HESS Toy Trucks Guide
November 20, 2006 by
They're NOT Just for Kids!
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 seeI 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.
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