The Advance of 1/64 Windows

by Jason Hasert

     Windows are one of the most popular features in 1/64 detail today.

One of the current and popular trends in 1/64 today is cabs with clear windows.   This month "Keeping Current with 64th" looks at the advance of clear window 1/64 models from Ertl. 

     Collectors are always asking as new toys are released, " does it have windows?"  Windowed 2wd tractors first appeared in the 1990's from Ertl when the Ford 8870 was released and then an AGCO/White 6145 followed.  These collectors edition models were quickly purchased.  Although they are not the first tractors from Ertl to offer windows. 

The Steiger Industrial, Steiger Cougar, and Ford FW-60 with clear window cabs.

       The Steiger Industrial, Steiger Cougar, and Ford FW-60 were first Ertl tractors to offer clear window cabs.  These tractors were part of the early days of 1/64.  They were the first 1/64 articulated 4wds from Ertl. It would be interesting to go back and see if collectors were just excited to see the popular 4wds  offered or if they were also impressed by the windows.  Other 4wds that followed including the IH 3588, MF 4880 and John Deere 8850 did not offer windows. Twenty years would in fact pass before a modern 4wd toy would offer clear windows again. That model would be a Steiger.

1981 International Hough Pay-Loader and International 440 Excavator

      The Steiger tractors were not the only large piece of 1/64 machines to receive the clear window touch in the 1980's.  The International Hough Pay Loader and International 440 Excavator also offered windows.  After these models ceased production Ertl went to open window models for many years.  It was not until the late 90's that 1/50th Case construction models offered clear windows again. A collector might ask why in the early years of 1/64 did windows quickly appear and then disappear?

1999 John Deere 9750 STS Combine

     In the fall of 1999, Ertl surprised collectors with the new John Deere 9750 STS combine.  This model for the first time offered a clear windowed cab with detail inside showing the steering wheel, driver seat and buddy seat.  All previous 1/64 and 1/80th scale combines featured black plastic windows. The days of black plastic windows are quickly passing.

2002 New Holland CR 970 Combine

      Ertl offered its second clear window combine last summer with the introduction of the New Holland CR 970 Dealer Edition model and the CR 960 shelf edition in the late fall.  The CR cab by far is the most impressive in 1/64 to day, yet is just one great feature on the CR 970. The clear window trend continues on in 2003 as CaseIH prepares to offer a 1/64 AFX 8010 Dealer Edition in August 2003 and a shelf edition AFX 7010 latter. With the brisk sell out of the CR 970 hopefully Ertl is seeing  the 1/64 collectors market overwhelming vote for windows and high feature detail.

2001 CaseIH SPX 4260 Self Propelled Sprayer with STX cab

     Combines are not the only self-propelled machines in the 1/64 scale receiving the clear window touch.  The CaseIH SPX 4260 sprayer released in August 2001 offers the CaseIH STX clear window cab.  Back in 1996 when Ertl released the John Deere 4700 sprayer collectors were impressed with the tall sprayer and its black plastic John Deere 7800 cab.  As ToyTractorShow.com started in 2000 it reported a new AG-Chem Ro-Gator would be released.  Collectors through out the summer and fall asked on Toy Talk when would the Ro-Gator be released? The answer came in late December 2000 with the 1254 offering a big double fold 90ft boom and black plastic cab. The Ro-Gator was topped just 8 months latter with CaseIH SPX 4260.  As I travel to toy shows I have noticed the majority of displays now feature the SPX 4260 more often than the other two sprayers.  The clear windows are probably a big factor in collectors choice to use the SPX.  John Deere has a larger platform sprayer in the works to replace the 4710 so hopefully when it is released in 1/64 it will offer windows.

