1956 Tonka Minute Maid Delivery Box Truck Restoration
The Tonkas from the 1950s have always been my favorite toys to restore, and today I finally completed this Tonka restoration project, a 1956 Tonka Minute Maid Delivery Box Van Truck.
The Tonka company only manufactured this type of box truck for two years, 1955 and 1956, and it was also the first time Tonka produced a toy having a “private label” like Minute Maid. Therefore, this truck is very rare in the market, and it is even more difficult to find a suitable one to restore.
The Tonka company produced a different model of these Minute Maid trucks for each year. The most significant differences are with the front bumper, grill, and headlights. In the 1955 model, the grill and bumper are made of one piece, and the headlights are metal. In the 1956 model, the grill and bumper are two separate pieces and the headlights are plastic. Another interesting difference between the two involves the box of the van. In the 1955 model, the floor of the box is made of wood, while in the 1956 model, the floor of the box is made of steel that is welded to the rest of the box making it all one piece. There are also slight differences in the embossing on the outer box walls of the two models.
During this project there were three main challenges I ran into during the restoration process.
Firstly, since this is the 1956 model, and the top and bottom of the box are both welded together, rust removal and powder coat painting were much more difficult. It doesn't come apart, so it was difficult to get inside to do a good job of cleaning and painting those surfaces in such tight quarters.
The second challenge was replacing the riveting between the box and the chassis. Since there is no special rivet tool to do this kind of rivet, I had to use a chisel and a hammer to fix them. It would have been so much easier with a standard rivet gun, but the protruding pin/mandrel heads of the rivets would be exposed on the floor of the box which would have really affected the appearance.
The third challenge was the production of two new back doors for the van box as they were missing. I wanted to buy two replacement doors but just couldn't find the correct size, they were all too big, so I decided to just make a new set myself. Producing the doors went pretty smoothly. I used index cards to make door test samples to insure in advance the size and accuracy of the door. I had to be very careful and exact about the gap I left between the doors and the door frame to account for the thickness of the powder paint coating. I wanted them to be tight and look good, but to also work well too! It would be really hard delivering all that orange juice without van doors that work! With some effort I was able to build the doors so that the gap was eliminated, but they still open and close freely. They came out perfect!!
I hope you enjoyed this restoration. It's a really neat toy with lots of history, and it came out looking great!
As always, thanks so much for watching and feel free to tell me what you think in the comments below.
If you like my videos, I would really appreciate a thumbs up and hitting the subscribe button!
#restoration #tonka #minutemaid #DIY
Пікірлер: 374
I can spend my life watching these works over and over again and I never get mad👍
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment! I should do better and never stop. 👍👍🎉🍻😄
Thank you for the break from the craziness in the world.
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your wonderful comment!!!👍👍🎉
I really like your work, makes me wish I had that on my shelf, brings back old memories to this 75 year old man.👍
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it and thank you so much!!!👍👍🎉 🎉👏👏😄
OHHH , THE TOY TRUCK GETS A NEW LIFE , ❤️ , ❤️ BEAUTIFUL ❤️
@ar_restoration
11 ай бұрын
Thank you so much! 🎉🎉🎉👍👍👍
Back when there wasn't 331 million people in the country it was possible to make toys out of hard metals like that
@ar_restoration
2 ай бұрын
You know that starting in 1970s the booming of the plastic toys ruined the metal toys…😕
Extraordinary craftsmanship, especially the fabrication of the rear doors, they look possibly better than factory.
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment!👍🎉👍🎉👍🎉
Brought back some good old memories.Thanks a lot. ❤️❤️❤️ From Kerala, India .
My favorite part of your videos is pounding the dents out!
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much！👍🎉🌹
Nice fabrication there!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your compliment!👍
Really good technique.
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your compliment and comment!!!👍😊
You should have the Yay and applause sound when you start sandblasting, that is my favorite part!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! 😊 I will consider it :-)
Wow! This was amazing! It was fascinating to watch you restore this box truck to better-than-new condition. It looks fantastic! Your ingenuity, creativity, craftsmanship, and attention to detail is top-notch! I am a huge fan of your works already, and I have only begun watching your videos (three so far). I am excited to see more of your work! Thank you for putting a smile on my face, and joy in my heart!!
