Startup
Because Gallogly had solid connections with Ford Motor Company, he was able to place his first models exclusively in Ford dealerships starting a long promotional relationship (Cawthon 2002). Gallogly's first model was a Ford sedan cast in aluminum and painted with official Ford paint (Cawthon 2002). After issuing successful Ford sedan models, the company set up shop on Eight Mile Road outside Detroit (Chrysler 2008).
In 1949, injection plastic molding became available and aluminum was abandoned after only one aluminum promotional car was made, a 1947-48 Ford Fordor (Doty 2008, 89). Different colors of plastic could be used so the need for a change was obvious (Cawthon 2002). At times, though, official paints were still applied to the models. De-emphasizing the word 'aluminum' in the name, Gallogly started using the initials of the company – thus AMT. The company's first commercial products were pre-assembled plastic promotional models, only available through automobile (commonly Ford) dealerships.
In the early 1950s, Gallogly turned day-to-day operations of his company over to George Toteff, so West could see to his law firm (Cawthon 2002). Model design was kept in-house, but molding was out-sourced. Continental Plastics in Fraser, Michigan, was one company to commonly mold AMT's models (Cawthon 2002).
Read more about this topic: Aluminum Model Toys