by Jason Hasert

       1/64 scale offers more choices to collectors than any scale.   At the current time there are over 4,500 individual 1/64 farm toys to collect.  This number includes models produced by Ertl, Scale Models, Spec-Cast, Die-Cast Promotions, C&D Models, Moore's Farm Toys, Long Creek, Mini-Toys, Walters, Matsen Miniatures, J&J and several other small producers.  Models available include tractors, combines, implements, collectors editions, farm show editions, toy show models and many production variations. 

        In this months KPC I would like to narrow the collectors focus to some of the most desirable 1/64 pieces in 2004.  These are models that are bring strong prices on e-bay and toy shows.  These models at their introduction were quite common and readily available.  Because of their popularity or short production these models have become limited because the models have been kept in collections.  These models are highly sought after and collectors that do not have them are willing to pay a high dollar price.  This month we will look at the most talked about 1/64 toys in the market today and why they are hard to find.

Spec-Cast Brent 674 Grain Carts

              The Brent 674 grain carts are the most talked about 1/64 pieces in the scale today.  These carts were offered in 1997 and were produced by Spec-Cast.   The models new in the box are selling for as much as $75 a piece on e-bay.  This price is pretty steep.  If you look around you can find these models in the $25-$40 range.   The key is having the patience to look for them.  The green model is often more popular than the red one.  This is probably because John Deere collectors are so numerous and looking for a nice looking cart to match to the 8000 series tractors.  The price on these models has been driven up because in the late 1990's when they debuted there retail retail price was $18.  This was a high price at the time and many collectors did not purchase the carts.  They were released before the internet, many collectors did not know about them and are just learning of their existence.  The carts were not produced for a long range of time.  All of these factors have lead to the increased demand and higher prices for these models.

Ertl Massey-Ferguson 8680 Collectors Edition

       The 1998 Massey-Ferguson 8680 is a fairly unknown model by many collectors.   This collectors edition combine was offered by Ertl to help the introduction of AGCO's new conventional combine line.  The collectors 8680 offered dual wheels, an extended ladder, 12 row corn head, and collectors decal.  This model stands out because of its dual wheels and 12 row corn head.  The shelf edition has an 8 row head and single wheels. The MF 8680 collectors edition brings around $35.

Ertl Gleaner R-62

        Another AGCO combine in demand with collectors is the Gleaner C-62.  This model debuted in 1998 along with the MF 8680.  The C-62 is the Gleaner combine lines conventional combine and is offered by AGCO along with the rotary R-65 and R-75 combines.  In 1998 collectors were hoping for an R-72 rotary combine with a 12 row head although AGCO chose the C-62 because it was a new product while the R-72 was six years old at the time.  The C-62 is an interesting model  because it offers a 300 bu. grain tank and was Ertl's first model to offer a straw chopper.  The C-62 went over like a lead balloon with 1/64 collectors and Ertl dropped it from its toy line in 2000.  Collector hind sight can be 20/20. Today many collectors who over looked the C-62 are taking a second look. This combine is a difficult model to find because of its short run.  Gleaner combines are a popular brand and many collectors want a 1/64 Gleaner.  While many collectors hope Ertl will offer a new R-75 the C-62 is becoming a popular substitute.  The average C-62 is now bringing $25-$30.  Hopefully this kind of dollar demand will signal that it is time for a new 1/64 Gleaner.

Ertl Collectors Edition New Holland CR970 Combine

        The Ertl 1/64 New Holland CR970 caused quite a stir in July 2002 when it debuted.   This collectors Edition was Ertl's first full detail combine.  The CR970 sold out with in a month after its release.  By November 2002 this model was bringing $45.  This model has proved to have staying power a year and a half later.  Even after the release of the CaseIH AFX 8010 collectors edition.  Many collectors are still seeking the CR970.  The model is still holding in the $35 price range.  It will be interesting to see how the CR970 prices hold as more collectors combines are released.  Two things on its side in the collectors market is that it was the first, it was a surprise it and not all that many were made.  Some toy dealers guess around 2,500 were produced.

