One of the side line hobbies I do is collect Tiny Tonka's in the original packaging. Finding them locally are next to impossible, so watching auctions houses is the best bet. Should you find any in your travels, chances are I would buy them. Even if they are doubles. Singles or sets.
I had QUITE a few of those as a kid. I remember getting the fire truck set for my birthday. There was a semi with a ladder trailer, two vans (one fire, one a white ambulance I believe) and I think a standard firetruck. I also had the Winnebego. They were great tough toys. If you are on Facebook I would assume there's a group for collectors. I joined a Matchbox group with 25000 members. There's often live auctions as well.
It's Friday night in June of 2019 and I just found this post.
Ok.
I HAD EVERYTHING THAT'S BEEN PICTURED.
AND THEN SOME MORE AND DOUBLES AND TRIPLES.
Cause my MOM worked at Tonka in the 70s n 80s
Great stuff
Now I collect diecast Nova s and paint them Acadian style
It is hard to imagine finding such vintage Tonkas new in the box. I had been watching e-Bay auctions in the last few years and have been surprised what shows up.
That really brings back memories. I had several of those Tiny Tonkas, wait for it, over 50 years ago. It started with the little red pickup then expanded into the construction set with the low-deck trailer, bulldozer, dump truck etc. The thing I loved about these steel trucks was the patina you would get after using them hard, sort of like realistic scratches & dents.
Does anyone remember the Tonka Crazy A's? Back around 69/70 they did a series of Model As in different body styles, painted in crazy colours that would look good on a '70 Mopar, and rolling on big & little wheels (as was the style back then). I had one of those Lime Lite Model A Pheatons & a Hemi Orange Tudor. They looked good with the black fenders.
-- Edited by CdnGMfan on Saturday 29th of June 2019 09:55:39 AM
I vaguely remember the "Crazy A's". I had some sort of Tonka dragster had a third wheel hidden underneath. You'd pull it back and it'd race ahead. That third wheel would pop out and give the impression that the car is doing a wheelie. Good times! My friend two doors down with rich parents had all the large scale Tonka's. My favorite was the road grader and the pickup truck with the fifth wheel camper. That thing was huge!
3 Winnebago s. Countless graders dump trucks. All large size.
Yup. I was very fortunate in that regard.
Still feel it was the greatest point in life as a kid in the 70s
I had some sort of Tonka dragster had a third wheel hidden underneath. You'd pull it back and it'd race ahead. That third wheel would pop out and give the impression that the car is doing a wheelie.
I have one of those sitting in the rafters of my car shed.
I'll get a picture of it.
__________________
Prince Edward Island
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
I had some sort of Tonka dragster had a third wheel hidden underneath. You'd pull it back and it'd race ahead. That third wheel would pop out and give the impression that the car is doing a wheelie.
I have one of those sitting in the rafters of my car shed.
I'll get a picture of it.
I was wrong ... wrong manufacturer, right era ... made by Mattel. It has a pull cord and a switch for POWER N SPEED.
Also, my Buddy L hot rod pickup yard art.
-- Edited by Pontiacanada on Friday 5th of July 2019 01:20:29 PM
'64 Parisienne CS "barn find" - last on the road in '86 ... Owner Protection Plan booklet, original paint, original near-mint aqua interior, original aqua GM floor mats, original 283, factory posi, and original rust.
A couple of trucks from the Goodyear Racing Set, unfortunately the race cars and spare tires are missing. These have been following me around for a long time.
these little Tonkas are great! I buy them for my son to play with - but on occasion I take them away if he is being too rough; I am pretty sure we have that Winnibego, in better shape than yours. The coolest one we have is an orange truck of sorts with big (fat/lower profile) tires on it - I think it originally was sold with a trailer and a boat or something.
Edit:
-- Edited by unruhjonny on Wednesday 7th of August 2019 10:41:33 PM
1970 Formula 400 Carousel Red on black (std) interior "no drivetrain option" car (same base drivetrain as GTO) 1:411 1970 Firebird Formulas originally sold in Canada