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Chris's Collection: Pink Tonka Jeep model
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Sep 24, 2013
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Chris's Collection: Pink Tonka Jeep model
Chris Nichols is an editor at Los Angeles magazine, but he's also a walking encyclopedia when it comes to Southern California's history. Every so often he comes by and he brings in one of his treasures.
Chris Nichols of LA Magazine's Tonka Jeep model from 1962.
Chris Nichols of LA Magazine's Tonka Jeep model from 1962.
(
Michelle Lanz/KPCC
)

Chris Nichols is an editor at Los Angeles magazine, but he's also a walking encyclopedia when it comes to Southern California's history. Every so often he comes by and he brings in one of his treasures.

Chris Nichols is an editor at Los Angeles magazine, but he's also a walking encyclopedia when it comes to Southern California's history. Every so often he comes by and he brings in one of his treasures.

Today he brings in a pink Tonka Jeep. It was made around 1962, and it's a model based on a short-lived Jeep called the Surrey. Henry Kaiser built the HIlton Hawaiian Village and he wanted a vehicle that people could drive around the complex so they don't have to walk. 

When Elvis Presley made "Blue Hawaii" he drove one of these Jeep around the island.