1968 Hess Tanker Truck: The Return of the Tanker

The 1968 Hess Tanker Truck marked the collection’s return to a road-going vehicle following the unique 1966 ship and the 1967 “Red Velvet” model. This toy is essentially the same redesigned 18-wheel tanker from the previous year, but with a simpler, more durable packaging style.

Standardized Quality and Increased Production

The 1968 release, which was also sold in 1969, featured subtle design differences from the early 1960s trucks, such as a split-window cab. Importantly for collectors, this model dropped the fragile packaging of 1967, which helped increase the quantity of well-preserved trucks available. The production run for the 1968–1969 models was significantly increased to approximately 250,000 units.

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Description
Additional information

Key Features and Specifications

Model: 18-Wheel Tanker Truck (similar to the 1967 edition).
Color Scheme: Dark green cab and white tanker body with yellow and red accents.
Lights: Features working headlights and taillights, powered by a battery (often pre-installed).
Accessories: Includes a detachable hose for the tanker.
Packaging: The notable Red Velvet display base was removed and replaced with a standard white cardboard insert, making the packaging much sturdier.
Decal Placement: Collectors can distinguish the 1968/1969 models from the 1967 version by the placement of the Hess side decals, which were set 7/8″ from the ends of the trailer.

Metric	Detail
Original Retail Price	Approximately $1.99 (batteries included).
Collectible Value (MIB)	Mint condition, complete-in-box examples generally approach $1,000.
Rarity Note	The 1968 toy is visually similar to the 1969 model, but both are distinguishable from the highly rare variations associated with their respective years (1967 “Red Velvet” and 1969 “Woodbridge” box).

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.