The History & Legacy of Case Toilets – From Lowboy ‘Cadillac’ Designs to Modern Adapters

May 4, 2025

Origins of the Case Toilet Brand (1853–1950s)

Case toilets have a storied history dating back to the 19th century. The brand began as W.A. Case & Son Manufacturing Co., founded in 1853 in Buffalo, NY. For decades the company built a reputation in metalworks and plumbing supplies, but its claim to fame came in the 1920s. In 1925, Case introduced the world’s first one-piece toilet, a revolutionary low-profile design with an integrated tank and bowl. This early model featured a side-mounted flush lever and a distinctive kidney-shaped tank lid. At a time when nearly all toilets were two-piece and only white, Case’s innovation stood out – so much that it was nicknamed the “Cadillac of toilets,” admired for its luxury and quality. Case was also a trendsetter by offering fixtures in an array of colors beyond the standard white, adding to its allure in stylish homes.

By the mid-20th century, Case had become synonymous with premium plumbing fixtures. The company’s one-piece “lowboy” toilets – called lowboy for their low tank height – were especially popular in the post-war era. These toilets appeared in high-end architectural projects (even the famous mid-century Case Study Houses featured Case’s sleek toilets). In the 1950s, Case’s product line included models like the Case 1000 and Case 1100, which were evolutions of the original one-piece concept. Home Beautiful magazine ads from 1957 proudly showcased the Case 1000/1100 as stylish, modern fixtures for the home.

A mid-century Case one-piece lowboy toilet (advertisement, 1957). These models combined the tank and bowl into one sleek unit, an innovation that Case pioneered.

Case 1000 and 1100 (Floor-Mount Lowboy): The 1000/1100 series were floor-mounted one-piece toilets that sat very low to the ground (a true lowboy design). They retained the seamless tank-and-bowl construction of the original Model A, but with updates like a front-mounted flush lever (as opposed to the early side lever) for easier use. These models were heavy and well-built, made from vitreous china with thick porcelain walls. In fact, a 1949 Case catalog boasts that “Case fixtures are made of the finest vitreous china… [with] careful attention to design and construction of the bowls”. The high-quality construction extended to the internal hardware as well – Case engineered its own brass tank mechanisms and chrome-plated flush handles. Owners rarely had to worry about leaks between tank and bowl (there was no joint to leak), and the toilets flushed reliably thanks to this precise engineering. Another distinctive aspect was the unique mounting hardware. Case one-piece toilets used an unconventional bolt setup – often noted as front-mounted tank bolts – that differed from standard toilets. This meant the mounting bolts or attachments were accessed in front of the tank area, contributing to a smooth backside profile against the wall. Together, these design choices made the Case 1000 and 1100 both aesthetically pleasing and robust, cementing their reputation as top-of-the-line fixtures of their day.

Case 3000 (Wall-Mounted Lowboy): Not all Case toilets sat on the floor; the Case Model 3000 introduced a wall-hung one-piece toilet for a modern, space-saving look. Debuting in the mid-century, the 3000 was a wall-mounted lowboy, likely one of the first of its kind. It attached to a carrier in the wall, appearing to “float” above the floor. Yet unlike typical wall-hung bowls that use a separate tank or flushometer, the Case 3000 kept the integrated tank design (one-piece style). The result was a wall-mounted toilet with the same sleek low profile as the floor models. Installing these required anchoring heavy-duty bolts through the front of the unit into the wall structure – again showcasing Case’s use of front-mounted bolts in their designs. The 3000’s innovative configuration made it popular for cutting-edge bathrooms of the 1950s and 60s, and it remains a conversation piece in vintage homes that still have one. (Case also produced a similar wall-mounted Model 3200, and later floor models like the 4000-series, but the 1000, 1100, and 3000 are among the most well-known with homeowners.)

What Made Case Toilets Unique and Sought-After

Several characteristics set Case toilets apart from other brands of the era:

One-Piece Lowboy Design: Case’s signature innovation was the one-piece toilet. By molding the tank and bowl as a single unit, they eliminated the seam and bolts between two pieces. This not only created a clean, sleek silhouette, but also improved reliability (no tank-to-bowl leaks or wobbles). The lowboy style – with an unusually low tank – gave bathrooms an open, modern feel compared to towering old-fashioned tanks. Case was “the first company to produce the one-piece toilet” of this style, and many competitors later emulated it.
High-Quality Construction: The build quality of Case toilets was exceptional. They were made with heavy, vitrified porcelain and durable internal parts. Contemporary accounts praised that “most careful attention” went into their design, and that “all tank fittings are [Case’s] own design,” using solid brass and chrome for longevity. In other words, a Case toilet was built to last for generations – and many have. This premium quality earned Case the luxury reputation as the “Cadillac” of toilets.
Unique Hardware (Front-Mounted Bolts & Hinge Design): The engineering of Case toilets included non-standard hardware configurations. For example, the one-piece models didn’t mount like typical toilets. The floor bolts were often hidden and accessed from the front or underside, and the tank bolt concept was essentially designed out (since the tank wasn’t separate). Even the seat hinge mechanism was special – on some Case toilets, the seat’s bolts pass through the back of the bowl or tank section (with a wider 7-inch spread between them) rather than the standard 5½-inch spacing. This front-mounted and wider bolt layout contributed to the toilet’s smooth appearance (no bolt caps on the sides) and secure fit, but it also meant only specific seats and parts would fit (more on that challenge later).
Stylish Aesthetics and Colors: In addition to their low profile shape, Case toilets came in a variety of colors to match trendy bathrooms of the mid-20th century. Case was “the first company to market its plumbing supplies in a palette of colors”, offering options like pastel pinks, blues, and yellows alongside white. Homeowners loved being able to coordinate the toilet with tile and sink colors. The design details – from the chrome trip lever on the front of the tank to the gently curved bowl – made Case toilets an iconic element of vintage bathroom decor. Even today, their retro look is instantly recognizable and often a point of pride for those preserving a period-correct home.

