1964-65 Hess Tanker Trailer 1966 Hess Tanker Ship 1967 Hess

 In the early 1960's Leon Hess, founder of Hess Corporation, wanted to provide a high quality, affordable toy for families
during the holiday season. The first Hess Toy Truck was introduced in 1964 and became an instant success. The Hess Toy
Truck grew to be an exciting holiday tradition and a collector's item for boys and girls of all ages, spanning generations.
1964-65 Hess Tanker Trailer The truck that started it all was based on the Hess tanker trailers
that delivered gasoline to Hess stations. Features include a red
funnel to fill the cargo tank, a flexible green delivery hose to
empty it, and working headlights and taillights. Truck
aficionados will recognize the vehicle as the classic Mack B
series truck, one of the most popular models of the ’50s.
1966 Hess Tanker Ship
A replica of the Hess Voyager is an actual Hess
tanker that first sailed in 1962. This 18-inch-long
Tanker Ship toy is the longest of any Hess Toy
Truck in the fleet. The toy features maritime details
including propellers, anchors, and a flag in
addition to bow, stern, starboard, and port lights.
1967 Hess Tanker Truck
The ’67 truck is a mighty eighteen-wheeler decked out in the
familiar Hess colors of the time. It has working headlights
and taillights and a flexible hose. But presentation sets it
apart: the bottom of the box is swathed in red velvet and
doubles as an elegant stand to display the rig. The notable
decor defines this rare toy, commonly referred to now as
the “Red Velvet Tanker Truck.”
1968-69 Hess Tanker Truck
A version of the ’67 truck returned for the next two years with
only one change: the velvet box bottom was replaced with a
standard white bottom. The move underscored the company’s
commitment to excellence, affordability, and great value. The
only difference between the 1968 model and the 1969 model is
on the back of the box, where the words “Woodbridge,
N.J.” replaced “Perth Amboy”.
1970-71 Hess Fire Truck The Hess Fire Truck is a replica of a pumper used in the company’s
Port Reading Refinery in New Jersey and the first of four fire trucks in
the Hess lineup. The bright red machine has two detachable rubber
hoses on one side and a detachable ladder on the other, as well as
swiveling water cannon and a working emergency light that rotates atop
the cab. For extra flash, the bottom of the truck is completely chromed.
1972-1974 Hess Tanker Truck
The return of the 1967–69 Hess Tanker Truck for the 1972
and 1974 holiday seasons reflected a wise but cautious
attitude during the early 1970s. By issuing this rock-solid
truck with minimal updates, the company was able to offer
a low-cost toy despite the inflation that roiled the US
economy during this period. There is one noticeable
change in the ’72 and ’74 models: The stabilizers, or trailer
feet, are round. The 1967–69 stabilizers are square.
1975 Hess Box Trailer
The Hess Box Trailer was the first of the fleet to
have sliding side doors as well as working rear
doors. And behind those doors are three
removable miniature oil drums. This was also the
first delivery rig to have a full driver’s window.
1976 Hess Box Trailer
The 1975 and 1976 Hess Box Trailers are nearly
identical models. The only major difference is
actually not on the truck itself but in the
accompanying oil barrels, where the Hess logo now
appears on the oil drums.
1977 Hess Fuel Oil Tanker
This updated Fuel Oil Tanker sparkles with its chrome
grille—only the second truck so far with such detail. The
“HESS” lettering on the side of the truck is bigger and the
red stabilizers have been redesigned for extra balance. The
rubber tires are marked “Amerada Hess,” a reflection of
the company’s official name change after its 1969 merger.
1978 Hess Fuel Oil Tanker
The 1978 holiday season offered an ever-soslightly different version of the prior year’s Fuel
Oil Tanker. The truck has the same working lights
and design as it did in 1977, but with bolder
lettering in the Hess logo at the back of the truck.
1980 Hess Training Van
A truly bold departure from previous designs, the
Training Van was modeled after the GMC Royale motor
home used by the company as a mobile office to conduct
training sessions at Hess stations. Features include a
working side door, a pop-up TV antenna, headlights and
taillights, and for the first time, lighted Hess logos at the
side of the vehicle. The Training Van also got a boost
from Hess’s first-ever television commercial.
1982-83 First Hess Truck
The First Hess Truck ranks among the most finely detailed
toy trucks in the series. It is a replica of the secondhand
six-wheeled Chevy that Leon Hess drove in 1933, so it is
literally the first Hess truck. This toy is painted in the
original Hess quartet of colors and filled with marvelous
features— opening doors that reveal the cab interior,
working lights, rubber foot treads at the door, and a rubber
oil-delivery hose that spools and unspools. Mr. Hess’s
original Chevy is exhibited at the Hess corporate offices.
