I must say I read a recent Tog'l auction post and it put me over the edge. I have been biting my lip every time I see an exaggerated or misrepresented Tog'l set. I will try to set some information correct in this guide. I am by no means the final authority on Tog'ls but I do collect (and build with them) myself. There are a couple of collectors in Canada who probably have some info other than myself. You may want to check out Togls.com for more.

First year releases (1967 copyright, unknown actual release date):

Set 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, and Action Motor Pack assy. All of these items came in a plastic base which you could build on on the underside (except Motor pack, individually boxed with 4 pulleys [not wheels] and a motor key). The tops to the sets were cardboard with graphics depicting items you could build with that set. Each set contained different amounts of blocks, tubes, wheels, etc. Some included rubberband motors (Elasti-Motor) or key windup motor (spring type).

BIG NOTE: Sets 100 thru 500 all came with a white string. Most of the strings do not survive the time-warp to today. I do have some in MIB condition that are still in decent shape but most have deteriated over the years as they contained some percentage of cotton I do believe. If someone is selling a "complete" set w/o string I'd be asking myself how honest are they (or how knowledgeable). All the sets also came with the same catalog with 2 variations of the catalog (actual pics of built toys and drawings of the same). Another major misunderstood fact - The set number DOES NOT indicate how many pieces there were in the set. They are close aproximations but they never contained what the set number was (e.g. Set 100 does not contain 100 pcs). Don't take my word for it...find a parts list and see for yourself.

Unknown Release but considered part of second year (1968):

Set 150 Rollabouts (1968, focus on wheeled vehicles to build)

Set 350 (1967, basically same as 400 but came with Elastic Motor, not all 400s did, some variations of the 400 had the elasti-motor)

Set 380 (1968, Blue graphic vinyl suitcase)  Set 380 came in a vinyl suitcase (a larger version than the smaller yellow or blue cases). Set 380 was originally sold with a Set 200 base inside on one side of divider and an opened Action Motor Pack on the other side of divider. I believe this was to give a choice of buying a smaller set with the motor and offer a sturdier case for transport. 

There were two other playcases that looked just like a smaller version of the 380 case. The smaller playcases came in a yellow version and a smaller 380 blue version (same graphics). The contents that sold with the smaller playcases is currently unknown. The best knowledge I have is that the playcases wholesaled for the same amount as a Set 100 ($3.49 in 1969), which leads me to believe that it either was empty or came with a small amount of miscellaneous blocks and pieces. Just like their big brother, each case came with a tag tied around the handle in string (usually red or black). Another string and tag which is hard to find today because of deteriation.

Second Year releases also included some bagged add-on and starter sets. I am going to leave these alone for the time being because most of these are being sold still in bag.

Third Year releases (1969):

In the 1969 they introduced Tog'ls' very own action figure, Tog'l Man. He came in 3 different colors and had 3 different sets of accessories (Fireman, Race Car Driver (or Acrobat), Engineer). Now these were combined and box and carded in many differnt ways.

Also in '69 Mattel started to "box" some of the starter sets (now these are hard to find in the US).

Tog'l Play Chest (cubed blue cardboard box):  Action Builder, Busy Builder, Circus Builder,  Big Builder, and Giant Builder sets all contained different amounts of blocks and tog'lmen (more to come on these)

Truck Sets: they gave tog'lman a truck to build with. Came in single and twin truck box sets, and the trucks were also included in the bigger cubed sets.

By 1971 tog'ls had failed to dominate the market lead by Erector sets and Lego's. They struck a deal with Kellogg's to include small tog'l sets in mail-aways I presume in order to spark interest. There were 4 of these and each came with its own unique set of instructions and about 20 pcs. (more on these to come)

Another 1969 oddball release was Wog'l Tog'l. I believe this was supposed to be released in Canada and other foreign countries due the fact that the short orange connector tubes were now 2 cm long instead of the previous 1 inch. This set also included the 3 3/4" green tubes, and both large & small treads (or tires), which were, up until then, only available in the cubed sets. Another possible reason for this set's existence was to allow the production of sets 100 thru 500 drop off, and take over the gap. This way Mattel could lean out the models, since they were pushing for the cube sets to take off.

Other foreign releases included: Tog'lman and Loader, Tog'lman and Moto

The following items are considered rare in tog'ls for America:

Any MIB (box, not bag) Tog'l Sets are rare. The run was only for 4 years wth decreasing production in the last couple of years. War was upon us and the economy was shifting.

Wog'l Tog'l sets

Tog'lmen on card

Kellogg's mail-aways still sealed in mailed box

All playcases with all original items in it (not necessarily MIB, most of the time the bases and motor boxes were tossed out)

Boxed starter sets

Action Builder Sets (not many of these around, Busy and Circus Builder are commonly found)

Giant Builder Set is very rare and I don't believe I have seen one on eBay yet. You can occasionally find a Big Builder set.

Well that's about all the time I have for now. I hope this helped someone make an informed purchased. I would like to produce an actual Tog'l guide one day. If you are interested or have more info or just want to talk tog'ls please send me line through eBay.