The Louis Marx Toy Company made Studebaker toy trucks for many years. The oldest I’ve seen were 1937 models, mostly cab-over models. The smaller versions were just over six inches long and came with a variety of body styles including everything from stake bed trucks to delivery van bodies. The larger sizes ranged from 12 to 14 inches with even more body styles. There was even a large ride-on version made.
When Studebaker the R-series trucks in 1949 it seems that Marx took an interest in it and a whole new flock of toy trucks appeared. These came in different versions as well. The truck pictured here is a first version of the Lumar Moving Van which has tin litho tires and no tailgate. The second version of the van had a tail gate and plastic tires. Both have pressed steel bodies and measure 14 inches long.
Marx also made some plastic bodied trucks with the R-series cab, most noticeable was the Auto- Mac, a wind up dump truck that when you hit the switch drove across the floor, dumped it’s load and the driver would turn his head to make sure the load dumped properly. These came in civilian and military versions. These usually are found badly warped due to the high petroleum content found in the plastics of the day. Once the petroleum started to evaporate, they would warp. These are rare to find in good condition.
One of the more unusual pieces was an Avanti made with a removable left front fender and tire. These came with a wrecker set and you could either have the straight fender on the car or a dented fender. The front of the car looks good and the perspective is fine. The rear however seems very short and looks awkward. You have to wonder why they decided to choose a fiberglass car to have a dented fender.
Marx Toys went out of business in 1978. I’ve heard that after they closed there was a large supply of the pressed steel trucks found so once in a while, if you’re lucky, you can still find these in very nice shape. I was lucky enough to find this near mint condition example (shown above) at a toy show in Rochester, New York. The seller didn’t think anyone would want it and had it sitting behind his table, not out for sale. I noticed it with my built in Studebaker radar as I passed a row behind him. I made a beeline to his table and struck a deal. This may have been one of the left overs since it’s in such good shape. I also picked up a second version truck at a local antique store, still in the original box which was most likely a left over as well.
There was a Marx Toy Museum in Erie PA for a few years and when they had an auction I was also able to find a Studebaker Car Carrier that still has the ramps and two of the original cars with it. If you keep your eyes open, these things do still show up.
With a rich history starting in 1919 and covering all kinds of toys Marx toys are still highly collected. The Marx name has changed hands several times over the years. Despite the similar names, none of the Marx-branded companies of today have any connection to the original Louis Marx and Company.