Ertl Farm Progress CaseIH AFX 8010 1 of 5000

       The CaseIH AFX 8010 dominated the 1/64 combine market in the fall of 2003 with the release of a detailed collectors edition in August and a shelf edition in September.  The AFX 8010 collectors edition was offered in much greater numbers than the CR970.  While this model is sold out now it is bringing around $18, only $3 more than its original price.  While the AFX 8010 is readily available there is one variation many collectors want and can not find.  The 2003 Fall Farm Show Edition AFX 8010 is selling for $45 now.  This model has the same detail as the collectors edition with one key difference in that it offers duals.  CaseIH offered the Fall Farm Show AFX 8010 at its Farm Progress Show tent.   Because this model was so popular customers were only allowed to purchase two models a piece, at $25 each.  Five thousand of these AFX's were made.  The models would have sold out at Farm Progress but due to rain the show was canceled half way through.  At recent toy shows this AFX with duals has been selling in the $45-$60.   The key reason for the high price its limited availability to collectors.   Keep in mind that if you are looking for this model, a total of 5,000 were made, so there are quite a few on the market for a collectors edition.  CaseIH is still offering these models at Farm Shows.  In October 2003 the AFX's turned up in the CaseIH tent at the Sun Belt Expo in Georgia and just this month at the Tulare California Farm Show.  If you attended those show the AFX's were still $25.00.  It will be interesting to what the future prices of the AFX will be.  

Ertl Case International 1666

         The CaseIH 1666 replaced the 1660 in Ertl's line in 1994.  This model is not a well known CaseIH toy.  Often collectors only think the 1660 was available.  When collectors do find out about it they have a hard time finding it.  The 1666 was only offered for a short time.  It was replaced in August 1995 by the CaseIH 2166.  The 1666 was sold in the blue Farm Country Ertl box.  It was most often sold at Wal-Mart along with the Gleaner R-52 and John Deere "Maximizer".  Even though the 1666 is hard to find it only brings around $18.  It is a unique decal variation but it seems most collectors are satisfied to have a 1660.  If you are a combine collector it is a nice piece to look for to complete your collection.

Ertl CaseIH 8950 Magnum

        The CaseIH 8950 Magnum was another short run item.  The 1/64 8950  debuted in 1998 and was closed out in the same year to make way for the new MX 180 and 200.   The 8950 is a popular Magnum because all of the 7100, 7200 series and the 8920/8940 Magnums were cast on the older 1/64 scale.  The 8950 was made in the larger size to match other Ertl models of the late 1990's like the John Deere 8400, New Holland 8970, AGCO-Allis 9695 and White 6-175.  Magnums are one of the best known tractors in farming and popular with collectors.  The 8950 was such a short run toy and the MX Generation of Magnums were so much different that the 8950 brings as much as $20 today.  Many collectors want a larger original style Magnum.  In December 2003 Ertl released a 7250 Mark 50 Magnum using the 8950 casting.  So far this second larger Magnum has not effected the 8950's price because it has special 50,000th Magnum graphics that set it apart from the normal red Magnum.  The big question is whether Ertl might use this casting to offer models like the 7250, 7150 or 7140 down the road.

John Deere Fall Farm Show 7920

          The John Deere 7920 is only a few months old, but already gaining popularity with  collectors.  The 7920 was the 1/64 John Deere 2003 Fall Farm Toy Show model.  It is the first 1/64 John Deere tractor to offer cab windows, the first 1/64 2wd to offer flood lights, Deere detailed mud flaps and a 3pt hitch.   Collectors are paying as much as $25 for the 7920 Fall Farm Show model.

Ertl Ford Genesis 8870 Collectors Edition

        The Ford Genesis 8870 is model to watch out for.  Many collectors do not know that for a short time that New Holland used the Ford name on its tractors.  When Ertl released its first Genesis toys they had the Ford decals.  The most collectible model is the Collectors Edition 8870.  This was the first Ertl 2wd to offer cab windows.  The great news for collectors is that it can easily be found in the $10 price range.

