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Buddy L Cars

The Buddy L toy company was founded in 1910 as the Moline Press Steel Company in East Moline, Illinois. The founder, Fred Lundahl, manufactured pressed steel parts for the farm and truck industries. In his spare time, he made toy vehicles for his son Arthur Brown Lundahl. These toys caught the attention of young Arthur’s friends and their parents, so the Moline Press Steel Company began manufacturing toy vehicles in addition to steel parts. The toys were so popular that Mr. Lundahl began manufacturing toys exclusively in 1921. He changed the name of his company, adopting his son’s nickname Buddy L.

In 1927, Buddy L manufactured a model railroad set that ran on 3 1/4 inch gauge track. These large model railroad cars were made of welded sheet steel. The track consisted of rolled steel rails welded to steel ties. There were 14 pieces available in the original set. Buddy L also produced a 2 inch gauge train called the Buddy L Industrial Train. Track for this set was stamped with rails and ties in one piece.

During World War II, Buddy L was forced to manufacture its toys out of wood, as steel was needed for the war effort. Buddy L return to steel toys after the war, but used lighter weight materials. In the '70s, Buddy L was sold to a Japanese company that began incorporating plastic into the design of the toys. China eventually took over the manufacture of the toys, using mostly plastic.


Quick Facts

  • The original prices for the Buddy L model railroad pieces ranged from $27 for the locomotive and tender to $6 for the flat car
  • T-Reproductions of Johnson City was authorized to make replicas of the original metal trains in the '90s
  • Buddy L’s 3 1/4 inch gauge train was so large that it was often run outdoors

Recommended Items at Auction

See all items

Buddy L Wrigley's Spearmint Box Truck
Apr 19, 4:00 PM EDT
Buddy L Wrigley's Spearmint Box Truck
by Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC
Est: $25- $200
$1003 Bids
Buddy L Coca Cola Bottle Truck
Apr 19, 4:00 PM EDT
Buddy L Coca Cola Bottle Truck
by Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC
Est: $25- $200
$1003 Bids
Buddy "L" Flivver Truck
Apr 06, 10:00 AM EDT
Buddy "L" Flivver Truck
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $450
$1303 Bids
Buddy L Anti-Aircraft Unit 1950's GMC Truck
Apr 19, 4:00 PM EDT
Buddy L Anti-Aircraft Unit 1950's GMC Truck
by Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC
Est: $25- $200
$502 Bids
Buddy L pressed metal Tank Line Truck
Apr 19, 4:00 PM EDT
Buddy L pressed metal Tank Line Truck
by Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC
Est: $25- $200
$1002 Bids
Buddy L Truck with Camper and Boat
Apr 19, 4:00 PM EDT
Buddy L Truck with Camper and Boat
by Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC
Est: $25- $200
$1002 Bids
Buddy L Coca Cola Delivery Truck 
Apr 19, 4:00 PM EDT
Buddy L Coca Cola Delivery Truck 
by Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC
Est: $25- $200
$1502 Bids
Buddy "L" Flivver Roadster
Apr 06, 10:00 AM EDT
Buddy "L" Flivver Roadster
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $650
$1302 Bids
BUDDY L US ARMY TRANSPORT TRUCK TOY
Mar 31, 9:00 AM MDT
BUDDY L US ARMY TRANSPORT TRUCK TOY
by Davis Brothers Auction
Est: $100- $150
$152 Bids
Buddy L pressed steel Station Wagon
Apr 19, 4:00 PM EDT
Buddy L pressed steel Station Wagon
by Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC
Est: $25- $200
$752 Bids
Buddy L Traveling Zoo Truck
Apr 19, 4:00 PM EDT
Buddy L Traveling Zoo Truck
by Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC
Est: $25- $200
$251 Bid
Buddy L Golden Guernsey Milk Delivery Truck
Apr 19, 4:00 PM EDT
Buddy L Golden Guernsey Milk Delivery Truck
by Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC
Est: $25- $200
$251 Bid
Buddy L Excavator Truck with Steam Shovel
Apr 19, 4:00 PM EDT
Buddy L Excavator Truck with Steam Shovel
by Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC
Est: $25- $200
$251 Bid
Buddy L Heavy Machinery Service Truck
Apr 19, 4:00 PM EDT
Buddy L Heavy Machinery Service Truck
by Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC
Est: $25- $200
$251 Bid
Buddy L Army Supply Corps Truck
Apr 19, 4:00 PM EDT
Buddy L Army Supply Corps Truck
by Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC
Est: $25- $200
$251 Bid
Buddy L Curtiss Baby Ruth Truck
Apr 19, 4:00 PM EDT
Buddy L Curtiss Baby Ruth Truck
by Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC
Est: $25- $200
$251 Bid
Reproduction Buddy L Ice Delivery Truck
Apr 06, 10:00 AM EDT
Reproduction Buddy L Ice Delivery Truck
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $500
$101 Bid
Buddy L Repair-It Unit Truck with tools
Apr 19, 4:00 PM EDT
Buddy L Repair-It Unit Truck with tools
by Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC
Est: $25- $200
$251 Bid
Reproduction Buddy L Railway Express Mail Truck
Apr 06, 10:00 AM EDT
Reproduction Buddy L Railway Express Mail Truck
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $500
$101 Bid
Buddy L Sand & Stone dDump Truck
Apr 19, 4:00 PM EDT
Buddy L Sand & Stone dDump Truck
by Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC
Est: $25- $200
$251 Bid
Large Lot of Loose and Boxed Cars
Mar 30, 11:00 AM EDT
Large Lot of Loose and Boxed Cars
by Bodnar's Auction Sales
Est: $50- $100
$101 Bid
Buddy L Pressed Steel Sand Loader Dump Truck
Apr 19, 4:00 PM EDT
Buddy L Pressed Steel Sand Loader Dump Truck
by Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC
Est: $25- $200
$251 Bid
Reproduction Buddy L Tank Line truck
Apr 06, 10:00 AM EDT
Reproduction Buddy L Tank Line truck
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $500
$101 Bid
Buddy "L" Flivver Roadster
Apr 06, 10:00 AM EDT
Buddy "L" Flivver Roadster
by Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists
Est: $20- $700
$101 Bid

Sellers Who Sell Buddy L Cars


Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC

Chupp Auctions & Real Estate, LLC

Davis Brothers Auction

Davis Brothers Auction

Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists

Stout Auctions Toy and Train Specialists

Bodnar's Auction Sales

Bodnar's Auction Sales