1984 Hess Fuel Oil Tanker with Bank
With this update of the 1977–78 Fuel Oil Tanker, Hess
introduced the first-ever bank model to the fleet by adding
a coin slot at the rear of the tanker. Kids could access their
money by turning the cap at the back. This fiscally fun idea
became the major feature of the next three releases. This
was the last Hess toy to use a single D battery.
1985 Hess Truck Bank
A classic with a twist, the First Hess Truck Bank took
1982’s replica of Leon Hess’s original Chevy delivery
truck and added a bank feature. It’s the same truck, but
with added dividends, thanks to the coin slot at the top of
the truck’s center tank. Kids could turn the knob beside
the slot to access their coins. For the first time since
1966, this year’s box art places the featured truck in a
contextual setting for a full panel.
1986 Hess Fire Truck Bank
After two classic trucks updated with the bank idea,
this second fire truck in Hess toy history also came
with a coin slot. This ladder truck also has flashing
dome lights, headlights and taillights, each
operated by their own switch. The extendable threesection aerial ladder swivels 360 degrees and has
ratchet gears, ensuring it can be “locked” in place.
1987 Hess 18-Wheeler Bank
This first primarily white trailer is the fourth Hess
bank. The coin slot is in the top of the trailer and
the back trailer door lets you access your savings.
It features chrome details, a full complement of
lights, and a side door that slides to reveal the three
green Hess oil barrels that came with the package.
1988 Hess Toy Truck and Racer
This was a year of firsts for Hess. For the first time ever, the truck
was not based on an actual Hess vehicle. This was also the first
year the truck was two-toys-in-one. The combo creation features
a trailer truck and a GT-styled, friction-powered racing car. In
another Hess first, the trailer truck and the racer each have
license plates bearing the year of issue, making it easier to
identify the truck model by year. Finally, the famous “The Hess
Truck’s Back” jingle premiered in this year’s television ad.
1989 Hess Fire Truck Bank
The Hess Fire Truck Bank was the first of the line to
come with built-in sound effects. Its dual-sound siren
wails at the flick of a switch. There’s another switch on
the undercarriage to activate the lights and emergency
flashers. This is the first white fire truck in the Hess fleet.
1990 Hess Tanker Truck
A powerful melding of design and construction, the
Hess Tanker ranks among the finest releases in the line.
This tanker has thirty-four lights, including logos and an
internal cab light, and a cool new sound feature: a threeway switch to activate the horn or backup alert.
1991 Hess Toy Truck and Racer
This Truck and Racer combo updated the 1988 model. The
racer motor was reconfigured to allow for continuous
rolling action. Green stripes on the truck’s sides create a
more streamlined look. A split windshield on the cab
further differentiates this truck from the 1988 model. The
truck is illuminated by white, amber, and red lights.
1992 Hess 18-Wheeler and Racer
This hulking truck contains thirty-one lights in addition
to some high-speed cargo—a racer that sits behind
display windows on the sides of the trailer. The windows
aren’t the only new touch—two watch batteries power
the racer’s headlights and taillights, and the car sits on
a black platform that slides out from the truck.
1993 Hess Patrol Car
The first car ever featured in the Hess line, this lawenforcement vehicle has eight illuminated Hess logos
plus flashing red, blue, and yellow emergency lights
that can be coordinated with two realistic siren sounds.
The Patrol Car broke all major Hess sales records when
it debuted and sold out long before Christmas. The fan
frenzy turned into a national news story.
1994 Hess Rescue Truck
This tow truck–styled toy has three high-energy
sounds: emergency siren, horn, and backup alert. Other
features include emergency flashers, a three-tiered
eighteen-inch red ladder that rotates 360 degrees,
retractable side-view mirrors, and two chrome
stabilizers that can be released at the back of the truck.
1995 Hess Toy Truck and Helicopter
The helicopter, another first in the Hess lineup, has a red
single-blade rotor that whirls at the press of a button or
flick of a switch. It also features a moveable frontmounted searchlight, flashing lights, and a rear spinning
rotor on the tail of the chopper. The truck has twenty-two
lights on the cab and thirty-four lights on the trailer,
which also has indentations that match the helicopter’s
landing gear, ensuring a secure ride on the ground.
1996 Hess Emergency Truck
From the chunky-treaded rubber tires to the imposing,
angular cab, the Emergency Truck is a powerful-looking
vehicle. It has a full suite of sounds—backup alert,
emergency siren, and horn—and lights, including a
rotating high-beam searchlight. The rotating triple-tiered
ladder extends to fifteen-and-a-half inches.
