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1957 Tonka Toys Private Label United Van Lines Semi Truck and Trailer
1957 Tonka Toys Private Label United Van Lines Semi Truck and Trailer
Tonka created partnerships with many different businesses to come up with Private Label versions of their toys. While these toys are not shown in the Look Books or lookbooks for 1957 there were several different Private labels trucks produced. These truck have become valuable to collectors in terrific condition like the example shown on this page. The problem most private label trucks have is the large decal used on most of these become yellow and brittle and damage easily. Also because of their limited number, many private label trucks used paint which was inferior to the normal Dupont "Dulux" paint that was baked on to the production trucks. The most notable example of poor paint is the silver color used to paint the top of the United Van Lines Semi Trailer shown below which is about the best looking truck ever produced by Tonka Toys, and one of the most difficult to produce. Another example is the entire trailer for the Red Owl Private Label Tonka from the same period. These are always found with some paint deterioration.

Note the compicated graphics and painting on the back door detail photo above.



What is actually a rebranded 1957 Number 34 Thunderbird express type truck
bright big and handsome, it holds a huge load of freight. Authentic, full-size rear doors open wide to make loading and unloading easy." Landing gear" supports trailer when Is uncoupled. 24 inches long, eight in three-quarter inches high, 6 inches wide.
 
 

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Do you have Tonka Toys to sell? Please Contact me at Micah@tonkatoys.com