Minnesota based Mound Metalcraft Company founded Tonka in 1947 to manufacture pressed steel toy trucks. The Tonka name was sourced from nearby Lake Minnetonka.
In 1953, Tonka issued their first Look Book. These were a smaller version of the catalog they sent to toy retailers each year. And were intended to inform the buyer of their various models - what else was also offered in the Tonka toy line up. These were included with each packaged toy product. Tonka continued to include the very popular mini catalogs with their new toys through 1975. From 1953 to 1970 - 1971, the Tonka Look Book listed all models made by Tonka - that were available to the consumer public.
In 1963, the Mini Tonka line was introduced and continued on in production until 1981.
In 1968, Tonka introduced a new series called Tiny Tonka’s. Like the larger Regular series (1947), the Mini (1963) and Mighty (1964) Tonka’s, these were also made of automotive grade pressed steel parts and some plastic parts - interiors and wheels. This series were anywhere from ~ 5 to 11 inches in length and ~ 2 inches wide. They were made all over the world from Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. Production was phased out gradually from 1982 to 1984.
In 1970, a short lived series of castings were introduced called Tonka Totes. They were also available in 1971. These cars were about 1/43 scale in size and all plastic.
The 1970 Look Book was the last year all 4 of the main line series were featured. These were the - Tiny, Mini, Regular and Mighty line ups. Tonka Totes, Gigglers, Toddlers and various other series had also made brief appearances in the Look Book over time, but it was the Tonka regular trucks that made the Look Book a popular item to collect for itself.
In 1972, the Tonka Look Books only included a sample of the different models offered in each series.
Tonka Mites were introduced in 1976 as the smallest series of Tonka toys made.
Around 1980, they also issued a range of 3" scale sized plastic vehicles made in Japan. They were designed as a launcher type of diecast vehicles
In 1987, they acquired Kenner, before they themselves became a part of Hasbro in 1991.
Since 1998, Maisto has been the maker of and distributor of licensed Tonka brand offerings. Their first vehicles were smaller versions of the pressed steel models. A series of 50 total castings with unique Tonka paint schemes soon followed. A 51st casting was offered as a bonus "collectors search vehicle" (?) that is not as commonly found.
They also produced a line of "Lil'Tonka" vehicles that are cartoon-ish in appearance.
Another series offered was a range of key chains made from ex-Zlymex castings called the "Mighty Construction Keychain" as a 'Fun 4 All' brand subsidiary to Tonka. These were noted to have been made by Red Box (?).
Sourced references -
membership - @Hobie wan, @Lummox, @LDC65
https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces/hobbydb/subjects/tonka-brand
www.hobbydb.com
Hasbro | hobbyDB
Encyclopedia of Small-Scale Diecast Motor Vehicle Manufacturers - Sahakangas, Foster & Weber (2006)
www.neatoldtoys.com
projectswordtoys.blogspot.com
In 1953, Tonka issued their first Look Book. These were a smaller version of the catalog they sent to toy retailers each year. And were intended to inform the buyer of their various models - what else was also offered in the Tonka toy line up. These were included with each packaged toy product. Tonka continued to include the very popular mini catalogs with their new toys through 1975. From 1953 to 1970 - 1971, the Tonka Look Book listed all models made by Tonka - that were available to the consumer public.
In 1963, the Mini Tonka line was introduced and continued on in production until 1981.
In 1968, Tonka introduced a new series called Tiny Tonka’s. Like the larger Regular series (1947), the Mini (1963) and Mighty (1964) Tonka’s, these were also made of automotive grade pressed steel parts and some plastic parts - interiors and wheels. This series were anywhere from ~ 5 to 11 inches in length and ~ 2 inches wide. They were made all over the world from Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States. Production was phased out gradually from 1982 to 1984.
In 1970, a short lived series of castings were introduced called Tonka Totes. They were also available in 1971. These cars were about 1/43 scale in size and all plastic.
The 1970 Look Book was the last year all 4 of the main line series were featured. These were the - Tiny, Mini, Regular and Mighty line ups. Tonka Totes, Gigglers, Toddlers and various other series had also made brief appearances in the Look Book over time, but it was the Tonka regular trucks that made the Look Book a popular item to collect for itself.
In 1972, the Tonka Look Books only included a sample of the different models offered in each series.
Tonka Mites were introduced in 1976 as the smallest series of Tonka toys made.
Around 1980, they also issued a range of 3" scale sized plastic vehicles made in Japan. They were designed as a launcher type of diecast vehicles
In 1987, they acquired Kenner, before they themselves became a part of Hasbro in 1991.
Since 1998, Maisto has been the maker of and distributor of licensed Tonka brand offerings. Their first vehicles were smaller versions of the pressed steel models. A series of 50 total castings with unique Tonka paint schemes soon followed. A 51st casting was offered as a bonus "collectors search vehicle" (?) that is not as commonly found.
They also produced a line of "Lil'Tonka" vehicles that are cartoon-ish in appearance.
Another series offered was a range of key chains made from ex-Zlymex castings called the "Mighty Construction Keychain" as a 'Fun 4 All' brand subsidiary to Tonka. These were noted to have been made by Red Box (?).
Sourced references -
membership - @Hobie wan, @Lummox, @LDC65
https://www.hobbydb.com/marketplaces/hobbydb/subjects/tonka-brand
Tonka Totes | hobbyDB
Learn everything there is to know about Tonka Totes at the hobbyDB database
www.hobbydb.com
Encyclopedia of Small-Scale Diecast Motor Vehicle Manufacturers - Sahakangas, Foster & Weber (2006)
1970 Tonka Look Book | Tonka Totes | Tonka Lookbook | Tonka Catalogue
Tonka Totes were new in the 1970 Tonka Toys look book. Tiny Tonka featured 28 models, Mini Tonka 25 models, Regular Tonka 29 models, including #2910 Bottom Dump in 1 year only euclid green and Mighty Tonka with 9 models
Toting Metal
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