Still doing more research. I took the truck apart and did not find any manufacture marks or numbers. While it looks like the same body and trailer mold as the Thomas Toys searchlight truck, there are specific differences. Islyn Thomas started his company in 1944 after leaving Ideal Toy Company so I did searches for Ideal trucks with no luck. He also partnered with Acme Plastics but I found these toys were always clearly marked Acme. In 1960 Thomas Toys was sold to Banner Plastics which is where I will try to look next. My truck has a metal bumper, metal wheels and headlights. The body is molded to accept all the attached metal components. It does not have any mounting holes for a searchlight. Inside are two windings for the battery operation and a large tooth gear on the rear axle. There is a lever in the truck box that moves the front bumper in and out. How all the battery accessory stuff works, I haven't figured out. So, at this point I am still looking to learn whatever I can about this toy truck.
sorry man, I really thought that was it. Maybe you are right and yours is a second generation toy after a company got sold....
The Jalopy Journal
