Antique Radio Flyer Wagon

For many people an antique Radio Flyer wagon brings back fond memories of their childhood. A true piece of classic Americana, the wagons hold a special place in the hearts of the millions of children that played with them over the years.

You may also be interested in antique bicycles.

When Antonio Pasin came from Italy to the United States in 1914, he was only sixteen years old. Coming from a family of fine cabinetmakers, the boy possessed the skills of the Old World craftsmen. He dreamed of pursuing that skill in his life in America. Three years later, Antonio had saved enough money to open a small woodworking shop. Working there at night, the young man hand crafted wooden wagons. During the day he marketed his wagons.

In 1923, after Antonio’s business had grown to include several employees, he founded the Liberty Coaster Company. He named the company after the Statue of Liberty that had welcomed him into the country. Continuing to grow his company, Pasin began using the technology of metal stamping and mass production techniques similar to those used in the auto industry.

Changing the company’s name to Radio Steel & Manufacturing in 1930, Pasin also introduced his first steel wagon, called the Radio Flyer. The now classic toy was named for Pasin’s love and fascination of the radio and air flight. The high quality steel coaster wagons were a huge success and allowed Pasin to increase production while lowering the price. With affordable wagons, the slogan of the company became For every boy. For every girl.

When the Chicago World’s Fair was held in 1933, they invited Antonio Pasin’s company to take part in the event. Their popular exhibit, called Coaster Boy, consisted of a 45-foot tall boy in a giant wagon. During the World’s Fair miniature models of Coaster Boy sold for 25 cents. Today the tiny miniature wagons are highly sought after by toy collectors everywhere.

During World War II, Radio Steel stopped manufacturing their toys and, like many other American companies, turned their resources toward helping with the war effort. For three years, from 1942-1945, the company manufactured Blitz Cans which were five-gallon steel cans used to carry fuel and water to overseas troops.

Although the company manufactured other types of wagons and ride on toys through the years, the Radio Flyer wagon always remained one of the best-selling toys of all times. In 1987, the Radio Steel and Manufacturing Company officially changed its name to Radio Flyer Incorporated. In today’s product line of wagons, the classic red Radio Flyer wagon proudly remains a popular choice providing many future memories for this generation of children.

To commemorate the company’s 80th anniversary, the Radio Flyer company created the world’s largest wagon. Modeled after the Coaster Boy of the 1933 World’s Fair, the wagon measures 27 feet in length and has a width of 13 feet.

• The handle of the wagon is 27 feet in height
• Construction used six tons of steel
• Each tire weighs 1,000 pounds
• It took 100 gallons of red paint to paint the giant wagon
• The wagon can hold approximately 75 children

Whether you are a collector of these iconic toys or simply want one to display in your home holding a favorite collectible doll or teddy bear, antique and vintage Radio Flyer wagons are often found at antique shops both on and off line.

Other places to search for an antique or vintage Radio Flyers include:

• Collectible and antique toy shows
• Pedal car and riding toy shows
• Online auctions such as eBay
• TIAS
• Go Antiques
• Ruby Lane

Once selling as a grocery store promotional item priced under $3.00, an antique Radio Flyer wagon is now worth many times that amount.

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