HESS Toy Trucks Guide

They're NOT Just for Kids!

By John Gugie, published Nov 20, 2006
Published Content: 508  Total Views: 361,246  Favorited By: 83 CPs
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In 1964, Hess gas stations began its tradition of selling toy trucks (and other vehicles) for the Christmas season. Since I can remember, their sales begin in mid-November and sell out fairly quickly. They keep their new toys under wraps until the beginning of November and I see TV commercials about them around Thanksgiving and into December.

I received my first truck in 1984 as a present from my Uncle; cost $4.99. I sold it in 1992 for $20. Little did I know that it was worth about four times the price at which I sold it.

Today, Hess trucks are considered highly collectible, especially pre-1980s trucks. You can find boxed post-1981 trucks for under $100, depending on their condition. A loose 1980-81 training van can cost a little over a $100-200, boxed definitely near or over $200. A few years ago, I paid $40 for a loose training van missing a door and a little wear. But, once you reach 1979 and older, the prices really start to shoot up fast into the hundreds and thousands of dollars.


Retail Prices

I find it both interesting and fun to see how the original retail prices have increased and evolved. The first truck, in 1964, cost $1.29 - only $1.29! Wish I could go back in time and pick up a few hundred of these! I'm dreaming, I know. Now, $1.29 didn't just get you a boxed truck, it also got you batteries! Since then, I believe all of their toys have come with batteries and some time in the late 80s or early 90s, Hess partnered with Energizer and use their batteries exclusively now. Few, if any, other toy trucks (from gas & oil companies, Coke, etc.) include batteries with their purchase. I find the added batteries a big bonus.

The retail price surpassed $2 with the 1977 Fuel Oil Tanker, $5 with the 1986 Fire Truck Bank, $10 with the 1991 Toy Truck and Racecar and the 2006 Truck & Helicopter passes the $20 mark at $21.99.


Designs

The designs are primarily trucks with a few exceptions, namely in recent issues. 1966 was an oil tanker ship. 1980 is a training van. 1993 is a police car. 1994 is a tow truck. 1996 is an emergency vehicle. 1998 is an RV. 2001 is a (helicopter. 2004 is a sports utility vehicle.

HESS Toy Trucks Guide
HESS Toy Trucks Guide

Hess Logo

Credit: Hess Corporation

Copyright: Hess Corporation

Takeaways
  • In 1964, Hess gas stations began its tradition of selling toy trucks for the Christmas season
  • Today, Hess trucks are considered highly collectible, especially pre-1980s trucks.
  • The best prices are found on auctions sites, especially eBay.
Did You Know?
The Jets football team colors match that of Hess gas stations.
Resources
Comments
Comments 1 - 10 of 10
 
 
I am a collector and sell hess trucks vorldwide in nov-jan, so, if you want one and can't get it elsewhere, I can get you one. If you need the current truck, contact me through this site. Don't ask me in comments because I don't check this article often.

Posted on 03/18/2008 at 3:03:48 AM

 
ray, buy a price guide. hess prints one yearly.

Posted on 03/18/2008 at 3:03:29 AM

 
how do you turn on the sound for the 2007 christmas truck?

Posted on 12/28/2007 at 2:12:26 PM

 
is their a web sight that has a free up to date list with pictures and the going colectors prices.Ihave a few hess truckes and would like to know what their worth.thankyou.

Posted on 12/14/2007 at 5:12:24 PM

 
I live in Ottawa, Canada and would love to purchase the monster truck for my grandson. Any suggestions?

Posted on 11/21/2007 at 6:11:00 PM

 
Many of the trucks on eBay are sold by people who have little or no knowledge of Hess trucks. They were sitting in their garage for years or they bought them at a garage sale because they heard they were worth something. What you get is alot of junk. If you want good quality and want to know what you are getting buy from someone who is knowledgable. A Mint truck in a Mint box may be a very good value at $60 but an inferior truck in a bad box may be a very bad deal at $20.

Posted on 10/01/2007 at 5:10:00 PM

 
Who's crazy? I buy/sell on ebay all the time Of course, a few bad sellers exist everywhere. You need to find reputable sellers, look at their photos, and read their return policies. Book prices are meaningless. I will NEVER buy Hess truck from most dealer sites because their prices are 300-500% above what you can find elsewhere. New trucks cost $25 retail but dealers sell them for $50-$75. You're crazy if buy from most dealers.

Posted on 09/06/2007 at 3:09:00 AM

 
Are you crazy? Ebay sellers are selling junk for Hess trucks. I have been taken many times and have learned my lesson. Mint trucks on Ebay mean nothing at all. Boxes are damaged, missing parts or battery cards, lights not working. You get what you pay for on Ebay,,,JUNK from sellers who are clueless. Websites are selling perfect trucks in perfect boxes. If you are a true Hess collector and want the best, then websites are the way to go for perfect Hess trucks from a real business who must have the best to survive. Not from Ebay sellers who could care less what they send you as long as they have your money. Many websites are still selling Hess trucks below collector book prices.

Posted on 08/12/2007 at 5:08:00 PM

 
:^)

Posted on 07/26/2007 at 6:07:00 PM

 
http://www.hess.com/storelocator/storelocator.aspx or I've a few for sale too.

Posted on 12/06/2006 at 10:12:00 PM

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