1956 Tonka Toys Prototype Kroger Private Label Semi and Trailer
This is a Beautiful example of the 1956 Kroger Private Label Tonka Toy Truck.  This truck was produced as a prototype for the Kroger Executives to decide which pressed steel toy company they wanted to contract to produce a production truck for them, unfortunately Tonka Toys did not the business and it went to Dunwell instead. Dunwell produced toys similar in construction to Vintage Tonka Toy Trucks from the same time period.  It is believed there were only 50 of these trucks originally created. They made lines of trucks and trailer that were confusingly similar to the sets Tanka Toys was producing. Here is a photo of a Dunwell boxed set, remarkably similar to a Tonka Fleet set.
It is interesting to note that this truck has a 1957 Cab and a 1956 Body, as the 1957 truck would have had a hood scoop on it. The 1957 cab has straight lined front window pillars as this truck does, but the 1956 truck has thicker angled window posts seen in the 1954-1956 truck made by Tonka at the time.
This side shot really shows the beauty of these terrific toys trucks, it is no wonder Vintage Tonka Toys Trucks have become a popular item to collect.
1956 Vintage Tonka Toys Semi Truck Prototype Kroger Private Label Semi and Trailer
Do you have Tonka Toys to sell? Please Contact me at Micah@tonkatoys.com