Ertl Allis-Chalmers 7045

           The 1/64 Allis-Chalmers 7045 was released by Ertl in 1978.  This model has had its ups and downs over the years.  In the early 1990's when the farm toy hobby was booming a 1978 Farm Machines of the World 7045 would bring $50.  Now an open 7045 will bring $15 and most new in the box models will be around $25.  This model is regaining popularity as Ertl brings out classic 1970's John Deere and IH toys from the decade. Many collectors are buying 7045's to customize to match the new classic toys with an orange tractor.   

Ertl International 3588 2+2

        The International Harvester 2+2 debuted 25 years ago in 1979.  In 1982 Ertl introduced a 1/64 scale IH 3588 2+2.  1982 was also the year that the new IH 88 series was put into production.  The white cab 3588 toy was only produced for a short time because Ertl changed over to the red cab 6388.  In the early 1980's the farm toy hobby was in its infancy and to most collectors 1/64 was for kids.  The majority of 3588's were opened and played with.  Today the 3588 is one of most sought after toys in 1/64.  Collectors are paying $100 for a new in box model and nearly as much for a good open model.  Ertl has been following anniversaries in recent years and it will be interesting to see if the 2+2 makes a come back in 2004.  

Ertl Steiger Cougar and Industrial

       The Steiger name is an All-American classic when it comes to 4wd tractors.   The series III models are probably the best known green Steigers in the brands 46 year identity.  Ertl offered the Steiger Cougar "ST-251" and "CA-280" Industrial in 1/64 for only a few short years in the early 1980's.  Like the IH 2+2 most of these models were played with.  There are apparently  more Steigers around than 2+2's because both models have sold for a number of years in the $65 price range.  They are the most popular 4wds in the 1/64 scale. 

J&J Case 4890

         Case 4wds have been an item many collectors have wanted to see Ertl produce.  Since 1996 Ertl has offered a few variations of the Case TK 1470 which are covered in this months TTT "Whats Hot of in 64th".  It is probably only a matter of time before Ertl gets around to the Case 4890 and 4894.  For those collectors who can not wait there is a pricey substitute.  In the 1990's J&J Farm Toys offered Traction King, 90 series and 94 series Case 4wds in 1/64 kits.  These  models were not licensed by Case.  A low number were produced before Case stopped J&J from making them.   Some of the 90 and 94 series model kits and finished versions are showing up at toy shows on e-bay.  These models are popular and they are brining $100.

Scale Models Badger 1200 Forage Wagon

        We round out the 1/64 collectibles with the Scale Models Miller Forage Wagons.  In 2000 Scale Models offered the Miller brand wagons as a red Miller-Pro, green Badger and green Victor wagon.  These models sold for $15 and were only sold for a few months.  Collectors have been paying as much as $30 for these wagons. Haying farm toys are always popular with dairy display builders and are often in short supply.   This summer Scale Models is going to offer this forage box casting as an H&S.

      The models above are a general selection of popular 1/64 items in the toy market today.  There are many rare, historical and limited production models that out there that bring much higher prices.  Examples would be the original 7 piece John Deere historical set from 1968, the Martin Fast Big Buds, gold edition models etc....   My goal for this article was to high light some of the models the general collector can find and why the prices are at the level they are.  These models are desirable in February 2004 but keep in mind that the 1/64 market is always changing.  If this article had been written in February 2002 I would have included the $50 Case International 8500 air drill because it was the only air drill on the market and it had been out of production for ten years.  In August 2002 Ertl released a CaseIH 8500 air drill for $15 and over night the original Case International versions value dropped.  Just last year I would have written about the $25 John Deere 6910 self-propelled forage harvester.  This model disappeared from the Ertl line in 1998 and forage collectors still looking for a spfh were willing to pay top dollar for a 6910.  In August 2003 Ertl introduced the John Deere 7500 spfh and the 6910 dropped down.    When you are buying 1/64 models that are high dollar items keep in mind they were produced in the thousands and high prices are due to a lack of availability due age, years of production or by design in the case of collectors edition.  At any time a new model may come along that is more desired and the collectors market will shift its buying interest.

TTT February 2004 Page 7

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