History of Hess Toy Trucks
Collectors of quality toy trucks and banks know the value of finding a 1985 First Hess Toy Truck Bank in mint condition. Hess trucks began their career over 45 years ago as toys sold at Hess gas stations. The company’s goal was to offer high-quality toys at affordable prices for families to buy during the holidays. The first truck was a battery-operated tanker that children could fill with water and then empty out through a hose. It was an instant hit with Hess’ customers. Throughout the ensuing years, Hess has produced many more affordable, high-quality vehicles, including helicopters, fire engines,an airplane, and a police car.
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Hess Toy Truck Bank
The first edition Hess Toy Truck Bank is a gasoline truck painted a bright green and white with red trim. It is a reproduction of the First Hess Truck, which was first made in 1982-83. It is called First Hess Truck because it was fashioned in the likeness of the first truck Leon Hess drove to deliver fuel oil to his customers in 1933, which has been fully restored and is now on display at the Hess office in Woodbridge, New Jersey. The detailing on the toy truck bank is amazing, as is the case with all Hess trucks, making it that much more realistic, fun, and collectible.
Collecting Hess Items
Collectors who are in the market for vintage toys or toy vehicles will not be disappointed with a Hess truck or any of the other fine toys made by Hess. The vehicles are made from high-grade materials, such as plastic, chrome, and metal, and are made to last. Of course, the original idea was that they be used by children to play and imagine all the wonderful things associated with these exciting vehicles. But the interest and imagination is not limited to children. Many adults love Hess trucks, too. To many, they are a link to their pasts; reminders of “the good old days.” The bright colors and excellent workmanship and functionality of the toys all lend to their appeal.
Hess Quality and Value
Hess has a long-standing reputation for making durable, detailed, workable toys that keep their value through generations. Hess toys are still made today with the same standards of quality and affordability. Of the vast production of vehicles and other toys, the banks are relatively few in number. In the case of the 1985 Hess Toy Truck Bank, there were only 500,000 made, as compared to 1,000,000 of most of the other models made the same year, thus making them even more rare.
