Cost of the fire truck
Could someone tell me what they said the price of the fire engine was that the little boy asked for? I thought they said $8.50 or $4.50.
shareI am pretty sure Kris said $8.50. Per the cost index I looked at, this would be about $80 in today's dollars.
shareYeah, it was $8.50--was thinking that was a lot of money back then!!
I have not failed, I've found 10,000 ways that won't work.
Yeah, a lot of money back then, but if you were to examine toys from that era, they'd prove to be worth the money. That firetruck would have most likely been American made, or perhaps German. Toys from that era were exceptionally well made and finished out, unlike the total crap that comes out of China these days. With only a little care, a toy like that would last the child's childhood, and his children's as well if he held on to it.
shareNot German. Not in 1947. Not after Germany had been bombed flat in WW II and their industry hadn't recovered yet.
Yes, it definitely would have been a quality toy, no doubt. But still - 85 bucks!?! That's a sh!tload for a little kid, especially just coming out of a war.
I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.
The CPI Inflation Calculator that I checked was $90.01.
However, that would only be money. If you could find one of those with a working hose today, it would easily cost hundreds.
I had a Tonka fire truck in the early '60s that squirted water from a tiny hose. I think my grandfather paid about $15.00 for it, equivalent to about $125.00 in 2020.
shareThose old Tonkas were so tough we used to put our butts in the back of a dump truck and ride them down the driveway.
shareYeah, me too. I had several Tonkas and Buddy L trucks, tractors, etc. I wish I still had them!
shareI had a Tonka Truck in the 90s that lasted a long time. Sadly it's not in as good of shape now. The mention of how cheaply toys are made in China makes me wish we could bring all factory jobs back to America instead of relying on a corrupt country like China.
share
It's possible a niche company can make reproduction trucks like the Tonkas and Buddy Ls, but they'd be expensive, particularly with such low production.
Kids today wouldn't be asking for toys like these - a lot of sales would be to Boomers who had them when they were kids and maybe buy them for their grand kids whether they want them or not!