Hubley Manufacturing Company

Lore & Background

Hubley was incorporated in 1894 in Lancaster, Pennsylvania by John Hubley. Its first toys appeared in 1909, made of cast-iron, featuring horse-drawn vehicles, dogs, tractors, steam shovels, and guns. Early toys were noted for complexity, such as an 11-inch Packard Straight 8 and a steam shovel with working arms. In the late 1930s, the company shifted to diecast zinc alloy (mazac) molding, introducing the Kiddietoys name used until the mid-1950s. Household objects like doorstops and bookends were also produced, but vehicles became the mainstay.

Around 1960, Hubley introduced lines for different age groups, including the Real Toys pre-assembled line (called Real Types in Canada) in about 1:50 scale, competing with British Corgi and Dinky Toys. The company also made plastic promotional models in about 1:24 scale, some for foreign automakers, and contracted promotional models for station wagons and four-door configurations not covered by other manufacturers. Hubley was acquired by Lido Toy Company in 1965 and was out of business by the mid-1970s.

Reader's Guide

Hubley's significance lies in its unique position as a metal kit manufacturer in a market dominated by plastic. Its detailed metal car kits, issued in various scales, required more dedication from modelers due to metal parts needing filing and sanding. The range of marques was narrow—Ford Model As, 1932 Chevrolets, Packards, and Duesenbergs—but offered many body style variations. The Real Toys line, though simple with no interiors, had accurate proportions and competed with established diecast brands. Hubley's promotional models filled niches ignored by other makers, such as station wagons and the Nash Metropolitan. The company's broad competitive approach, spanning metal kid's toys, kits, and British diecast rivals, may have contributed to its decline. Many Hubley toys are now sought-after collectibles.

Did You Know?

• Hubley's early cast-iron toys included a delicate 11-inch Packard Straight 8 and a five-ton truck with tools.
• The company's Real Toys line was called Real Types in Canada.
• Hubley made a plastic promotional model of the Austin-powered 1960 Nash Metropolitan in two-tone color schemes.
• Hubley's metal kits were sold under the Gabriel brand name in the later 1960s.