007.
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