The very name gives off an aura of both strength and fun, one of the reasons, perhaps, for Tonka trucks having successfully navigated the heavy traffic among the many toy vehicle competitors for more than six decades, prized by both kids and collectors.
Mound Metalcraft Co., the company originally responsible for this sturdy toy, had humble beginnings in the small basement of an old schoolhouse in the Minneapolis suburb of Mound, initially manufacturing garden tools. Founded in 1946 by three partners – Lynn E. Baker, Avery Crounse and Alvin Tesch – they got into the toy business somewhat serendipitously. When their building's former occupants, Streater Industries, tried and failed to make two metal toys, the Mound trio decided that toys might make a good sideline for them and purchased Streater's tooling equipment.
The company produced its first Tonka (a name meaning “great” in the Dakota-Sioux language, inspired by nearby Lake Minnetonka) toys in 1947: a steam shovel and a crane, with a distinctive logo created by Erling Elkof. When displayed at that year's annual toy show in New York, they were met with a positive reception, motivating the firm's staff of six to produce 37,000 of the two metal toys in its first year, selling out in just a few months, a benefit of the postwar baby boom.
The following year, Mound Metalcraft introduced the No. 200 power lift and trailer, and in 1949 they began production of cabover trucks. Other landmarks were Ford-inspired, round-fendered cab trucks in 1954, followed by squared-fendered cab trucks in 1958. Those made after 1961 were much more generic, not modeled after any commercial brand.
On Nov. 23, 1955, Mound changed its name to Tonka Toys. The most popular Tonka truck of all, the Mighty Dump Truck, was introduced in 1965, initiating what has been called “A Mighty Age,” with the addition of the Mighty clam, crane, shovel, scraper, car carrier, bulldozer, wrecker, hydraulic dump, roller, bottom dump, mixer, loadmaster and grader.
The decade beginning in 1973 saw even more Mighty models, including the rescue vehicle, forklift, earthmover, adventure buggy and the Mighty Winnebago. Many collectors specialize in the fire engines, such as the suburban pumper, which came not only with ladders and hose reel, but a small metal hydrant to provide the water. The line continues to grow, with the recent additions of the Toughest Mighty Dump Truck and the Toughest Mighty Loader.
And indeed, the word “toughest” describes one of the secrets of the brand's success. These are vehicles that were built to last, using solid steel construction, combined with realism of proportion, detail and function, with impression chip-resistant surfaces provided by two coats of real truck enamel on all the steel toys. In addition, most Tonka Toys include strong axles that won't bend, even under the weight of a 200-pound adult.
Tonka Toys was purchased by Hasbro in 1991, and in 2001 ultimate recognition came when Tonka was inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame, joining the exclusive ranks of such icons as Mr. Potato Head, Barbie, G.I. Joe, Slinky, Silly Putty and the Hula Hoop.
Most sought after today are trucks made between 1947 and 1963. The following are some recent values quoted in “Schroeder's Collectible Toys Antique to Modern Price Guide”:
Big Mike hydraulic dump truck with snow plow, 1950s, V-shaped plow, 20 inches – $575.
Tonka Sanitary System truck, white garbage truck with black dump buckets, 17 inches – $525.
Linda Rosenkrantz has edited Auction magazine and authored 15 books, including “The Baby Name Bible” (St. Martin's Press; www.babynamebible.com). She cannot answer letters personally.
© Copley News Service
