All American Toy

What products are listed for this advertiser?

Made in America Tot Truck Parts, American Made Toy 1950's Style Truck, Made in America Toy Kenworth Truck, American Made Toy Trailers, and Made in America Toy Trucks.

For future releases please send in your email address along with any suggestions for new trucks.
Thank you for your interest in the All American Toy Co. toytrx@msn.com

History Page since 1947!

1947 Ad 1947 Ad The All American Toy Company was founded in 1947 by Clay and Beth Steinke of Salem, Oregon. The company started when Clay thought that a large, heavy duty toy truck was needed, that could be played with for years and years and still hold together. He decided on using the late 1940's era Ford cabs as the basis for his truck, and developed a means of steering through the hood of the cab using a brass air horn. This became known as the 'Air Horn Steering', which not only made the toy truly unique, but very popular with its customers. With a heavy cast Aluminum cab, rugged steel frame, walking beam suspension and rubber tires, the company developed the finest toy log truck ever mass produced. The first cabs were sand cast, and soon the demand was so high for these toys that the company had dies fabricated in the late 40's, to increase production and consistency in quality.

1953 Catalog Back The first truck issued was the famous log truck named the Timber Toter and retailed for $19.95. These were 1/12th scale, and measured 36 inches long and weighed a heavy 10 pounds! The truck was designed with quality, durability and a high level of 'playability' in mind.

Over the next decade the company produced a number of different styles to go with the Ford cab, and in the mid 1950's the company finally succumbed to lower priced toys. 1953 Catalog Front Quality was never considered as a compromise to price. Fortunately, many of these trucks and the print advertising remain intact, which can be viewed at our showroom in Salem.

In May of 1990 Bill Hellie and his son Chip purchased the company from the founders and produced three limited editions. They produced 15 Bales and Brady Tow Trucks, 8 Tankers and 7 log trucks, using up the remaining original stock. Log Trailer Die Then a toy collector by the name of Patrick Russell, through a turn of events, struck a deal to obtain the company and dies in May of 1992. The dies were cracked and rusted shut. There was much concern over whether the dies would even be able to be opened, and used ever again. Patrick found the highest quality machinists and die companies in the Pacific Northwest. By September 17, 1992, after buckets of penetrating oil, and much personal effort by the employees of the die company, the dies were producing again. The company now only produces very limited runs of this truck. Log Trailer Die Both Clay and Beth Steinke, along with a few of the machinists who worked on the trucks were involved in this process, and provided insight into the company history and philosophy of quality.

In January of 1997, the All American Toy Company released their first all new toy truck. With the aid of family and friends, Patrick created a new die for a 1/16th scale 1947 Kenworth 521, more commonly known as the 'narrow nose' Kenworth. These are also only produced in very limited edition runs, and in keeping with the company tradition, use rubber tires and all metal parts. Patrick Russell with 1st 10 limited editions in '96 Finally as an added touch in tribute to the founders, Patrick designed a means whereby the single air horn on the top of the cab recreates the famous 'Air Horn Steering!' Shortly thereafter both Clay and Beth Steinke passed away. Both the Steinke's, and numerous employees of the original company provided insight into the history, and were enthusiastic to offer any guidance in its resurrection. The first truck produced was a Founders Edition Log Truck, with # 92 going to Clay and Beth as a means of thanks.

The All American Toy Company is still headquartered in Salem Oregon, and owned and operated by Patrick Russell. Visitors are welcome, but it is suggested you call ahead.

The following is a reply from All American Toy to our question – "Are your products Made in the USA?"

How do you know the products you have listed are Made in the USA?
Before including products in our database we review the advertiser’s website and/or contact them to ascertain the origin of their products. Some advertisers sell both Made in USA products and foreign ones. Therefore we highly recommend you review FAQ 2.

We immediately investigate any complaints regarding deceptive Country of Origin claims. If we determine an advertiser's claim is not truthful we will immediately remove the product/s from our database and suspend our relationship with the Company making the claim.

To document your complaint, email us by using our Contact Us page. We can only respond to complaints that have been submitted in writing.

What does Made in USA mean?
There is no law requiring most products to be labeled Made In USA, or have any other disclosure about the amount of U.S. content. However, for job creation purposes (see our Big Secret tab), if you have a choice between an imported product and one with no country of origin on its label, choose the product without a country of origin over the imported one. This is true because the product without the country origin on its label has at least some American labor in its content and the imported one most likely does not.

Note: Imported products are required by law to country of origin on their label and products partially Made In USA do not. To answer this question completely reviewing our Labeling Tips 1, 2 & 3. These tips are accessible from scrolling to the bottom of our home page clicking Browse All Tips button.