MARX BULLDOG / LIGHTRUCKS

[AJR]

I recall in the early 70's a range of Japanese diecast lorries for sale in my local toyshop. Tomica comes into my head but I can't find them via Google or on eBay.
The lorries were all rigids with a variety of bodies but all having the same cabs. They were about the same size as the Impy Foden Tanker and had a space for a single AA (or AAA) battery underneath which lit up the headlights. Not much to go on, I know but the best clue is the battery operated headlight feature. Any ideas?

[tjlglass]

Bulldog marx try searching that.

[GHOSTHUNTER]

Sounds like one of these...

MARX.jpg (46.39 KiB) Viewed 3475 times

Ghosty.

[AJR]

Fantastic! Thank you very very much, they are exactly the lorries I meant.
I'm really pleased with the info. I never gave Marx Bulldog a thought as they were usually quite crude but these are really nice.
Nostalgia now dictates that I'll have to collect some or all of these. Again, thank you very much for pointing me in the right direction.

[AJR]

Looking deeper into the Marx Bulldog range, it seems that those sold in UK were branded as Marx Bulldog and in USA and other markets as Marx Lightrucks.
There were apparently six models in the range and were identical regardless of the branding used. Five were based on the GMC tilt cab (6 wheels) whilst one was based on the Ford C-series tilt cab (4 wheels).

Ford Fire Pumper (all over red diecast cab and body)
GMC Coal Tipper (red diecast cab and chassis / blue plastic body .... or .... orange diecast cab and chassis / blue plastic body)
GMC Stake Body (red diecast cab and chassis / blue plastic body)
GMC Tanker (all over yellow diecast cab and body with red cab roof .... or .... red diecast cab with yellow diecast body)
GMC Reefer (blue diecast cab and chassis / chromed plastic body)
GMC Refuse (green diecast cab and chassis / cream plastic body)
.... all have a grey plastic baseplate / main chassis with "Louis Marx & Co Inc" and "MCMLXVIII" embossed.

I've managed to pick up a couple mint boxed and although rare, it would seem that the Ford Pumper is the rarest to find in good condition. They are not as well made as Matchbox IMO yet I recall when I was buying these as a kid back in 1970, Matchbox 1-75 series were just two bob (10p) whilst the Marx Bulldogs were eight bob (40p).

P.S. I have changed the main title of the thread for easier reference. I hope that is okay

[motorman]

Thanks AJR for the extra information. You have obviously put some time into researching this manufacturer and these models. Very appreciated.

[AJR]

No probs Motorman, I'm glad to have been pointed in the right direction to get one or two of them for nostalgia's sake.
When browsing to buy an example, I noticed that the pinpoint axle arrangement on these Marx models are very crude. With Matchbox / Corgi Juniors / Hot Wheels / etc, the axles are one long axle with a pip at each end to hold the wheels in place. With these Marx Bulldogs, each wheel has a thin wire stub axle held in a long sleeve within the chassis, the protruding axle then has another shorter sleeve slipped onto it and what is left protruding is bent over at 90 degrees. This shorter sleeve is then an interference fit into the wheel. What an absolute dogs breakfast .... a difficult solution to an easy task. Because of this the wheels wobble and are sometimes lost.
The lights leave a lot to be desired as well. If I recall, not many of those I played with as a child worked very well, the wiring is very untidy and prone to damage and once one of the grain of wheat bulbs blow they are difficult to replace without a lot of damage.
Anyway, here is a close up of my mint / boxed Refuse Truck recently purchased and its box (when tested, one light is bright and the other very dim .... apparently a common problem) . Also some pics found by web searching of the alternative Lightrucks boxes.
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Marx Bulldog Refuse Truck

my bulldog refuse truck 1000x460.jpg (168.75 KiB) Viewed 3349 times

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The other sides and end flaps of box

Bulldog San Box 1000x580.jpg (273.93 KiB) Viewed 3349 times

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The alternative "Lightrucks" box (internet pic)

cc0108-3.jpg (17.38 KiB) Viewed 3349 times

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It would seem also that the "Lightrucks" versions came blister packed with a box as well (internet pic)

cc0409-03.jpg (63.79 KiB) Viewed 3349 times

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[GHOSTHUNTER]

Thank you AJR for the additional information on those 'MARX' Trucks and anything you post is fine to edit and fine-tune as you have done, with the thread's title.

GHOSTHUNTER.

[Bob/Ohio]

Enjoyed reading this post. Here is the Tanker version that I have. My uncle worked for Marx Toys in the 50,s and 60,s. Lots of fond memories of those days. Couldn't wait for Christmas, as a few Marx toys would show up under the tree!

Bob

[AJR]

Two variations on the Tanker .... the red / orange cab would seem to be the rarer of the two.

marx bulldog tanker b.jpg (54.81 KiB) Viewed 3288 times