by Jason Hasert

Milestone Magnums

        In 2003 CaseIH developed a special demonstrator MX Magnum Demonstrator line in honor of the production of 100,000th Magnum .   The special MX tractors have a 100,000th decal on the side of the hood and a demonstrator decal on the cab door.   

         A 1/64 model of the MX 285 with the special decals was released in a set with the7250  50,000th Magnum known as the Mark 50.  The set is called the Milestone and comes in a nice collectors box with a gold CaseIH Key Chain that is inscribed 100,000 Magnum.  Each 1/64 model has a stamp on the bottom indicating it as the 2003 100,000th Magnum or the 1994 Mark 50 50,000th Magnum.

MX 230 100K Demonstrator Magnum

         The 2003 demonstrator MX Magnums have refined look with the special 100K decals. They are the deluxe MX package tractors with all of the bells and whistles.  CaseIH dealers sold these tractors along with the normal MX's.  Magnums with the 100K package were available on the MX210, MX230, MX255 and MX285.  Ertl  has only offered a 1/64 100K MX 285 in 1/64 and 1/16. 

The 100,000th Magnum, an MX 285 produced on 11/27/03

Gerald R. Forsythe, an Illinois businessman and farmer with operations near Marshall, Illinois took delivery of the 100,000th Case IH Magnum tractor, an MX285, from Kurt Edens, manager of Farm Pride Casey, the Case IH dealer in Casey, Illinois, on November 25, 2003.  This special MX Magnum had additional stand out decals to set it apart from other Magnums.  Like its forefather the 1 Millionth Farmall this MX Magnum is headed to work in the field.

New 2003 MX Hood vs. 2002 Hood

          Ertl did a nice job on the new Milestone 100K MX 285.  This model has the special 100,000th decals.  You will also notice that Ertl has updated the decal stripe placement to reflect the 03 model. Above on the left is the 2003 100K MX 285 and on the right is the 2002 Dealer Edition MX 285. You will notice the 100K's CaseIH decal is placed higher.

Top of new 2003 MX Hood

          The new 2003 MX 285 100K and shelf edition MX 285 both have a new hood with vents in the center. Above on the left is the new MX 285 vented hood and on the left is the 2002 Dealer Edition MX 285 with un-vented smooth hood. 

Prototype 100K MX 285 

         While the 100K MX 285 does not look much different than the original 1/64 MX 270, MX 240, MX 220 and MX 180 toys released in 1998 it is.   Above is a prototype of the new MX 285.  It is the eighth generation of Magnums. This all red proof model allows the tooling changes to stand out. The model has new wider rounded rear fenders, it is the first all around duals MX Magnum, it is the first MX Magnum to offer a windowed cab and as I mentioned above it has a new vented hood.  Because this model is a proof the muffler plastic is green rather than black.  

Variations Collectors would like to have the Prototype MX

       Where did the Proof 100K MX 285 come from?  Ertl produces prototype and proof toys in all scales.  There were two prototypes for the 2003 TTT AC 7030 which were used to promote the models ahead of production and check the final product decals.  This special proof MX 285 turned up at the 2003 Western New York Toy Show.  Thanks to the good eyes of Robert Turk a TTT/TTTS member I was able to purchase the model.  It was mixed in a $5 1/64 Ertl bin.  The dealer knew what the model was but only wanted $5.  He is also a TTT reader.  Many people probably passed over the model thinking a child had painted it and ruined it.   Dan Adamson our 1/64 variation expert would like this model for his CaseIH toy cabinet. As you can see above he is reserving a space for it. 

1994 Mark 50 Magnum

       The Magnum was first introduced in 1987 just two years after Case-International joined forces.  The Magnum is a blend of IH's new Farmall that was set to replace the 88' series and of the Case engineering already in the works to replace the the 94 series.   The cab and hood share the Case heritage and the transmission and frame are from the new Farmall project.  CaseIH had a real hit with the Magnum and by 1994 50,000th tractors had been produced.  In 1994 each CaseIH dealer that had sold at least 50 Magnums was able to order a special 50,000th Magnum.  These tractors had special graphics promoting the Mark 50 Status. The Mark 50 was available on the 7210, 7220, 7230, 7240 and 7250.   The real 50,000th Magnum was a 7250.  

2003 Mark 50 and 1998 8950 

        The 100K MX 285 is a great collectors model but the Mark 50 7250 is becoming a popular model for 1/64 displays.   The Mark 50 7250 is using the big Magnum  casting introduced for the 8950 Magnum in 1998.  Ertl likes to use its tooling for as many models as possible, although the 8950 was only available in 1998. The 8920 and 8940 toys used the smaller Magnum casting introduced in 1987.  The 8950 Magnum was phased out in December 1998 for the new MX 180 and MX 220 toys.  Today the 8950 new in box brings $15 due to its scarcity. 

7250 vs. 8950

       Collectors are glad that Ertl has brought back big Magnum casting.  I have come across more than a few Mark 50's used on displays.  Besides the Mark 50 decal the 7250 stands out from the 8950 with rubber tires vs. hard plastic, row crop duals and the 7250 has an SMV decal.  Collectors hope Ertl may use this casting to offer a 7140, 7150 and a regular 7250.