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed my videos! Thank you so much for your wonderful comment!!!👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉👍👍👍🍻😄
Your skills are amazing. The fabrication of the doors was spot on. These videos are so relaxing for me.
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
Glad you like them and thank you for the wonderful comment!
Your problem solving skills, craftsmanship, and attention to detail are wonderful!! That is a great truck to add to your collection! Very nicely done!!🥰🥰😃❤❤👍👍🍊🍊🍊🍊🍊🥂🥂
@ar_restoration
3 ай бұрын
Thank you very much for your wonderful comment!👏👏👏🎉🎉🎉👍👍👍
Oh, that was so awesome! I loved watching the process, and was delighted with the finished restoration! The little worker unloading the boxes at the end was an adorable way to showcase this project. Absolutely wonderful!!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you like it.Thank you for the wonderful comment!!!
@mikesilva3868
2 жыл бұрын
@@ar_restoration are you gonna restore a tonka dump truck that would be cool 🤗
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
@@mikesilva3868 yes, I will do it, I have a Tonka State Highway Dept dump truck ... I am looking for only a replacement part, I would do it immediately once this part was found😊🙏
@mikesilva3868
2 жыл бұрын
@@ar_restoration cool 😊
@PreservationEnthusiast
2 жыл бұрын
Amazing to see what can be done. When these and similar come in with a clearance lot I just flatten them with a hammer and add it to the metal pile.
I already saw this educational video, it had revamped/recalled or even resurrected my memory of when, Duane G. Shelton used to keep a toy metal Safeway 18 wheel reefer trailer and truck. He used to even keep a fluorescent orange, white and navy blue viynl plastic toy formula one race car. He kept those during the late 1970s, to the mid 2010s. 🏁
Good call on the mud flaps! Noticed them missing in other videos.
thanks for the orange juice. It tasty good. the juice man very handsome and the truck turn out very very good.
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your wonderful comment!!!🍊🍊🍊👍👍👍
You, sir, are a fine back door man
@ar_restoration
11 ай бұрын
Thank you very much!👍👍👍🎉🎉🎉
I’ll be honest, I half expected there to be nothing but holes under some of that rust!!! Fantastic job on the restoration!!! 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your wonderful comment and support!!!👍👍
Beautiful work. Better than when it was new. Especially with the power coat finish.
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your compliment and wonderful comment!!!👍👍🎉🍻😄
Magnifique , je ne savais pas que minute maid avait 56 ans 👍👍
@ar_restoration
10 ай бұрын
Many thanks!👏👏👍👍😄
you did a great job restoring the delivery truck.
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your compliment and comment!!!👍👍🎉🍻😄
Another Phenomenal Restoration!! Excellent Job my Friend! 👏👏👏👏
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
Thank you very much! Cheers!👍👍👍🎉🎉🎉🍻😄
Fantastic work great great finish......
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your compliment and comment!!!
Long live Minute Maid 🍊👌 👍
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Let’s enjoy to drink it forever 👍😊🍹
Brother, you need to contact the Minute Maid company and send them the video. This was top notch, bro!!!😁😁😁😁😁
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Good idea, I should do it, that will be the best Ad for them...👍👍🎉🎉😄
Outstanding job, especially with those rear doors. Excellent fabrication! 👍🏼
Excelente restauración de este camion Tonka Minute Maid Delivery Box del 1956, respetos desde Venezuela.💯🤜🔥🤛👍🙏💯💯
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your compliment and support as always!👍👍😊
@amilcarmoncada1801
2 жыл бұрын
@@ar_restoration 💯👍
Great work! Looks like it just came off the factory.
@ar_restoration
10 ай бұрын
Thank you so much!👏👏🎉🎉👍👍
my blood pressure is reduced. thanks. nice work
This is not restoration, This is creating a work of art!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
👍👍Thank you for your great comment!!!👍👍🍻
Nicely done. Great door construction.
