Tonka ca. 1958 State Hi-Way Dept. Truck with Custom Trailer, and Ertl Case 688 Excavator Pressed Steel Toy *SOLD*

Tonka ca. 1958 State Hi-Way Dept. Truck with Custom Trailer, and Ertl Case 688 Excavator Pressed Steel Toy  

This is a vintage ca. 1958 pressed steel dual rear wheel State Hi-way Dept truck with custom goose-neck trailer and Ertl Case 688 excavator with box manufactured by Tonka Toys of Mound, Minnesota.  

The tires are rubber and say “Tonka Toys U.S.A.” The stickers on the sides of the cab are original and intact. The windshield is intact with small spider cracks by the driver’s side.  

Our example of this Tonka Toys State Hi-way Dept truck with trailer and Ertl Case 688 excavator is in excellent condition with no restorations, breaks, repairs, or touch ups. This piece shows the usual patina, fading, dust, chips, scuffs, surface rust, scratches, and wear that are to be expected from age and display. This is approximately 40” in length altogether, its massive. This would be a great addition to any pressed steel collection. We invite you to view the photos to further determine quality and condition.  

A brief history of Tonka Toys of Mound, Minnesota:  

Tonka was begun by Lynn Everett Baker, Avery F. Crounse and Alvin F. Tesch in 1946, but it didn’t start out as Tonka; instead Mound Metalcraft in 1946.   Tesch re-engineered some old toy concepts left by their building’s previous tenants, and dubbed the toys “Tanka,” which means “big” in Dakota Sioux tongue.