Tonka Garage Mod Machines

Having broken a number of toy cars, while playing mechanic, Sandy was delighted to be unleashed on a tent full of toys specifically designed to avoid the need for superglue and days spent on the shelf.

The Tonka Mod Machines system features three different sized vehicles, each available in difference guises such as pick up trucks or sporty 4x4s. The freewheeling, push along DX5 (£9.99) is the basic model, the medium sized DX9 has a “pull back and go” action (£14.99), and the DX14 has a two speed removable motorised engine (£24.99). Also available is the remote controlled Ricochet (£99.99) which can flip over and continue to drive upside down, and raise and lower its suspension.

The common feature of the cars in the Mod Machines range is that parts, such as wheels, lights, bodywork and even engines, are interchangeable. Sandy seemed more interested in changing tyres (the thing that has most frustrated him about his other car toys) rather than modifying the body work and was more than happy playing with the smallest DX5 model – although he did like using the tools provided “just like a real mechanic”. 

Older children at the launch were either fighting over the remote control for the Ricochet or busy poaching bits from each other to create all sorts of weird and wonderful custom vehicles and were somewhat more excited by the larger, more complex models. This would suggest the toys could be used for years to come. The only drawback I could see was that you would need to buy a number of models to have the parts to interchange and create the different shapes.  Tonka toys were around when I was a lad and I remember them to have been of almost indestructible metal construction. These new models are lighter weight and plastic but seemed pretty solid and durable nonetheless.

Aside from the new toys, Sandy had a fantastic day watching the drag racing, especially one unbelievably loud car that I thought would make my ears bleed. Luckily the Tonka sponsored children had been given ear protectors. Presumably the other spectators were regulars and lost their hearing years ago. 

Tonka Garage Mod Machines are available from Amazon – please click the links below:

Tonka MOD Machines System DX5 4X4 Vehicle
TONKA MOD MACHINES DX9 PICKUP
Tonka Mod Machines System Dx14 Semi-hauler T
onka Ricochet Radio Controlled Car