All these factors made Case toilets both functional and fashionable. It’s no surprise that collectors and vintage home enthusiasts still appreciate Case toilets today. Many refer to them as design pieces as much as plumbing fixtures. In online communities you’ll find people proudly sharing photos of restored Case 1100s or installing a salvaged Case 3000 in a retro renovation. As one restoration site notes, the original Case one-piece inspired countless imitations and “is still sought by collectors in its original form”. In short, owning a Case toilet is owning a small piece of bathroom history.

Why Vintage Case Toilets Remain Desirable

Even though the Case brand has been defunct for decades, a loyal following remains for these vintage toilets. Homeowners and collectors value Case toilets for several reasons:

Timeless Mid-Century Design: The sleek lowboy form fits perfectly in mid-century modern restorations. Rather than replacing an old Case with a generic new toilet, many homeowners choose to keep it as a centerpiece of the bathroom’s vintage character. The fact that Case toilets were used in famous mid-century homes (like the Eames House and other Case Study Houses) adds to their cachet. They evoke the elegance of a bygone era.
Durability: Thanks to their robust construction, many Case toilets still function after 50, 60, even 70+ years. The heavy porcelain and well-made brass parts can often be repaired and maintained, whereas cheaper modern toilets might not last nearly as long. Owners often comment that their old Case “flushes like a champ” and feels more substantial than contemporary products. Keeping one in service can be seen as a sustainable choice as well – why junk a perfectly good fixture that has stood the test of time?
Collectors’ Value: Because true Case toilets are no longer made, they’ve become collectable items. A rare model in a rare color (say, a pink Case 1100) can be a hot commodity among retro plumbing collectors. Specialized vendors resell salvaged Case parts, and tank lids or seats in good condition fetch high prices due to demand. Simply put, scarcity and nostalgia have made them cult favorites. As Wikipedia notes, “despite being defunct for more than 50 years, demand remains for Case fixtures and parts.”
“They Don’t Make ’Em Like They Used To”: The phrase rings true – the overall quality and flush performance of these vintage lowboys often still impresses users. Case toilets were over-engineered by today’s standards, with precision-fit components and heavy materials. A homeowner with a working Case may prefer its classic pull-and-drop flush mechanism and solid feel over a flimsy modern replacement. For many, keeping the original toilet is part of preserving the integrity of a vintage home.

Of course, lovingly restoring or maintaining a Case toilet isn’t without challenges. The biggest issue by far has been finding replacement parts, especially the proprietary seats and hardware. Over time, this has become a serious obstacle for vintage Case owners – but as we’ll see, new solutions are emerging to address it.

The End of Case Manufacturing and the Parts Dilemma

The Case toilet brand’s heyday largely ended in the 1960s. The company had been acquired by Briggs Manufacturing (a major plumbing manufacturer) in 1963–1964. Briggs continued to produce Case designs for a few years, but by 1969 the Case line was dissolved as a separate entity. The Case name lingered into the early 1970s as a sub-brand of Briggs, then eventually disappeared from new products. In short, no new “Case” toilets have been made for over half a century.

As the decades passed, original replacement parts for Case toilets became increasingly scarce. Case’s unique components – fill valves, flush valves, tank levers, and especially the seats – were not interchangeable with standard toilets. Initially, Briggs supplied some parts after the acquisition, and third-party manufacturers like Bemis even made retrofit seats for a while. For example, Bemis produced a “Case 1100 Elongated Closed Front Toilet Seat” with a 7″ bolt spread specifically to fit the old Case one-piece design. But these too eventually went out of production. (That Bemis Case replacement seat model is now discontinued and difficult to find.) By the 1980s and 90s, homeowners with Case toilets often found that neither local plumbing stores nor fixture manufacturers carried the oddball parts needed.