2002 John Deere 9986 Cotton Picker

       Clear windows keep coming.  Last fall Ertl released the John Deere 9986 cotton picker with the STS clear window cab.  Collectors liked the new cotton pickers look.  The clear windows make this model stand out from its predecessor the  1/64 9976 picker  and the yellow top 1/80th scale picker. Hopefully future John Deere harvesters from Ertl will offer clear window cabs. Maybe a 7500 self propelled forage harvester?

Common open cab ERTL Tractors

       Ertl has produced 1/64 tractors with cabs since 1973 with the release of the "4430" John Deere and Massey Ferguson 1155.  Over the past 30 years countless 1/64 tractors from all the brands have followed.  99% of these models have offered open window cabs. In 1995 Ertl changed what collectors look for in a new 1/64 model with the Ford 8870.  This model had clear windows.  Ever since collectors hope to see the next new model offer windows. The offerings have been fairly sparse so far, limited to collectors edition models.

Black window cab 1998 CaseIH 2366 and 2001 John Deere 9400

     In 1986 the first 1/64 model with black plastic windows was the Case International 1660 combine.  At the time the concept of a windowed toy was exciting and a nice change.  Over the years several combines followed with black plastic windows. The plastic offers a good way to mold the curves and details found in a combine cab.  In 1988 the John Deere 8560 4wd became the first 4wd to offer black plastic windows.  The 8870, 9400 and 9420 4wds would follow the 8560.  

2002 New Holland TG 285 Dealer Edition

      The most recent 2wd tractor from Ertl with windows is the 2002 Dealer Edition New Holland TG 285.  This space age tractor has a round and modern look and is highlighted with clear windows.  This model sold out in a matter of weeks at most dealers.  The tractors front duals also helped sales but collectors often comment on the windows and hoped that other TG toys would offer the windows. The shelf edition TG 255 cab does not have windows. Cab windows still seem to be reserved for collectors models. As collectors continue to talk about windows maybe they will become a standard as they have become on combines from Ertl.

2000 NFTS Massey Ferguson 1155 and 1972 Massey Ferguson 11555

     Collectors like clear windows because they dress up up a 2wd tractor. Sitting side by side is the modern 1/64 MF 1155 and the original 1973 1155 show the advancement of 1/64 tooling.  The modern 1155 is made from new tooling with clear windows. It was first offered as a Spirit of 76' model in 2000 for the National Farm Toy Show and then in the standard MF red in a historical set.  Will other classic tractors offer windows? Hopefully they will. Our next chance to see arrives in June when the new John Deere 4430, 4440 and 4450 historical set is released.

2000 CaseIH STX 375 vs. 1996 John Deere 8870

      In November 2000 the CaseIH STX 375 became the first modern release toy 4wd since the Steiger Cougar to offer clear windows.  The STX cab really stands out compared to other 4wd toys. Just think how a John Deere 8870 toy might look with clear windows.

2002 Case TK 1470 69' model and 1997 Case TK 1470 Black Knight edition

      In 1997 Ertl offered its first classic 4wd toy.  The Case TK 1470 was impressive with its working crab steer turning and clear window cab.  This Case 4wd's detail stands out among all Ertl 4wds offerings.  The Case International 9260 which is also a crab steer looks pretty plain in comparison to the classic 1470.  In November collectors will be adding the 2003 NFTS John Deere 7020 to their shelves and displays.  It is the third classic 1/64 4wd from Ertl and the second to offer windows. A the newest feature in window detail that will appear on the 7020 is weather stripping. The 7020 was first reported on in the March  "Keeping Current with 64th."

2002 CaseIH STX 425 Quad-Trac from the NeXt Genteration set

     Windows are not a new item in 1/64 but are being a strong selling feature.  Maybe new tooling technology has made it an easier option to offer.  Windows have improved the over all look of 1/64 toys.  They are becoming a standard feature on combines and look great on the STX Steiger 4wds.  As more and more collectors look for windows on tractors hopefully Ertl will hear the call and make them standard on all farm toys with cabs.  Next month we will look at the progression of tires on 1/64 toys. 

TTT May 2003 Page 6

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