1997 Hess Toy Truck and Racers
This lighted box trailer with two push-friction race
cars was the first three-toys-in-one offer from Hess.
The racers are unloaded by unlocking the rear door
and using the pull-down ramp. Two very different
cars roll out—one green with white accents and a
“spoiler” at the back, the other white with green
stripes and an exposed chrome front engine.
1998 Hess RV with Dune Buggy and Motorcycle
The Recreation Van has a number of innovations, including
a friction-powered, wheelie-popping motorcycle. The
Motorcycle is lit up by twisting the helmet of the driver, and
when it’s revved up and balanced on its back tire it wheelies
away. The Dune Buggy, with working headlights and
taillights, interior and exterior details, and roll cage, also has
a push-friction engine. The RV has thirty tracking lights, a
side compartment door that turns into a ramp, and a back
door that opens when you press the license plate.
1999 Hess Toy Truck and Space Shuttle with Satellite
To ring in the 21st century, Hess boldly went where its
toys had never ventured—outer space. The Toy Truck and
Space Shuttle with Satellite came with six batteries to
unleash a variety of lights and sounds that roar, beep, and
flash in various combinations. But that’s not all—press
the red button above the shuttle cockpit to make the cargo
doors open, and the detachable satellite rises from the
bay and its retractable solar panels fall into place. No
wonder it was the fastest-selling Hess release of its time.
2000 Hess Fire Truck
This white tractor-drawn ladder truck has green Hess
logos and accents, as well as black molded hoses and
tires. Chrome-colored details adorn bumpers, running
boards, and stabilizers. Removable accessory ladders
line the truck’s sides and an additional three-tiered ladder
extends twenty-one inches and rotates 360-degrees.
2001 Hess Helicopter with Motorcycle and Cruiser
The tandem rotor Helicopter with Motorcycle and
Cruiser was another three-toys-in-one holiday hit. This
elegantly designed copter has interior and exterior
lighting, a pivoting searchlight, and compartment
doors that double as ramps with a push-button release.
A dual-function switch controls the lights and sets the
rotors whirling. The two smaller vehicles featured
push-friction motors and working lights.
2002 Hess Toy Truck and Airplane
Moving the fleet forward while going back in time, this
two-in-one toy has a retro look. The cab of the eighteenwheeler flatbed tractor-trailer glows with chrome details
and the curved green fenders and rounded headlights
recall an older Mack truck. The three-wheeled motorized
biplane has a red three-bladed rotor that spins at the
flick of a switch or the press of a button. The other
notable feature is a small goggle-wearing pilot manning
the plane—the first face to appear with a Hess toy.
2003 Hess Toy Truck and Racecars
Nestled within the impressively imposing eighteenwheeler are two sleek open-wheeled racecars, each
piloted by a helmeted driver and their pull-back motors.
It’s off to the races with the two speeders—once you
unload them from the trailer’s uniquely pivoting internal
double-decker ramp.
2004 Hess Sport Utility Vehicle and Motorcycles
The Hess Toy Truck celebrated forty years with the Sport
Utility Vehicle and Motorcycles, which broke new ground
for the line. It was the first toy to use an SUV as the
primary vehicle and the first vehicle to have shock
absorbers and all-terrain tires, so it actually bounces like
a real sport utility vehicle. This year is the first time two
motorcycles are included, each with realistic and working
lights activated by a switch on the right handlebar.
2005 Hess Emergency Truck with Rescue Vehicle
Extremely fun to play with—the Hess Emergency Truck
with Rescue Vehicle is a two-in-one toy with a huge
rotating ladder that extends three additional levels, two
fully operational rotating searchlights, and three
mesmerizing siren sounds. The Rescue Vehicle is a jeep
with lights and a friction motor to get to places the
Emergency Truck can’t reach.
2006 Hess Toy Truck and Helicopter
This Toy Truck and Helicopter updates the 1995
model with a newer truck cab and thirty-one
individual working lights. Other updated features
include inlayed sequence lights on the landing
deck of the truck and a more modernized
chopper—complete with free-rolling wheels.
2007 Hess Monster Truck with Motorcycles
This supersized off-road pickup truck lives up to its name.
Attention-grabbing details include working lights that shine
steadily or flash, oversized tires and a raised chassis. Buttons
on the cab roof activate two different engine sounds, a horn,
and flashing lights. Then there’s the high-powered cargo: two
twin-engine motorcycles with working lights, friction motors,
chrome detailing and racing-suited riders.
