Our stockings are hung by the chimney with care, the tree is trimmed, and the shopping is in full swing. I have told Santa repeatedly that I’ve been a very very good boy this year. After thanksgiving I am still marveling at the many blessings that I should be thankful for this year. The latest being the fact my wife and I are expecting our first child in May. That being said Ertl and many other toy manufactures have made many new toys we as collectors are thankful they listen to us for.

As most of you know we talk precision classic toys in this article. This month will be no exception and we will be taking a look at the new release of the patio lawn and garden series. The fabled lawn and garden set is one many of us marvel at and dream about adding to our collection. Virtually none of us would ever have the opportunity to add them to our personal collections but thanks to Ertl we all now have a chance. I am one who says we do not need reproductions if someone wants a particular toy they should save up and purchase the original not beg for repo’s. With the extreme rarity of this set I feel this is a very acceptable time for someone to make some reproductions.

These toys are a little unique in that they each have a different accessory. Each is offered independently and are individually packaged. The fist of these is the “spruce blue” tractor with a mower deck, as the picture shows this, it is packed full of details. Folding hoods finite details on the accessories including hydraulic lines and mower blades are standard detail across all models.

The second model is the “sunset orange” model with the snowblower. These 140 lawn mowers were offered in the four different colors. The thought behind these toys was that the lady or man of the home could choose a color that went well with the home or simply a color that they enjoyed. I guess the only thing about this model that makes me laugh is the fact “sunset orange” says Flordia not upper Midwest where a snow-blower would be needed. The traction chains add detail to this model you could not imagine. It makes me picture a fall day in suburban America where men ready their pride and joy mowers for winter duty of pushing snow.

The third toy in this set is the “patio red” replica with blade. When I first saw these toys this particular replica caught my attention the fastest. I marveled at it through the plastic box I absolutely could not believe the detail of the hydraulic lines and the hydraulic cylinders. I mean look at the auto reset springs on the blade there is absolutely no detail left undone. Finally the skid plates on the bottom side prevents the anal retentive neighbor next door from pushing his gravel into his yard or scratching up his fancy sod in his yard.

Fourth and finally we have the “April yellow” version with the roto-tiller on the back. This may be the most aptly marked toy due to it’s accessory I mean April screams spring as does the roto-tiller. All these tractors are 100% identical other than the various attachments.

Upon seeing this dynamic set of toys I must say I am extremely impressed. I should come to expect it sooner or later but Ertl just does not stop in the amount of detail it continues to bring to us as collectors and this set is no different. As the following picture shows the detail is phenomenal and we all now have an opportunity to have a patio set on our own shelves.

This is the first opportunity we have had to buy a Precision Classic toy which can be seen with out having to take it out of the box. I have long been an advocate that these very expensive toys should be able to be seen without having to remove them from the box. As with all other precisions this set is very expensive and it is very nice to be able to show it off to people enjoying your collection. I was able to closely inspect this set with out having to wrestle with styro-foam, tissue paper, and clear tape. You have read a very favorable report on these toys so far, I must now comment on the unacceptable flaw of this set.

Though the box allows for one to see the toy easily it provides no way to remove the toy to display it out of the box with out destroying the packaging material most notably the box it’s self. The design of this box uses technology that is as old or older than me. We have bubble packaging simply glued to a cardboard box. Everyone knows that there is absolutely no way to take these toys out and keep the box in great shape. The average collector is going to pay around $235.00 for this entire set only to have to destroy the box in order to display their new toys. Bottom line is this toy gets great marks for detail but, the packaging will not get it done. I like seeing the toy but we have technology today which will allow for great packaging without having to destroy it to take the toy out.

Remember to collect what you like and like what you collect.

Respectfully and Happpy Holidays

Phil Altstaetter

As always I will answer questions and take feed back at precisionphil@hotmail.com

 have.   That is the first one!