1969 Hess Tanker Truck: The Era of Rare Box Variations

The 1969 Hess Tanker Truck is the final version of the initial classic tanker design and is most famous among collectors not for the toy itself, but for two highly valuable and distinct variations tied to the company’s merger and subsequent office relocation.

The main retail truck was largely identical to the one sold in 1968, marking the final year for this particular 18-wheel tanker mold.

Key Features of the Standard 1969 Tanker

Model: 18-Wheel Tanker Truck (Same model as 1968).
Color Scheme: Dark green cab and white tanker body with yellow and red accents.
Lights: Featured working headlights and taillights.
Decal Placement: Similar to the 1968 model, the “Hess” side decals were set approximately 7/8″ from the ends of the trailer.
Packaging: Returned to the standard cardboard box with white inserts, abandoning the problematic “Red Velvet” base of 1967.
Original Retail Price: Approximately $1.99 (batteries included).

The Ultra-Rare Collector Variations

The value of the 1969 model spikes dramatically when one of two specific, low-production variations is found:

1. The “Woodbridge” Tanker Truck (Retail Rarity)

Rarity Basis: The immense value of this toy lies in the box stamping, not the truck. The standard box listed the Hess home office as “Perth Amboy, New Jersey.” Due to an internal shift, some boxes were stamped with “Home Office in Woodbridge, New Jersey” on the end panel.
Collectible Value: Because the “Woodbridge” box was a limited and short-lived version, a complete, mint condition set can fetch an exceptional price, often reaching $1,500 to over $4,000.

2. The Amerada Hess Tanker Truck (Executive Edition)

Rarity Basis: This was a non-public, special edition toy released to commemorate the merger between Hess Oil and Chemical Corp. and Amerada Petroleum Corp.
Distinction: The tanker body decals replace the simple “Hess” name with “Amerada Hess.”
Production: Only an estimated 10,000 trucks were produced, given out exclusively to employees and executives.
Collectible Value: These rare special-edition trucks often command values over $3,000.

Variation Type	Identifying Feature	Collectible Value (MIB, Reference)
Standard Retail	“Home Office: Perth Amboy, NJ” on box.	Approaching $1,000
“Woodbridge” Rarity	“Home Office in Woodbridge, NJ” on box.	$1,500 – $4,000+
Amerada Hess Edition	“Amerada Hess” Decals on Tanker (Executive Gift).	$3,000+

Disclaimer

Hess®, Hess Toy Truck®, and related trademarks are the sole property of Hess Corporation. We do not claim any ownership rights or affiliation with the Hess Corporation. All historical pricing and collectible valuations are estimates for informational and reference purposes only and do not constitute a guarantee of current market value.