1964 Hess Tanker Trailer: The Iconic First Hess Toy Truck

The 1964 Hess Tanker Trailer is the origin point of a cherished American holiday tradition. It was introduced by Hess Corporation founder Leon Hess as a high-quality, battery-operated toy sold affordably to customers, establishing the standard of craftsmanship that defines the entire collection.

The Birth of a Holiday Tradition

In 1964, the Hess Toy Truck began as a small-scale replica of the company’s first B61 Mack truck and trailer. Unlike many cheap promotional toys of the era, the Hess truck included working features and batteries right out of the box—a concept that has endured for decades. The toy’s success launched the annual tradition, which has continued virtually uninterrupted ever since.

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Description
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Key Features and Specifications

The first Hess Toy Truck packed a remarkable amount of detail and functionality for its time:

Model: Tanker Trailer (Replica of the Hess B61 Mack truck and trailer).
Color Scheme: The original Hess colors: Dark green cab, yellow front fenders, and a white tanker body with red accents.
Lights: Featured working headlights and taillights, controlled by a switch located at the back of the cab.
Unique Function: The Water Tank: The cargo tank was designed to be filled with water and could be emptied using an accompanying rubber hose and red funnel, simulating a fuel delivery. This feature is unique to the 1964–1965 models.
Size: The assembled truck measured approximately 12.5 inches long.
Batteries: Required one D battery (included in the original purchase).

Metric	Detail
Original Retail Price	$1.29 – $1.39 (batteries included).
Collectible Value (MIB)	Mint-in-Box (MIB) examples typically range from $1,800 to over $2,500.
Note	The identical model was re-released the following year in 1965.

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.