friction - Anything In Particular

1970s Tonka Friction Drive Semi Truck and Trailer Made in Japan

Jon Nix — Wed, 26 Oct 2022 21:06:15 +0000

Better known for their bright yellow and orange construction-themed toys, this is a slightly different Tonka product. This is a smaller, stylised truck and trailer which bears some of the obvious Tonka hallmarks - notably its absolutely bomb-proof construction - but some deviations. Most notable is that styling - it's got an almost futuristic look to it - and the friction-drive mechanism which is activated by first rolling the tractor unit until the revs build and then either pressing the button on the rear of it with your finger or attaching the trailer to it which engages the drive. And, away it goes... it many ways it seems to be a precursor or companion to the Clutch Popper style cars which Tonka produced, but it doesn't appear to have been branded under that label.

The truck and trailer together measure apprximately 20cm (8 in.) in length, with a height of 7.5cm (3 in.) and width of 7cm (2¾ in.)

In very good condition with some minor wear to some of the metal corners, to the plastics, and to the stickers, but overall in very good shape for a 40+ year old toy and a great example for the Tonka collector and the "Big Kid" alike.

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Wells Brimtoy Tinplate and Plastic Toy Cider Lorry Friction Drive

Jon Nix — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 14:08:27 +0000

A very collectable and colourful Wells Brimtoy Bedford cider lorry in tinplate and plastic. This is the friction-drive version of the toy and the mechanism is in pretty good shape, though could undoubtedly benefit from a clean and oil. The orange and yellow body of the truck is in very good, though aged, condition and the lorry's axles and wheels are good. There are some signs of surface rusting to the metal underside of the lorry, but nothing serious and certainly nothing that couldn't be gently cleaned off

A cute gift for the cider drinker perhaps or as a decorative bar item, or for the collector of either Wells Brimtoy toys specifically or of toy vehicles in general. It's a good example. The lorry measures about 8cm (3¼ in.) long, about 5.5cm (2¼ in.) at its highest and 4cm (1½ in.) wide.

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Large Plastic Vintage Friction Drive Mercedes 300SL Gull Wing Coupe

Jon Nix — Wed, 20 Mar 2019 17:09:19 +0000

An unusally large Mercedes 300Sl toy car with working friction-drive action. The car is unbranded but seems to be of some considerable age - its similarity to other items and the particular model of car (the "gull wing" doored coupe) leads us to believe it was made as early as the mid-1950s to 1960s. Most likely its origins are in Hong Kong.

The car is presented in a bright green colour, but at some point it was at least partially painted. There are remnants of silver paint on the grille and bumpers, so it's likely that there was silver detailing to the car when it was brand new. There are signs throughout that this was a much-loved and much-used toy which has quite a few miles on the clock but the relatively soft plastic body has resisted cracking and other damage. The wheels turn smoothly and the friction-drive mechanism is good and produces a satisfying sound in use.

The car measures approximately 26cm (10 in.) long and 11cm (4½ in.) wide, with a height of around 7cm (3 in.).

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Wells Brimtoy Tinplate and Plastic Friction Drive Trucks

Jon Nix — Thu, 27 Sep 2018 16:56:09 +0000

Very cute and decorative - but also functioning - tinplate and plastic toy lorries made in the 1950s by Wells Brimtoy. One is an Esso Oil Tanker in nice red and white livery and the other is a Borough Council Cleaning truck in light blue and white colours. Both are friction-drive models and the mechanisms are sound, albeit possibly benefitting from grease.

Would suit a collector or as part of a quirky shelf display - they really do look great in the right environment. Both are in very good condition with only minor paint loss in places and the odd ding consistent with their age.

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