Ertl Company
American die-cast toy maker known for farm replicas.
The Ertl Company, now a toy brand, was an American manufacturer famous for die-cast metal scale models of farm equipment. It also produced die-cast cars, airplanes, and commercial vehicles. The company was located in Dyersville, Iowa, which is also the site of the National Farm Toy Museum.
Ertl began making farm toy replicas in 1945. For over six decades, it created farm toys for brands like John Deere, Case IH, New Holland, and AGCO. At various times, Ertl secured licenses to produce die-cast vehicles, figurines, and model kits for properties including Looney Tunes, Garfield, Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Tugs, Theodore Tugboat, Super Mario Bros., DC Comics, and Star Wars. In 1999, Racing Champions purchased Ertl. Today, Ertl is a brand under RC2 Corporation.
The company was founded in 1945 by Fred Ertl Sr. in Dubuque, Iowa. It moved to larger facilities in Dyersville in 1959. Victor Comptometer Corporation acquired Ertl in 1967. Ertl bought Carter Tru-Scale in 1971 and began making plastic model kits in 1973. It acquired Structo Stamped Steel in 1974. Kidde, Inc. took over Ertl when it bought Victor Comptometer in 1977. Ertl acquired the AMT model kit company in 1981 and MPC model kits in 1985. It produced Thomas & Friends licensed toys in 1986. Hanson plc bought Kidde in 1987, and Ertl acquired the ESCI model kit company that same year. Racing Champions was founded in 1989 by Bob Dods, Boyd Meyer, and Peter Chung. Ertl released its first Precision Series farm toy replica in 1990. Racing Champions obtained the NASCAR license in 1991–92. Fred Ertl Jr. and Robert J. Ertl retired in 1992. Hanson consolidated its U.S. companies into U.S.I. in 1995. Ertl began the Wings Of Texaco die-cast airplane collection in 1993. Racing Champions introduced its Mint line of non-racing vehicles in 1996 and formed Racing Champions Corporation. It completed its initial public stock offering in 1997. In 1999, Racing Champions acquired The Ertl Company, and Ertl produced a commercial version of the Eternity puzzle. Ertl acquired Britains Limited in 2000. Racing Champions Ertl bought Learning Curve International in 2003. In 2004, RC2 Corporation acquired Playing Mantis assets and The First Years Inc., while the Thomas & Friends range was discontinued.
Quick Facts
- Fate
- Acquired by Racing Champions in 1999, currently a brand
- Predecessor
- <!-- or
- Founded
- / Dubuque, Iowa, U.S.
- Founder
- Fred Ertl Sr.
- Hq Location City
- Dyersville, Iowa
- Hq Location Country
- U.S.
- Products
- Die-cast scale model cars, commercial vehicles
- Owner
- Tomy
- Subsidiaries
- AMT / Britains / ESCI / MPC
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
Ertl has been producing farm toy replicas since 1945. For over 60 years, the company has produced farm toys for industry brands such as John Deere, Case IH, New Holland, and AGCO. Ertl has also, on different occasions, acquired the licenses to produce die-cast vehicles and figurines as well as model kits for Looney Tunes, Garfield, Thomas the Tank Engine & Friends, Tugs, Theodore Tugboat, Super Mario Bros., DC Comics, and Star Wars. In 1999, Ertl was purchased by Racing Champions. Ertl is currently a brand under the RC2 Corporation umbrella.
In the late 1970s, Ertl offered a series of plastic model kits of heavy commercial trucks, over-the-road trailers, tractors, plows, and farm wagons. Although these kits never achieved the hoped-for popularity, they led to the acquisition of AMT. In 1983, AMT was purchased by Ertl from Lesney, and renamed AMT/Ertl. AMT/Ertl then had a 24-year relationship until AMT was sold in 2007. In the 1980s, Ertl got licenses to produce and commercialise model cars from movies and TV series, such as KITT from Knight Rider and the Bat-vehicles from the 1989 Batman film. They would also make a multitude of action figures and vehicles for the 1993 Super Mario Bros. movie.
In the early 1990s Ertl started the American Muscle line up of diecast collectible cars, trucks, and motorcycles. These were 1:18 or 1:10 scale replicas that quickly found a dedicated following of baby boomers. Limited editions of 2,500 were especially sought after. Many of the earliest releases have fetched upwards of $500. The most popular and desirable is the 1957 Chevy Bel Air known as Peggy Sue. Ertl has also produced a number of die cast airplane models over the years, including some promotional items for Texaco, Continental and many other airlines.
Reader's Guide
Ertl's significance lies in its long-standing role as a leading producer of die-cast farm toy replicas, a niche that connected agricultural heritage with collectible modeling. Founded in 1945, the company became synonymous with accurate scale models of John Deere, Case IH, and other major farm equipment brands, earning a dedicated collector base. Its move to Dyersville, Iowa, and the presence of the National Farm Toy Museum there underscore its cultural impact in rural America. Beyond farming, Ertl expanded into plastic model kits, acquiring AMT and MPC, and secured licenses for major entertainment franchises including Star Wars, Thomas & Friends, and DC Comics, broadening its reach. The American Muscle line of diecast cars in the 1990s further cemented its legacy among baby boomer collectors. Through multiple corporate acquisitions—by Victor Comptometer, Kidde, Hanson, and finally Racing Champions/RC2—Ertl persisted as a brand, with its tooling later licensed or acquired by Round 2 LLC and Tomy. Its legacy endures in the collectible market, where early Precision Series farm toys and limited-edition American Muscle models remain highly valued.
Did You Know?
- The company was based in Dyersville, Iowa, home of the National Farm Toy Museum.
- The most popular American Muscle diecast is the 1957 Chevy Bel Air known as Peggy Sue.
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