ya know, that's not a bad idea...I ended up with a truckload of not-very-valuable Tonka and Structo trucks. Would be interesting to test out some custom body work or paint on 'em. As a kid I had a similar Wrecker, but it was the slightly later 68-72 GMC style. I wanted to repaint it and replace the broken plastic headlights...got as far as taking it apart and stripping down to bare metal. 30 years later I found it in a paper bag when cleaning out Mom's attic. Even back then I could never finish a project!!
I've got that same truck that someone painted the whole thing green, tires and all. It'd be a perfect candidate for dropping. I've found a few online part sources for Tonka vehicles. I haven't ordered from any of them yet though and would love to hear which ones are great to deal with. Here's just one I've looked at: https://www.toydecals.com/tonka_parts.htm
I would think if a parts supplier is on Ebay with a good rating, they should be ok. If you are missing hubcaps, I made moon disks using the bottoms of aluminum soda cans. The blackwall wheel hubcaps pry out of the rubber tires (soak in warm water). With the whitewalls, you have to carefully pry the whitewall out of the tire to remove the hubcap.
I like to customize (play with ) the rough ones Too. Here's two Roadster pickups I did. Ron... Sent from my SM-G920P using The H.A.M.B. mobile app
20190103_202155~2 by caseywheels posted Jan 4, 2019 at 7:57 AM 20190103_202207~2 by caseywheels posted Jan 4, 2019 at 7:57 AM 20190103_202304 by caseywheels posted Jan 4, 2019 at 7:57 AM
I have restored a bunch of first generation Hot Wheels. I have found that you may get lucky with kiddie painted items by simply dropping them in water for a day or so. Sometimes that extra paint will float off because it is rare that a kid would do actual surface prep. Best of luck with it!
Latest custom TONKA. Short box conversion…I shortened the wheelbase and moved the rear fenders ahead 9/16”…also moved the axle holes up to lower it!
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