WHY THEY’RE HOT Starting in 1947, the Tonka Corp. began rolling
cast-metal versions of trucks and earthmovers off the assembly line
and into sandboxes across America. Now collectors are revved up to
recapture some of that childlike joy. From mini versions of vintage
pickups to the most popular model of all—the Mighty Tonka Dump
Truck—the brightly colored replicas have the appeal of folk art.
“People are walking out of a show with rusty Tonka trucks,” Vintage
Marketplace’s Rita Reade says. “Unless you’re a serious collector,
condition is less important than the nostalgia of the pieces.”
HINT Tonka has reissued reproductions of original designs, so it pays
to research logo styles and other telltale signs of age. The paint on
vintage pieces, for instance, typically shows light crazing.
COST Toys in mint condition—those in their original boxes or that
indicate limited playtime—now demand upward of $200, with the
rarity of the model driving up prices. But well-loved pieces from the
1960s and 1970s can be snagged for $50 or far less.
COUNTRY
HOME
90 SPRING/SUMMER 2019
