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Information on Old Tonka Trucks

Three men formed a partnership in 1946 in order to manufacture gardening tools. In 1947, they came up with the idea of making metal toy vehicles. They named the toys Tonka, from the Sioux-Dakota word meaning great. In 1955, the partnership became Tonka Toys, Incorporated.

Types
- Tonka trucks were produced as far back as 1947, but the most popular truck -- the Mighty Dump truck -- was not manufactured until 1964. This introduced the Mighty line of cranes, shovels, bulldozers and other vehicles. These are considered to be classics and are popular with collectors.
Price
- Prices for older Tonka trucks vary depending on the condition, scarcity and collector's interest. Toy collectors say that a collectible toy appreciates in value during the first 60 years of its life. Tonka trucks aren't quite that old in 2010, but asking prices for a pre-1980 Mighty Dump truck range from $100 to $600. Mint condition trucks with the original box fetch the highest prices.
Fun Fact
- The Winnifred Museum in Winnifred, Montana boasts what may be the largest Tonka Toy collection in the world. Over 3,000 Tonka toys are displayed in the museum.

Toy Vehicles