HESS Toy Trucks: An Annual Holiday Tradition (1964 - Present)

Hess Toy Trucks - A Holiday Tradition! 

The Hess Toy Truck tradition began in 1964 when Leon Hess, founder of the Hess Oil and Chemical Corporation, sought to create an affordable, high-quality Christmas toy for families that would stand out from the flimsy plastic novelties of the era. The inaugural model, a B-Mack Tanker that could be filled with water, established the brand's hallmarks: exceptional detail, working lights, and a "box-within-a-box" packaging design that made it an instant collector's item. As the line evolved through the 1970s and 80s, Hess introduced increasingly sophisticated features like removable auxiliary vehicles, chrome accents, and realistic sirens, often modeling the toys after the company’s own fleet of fuel delivery trucks and patrol cars. A pivotal moment in the brand's history occurred in 1988 with the debut of the "Hess Toy Truck is Back" television jingle—set to the tune of My Boyfriend's Back—which became a staple of holiday advertising for decades. Sold exclusively at Hess gas stations and notorious for selling out before Christmas Day, the trucks transitioned from simple toys to a generational American ritual, eventually expanding beyond traditional tankers to include fire engines, helicopters, and even space shuttles, all while maintaining the iconic green-and-white livery.

Most HESS Trucks Donated by John Jr. & Carol Babina Every Christmas!

Others Donated by Justin Tuttle and bought at Estate Sales