Tonka trucks with Allied Van Lines graphics are sort of an anomaly. On the one hand, the trucks were advertised in Tonka dealer catalogs and sold at typical toy retailers from coast to coast. On the other hand, the trucks were offered as premiums and distributed by Allied Van Lines as seen in this Allied ad from 1965. So are Allied trucks private label? While you ponder this thought provoking question, enjoy a few examples.

Tonka began its long licensing agreement with Allied in 1951 with the COE version. In 1954, the first round fender version was manufactured. The square fender variety was introduced in 1958 and ran through 1964. In 1965, Tonka changed scales from the "Regular" series to the "Mini-Tonka" series. Tonka historian Lloyd Laumann states in his book, "TONKA", that Tonka's relationship with Allied lasted 30 years (1951 - 1981). It should be noted that the last time the Allied semi is shown in a Tonka dealer catalog was 1969.

Value: An original, unretouched 1951/52 Allied semi, excellent condition with shiny paint, very few scratches, no box, sold on eBay for $677 USD in mid August 2007.

Value: The original, unretouched 1951/52 Allied semi featured just below, excellent condition with shiny paint, very few scratches, with excellent plus decals, no box, sold on eBay for $183 USD in early February 2008.

Value: An original, unretouched 1951/52 Allied semi in excellent condition with shiny paint, very few scratches, with excellent decals, no box, sold on eBay for $153 USD in early February 2009.

Original, unretouched 1951/52 Allied Van Lines semi

Slip lever latch detail on the rear doors

Value: The original, unretouched, near mint 1953 Allied semi featured just below, with mint decals and its box, sold on eBay for $525 USD in mid February 2008.

Value: An original, unretouched, 1953 Allied semi, cab in very good condition with many paint scuffs allowing surface oxidation, trailer in excellent condition, excellent decals on cab and trailer, no box, sold on eBay for $140 USD in early April 2008.

Value: An original, unretouched, 1953 Allied semi, cab in very good condition with paint scuffs allowing surface oxidation mainly along the edges of the roof and fifth wheel area, trailer in very good condition with typical played with scratches, missing landing gear (bracket is there), excellent decals on cab and trailer, no box, sold on eBay for $129 USD in late February 2009.

1953 Allied Van Lines semi mint with the box

The 1953 grille has 3 uneven length parallel horizontal recesses

Slip lever latch and graphics detail on the rear of the trailer

Value: The original, complete, unretouched 1954 Allied semi featured below with its box sold on eBay for $586 USD in early September 2008.

In 1954, the bottom of the cab side where the door would be is not flared as seen on this example

1954 and 1955 used the same grille. The difference is noted to the left

1954 trailer

The 1954 doors have handles

Value: An original, complete, unretouched United Cerebral Palsy Allied semi, excellent plus condition (with more paint missing than the featured semi), sold on eBay for $710 USD in late September 2007.

Value: An original, complete, unretouched United Cerebral Palsy Allied semi, excellent condition, paint scratches of side and front edge of roof, typical heavy paint loss on fifth wheel and saddle tanks, balance of paint shiny and near mint elsewhere on the cab and trailer, all decals near mint, no carton, sold on eBay for $650 USD in late April 2008.

Value: An original, complete, unretouched United Cerebral Palsy Allied semi, excellent condition, paint worn to metal on the front edge of roof, scratches elsewhre on the cab, typical heavy paint loss on fifth wheel and saddle tanks, balance of paint shiny and near mint elsewhere on the cab and trailer, all decals excellent to near mint, no carton, sold on eBay for $700 USD in late August 2008.

Hard to find in any condition is the 1955 Allied Van Lines semi used to collect donations for United
Cerebral Palsy. This variation of the Allied tractor trailer meets the criteria of a private label Tonka
as it was shipped by Allied to their dealer network and not available through typical toy outlets. The
trailer has retractable landing gear.

Slot through which a donation could be made

The floor is steel, not wood

Detail of an original, seldom if ever seen, latch seal securing the rear door
of the Cerebrel Palsy trailer. The seal appears to be lead, common for the
era. This seal has been "broken" from the back side.

Original, unretouched, 1955 Allied semi. This example is typical of the trucks sold at toy retailers. The 1954 and 1955 look very similar. A key identifier to distinguish the difference is the flare at the bottom of the cab side on the '55. The '54 does not have the flare.

Mint in the box, 1956 Allied semi

Value: The original, complete, unretouched 1957 Allied semi featured below with no box sold on eBay for $245 USD in early January 2010.

1957 Allied Van Lines semi

Value: The original, complete, unretouched 1958/59 Allied semi featured below with its box sold on eBay for $523 USD in mid September 2008.

Mint 1958/59 Allied semi. The best available information indicates the 1958 to be identical to the 1959

The 4 parallel ribs running front to back on the hood are unique to the 1958/59 model years

1958/59 rear trailer detail