This is a Jane Francis Truck, the company was in business from 1942 - 1947 in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania then moved to Somerset Pennsylvania from 1947 - 1949. Originally a stuffed toy maker, they started making Diecast in 1945. They had some sedans and trucks, some had solid windows and some had the windows cut out (like this one). They also made some sets, like a Gulf Service station with a Tow truck, Lift, box truck, gas pumps and other items. I've never seen the set, but it books around $750 mint....

This truck was under restoration when the paint didn't work right, I tossed it on the work bench 4 years ago and forgot about it, guess it's time to work on it again. It's 6 1/4" long.


http://home.centurytel.net/geralde61/jftruck.jpg

http://home.centurytel.net/geralde61/jftruck2.jpg

http://home.centurytel.net/geralde61/jftruck3.jpg

This is a picture from O'Briens Collecting Toy Cars and Trucks, 3rd Edition.

http://home.centurytel.net/geralde61/jftruck4.jpg

Cool!

Sleek, simple, & modern...the opened windows make it look good.
Thanx for the pix!

http://home.centurytel.net/geralde61/jftruck.jpg


Who would have guessed, in the 40's, that this was the future Chevy SSR truck 60 years later? :p

Nice toys, Gerald! :thumbsup:

This is a Jane Francis Truck, the company was in business from 1942 - 1947 in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania then moved to Somerset Pennsylvania from 1947 - 1949. ....

This truck was under restoration when the paint didn't work right, I tossed it on the work bench 4 years ago and forgot about it, guess it's time to work on it again. It's 6 1/4" long.

Wonderful introduction, for me to this site. :thumbsup: These really pique my curiosity, as I have been a resident of Wilkinsburg, PA (a Pittsburgh suburb, and borough of about 20,000 folks) the past 24 years. Would you happen to have any "before" pictures of the truck, before you began your restoration efforts?

Wilkinsburg is a rather compact town. I'd like to track down exactly where these were produced.

Jim in Pittsburgh

Wonderful introduction, for me to this site. :thumbsup: These really pique my curiosity, as I have been a resident of Wilkinsburg, PA (a Pittsburgh suburb, and borough of about 20,000 folks) the past 24 years. Would you happen to have any "before" pictures of the truck, before you began your restoration efforts?

Wilkinsburg is a rather compact town. I'd like to track down exactly where these were produced.

Jim in Pittsburgh

No before pics, I've had this for quite a while. Good luck finding where they were produced, please keep us updated!

Hey guys please excuse this plastic model but I find it interesting that with all the very sharp edges on real cars and trucks back in the 30s to the 50s model manufacturers had all smooth and round edges. Looks like they were all trying to emulate the Chrysler Airflows of the 30s. Any clue as to why this was? :confused:

Futureistic styling, kids loved it, think Batman and Robin comics

Thanks for posting pics of this vintage truck Gerald. I live in the suburbs of Pittsburgh about 5-7 miles from Wilkinsburg. I makes me want to have one because it was made so close to where I live.

Sweet pic! Never heard that company or any toy truck that even remotely looked like that guy.

Sadly, it appears that the picture links for the Jane Francis Toy vehicles have broken. I have not turned up any news about this company, anytime recently.

Too bad the pics are gone - but they are out there in other places:

http://lightairspirit.wordpress.com/2010/02/26/futuristic-sedan/

and on epay now, 4 sedans!!! Lots of good pics there...

and a truck that has already ended:
http://cgi.ebay.com.sg/GULF-OIL-JANE-FRANCIS-GAS-STATION-TIN-TOY-TRUCK-1947-/150520262728

Three pictured from another completed 2010 auction:
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/7217613

Used to live in PGH so I was curious also, as I had never heard of "Jane Francis"

Thanks for the links, Karl!

I had to drop the pics from my hosting site, had to many pictures on there