I have collected vintage metal toy trucks since I was small and it hasn't changed now that I am in my 50s. I used to gaze at the window displays many years ago in my favorite toy stores. I have done some research on the many uses that people have come up for the older metal toy trucks and it is amazing at the imagination that some people come up with. One of the uses for a large, old rusty toy stake truck is doubling as a plant holder with ivy flowing over the edge of the truck bed and down the shelf it was placed atop. During my younger days vintage toy trucks sold like hot cakes and they were one of my favorite items to buy. People making these displays don't mind rust, nicks, breaks, missing paint, windshields, headlights or grills, as those don’t necessarily detract from the truck's cool factor or function. And by function, I mean that they make the most practical displays!
Vintage toy dump trucks have the largest hauling capacity, but most 13 inch or larger pick-up trucks have beds that can hold and haul most anything from potpourri and candles, to snacks at a potluck lunch, to stacks of family photos or fireplace kindling. Smaller trucks are great for holding desktop office supplies or playing cards and dice. This little truck houses the game of concentration pieces. Check it out.
Vintage toy trucks also make the best candy dishes for individually wrapped pieces. Whether they are set out on display all the time or brought out just for the holidays, to fill with Easter eggs or Christmas ornaments, they are always great conversation pieces. Even the less-child-like/more-mature-style rooms of your home appear more friendly and welcoming with the addition of whimsy in the shape of a vintage toy.
When a white stake-bed truck isn’t hauling glitter trees for the holidays, it holds a juicy collection of tomato pincushions for a sewing nook.
Shopping for vintage trucks is pretty easy. But first set your dollar limit. Don’t spend more than $25 for a large 12 – 20 inch truck or more than $10 on a truck for a pincushion. If you’re willing to clean them up yourself and don’t mind a bit of wear and damage, you can usually find them through online auctions or vintage online shopping. With lower condition standards, you won’t be competing with high-spending collectors. But the best places for finding vintage toy trucks are flea markets. Most are found on the ground, under tables and out of view of most shoppers, so keep a look out!
Once you bring your grungy little find home, give it a good washing, allow it to dry well in the sun if possible and then if it still has a dry and lifeless look to it spray it with a good coat of glossy clear acrylic. This will bring out the vibrant color of the paint giving it a much friendlier look as if it were just waxed. Don’t skip over the tires, clear spray acrylic makes the rubber appear almost new. Here is a vintage Tonka truck that was very cheap and a great project.
Look how much better it looks with it’s shiny clear coat! This will be perfect for hauling audio/video remote controls on the coffee table of the family room.
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