Holsum Bakery Metro Van

Tonka manufactured its first Holsum metro van in late 1955 or early 1956. The van was painted bright reddish orange with several very colorful decals. The wheelcovers are the round hole design. At this time, it's unknown what the decal on the rear doors looked like. Sometimes a Tonka logo decal was affixed to the bottom of the van. Additionally, not all private label vans had Tonka logo decals on the bottom, nor did all regular production. Holsum metro vans were sold in Holsum outlet stores in Florida and some may have been given to employees as well.

Metro #1 below was manufactured in 1957 and is original and unretouched. The story goes that this 1957 variation was designed specifically for select Holsum bread van drivers as some type of award.

In keeping with good materials management, Tonka used available good stock to minimize excess inventory. In this case, Tonka used a white Model #24 Rescue Squad metro, repainted it Holsum's reddish orange and added the correct graphics. The metro does appear to be sort of cobbled together with metal plugs (actually metro headlights) filling the holes for the siren on the nose and the flasher on the roof.

Note the grille area is painted silver. A very unique touch. Also visible are the round hole wheelcovers Lloyd Laumann mentioned in his article that "should" be on the 1957 Holsum metro. Photos of this metro not presened on this website show the underside painted white and white overspray on the interior.

A significant difference between this Holsum metro and featured metro #2, is the decal on the lower portion of the rear doors. Metro #2 has a loaf of bread as part of the graphic design. Metro #1 has a dinner roll box.

This 1957 variation of the Holsum metro is documented in a 1996 article written, with a supporting photo, by Barb Desalle for American Toy Collector magazine.

Value: This featured Holsum metro failed to meet the seller's reserve of $6500 USD and did not sell on eBay, April 2007

Value: This featured metro was relisted and sold for $3500 USD in early May 2007

Value: This featured metro was relisted by the same seller. It was bid to $2024 USD but did not meet the seller's reserve in late May 2007.

Value: This featured metro was relisted by the same seller. It was sold on eBay for $2020 USD in early June 2007.

Holsum Bakery Metro #1

Holsum metro #2 featured below, was manufactured in the 1959/1960 time frame. Please note this metro van has wheelcovers with triangle holes that were new to Tonka trucks in 1959. According to the original owners family, the metro van, as photographed, is as it was received in 1960.

Value: This featured metro was sold on eBay for $2855 USD in October 2006

Holsum Bakery Metro #2

The entire metro; top, sides and bottom; was painted reddish orange. However, Tonka did not apply the same quality standard when painting the inside of metros. Whatever overspray that happened to land on the inside surfaces was deemed sufficient. Note the surface rust just past the embossed aluminum step.

Featured above are two original and untouched Holsum vans purchased by Billy Porter from the original owners family. The original owner was given the vans to commemorate his 30 years with Holsum in 1960. He received two vans, one for each of his daughters. According to the original owners family, the vans actually got some play time before being tucked away for a number of years. Since this picture was taken, Mr. Porter privately sold the Holsum metro on the left. He also sold the Holsum metro on the right on eBay and happens to be Metro #2 featured above. Both vans have the triangular holes in the wheelcovers as is typical of specific 1959/1960 Tonka trucks.

In an article written by author and Tonka historian Lloyd Laumann in the April 1990 issue of Toy Trucker & Contractor magazine, Lloyd states the wheelcovers on the 1957 Holsum van have 5 round holes. What I find intriquing about the article is the photo featured. The article was written about a 1957 Holsum metro. Apologies are given because the 1957 Holsum metro in the photo has triangle holes in the wheelcovers. Was the photo in reality, a 1959/1960 issue?

This presentation of the Holsum metro van has undergone several changes as more information has come to light. I appreciate the input from Tonka enthusiasts Richard Gresh, Bill Porter and others. Please continue to contribute your knowledge to insure accurate information is presented. Contact me here.

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