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Tonka Gas Turbine Trucks ID Guide
Narrowing the year of production can be a daunting challenge for the collector/enthusiast of most any collectible. Tonka trucks can be especially challenging. There's not a manufacturing date code to be found. If the truck is still in the box, there may be a manufacturing date "for the box" imprinted on the box that will help, but the vast majority of Tonka trucks became separated from the box right after the birthday candles were blown out or the Christmas wrapping paper was torn to shreds. In addition to all the pictures you will find on this website to help you identify the year a "GAS TURBINE" truck was manufactured, this ID Guide may still come in handy.
Something too one needs to keep in mind, change over dates from one model year to the next were sort of like moving targets. A contributing factor was component inventory. If it could be used, it was used, creating interesting variations.
OBSERVATION: Ever noticed the "GAS TURBINE" stamped into either side of the cab? Ever noticed it missing? It's not a fluke. It does make for a variation but doesn't affect value. From time to time, the "GAS TURBINE" insert in the cab stamping die dulled with use. One would like to believe that extra inserts were always available. Apparently, that was not the case. Rather than have deformed and less than crisp lettering, the "GAS TURBINE" insert was pulled and a blank inserted. Down time was thus minimized and cab production numbers could be maximized. In 1970, "GAS TURBINE" was permanently removed from the cab.
TONKA LOGOS USED ON GAS TURBINE TRUCKS
| 1962-1969 | 1970-1973 | 1974-1975 | 1976-1977 |
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TIRE - SIDEWALL & WHEEL COVER COMBINATIONS
| 1965-1967 TX-500 Lifetime Tire with White Sidewall & Plain 5 Spoke Wheel Cover |
1968 TX-500 Lifetime Tire with White Sidewall & Ribbed 5 Spoke Wheel Cover |
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| 1969-1971 Flotation Tire with White Sidewall & Ribbed 5 Spoke Wheel Cover |
1972-1973 Flotation Tire with Billboard Sidewall & Ribbed 5 Spoke Wheel Cover |
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| 1974-1977 Deep Cleat Tire wrapped Around a "Modular" Wheel | TX-500 | Flotation | Deep Cleat |
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Tread width increased over the eleven year production run of Tonka's Gas Turbine trucks. Approximate tread width for the three tires is; TX-500 lifetime tire 19/32 inch , Flotation tire 29/32 inch and the Deep Cleat tire at 1 3/32 inch. Pretty impressive growth over the years. Remember too that the other trucks in the Regular series were fitted with the same tire, sidewall and wheel cover combinations so this guide will also help you identify the year of manufacture for them as well.
GRILLE & HEADLIGHT ASSEMBLIES
| 1965-1969 Grille & Headlight Assembly | 1970-1972 Grille & Headlight Assembly |
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| 1973-1975 Grille & Headlight Assembly | Grille Side Detail |
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