Share Antique Arcade Cast Iron Ford Model T Tudor Sedan Toy C. 1925 Original Paint

Details

Description

An exceptional, all-original 1920s cast iron Ford Model T "Tudor" (two-door) sedan manufactured by the renowned Arcade Manufacturing Company of … Read more An exceptional, all-original 1920s cast iron Ford Model T "Tudor" (two-door) sedan manufactured by the renowned Arcade Manufacturing Company of Freeport, Illinois. This 5-inch version is a harder-to-find profile compared to standard four-door models of the era, beautifully capturing the iconic boxy geometry of the early Ford assembly-line classics.

Design & Markings The toy features a two-piece cold-cast construction split longitudinally down the center, secured internally. The undercarriage features the crisp, raised, embossed "ARCADE" factory hallmark on the left interior floorboards and the single-digit mold or production number "3" stamped on the right rear floorboard frame adjacent to the axle housing.

Finish & Details This piece is in highly desirable, untouched condition. It retains an excellent amount of its original factory black enamel finish, showing spectacular genuine age-patina. Traces of the original decorative gold accent striping remain visible along the window/beltline. The vehicle sits on its original cast iron spoked wheels, which retain their correct, factory-applied painted white/cream perimeter tire accents and dark hubs.

Item Specifications
Manufacturer: Arcade Manufacturing Co.

Location: Freeport, Illinois, USA

Model: Ford Model T Two-Door "Tudor" Sedan

Circa: 1925

Material: Cast Iron

Finish: Original Black Enamel with traces of gold trim and painted wheels

Length: Approx. 5"

Height: Approx. 3.75"

Width: Approx. 2.75"

Weight: 1 lb, 13 oz

Markings: Embossed "ARCADE" and mold number "3" on undercarriage.

Condition Report
Collector's Note on Condition Rarity: > This specimen is priced for the advanced collector who prioritizes untouched historical surfaces. While standard black paint on 1920s Arcade toys is occasionally found, it is exceptionally rare to find an example where the fragile, factory-applied gold pinstriping along the beltline is still clearly visible. Furthermore, the white rim accents on the spoked wheels—which typically wear away entirely from handling—are beautifully preserved here. This piece has not been oiled, chemically cleaned, or enhanced in any way, retaining its true museum-grade, as-found patina.

Reference
Book Title: Cast Iron Toys
Author: Outwater, Myra & Outwater, Eric
Page Reference: Page 41 (Note: Additional baseline documentation for the early 1920s 5-inch vehicle line can be cross-referenced with the standard reference work "Arcade Toys" by Al Aschenbrenner).

Authenticity Assessment
The physical characteristics indicate that this is a c.1925 production piece.

Surface Texture: The interior walls show the characteristic pebble-textured, slight irregularity of early 20th-century sand-molding techniques. It completely lacks the ultra-smooth internal finishes or modern grinder marks typical of modern reproduction castings.

Hallmarks & Mold Lines: The "ARCADE" and "3" factory embossments are cleanly integrated into the initial pour, featuring soft, aged edges rather than sharp, modern recasts.

Hardware & Paint: The tight central seam alignment is correct for Freeport production. The enamel shows a natural, deep micro-crazing under magnification, and the oxidation on the exposed metal areas displays a stable, dark brown patina rather than forced, chemically induced rust. See less