The braking system is also similar to that of a jogging stroller. Simply press it down with your foot to lock it in place, or flip it up with your toe and you’re on your way. Pay special attention to shipping prices, as these are large, heavy items that can be costly to ship. It’s also important to note wagons have value even for their parts. For example, the rails from a Radio Chief wagon sold for $26 on eBay. A wooden Radio Flyer, likely from the 1940s, sold for $150 recently, according to LiveAuctioneers.
The young people of the com‐ munity would also wait for ferry arrival with wagons where they could make tip money fro taking peoples luggage for them. PedalCar.com has one of the largest in-stock inventories of pedal car parts in the world. For more than 23 years we have been manufacturing and supplying high quality restoration parts for original pedal cars and for reproduction pedal cars. We arrived in the middle of George Dubbya’s arrival in Spokane for a $1000/plate ‘benefit’ for a local politician, with the hubub just two blocks away from the lil’ red wagon. Luckily, after swimming through waves of protesters and supporters, the wagon was being enjoyed in it’s intended way – a hoard of kids sliding and running and yelling and enjoying life and a Really Big Wagon.
Besides the summer home he holds in my nightmares, the statue appears to have been lost to history. But the company did celebrate its 80th anniversary in 1997 by building another giant 40-foot Radio Flyer wagon—sans boy—which is still parked outside their corporate offices in Belmont Cragin. Anniversary no. 100 arrived in 2017, though sadly, company matriarch Anna Pasin didn’t quite live to see it. Antonio’s widow died at the ripe old age of 107 (!!!) in 2016. When Antonio Pasin died in 1990 at age 93, his son Mario had already taken charge, and Mario’s son Robert took the reins in 1997.
The June 24, 2013 episode of Let’s Make a Deal parodied this wagon as a Zonk being offered under the name “Zonk Flyer”. Radio Flyer said that as part of its anniversary celebrations, it will donate 2,000 wagons to children’s hospitals across the country in partnership with Starlight Children’s Foundation. He wanted to know about their needs, wants and habits, how kids played, how parents transported their families. He hired market radio flyer wagon research firms and dispatched product designers to go out into the field — zoos, ballparks, playgrounds — and observe. From the reverence with which Pasin talks about Radio Flyer’s history, you get the sense that he sees himself as the steward of the little red wagon’s legacy. The Radio Flyer corporate headquarters sits on the Northwest edge of Chicago, about a half hour’s drive from downtown, as it has for the past century.
The Radio Flyer Ranger wagon has a full-sized seamless all-steel body with no-scratch edges and a seat back for comfortable rides. This wagon includes a child seat belt, and extra long handle for easy pulling and durable molded wheels. Radio Flyer has one of those incredible rags-to-riches stories attached. The Chicago-based company, known for its iconic little red wagons, was launched by a young radio flyer wagon Italian immigrant named Antonio Pasin, who came to Chicago practically penniless in 1914. A cabinetmaker who had trouble getting work in that field, Pasin dug ditches, washed vegetables, and took whatever work he could find, carrying his tools in a wooden wagon of his own design. After the war, the factory went back to making wagons and developed several new models in tune with the times.
A lot of these wagons were used hard by the kids who loved them. Since they were often made of steel, rust is a major issue. It’s uncommon to find a very old wagon in pristine condition. Unlike many other razor ride ons antiques, this is a rare instance when restoration can increase the value. Highway Chief – This model had high green wood sides with slats, making it great for kids who wanted to haul a lot of stuff.
In partnership with Enesco, it produced a series of Christmas ornaments featuring teddy bears and other animals seated in Radio Flyer wagons. It made Radio Flyer train cars, key chains, and refrigerator magnets, and in partnership with Danbury Mint, it produced miniature wagons to go with that company’s line of collectible porcelain dolls. Radio Flyer also worked with Mattel, one of the two largest American toy companies, licensing its name on the popular Hot Wheels brand of toy cars to make what appeared to be a souped-up race car-type wagon. Other licensed products included a toy Radio Flyer wagon that held a stuffed toy of the beloved Curious George monkey, and another similar toy with a Gund brand stuffed bear. Radio Flyer, Inc., maker of the famous and beloved Little Red Wagon™ is the world’s leading producer of wagons, tricycles, pre-school scooters and other ride-ons.
The Zep – This red beauty featured a flared, streamlined body with touches of Art Deco style. The red wheels were partially covered with flared fenders, and the side boasted the name “Zep” in white letters. However, you are able to earn and redeem Kohl’s Cash® and Kohl’s Rewards® on this product. Found something you love but want to make it even more uniquely you? Many sellers on Etsy offer personalized, made-to-order items.
Radio Flyer Inc. was founded by Italian immigrant Antonio Pasin. Pasin’s family had been fine woodworkers for generations, specializing in furniture and cabinetry. But he longed to leave his small town outside of Venice and make a new start in the United States. His family backed his plan, selling their mule to raise money for Antonio’s ticket. Here he hoped to work as a cabinetmaker, but at first he could only find unskilled work, beginning as a water boy for a crew of sewer diggers.