The result is that many Case owners have had to hunt through online specialty shops and salvage yards for parts. Some businesses, like vintage toilet part suppliers, stock old Case components or reproductions in limited quantities. As one supplier explains, “the Case Toilet Company has been out of existence for a number of decades, and their parts are rare and difficult to find”. With relatively few of these toilets still in use, mass-producing parts isn’t economically attractive, so only niche providers offer them (often at premium cost). For instance, a fill valve or ballcock for a Case lowboy can cost several hundred dollars, far more than a generic toilet part. The original Case toilet seats are especially coveted – if you manage to find an NOS (new old stock) seat or a used one in good shape, it’s like gold to a restoration project. But original OEM Case seats haven’t been made for decades, and any remaining stock dried up long ago. By the 21st century, most Case toilets in service either had their last original seat still hanging on, or a jury-rigged solution (some owners attempted to modify standard seats, usually with poor-fitting results).

In summary, maintaining a vintage Case toilet became a labor of love. Enthusiasts had to accept the “adventure of owning a toilet that was discontinued generations ago,” as one repair guide quips. The scarcity of proper-fitting seats was a particularly common gripe – you might have a beautiful one-piece toilet but a cracked seat with no easy way to replace it. This parts dilemma set the stage for a clever modern fix that has recently emerged.

Fitting Modern Seats on Vintage Case Toilets – A Modern Solution

In response to the struggles with finding Case seats, inventive minds have developed a modern adapter to bridge the gap. This new solution is a 3D-printed Case toilet seat adapter that allows owners to install readily available contemporary seats (such as the popular Bemis Stay-Tite series) on classic Case toilets. In essence, the adapter is a custom bracket that matches the unusual bolt pattern and contours of the Case 1000, 1100, and 3000 models, while providing standard mounting posts for a modern toilet seat.

Retrofit Seats' Case Toilet Seat Adapter installed on a Case 1000.

A vintage Case lowboy toilet in use, retrofitted with a modern Bemis Stay-Tite seat using a 3D-printed adapter (the gray bracket visible behind the seat). This adapter allows a new seat to fit securely on the old Case bowl.

The Case toilet seat adapter kit is specifically engineered for compatibility and strength. Made from durable, high-strength plastic (via 3D printing) and stainless steel hardware, it can handle daily use while securely anchoring the seat. Installation is straightforward: the adapter fastens into the existing Case bolt holes and creates a stable platform to attach a new seat – no drilling or permanent changes to the porcelain required. With this kit, homeowners can replace a Case toilet seat with any number of modern styles that were previously impossible to mount. For example, you can now fit a modern Bemis Stay-Tite seat on a Case toilet using the adapter, enjoying the benefits of a snug, shift-free seat that Stay-Tite models are known for, all on your 70-year-old fixture. As the product description notes, it “lets you install modern toilet seats on classic Case lowboy toilets, including the 1000, 1100, and 3000 series”. This effectively eliminates the hassle of finding discontinued seat models or scouring antique shops for a worn original.

The introduction of this adapter has been a game-changer for vintage Case owners. It extends the practical life of these beloved toilets by solving their biggest usability issue. No longer must one keep an uncomfortable cracked seat or resort to a mismatched generic seat that slips around. With the adapter, a Case toilet can have a brand-new, readily replaceable seat firmly attached. It’s a perfect example of modern technology (3D CAD design and printing) solving a very niche historical problem. The adapter kits are typically offered in neutral colors to blend in (gray, white, etc.), but can be printed in color as well, or painted to match.

If you’re researching solutions to “replace a Case toilet seat” or looking for a “Case toilet seat adapter”, this innovation is likely what you need. It provides a practical answer to fit a modern seat on a Case toilet without compromising the vintage appeal. The availability of the adapter means you can keep enjoying your classic Case 1000/1100 or that rare wall-hung Case 3000, now with the comfort and convenience of a new seat. Ditching the search for elusive OEM seats, owners can upgrade confidently with this retrofit solution and continue to cherish their antique “Cadillac of toilets” for years to come.

Conclusion

The Case toilet brand may have faded into history, but its legacy lives on in thousands of vintage bathrooms – and in the hearts of those who admire fine craftsmanship. From the first one-piece lowboy in the 1920s to the popular Case 1000, 1100, and 3000 models that followed, Case toilets made an indelible mark with their innovative design, quality, and style. They remain emblematic of mid-century luxury and ingenuity, which is why homeowners and collectors still celebrate them long after production ceased in the 1960s.

Maintaining these classic fixtures has its challenges, especially when it comes to finding parts like the uniquely shaped seats. However, the story has come full circle with modern technology stepping in to preserve a piece of the past. The creation of 3D-printed adapter kits for Case toilets is allowing vintage units to adapt to the present day – enabling a modern seat to fit on a Case toilet seamlessly. It’s a wonderful blend of old and new: the enduring charm of a 70-year-old Case lowboy, now comfortably accessorized with a 21st-century seat. For anyone lucky enough to have a Case toilet in their home, solutions like the Case toilet seat adapter ensure that this “finest toilet ever made” can continue to serve (and impress) well into the future.

Sources: Historical details and catalog excerpts from Case/Briggs archives; Wikipedia and This Old Toilet references on Case company history; plumbing forum and supplier insights on part scarcity; product information on the Case toilet seat adapter solution.

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