Structo, Tonka, and Buddy L

Nostalgia is often the inspiration for a collection. Most toy collectors have fond memories of hours of playtime spent with their Structo, Tonka, or Buddy L trucks. Here are some time lines to help you figure out when your toys may have been made:

STRUCTO

• 1908: Structo Toy Company was formed in Freeport, Illinois



Early Structo

• 1915: Model Building Sets (the original Erector Sets) - These extremely successful engineering kits were designed as an educational toy. Kids could start out making simple structures and work their way up to complicated, intricate bridges and buildings.
• 1918: The Ready Built Line was introduced; it included steel cars, trucks, tractors, and other vehicles.
• 1923: We first see model-kit toy vehicles such as the Model T, which came with shifting gears and a real hand crank.
• 1932: The mechanized toy line was changed over to a stamped steel push toy line - these were more affordable during the hard times of the 30’s.
• 1942: Structo converted to war production and made shells, armor, and storage tanks.
• 1945: Structo built a new production line that produced toys with rubber wheels, opening hoods, and headlight details. These post-WWII toys were usually painted bright, cheerful colors.
• 1975: Structo was purchased by the Ertl Company, best known for their plastic model kits of tractors, plows, and other farm equipment.

Tonka

TONKA

• 1946: Mound Metalcraft started in Mound, Minnesota with the intention of producing garden tools. The former inhabitant of their building had attempted to make miniature metal toy vehicles but had failed and closed. The founders decided to make a little money on the side and started producing a steam shovel and a crane. The first year they sold 37,000 units.
• 1949: The Tonka dump truck is introduced.
• 1955: Mound Metalcraft changed their name to Tonka Toys, Inc. (Tonka is a Dakota-Sioux word meaning “big” or “great”) and moved into a new manufacturing facility to accommodate the increasing demand for their product.
• 1963: The Mini Tonka series was launched.
• 1964: We first see the Mighty Tonka dump truck which launched the very successful Mighty Tonka series. These are extremely collectible - especially the 1964-1972 lines. The original 1964 Mighty Tonka dump (which weighed 11 lbs) has a decal on the nose of the cab that says “Tonka” - this is the only year this decal appeared in this location. 
• 1991: Tonka was purchased by Hasboro.
• 2001: Tonka trucks were inducted into the National Toy Hall of Fame.

Early Buddy L

BUDDY L

• 1921: The owner of Moline Pressed Steel Company (which primarily manufactured automobile fenders and other metal auto body parts) decided to make a durable toy truck for his son, Buddy L. He made an all-steel miniature truck made from 18 and 20 gauge steel scavenged from the company’s scrap pile.
• 1927: There were almost fifty toys in the Buddy L line including: trucks, dump trucks, trains, fire apparatus, concrete mixers. cranes, dredges, etc.

  

  Wooden Buddy L
  

• WWII: Due to the demand for steel, Buddy L started producing wood toys.
• Post-WWII: Buddy L experimented with plastics but returned to metal, although in a lighter gauge.

The most valuable Buddy L collectibles are the heavy pre-war models. The right piece in the right condition can be worth thousands of dollars.

Come down and check out our dealers’ assortment of Structo, Tonka, and Buddy L toys, you never know what sort of bargains you may find!