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! 👍👍🙏
Super work on getting the dents out! I could not believe what great shape the hubcaps were in relation to how the rest of the truck was. Was also eased to see the original style of art restored on the truck.
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your compliment and comment!!!
Really good video,enjoyed,reminds me of childhood,drinking Minute Maid orange 🍊 juice 😎😎😎👍👍👍
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
It's my pleasure, thank you so much!
Someone send this vid to Minute Maid, maybe there will be some compensation for the free advertising. Very well deserved. Liked and Subscribed.
I could taste the orange juice at the end. 😎👍🏻🍊
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
That's sweet🍊cheers!
Great work mate
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!
Awesome Job, really enjoyed it great video!!!!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you like it, and thank you so much!!!
와우!!!!!! 섬세하고 디테일한 작업 너무 멋지네요!!!!!❣ 좋은영상 잘 봤어요^^!! 당신의 채널이 더욱 성공하길!!!!! 🇰🇷👏👏👏👏👏
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
멋진 댓글과 칭찬 정말 감사합니다!!!
Great job on 1956 tonka delivery box truck restoration amazing restoration 💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕💕
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much and cheers!!!🍻 👍👍😊
Really wonderful
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! 👍🎉
Nice job making those doors. Always like watching your transformations.
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your comment!👍👍
Excellent! 👍🏻 📸 Liked how you handled those doors! Great work. 👍🏻😎🇨🇦
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
I first made the door with thin card paper to ensure the size and accuracy of the door, and also consider the thickness of the powder coating paint, leaving a little gap to ensure that the door can be opened easily after installation. Thank you for the comment!!!👍👍
Looks really good beautiful and colorful
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you like it, thank you for the compliment and comment!👍🎉
Beautiful job. !!!!! Love the flaps and delivery. 👍
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!!👍😊
You didn’t TRY to make new doors; you DID make new doors. Excellent job!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
To be honest, I was really not sure if I could do it well, but final I made it. Thank you so much for your wonderful comment!!!👍👍🎉
Stunning! Love the back doors!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!!!
That turned out awsome nice job👍👍👍👍👏👏👏👏
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much!👍👍😊
very,very nice.awsome work on building those doors.larry
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you Larry! Thank you for your compliment and comment!!!👍🎉🍻😊
Great work! You're an artist! That's a sweet toy truck! Cheers!😄👍🔧🛠️
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
Glad you like it. Thank you so much for your compliment and comment! Cheers!!!👍👍🎉🍻🧰👷♂️🎉
The restored truck looks great, and I especially enjoyed the vignette at the end.
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you so much for your comment!!👍👍
Looks great. I have a 50s style ten wheel dump truck that was my dads, has a hydraulic cylinder to lift the dump back.
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
That is a great toy and you should keep it another 50 years😊Thank you for the comment!!!👍👍
Fun to see. I had one of these when I was a kid. My favorite toy. Big, metal Tonka trucks were the best. Today's plastic vehicles just aren't as satisfying.
I can't believe what i just watched!! That was so freakin cool . You sir are very skilled. Subscribed
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your compliment and support!!!👍👍🎉😊
As usual, beautiful job! Thanks for sharing
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! 😊
Really loved this restoration. Very good job & really liked that U made minute maid boxes. KEEP UP the GOOD WORK - ur peeps R liken them!!!!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you like it, thank you so much for your compliment and wonderful comment!!!🎉👍🍻😊
Absolutely Amazing
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!👍🎉
Very professional. Good job.
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much! Cheer!!! 😊 🎉🎉🍻
Very cool tonka truck. Nice job
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thanks 👍
Nice job on the doors, great work
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your compliment!!!👍👍🎉🍻😄
Really enjoyed this.
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!!!
A superb job, especially making the new doors from scr
Old toys that were made to last for years on end. Back in the 60s, my dad bought my brother a Tonka truck for my eldest brother to play... A few years down the road, that same truck became the property of my other brother, who in turn gave it to another brother. Finally, a cousin of ours got the old warn beaten-up toy truck. Contrast this with today's toys that are not like the toys from the past. You barely touch the and they get busted up in two seconds flat.