2008 Hess Toy Truck and Front Loader
This two-in-one toy has shiny chrome details, bright lights and
special features. Five buttons on the truck cab activate
flashing lights, a backup alert signal, a gigantic-sounding horn,
and a startup ignition sound. The largest button activates the
first-ever hydraulic lift, a sound-enhanced feature that raises
the truck bed at an angle, so the Front Loader can roll off and
get to work. And work it does, thanks to a dual-direction motor
(another Hess Truck first) that drives the vehicle forward or
backward while the bucket arm and shovel do the heavy lifting.
2009 Race Car and Racer
The aerodynamic race car is loaded with realistic
features—ignition, acceleration, horn sounds, twenty-nine
lights, and a rear spoiler. When pressed, the front hood of
the car opens to reveal a hidden mini racer. The smaller
racer is equally impressive, armed with a pull-back friction
motor for increased velocity. Both cars came with lowprofile headlights—a first for a Hess Toy Truck.
2010 Hess Toy Truck and Jet
With this release, Hess launched its first jet into the fleet. The
tractor-trailer that transports the jet features a hydraulic-lift
launchpad, complete with runway lights. The jet—based on an
F-22 Raptor—offers a collection of innovative motion-triggered
sounds that truly set it apart. Hold it flat to hear a steady engine
hum, bank right or left for a shift in tone, or point the nose
down and hear the engine scream, suggesting a furious
increase in velocity.
2011 Hess Toy Truck and Race Car
The 2011 Toy Truck and Race Car set a new standard for
innovative features. The chrome detailed truck introduced
the first four-wheel independent suspension on a Hess toy.
This realistic enhancement lets the truck sway and bounce
with wheels firmly on the ground. Pulling out the hidden
ramp at the back of the truck activates the sound of a
hydraulic ramp sliding into position. The stock-car racer
came with powerful lights and sounds—a four-speed engine
sequence that starts when you press the gas cap.
2012 Hess Helicopter and Rescue
The Hess Helicopter and Rescue is one of only three Hess releases
to feature a non-road vehicle as the big toy. The chopper’s
motorized main and tail rotors, activated via either a button on the
front side or a switch option on the undercarriage, blur like the real
thing. It has high-powered pivoting searchlights, retractable landing
gear, and three rip-roaring sounds: ignition, takeoff, and flyby. The
Rescue vehicle, a six-door SUV with amazing detail work, has a taut
friction motor and retractable emergency roof lights.
2013 Hess Toy Truck and Tractor
The front of the toy features a chrome grille and bumper and light
fixtures, but the back of the rig is a real surprise. Pulling or
retracting the hidden rear-loading ramp activates the sound of
ramp extension and sets warning lights flashing. The fully
motorized tractor moves forward or in reverse like any selfrespecting construction vehicle. Its digging equipment includes a
swiveling backhoe and a front bucket with a release button for
digging and hauling.
Hess Toy Truck Collector’s Edition
Hess celebrated fifty years with the first ever two-tankers-in-one: an
individually numbered limited edition that literally lights up the present
and past of Hess Toy Trucks. The larger tanker melds the early Hess
color scheme (yellow fenders, red bumper, and green cab) with more
modern accents and angles. The modernized tanker features ninety-two
lights, the most ever on a Hess toy, including twenty-seven super-bright
LED lights. The high wattage serves to display the cargo inside—a
smaller replica of the original 1964 Hess Tanker Trailer, complete with
flexible hose and sixteen more lights.
2014 Hess Toy Truck and Space Cruiser with Scout
Hess spent three years designing every detail of the toy that would
mark the fiftieth anniversary of one of the longest-running toy lines in
history. The Space Cruiser has retractable landing gear, eight lights,
and six sounds—button- activated ignition, flyby, and land effects, and
motion-activated sounds for climbing, diving, and turning. The Scout,
which is revealed with the release of the Cruiser’s cargo door, also has
lights and folding wings. The Cruiser and Scout sit atop the flatbed
truck, which is marked with chrome “50” emblems on the cab. The truck
features forty-one lights, multiple sound effects, and a button-activated
launch ramp with accompanying hydraulic lift.
2015 Hess Fire Truck and Ladder Rescue
This year’s Hess Toy is a red Fire Truck
with oversized tires, swiveling chromedetailed fire hose nozzles, LED lights
including a high-powered pivoting LED
searchlight, a slide-out ramp and 4
realistic sound effects. The accompanying
Ladder Rescue features a rotating
extension ladder with a movable nozzle
and push-activated friction motor.