Tonka: Willow Prototypes and Pre-Production Toys

Tonka: Willow Prototypes and Pre-Production Toys
hardcopy prototype Willow
Rin Raziel primed unproduced hardcopy prototype from the Willow Tonka action figure line.

We recently received a collection of vintage Tonka Willow prototypes and memorabilia from a former Executive! The Willow figure pictured above is just a small sample of the collection.  The collection also included pre-production mock-ups, hardcopies, first shots, test shots, engineering pilots, unproduced & unreleased prototype toys, and more!

Willow Prototype Toys for Sale

Queen's Throne wax mock-up Willow
Queen’s Throne unproduced wax mock-up from the Willow Tonka action figure line.

If you would like to sign up to be notified when our Willow goes up for sale click here.  This includes hardcopy prototypes and paint masters of virtually every figure made.  Also included are unproduced figures that were canceled such as a horseback Arik Thaughbaer and Madmartigan with 2 swords, sorceress Rin Raziel, Franjean’s hawk, and best the Queen’s Throne.  Also, the collection includes bagged samples and loose final engineering pilot samples of most figures.  Even better it included wax and wooden mock-ups including the Chariot and the Queen’s Throne.

About Tonka Willow Action Figure Toys

Willow wooden mock-up prototype
Chariot wooden mock-up from the Willow Tonka toy line.

Willow is a 1988 fantasy drama produced by George Lucas.  Tonka acquired the rights and went all in on the toy production, while the film was not a flop, it was not a knock-out Tonka was expecting.  The toys were immobile and set in the 2-3” scale.  They had a very good price point, which is what Tonka was shooting for.

Willow Prototype Process

hardcopy prototype Willow
Madmartigan unproduced hardcopy prototype from the Willow Tonka action figure line.

Check out the article that I wrote with the former Director of R&D and Engineering at Tonka. So, if you would like to read about the Willow prototype process at Tonka, click here.

Vintage Willow Prototype Toy Buyers

Queen's Throne hardcopy prototype Willow
Queen’s Throne unproduced hardcopy prototype from the Willow Tonka action figure line.

If you’re looking to sell vintage prototype toys, then Wheeljack’s Lab is a vintage toy buyer for you.  We would love to buy or take a look at your old toy collection. Wheeljack’s Lab has been buying and selling used toys for three decades. We offer immediate communications, advance payment, and prepaid shipping. If the collection warrants, we will even pick up your collection! Toy quotes are given the same day. We will be certain to give your old toys new homes with people who greatly appreciate them as you did. So, sell your vintage toys with us.

hardcopy prototype Willow Tonka
Franjean’s Hawk unproduced hardcopy prototype from the Willow Tonka action figure line.

Author: Chris Ingledue 

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Bio: I am the founder and owner of Wheeljack’s Lab pop Culture and Toy Shop. My vision has always been to reunite customers with their favorite childhood toys and pop culture, triggering fond memories, and reigniting their imaginations. Every day, I work in the “lab” where it’s Christmas 365 days a year. I scour the internet, like when we had the Sears Catalog of yesteryear, for the next great treasure. Then, I await the arrival of the postman as if he were Santa Claus himself and helping collectors worldwide with their own versions of Christmas. Every day as a vintage toy buyer is an absolute joy!

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