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Private Label Mighty Tonka Trucks Page 2
 1978 Mighty Chevron Tow Truck |
 1979 Mighty Chevron Emergency Service Vehicle |
Tonka and Chevron has a working relationship that lasted from 1976 through 1982. Over this period of time, Tonka manufactured seven trucks with Chevron colors and graphics that were sold by Chevron distributors and service stations. Of the seven trucks, two were from the Mighty series. In 1978, Tonka took a #3915 Mighty Tow Truck and produced the #4195 Mighty Chevron Tow Truck. In 1979, a #3954 Mighty Off-Road Adventure Buggy evolved into a #4182 Chevron Emergency Service Vehicle. Typically, private label trucks are produced in small quantities, say 1000 or less. Chevron appears to buck the trend. In a November 1998 article written by Tonka historian Lloyd Laumann for "Toy Trucker & Contractor" magazine, he states that 185,538 of the Emergency Service Vehicle were produced. I think we all know now why sellers on auction websites like eBay don't get the big bucks for their Tonka/Chevron trucks.
 1974 Mighty Mixer for Sears |
The Euclid green mixer to the left was manufactured for and sold exclusively by Sears. Available in 1974 only, the mixer stands out in a crowd of typical #3950 Mighty Tonka Cement Mixers because it has one rear axle instead of two. The box carried the Sears stock number of 49-58043 in addition to the Tonka model number. This private label mixer can be found on page 580 of the 1974 Sears Wish Book at a cost of $14.47. |
The mixer below also appears to meet at least two of the Sears mixer criteria in that it does have only two axles and it's with the correct Sears packaging. What it doesn't have is the SCUFF GUARD bumper/grille that was new in 1973 and prominently displayed on the 1974 Sears mixer. It also has the steel front bumper with embossed bumper pads that was new for 1972 and the tires are blow molded Mighty balloon with smooth sidewalls used from 1967 through 1971. Was the two axle Mighty Mixer sold through Sears prior to 1974?
 1972? Mighty Mixer for Sears. Courtesy Robert Burford |
 Courtesy Robert Burford |
I believe the answer is yes, sort of. A review of the 1971 and 1972 Sears Christmas catalogs shows that the Euclid green, 2 axle mixer was not available. In fact,there were no Mighty Tonka trucks in the catalogs period. It appears Nylint was under contract with Sears to supply very similar "Mighty Tonka like" pressed steel trucks. I do not have access to a 1973 Sears Christmas catalog to determine if Nylint was still the sole supplier of "Mighty Tonka like" trucks or if Nylint finally had some competition.
I would put forth the theory that Tonka ran limited quantities of the pre 1974 version and Sears sold them only in retail stores to gauge consumer response, not only for the mixer, but the Tonka brand in general. The floor is open for your feedback as to the origins of the 1972? two axle, Sears Mighty Mixer. Ex Tonka and/or Sears employees. Let me hear from you.
 1991 Mighty Duke Power Truck |
 1991 Mighty Georgia Power Truck |
 1991 Mighty Alabama Power Truck |
Featured just above and to the left are three examples of Mighty Power Line trucks manufactured in 1991 from tooling (plastic injection molds and steel stamping dies) originally used in 1978 and the early 1980's. Tonka ran trucks for Alabama Power, Duke Power and Georgia Power in the company's colors and graphics. These trucks were not sold but presented to employees and/or vendors in recognition of service or performance. Production records indicate approximately 100 trucks were made for Alabama Power, approximately 2500 for Duke Power and approximately 3000 for Georgia Power. NOTE: Many sellers will list these Mighty Power Line trucks as made in 1978 because the year is displayed on the undercarriage. The date, however, is recognition of the year the design of the part was copyrighted. |