Vintage Tonka trucks: Fascinating generations of kids
Classic Tonka toy trucks and construction vehicles — including bulldozers, diggers, dump trucks, trenchers and shovels — have been produced by the Minnesota-based Tonka corporation since 1947.
The company’s first toy truck, the “Mighty Dump,” was a simple, sturdy steel toy that could withstand rough play. It was a success, so over the years, Tonka’s product line expanded to include a wide variety of metal vehicles and construction equipment.
They also created simpler plastic trucks for younger kids, and even a line of preschool toys that had nothing to do with trucks. (You can see some of those below.)
The name “Tonka” — which has almost become synonymous with a heavy-duty toy truck — originally came from the Dakota Sioux word “Tanka,” meaning “great” or “big.”
Popular to this day with kids and collectors, the company continues to produce a wide variety of toy trucks and construction vehicles, which you can see here!
Vintage Tonka trucks from the 1950s
Tonka Toys by Mound Metalcraft, Inc. Mound, Minnesota
Aerial sand loaders set, Carnation Milk truck, Green Giant trailer truck, lumber truck, pickup truck, road builder set, and builder’s supply fleet set
1960s vintage Tonka trucks (1966)
Dig, load, haul, dump or level with the Mighty Tonka Trencher
A real action toy with 5 separate operations. Lever raises front bucket. Load dumps by tripping release lever. Handle operates back hoe, which swings to either side for unloading. Heavy-gauge steel unit moves on durable deep groove treads. 18-1/2 inches long.
Mighty Tonka Dump Truck — big enough for a child to ride!
This all-steel giant rolls smoothly on Celcon wheel bearings. Back section raises for dumping. Enclosed cab with detailed interior. Heavy-duty bumper fitted with shock-absorbing pads. Long-wearing oversize tires grooved for traction, won’t mar floors. Baked-on enamel finish. 18-1/2″ long.
For big construction jobs, you need giants like these: Hydraulic dumper, power digger, bulldozer — Turnpike dump truck, Giant Michigan shovel
Vintage Tonka truck toys: Mighty earthmovers and carriers (1967)
Load up, haul away… models are of heavy steel construction: Car carrier, 4-piece highway builder set, Mighty Scraper, Mighty Loader, Mighty Dump Truck, Nylint Michigan Shovel
3-piece construction set for small boys with big plans (1967)
Tonka Toys for the Big Jobs — AUTHENTICALLY STYLED MODELS DIG, GRADE, LOAD AND HAUL
Construction Set: Authentically detailed models of heavy construction equipment. Heavy-gauge steel with baked enamel finish. Windows, rugged whitewall tires. Loader scoop., loads, hauls and dumps. Front bucket operated by lever. Realistic engine, rugged deep-grooved tracks. 12 in. long.
Dump Truck has smooth lever controlled dumping action. Ball-type trailer hitch in back. Dual rear tires. Tough truck paint 13-1/4 in. long.
Mighty Cement Mixer fills through hopper on top. Mixer drum rotates as truck moves. Handle tilts drum to pour “cement” down adjustable chute in back. Cab has seats, simulated steering wheel. Tandem dual tires for heavy loads. 14 in. long.
Vintage Tonka trucks: Exciting construction machines
HYDRAULIC DUMP: Detailed with amazing accuracy to look like the real thing. Perfect for the young construction worker A touch on the release lever automatically raises box. 2-position tailgate for dumping or spreading. Steel body, baked enamel finish, enclosed cob, whitewall tires, dual rear wheels. 13-1/4 in. long.
SHOVEL: Efficient bucket has hand grip for easy loading. Flip lever releases load. Cab rotates full 360 degrees like a real shovel. Automobile-gouge-steel construction, deep-groove tractor treads add to realism. 20 in. long.
ROAD GRADER: Scraper blade rotates to 5 positions, raises and lowers. Front wheels lever-operated. Has “floating tandem” rear wheels, driver’s seat, and motor. All-steel body and extra-large tires. 171/2 in. long.
