First off…if the seller doesn’t provide good photos and you are doubtful…stay away! Very few Tonkas are so rare that they won’t come around again.
The first thing that I look at is the rivet that holds the bumpers in place. Tonkas originally had steel rivets and aftermarket aluminum rivets do not have the same look. Also…the business end i.e. the hidden side, should be a clean round finish. I have yet to see a Tonka with a poorly applied rivet.
Look for “divots” in the paint finish. Some restorers do not make the effort to fill the effects of corrosion and the finished toy will show an uneven surface.
Cabovers…there was always an area that was unpainted. These toys were dipped and an air bubble would usually leave a bald area in the underside of the cab.
Color! Know your colors as refinished toys might not have the exact color match.
Decals…familiarize yourself with the correct decal for the model year…http://www.neatoldtoys.com/id.htm
Ask the seller!
