Tonkadave's Collection

I was watching a construction project from a roof of a nearby building one day, observing the earthmoving equipment. It occurred to me that there's a real connection between big construction machines and boys. That leads naturally into one of the longest lived and most successful lines of toys: Tonka.

Tonka toys were originally manufactured by Mound Metalcraft Inc. of Mound, Minnesota. Eventually, they ended up a division of Hasbro Toys, another familiar long-term player in the industry.

Tonkas were the ultimate in simplicity: No electric motors (except for a few short-lived experiments), no batteries, and a minimum of plastic. What makes a Tonka is METAL, And lots of it.

The result is a toy that would get passed on from older brother to younger, and from father to son.

A great percentage of Tonkas being used by America's youth to build roads in the backyard dirt are years old. Tonkas are readily available at yard sales and flea markets at prices below their value.

Word is catching on, though. Vintage Tonkas (such as I played with in the 60's) are going for three figures if in exceptional shape.

But that's the great thing about them. Most of them show the wear of years of enjoyment by their young owners. That's the way it should be.

Today's FamilyFirst site ios a massive collection of Tonkas presented by Tonkadave. Enjoy.

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