If you’ve ever wondered how much your vintage tonka trucks are worth, you’ve come to the right place. Originally manufactured by Mound Metalcraft, these trucks were very popular in the mid 1960s. Now, they’re worth as much as $1,000! What’s so special about these toys? Is their value just because they’re “cute oldies”? Or are they an investment? Read on to find out!
Tonka trucks were a secondary product of Mound Metalcraft
The Tonka Toy Company originated in 1946 in a small Minnesota town near Lake Minnetonka. The company initially created metal tools and garden implements but quickly diversified into a variety of other toy products. In 1947, the company purchased patents for metal toys. In its first year of business, the company sold 37,000 trucks, and it later changed its name to Tonka Toys Incorporated. The company continues to be owned by Hasbro. If you want to purchase a vintage Tonka truck, you can do so on eBay, Etsy, or even at a garage sale.
The Tonka logo changed from gold to yellow from 1976 to 1977. It also dropped the words “U.S.A.” The logo now features an oval of red on a white background, and the word “Tonka” is uniquely styled. In 2007, the logo consisted of a black “Tonka” in a white frame. The “Tonka” is surrounded by a red line, and the truck’s name is always written in capital letters.
Initially, Tonka trucks were made from automotive grade steel. The company took advantage of cheap steel after World War II. The trucks were heavy and difficult to maintain. Later, they were replaced with plastic. Today, the vintage trucks are highly prized by collectors. A 1957 toy truck that comes with a moving arm and bucket could fetch upwards of $3,000! Today, vintage Tonka trucks have become a collector’s item.
Vintage Tonka trucks were produced between 1946 and 1957. The company changed the name to Mound in 1955. The company continues to produce these vintage trucks. The company’s logo changed several times in the years following. In the early 1950s, it changed the color and words of the logo. The Tonka logo featured red letters and flying seagulls, as well as the words “Mound Metalcraft Inc.”
Ford continues to make the vintage Tonka pickup under license from Hasbro. The Ford Tonka truck is now based on a modern Ford F-150 Lariat Crew Cab 4×4. It is expensive, but also features a full-sized version of the beloved toy. Its hood has double air intakes that are not common for trucks of the same size. The wide front end is adorned with a familiar chromatic grill and large front lights.
They were popular in the mid 1960s
Tonka trucks were popular toys in the mid 1960s. The trucks typically weighed 11 pounds and had a bright, candy-striped paint job. There were also cars and trucks, including the fabled Volkswagen Beetle, which debuted in 1966. Some trucks had plastic accessories, such as a Corvette stingray. Tiny Tonkas were also popular, featuring a black or white horse.
While Tonka trucks are well-known for being durable and long-lasting, they were also popular in the 1970s. Some of these models featured a rotisserie feature that made them appear to be rotating. A 2.5-inch Tonka Green Gremlin was popular during this time, but sold for upwards of $300! Other popular Tonka vehicles during the time period included the Tonka Winnebago motorhome, which featured a removable roof to reveal the interior of the actual Winnebago motorhome. Some of these cars even included two dolls and a dog! These toys were durable, but not as hefty as their real counterparts.
Mound Metalcraft Co. was founded in 1946. The company initially produced garden tools, but later on branched out into toys. They bought a building from Streater Co., a toy company that had patented several designs but never put them into production. The company later changed its name to Tonka Toys, after taking the name of the lake nearby. Tonka trucks featured one-piece steel cabs with baked-on enamel finishes that rotated on a metal base with four real rubber wheels.
In the mid 1950s, Mound Metalcraft was manufacturing colorful metal toys. This company eventually branched out to become Tonka Toys Inc., which still produces toys today. Some of these vintage models are worth a lot of money. Toy truck collectors may want to look into these for their collection. A vintage Tonka is worth a lot of money. If you have a vintage Tonka truck, make sure you get one in good condition.
They are worth as much as $1,000
If you have a passion for collecting vintage toys, you may have come across some amazing Tonka trucks. These toy trucks can be worth as much as $1,000, depending on the condition. Mint-condition boxes can increase the value of a toy truck by twenty to fifty percent. You can also look for a vintage toy truck that is from the late 1940s to the early 1960s. These toy trucks can be as old as thirty years, and you can still find some in a very good condition for as little as $100.
Many vintage toys can be valuable, but not as much as you might think. There are many types of collectible toys that you may want to consider. Pez dispensers are a popular choice and are a classic. You can get them for as little as five dollars, but if you find a rare one, they can easily sell for as much as $1,000. There are also several vintage toys that are popular and can cost as much as $1,500.
They are “cute oldies”
Tonka trucks were popular childhood toys and remain valuable today. Collectors and original owners alike bring these toy trucks out of their basements and auctions. These “cute oldies” are rarely available at retail outlets and are often only found at personal marketplaces and garage sales. Look for the Tonka logo on the truck to determine its age and condition. These vintage toy trucks were manufactured from 1946 to 1955, but the company changed its name in 1957.
Toy trucks have become collectibles in recent years, and their nostalgic appeal is appealing to the Baby Boomer generation. But they were often abused, tossed against walls and left to rust in the backyard. Trying to find one in mint condition is difficult and often requires a lot of searching. That’s why you should always look for original packaging, if possible. Ultimately, you’ll be happy with your purchase, as long as it’s an authentic toy.