Absolutely quality work. Looks better than new. Thumbs Up!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you like it. Thank you so much for the comment!!!👍👍
Beautiful work sir well done assume job nice work 👍👍👍👍👍
@ar_restoration
4 ай бұрын
Thank you so much! Cheers 🍻😄👍👍🎉🎉👏👏
That really did come out looking great. The doors were perfect, very satisfying to watch this! I love the paint job, beautiful color!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment!👍👍
@pedrocarrillo7995
2 жыл бұрын
@@ar_restoration dof
The making of the rear doors was terrific.
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!👍😊
Beautiful job.
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you! Cheers!
Absolutely beautiful restoration job. Great job on the back doors. Love the mud flaps.
Beauty....superb restoration.
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
Thank you for the compliment!!!👍👍🎉😄
Fantastic job.
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!👍👍🎉
Vraiment un très beau travail. C'est un plaisir de vous voir fabriquer les pièces manquantes. Et surtout le soucis du détail comme les pièces en caoutchouc en dessous de la caisse.
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your compliment and wonderful comment!!!👍👍🎉
Nice job!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!
У вас прекрасные работы!!!!!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!👍
Good my friend ❤❤❤
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you 👍🎉😊
Very nice
WOW 😲 amazing restoration
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
Wow Thank you！🎉🎉👏👏👍👍😊
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!👍👍🎉🎉👏👏
Looks great well done.
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you very much!👍👍
Cheers!!! This is beautifull done. AMAZING!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your compliment and comment!!!👍👍🎉🍻
Today you earned my subscription. You do Awesome work
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much! 👍👍You subscribing encourage me to do more restorations!!!
Well done 🇨🇦
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!👍🎉
С удовольствием подписалась на Ваш канал! Нравится, как вы бережно реставрируете винтажные игрушки. А короткий фильм с участием отреставрированной модели в конце ролика - вообще шедевр! Спасибо за доставленную радость от просмотра!
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
Thank you very much for your support and wonderful comment!!!👍🎉🍻😄
Excellent restoration job, truly excellent!! Well done!!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your compliment and support as always!!!👍👍
Super good job 👍 👍👍
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!👍🌹😊
Amazing work
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for your compliment!!!👍👍🎉
Excellent job mate as always looks great 👍
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you for the compliment and support as always!!!👍👍👍
Awesome restoration. Really enjoyed that video!!!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you like it, thank you so much!👍🎉
This is gorgeous!! Super impressed with the back doors. You do a really great job. Love the refreshing glass of orange juice at the end. You deserved it. Thank you so much for bringing these fine toys back to life. Cheers
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your compliment and wonderful comment!!!👍👍🎉🌹
Отличная работа!
EXCELLENT 👌👌👌👌
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!
Great video!!!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!
This one of your better videos. The making of the doors was genius. Thanks for sharing. 👍😁🇨🇱🇺🇸
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you so much for your wonderful comment!!!👍👍🙏🙏🎉🎉👏👏
Hola hola desde este rincon del mundo le saludo de verdad y como siempre ud se destaca ingenioso maravilloso como le quedo
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Me alegro de que te guste, gracias por el cumplido !!!
Very nice restoration!
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
Thank you so much!!!👍👍🎉
Well done!
What a shame this toy was neglected and not appreciated much....the wear on the tires says it all...they show minimal use....kid just was not interested much....glad to it in its full glory...aweso restoration
@ar_restoration
Жыл бұрын
Maybe it's been forgotten outdoors for many years…now it has a new life, thank you so much for your compliment and comment!!!👍👍🎉🍻
I really enjoyed this restoration!! Great job on the doors!!!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Glad you like it. Thank you for the comment!!!
Slow down the sandblasting dude, a lot of people find watching it extremely satisfying 😁
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
I understand, let me make some adjustments. Thank you!👍👍
Brilliant!
@ar_restoration
2 жыл бұрын
Thank you!!!👍👍🎉🎉👏👏