1979 Tonka Toys Australian Distributor Catalog

Added to website early 2014

By the mid 1970's, Tonka had distribution facilities in Australia, Belgium, Canada, Japan, Netherlands, United Kingdom, West Germany and of course the United States. The 1979 Australian Distributor catalog features Tonka trucks warehoused and distributed by Tonka in New South Wales Australia. The Australian distribution center is not to be confused with the Tonka New Zealand manufacturing facility.

Tonka Mites were new to the USA market in 1978 and available through Tonka's Australian distributor in 1979. 17 different Mites models, individually blister packed, were available to be master packed in various ratios as the #140 Mites assortment.

13 models made up the Tiny series in 1979 and included model #535 Dump, #636 Car Carrier, #695 Lowboy and Dozer, #900 Gulf Tanker, #905 Commuter Airplane, #924 Lear Jet, #928 Horse Van, #929 Highway Van, #945 Helicopter, #946 Racer Transport, #995 Tractor & Stake Wagon, #1015 Goodyear Race Set and the #1016 Airport Set.

14 models made up the Midi series in 1979. The same models manufactured in Mound were assigned to the Compact series. The Midi series included #1383 Tow Truck, #1384 Pickup Truck, #1385 Dump Truck, #1386 Fire / Rescue Truck, #1387 Hot Pickup with Dirt Bike, #1388 Pepsi Bottle Truck, #1391 Flying Tigers Helicopter, #1393 Loader, #1395 Lowboy & Dozer, #1396 Pickup & Race Car, #1397 Pickup & Boat, #1399 Bobcat, #1400 Flying Tigers Helicopter Set and #1405 Airborne Rescue Set.

The Mini Tonka series had 16 models and included the #1830 Dump Truck, #1835 Tow Truck, #1840 Mixer, #1865 Pickup & Horse Trailer, #1887 Loader, #1933 Indy Racer, #1934 Car Carrier, #1944 Dozer with Roll Cage, #1947 Grader, #1948 Military Transport with Radar Trailer, #1950 Custom Van, #1989 Military Jeep Vehicle, #1997 Safari Set, #2002 Van & Camper Set, #2003 TV News Van Set and the #2005 Indy Race Team.

The series that started it all, Regular. 15 models made up the Regular series and they included #2315 Dump, #2352 Loader, #2465 Tandem Axle Dump, #2510 Grader, #2534 Trencher, #2635 Tanker, #2710 Tractor & Wagon, #2845 Car Carrier, #2950 Snorkel Pumper, #2953 Hot Pickup with Spare Tire, Super Jack & Dirt Bike, #2956 Jeep CJ, #2958 Log Truck, #2960 Aerial Ladder, #2961 Bulldozer and the #3000 Back Country Explorer Set.

The last series presented in the catalog is the Mighty. 9 models were available and they were the #3900 Dump, #3907 Bulldozer, #3915 Wrecker, #3920 Loader, #3940 Crane, #3945 Grader, #3954 Off-Road Adventure Buggy includes Spare Tire, Super Jack & Gas Can, #4920 Hard Hat and the #4997 Fireman Hat.