Hess Toy Truck

Hess Toy Truck is described as one of the best-selling and longest running toy brands in America. The first Hess Toy Truck was introduced in 1964 as the Hess Tanker Trailer, a replica of the company's first B61 Mack truck and trailer, sold at Hess gas stations. The annual release of a new toy truck has become a holiday tradition.

The first Hess Toy Truck was introduced in 1964 as the Hess Tanker Trailer, a replica of the company's first B61 Mack truck and trailer. It featured working headlights and taillights controlled by a switch at the back of the cab, and a cargo tank that could be filled and emptied with an accompanying funnel and rubber hose. There were no TV ads or major radio campaigns for the Hess Tanker Trailer -- just a few small newspaper ads for a well-made toy, battery included, sold at Hess gas stations. The development process for each annual toy generally starts between two and three years before it goes on sale, and for some more complicated toys it has been as long as six years from concept to market.

1. Hess Toy Truck - A Tradition of Collectible Toys
2. The Story of Hess Toy Truck - Hesstoytruck.com
3. Hess Toy Truck