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January, 2020 The Antique Shoppe Page 19
YAT MING TOW TRUCKS

By Larry LeMasters
LeMasters’ Antique News Service

Based in Hong Kong, Yat Ming Industrial Factory Ltd (formerly named Yatming) is a Chinese
die-cast toy car and truck manufacturer. Wai Ming Lam founded Yat Ming in 1970 to compete
with Matchbox and Dinky toys. In Chinese, “Yat” means “best” or “number one.” And the
“Ming” part of the company name came from the founder’s middle name. Together “Yat Ming”
suggests “The Best Ming” or “Number One Ming,” which is exactly what Wai Ming Lam wanted
his company to be.
The first toys or models Yat Ming produced were 1/64th scale die cast replicas of the 1960s
Yatming “Fastwheel” tow truck that originally sold for 69¢.
American muscle cars, beautiful European sedans, and American transportation vehicles, including In original, unopened packaging, this toy is currently valued at $10.
tow trucks. Produced in different scales, these early die cast toys were shipped and distributed
worldwide, and Toy Wonders imported them into the United States, where they
flooded American markets such as K-Mart and F.W. Woolworth Five and Dime FANNING SPRINGS
stores.
I still own a Yatming black and white tow truck from 1970, making it one of “explore the difference”
Yat Ming’s oldest toys. The truck’s hook is missing, but I still use the truck as a
paperweight on my desk as Point of View
I write. Over the years, I’ve
developed a fondness for Yat Antiques
Ming wreckers.
It is possible to have a 17452 US Hwy 19 N
sizable collection from Yat Fanning Springs
Ming’s 1970 series of tow www.PointofViewGifts.com
trucks, but all of these trucks (352) 463-0718 10-5 Monday-Saturday
were cast from the same Now Open Sunday 11-4
molds. The only difference
in these trucks is color, but Yat Ming tow truck, collectibles, wood carvings, jewelry, gifts and more
trying to collect one of every marked “Yatming,” from –DEALER SPACE AVAILABLE– 33
color 1970 tow truck would the 1970s that is owned by author.
take a lot of time and, ultimately, would
realize a collector a large collection. WILLISTON - REDDICK -
Road Champs (JRI Inc) purchased Yat
Ming’s tractor trailer designs in the mid- Williston’s Newest Antique Store • ANTIQUE •
1970s, and by the 1980s Road Champs Back Door Antiques
was marketing these models under its EMPORIUM
brand name. 36 E. Noble Ave. · Williston
In the late-1990s, Yat Ming moved Antiques-Furniture-Books-Collectibles & More th
away from its inexpensive toy trucks and 17990 NW 77 Ave
began making highly detailed, realistic Dixie’s Antiques Mall Reddick, FL 32686
models. Yat-Ming “Road Legends” Antiques, Collectibles & Gifts 352-591-1221
series produces high-quality vintage die OPEN
cast model cars and trucks such as GMC, 112 W. Noble Ave. Tue-Sat 10-4
Ford, Chevy, Volkswagon, Studebaker, Williston, FL 32696 Parking - OPEN DAILY 10-6 -
AMC, Ford, Lotus, and Oldsmobile. (352) 528-2338 at rear I-75 at Exit 368
Manufacturing higher scales, such as Over 8,000 sq. ft. of Air Conditioned Comfort of Store
1/18, 1/ 24, and 1/43, Yat Ming is now with 75+ “FILLED TO THE RAFTERS” booths info@antiqueemporiumfl.comm
known for its high quality, detailed Rental Booths Available 35 36
models. Open 10-5 Mon-Sat 34 BackDoorAntiques.org · 352-528-0769 ANTIQUEEMPORIUMFL.COM
In 2015, Lucky Industrial Group Ltd
purchased Yat Ming and continues to
manufacture Yat Ming models under OCALA - BELLEVIEW - CRYSTAL RIVER
Lucky Die Cast Road Signatures and
Road Tough series. Heritage Antiques
Although Yat Ming focuses on larger,
detailed scales today, many collectors aka
remember Yat Ming toy trucks from their DIGGERS ANTIQUE MALL
infant years when it was difficult to tell a 1811 N. PINE AVE. the Old Wander Inn
Yat Ming from a Matchbox, making both OCALA, FL 34475 103 NW Hwy. 19
toys fun to own and play with. 352-629-5250 Historic Downtown
Open 7 Days a Week MOSSY OAKS ANTIQUE MALL Crystal River, FL 34428
352-563-5597
Mon-Sat 10am-5:30pm • Sun 12-5pm 8,000 Sq. Ft. 30+ Dealers Mon-Sat 10:30-5
6260 SE 118th Place Open Daily
DiggersAntiques@gmail.com 6/10 mi. S. of Belleview on Hwy 301 Clock Repair • Post Cards
Belleview, FL 34420 Antiques • Collectibles
WE BUY AND SELL ESTATES 352-307-0090 Handpainted Furniture
CLOCK REPAIR ON SITE Offering a Dazzling Variety of Mid Century Modern
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Professional Furniture Restoration Available www.heritageantiquesmall.com
Vintage, 1960s styled Yat Ming Chevrolet Check out our albums on Facebook
toy truck. 38 40 41