BOTTOM DUMP: High-capacity truck with 5-position dumping doors at bottom of trailer. Lever-operated. Full-view enclosed cab with seats, dashboard, “steering” wheel. Tandem dual whitewall tires, steel construction; with real truck paint. 25 in. long.
BULLDOZER: 3-position lever, adjustable blade. Deep-groove treads move this rugged bulldozer backward and forward. steel construction, Simulated diesel engine. 8 inches long.
TRENCHER: Authentically detailed to thrill young construction bugs. Realistic action toy digs, loads, hauls, clamps, and levels. Lever raises front bucket, trip lever dumps load Handle operates rotating back hoe. Sturdy steel construction, durable deep-groove treads. 18-1/2 in. long.
Plump tomato pumper vintage Tonka toy
Driver is Perry Pear. Removable ladders, storage.
Scamper Pumpkin Camper & Merry Melon Dumper
Fuzzy peach driving. Removable top, storage inside; Adam Apple is up front. Melon tilts and dumps.
ALSO SEE: Vintage 1970s Playskool toys, dolls, ride-ons & other fun for kids
Perky Pear Mixer
Peerless Plum at the controls. Pear mixer spins manually.
Tonka Tote-a-Phone and Stackable Shapes preschool toys (1980)
Tonka Puts a Plus in New Preschool Toys: They’re everything that basic preschool toys should be. And then some!
In each one, Tonka adds a little something extra to keep a child happy and busy for hours. Bright and fascinating, they combine learning with fun. And all Tonka tough, too!
Tonka Scrub Tug and Rainbow Top preschool toys (1980)
Tonka Builder Playsets & toys (1979)
Bigger Pieces, Bigger Fun For Little Kids
From 3 to 6 years old. a kid’s got enough problems. Like buttons and zippers. Tonka thinks that a building set ought to be something that he or she can build things with. And have fun with.
So meet the new Tonka Deluxe Builder Play Set. With big, easy-to-assemble pieces. And double-fun: fun to build, fun to play with. Variety, too. With the deluxe set you can make any of 3 different buildings. You can take the garage and ramp apart and build a gas station. Or a car wash.
For extra play value, there are 2 nifty Tonka Scramblers’ trucks that add to the fun. Tonka builds ’em to last, too. They’re not just tough, they’re Tonka-tough!
Down with frustrations …up with fun! Treat your child to one of the new Tonka Builder Play Sets. There are 3 individual Tonka Builder Play Sets to choose from, too. One’s a pizza shop, another a custom van shop, and the third’s a fire station. Easy to build, fun to build!
ALSO SEE: Remember playing with these classic Fisher-Price preschool toys?
Vintage Tonka trucks: Strong Arm construction toy (1979)
Tonka’s done it again! A totally new kind of toy, a totally new kind of fun. The Strong Arm. A unique new 22″ high walking toy that a kid operates from the end of a long, strong handle.
He can lower the bucket, scoop a load of dirt or sand, tilt it back and take it away. For roadbuilding, mountain making… whatever a big imagination suggests.
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Vintage Tonka trucks for construction & firetruck (1984)
Vintage Tonka trucks: Action vehicles, built for lasting fun (1984)
Introducing My First Tonka (1987)
It takes a special kind of toy to be called Tonka. And now there’s a special Tonka built for toddlers.
My First Tonka’s colorful moving parts and happy sounds will thrill your child for hours at a time. From trucks to trains to planes, each one is built Tonka-Tough, just like our Mighties.
My First Tonka. Built for fun. Built to last. The only preschool toy that’s built like a Tonka.
One Response
Hi my name is Willie. I am living in South Africa. I am also a Tonka and Buddy L fan. Got over 500 models of these toys . Got my first Tonka when I was 9 or 10 Years old , The Mighty Dump truck . My Brother got the Mighty Loader . The cost was R9.95 . 30 Years later I started Collecting . Now I just want more , I hunt them where I can and buy them to put in my little museum at home. I AM a firefighter and I collect toys.