The area of collectible die cast cars, tractors, trucks and airplanes are important components of our business. We have a wide variety of model lines including Ertl, Tonka, Buddy L, Nylint, Road Masters, American Muscle, Johnny Lightening, and Hot Wheels. While the majority of collectors are male, women often buy treasured models for their dads, brothers, boyfriends and husbands as gifts.

In this area of the country – the Dakotas and Minnesota, there is a huge interest in collecting die cast tractors and farm implements. Many “baby-boomers” who grew up on small farms in the Midwest are looking for these toys to bring back memories (of their youth growing up) on the farm.

Especially popular among this group are the John Deere “letter models”, manufactured by Deere in the 30s, 40s, and 50s, including the A, B, D and G tractors, as well as newer models like the 520, 720, 820, 4020 and 8020 4 wheel drive.

International Harvester also produced their “letter model tractors” that were manufactured in the 1930s, 40s and 50s. Popular models include the Farmall A, B, C, H and M. For those who were teenage farmers during the late 1950s, 60s and 70s the models: 460, 560, 806, 856, 1206 and others are much desired.

Today most John Deere and IH models are mass produced by Ertl and other toy companies in China and are generally readily available to our customers. Older die cast tractors manufactured by Ertl in the United States during the 1960s, 70s and 80s are much sought after by some collectors and fetch higher prices than those made in China today. Despite the reputation of being “cheap reproductions”, some of the toys made in China are quality made and are much more detailed than models produced earlier.

At Antiques on Broadway, IH Farmall and John Deere are clearly the best sellers but some customers look for other brands like Allis-Chalmers, Case, Minneapolis Moline, Massey Ferguson, Massey Harris, Ford and Oliver.

Another area of interest to die cast enthusiasts are the “arcade tractors” given out as prizes in carnivals and circus shows in the 1920s and 1930s. These tractors are made from cast iron and bring premium prices from some buyers from 100s to thousands of dollars depending on the availability and condition.

Antiques on Broadway, # 6 Broadway North, Fargo, North Dakota 58102

PH: (701) 451-9111