If you grew up in the ’60s, ’70s, or ’80s, you probably remember the excitement of getting a Hess truck during the holidays. Those shiny toy trucks weren’t just playthings. They became serious collectibles worth real money.
Today, vintage Hess trucks sit in glass cases and sell for hundreds, sometimes thousands of dollars. Collectors hunt for mint condition boxes, rare editions, and discontinued models from decades past.
In this guide, you’ll find a complete price chart by year, learn which trucks are most valuable, and discover what makes certain models worth a small fortune.
Table of Contents
KEY TAKEAWAYS
Vintage Hess trucks from the 1960s are the most valuable, with some exceeding $2,000 in mint condition.
The 1966 Voyager Ship holds the record as the single most valuable standard release, valued between $700 and $2,000.
Condition matters enormously. A truck with its original box can be worth two to five times more than the same truck without one.
The first Hess truck from 1964 now sells for $275 to $325 in excellent condition.
Limited edition releases, like the 2014 50th Anniversary Truck, command premium prices among collectors.
Post-2000 trucks are generally more affordable but certain models are already climbing in value.
Every year from 1964 to 2015 saw at least one new release, creating one of the longest running toy collectible lines in American history.
The Evolution and History of Vintage Hess Trucks
The story starts with Leon Hess, founder of the Hess Corporation. In 1964, he wanted an affordable holiday gift for his gas station customers. That first truck cost just $1.29 at the pump.
The early models were simple gasoline tankers modeled after real Hess delivery vehicles. They featured surprisingly high quality construction for a gas station giveaway. Each one came in a custom box.
Through the 1970s and 1980s, the line expanded. Fire trucks, oil delivery trucks, and training vans joined the roster. Hess started adding features like working lights and moving parts.
The 1990s brought a golden age of creativity. Helicopters, police cars, rescue trucks, and space shuttles appeared. Each release felt like an event, with families lining up at Hess stations every November.
By the 2000s, Hess trucks had become a full blown American tradition. The company released combo sets with smaller vehicles inside. Collectors began treating them like investments, buying multiples and storing them sealed.
The First Hess Truck Value
The 1964 Hess Gasoline Tanker launched the entire phenomenon. It was a simple truck sold exclusively at Hess gas stations for about a dollar.
Back then, nobody imagined these toys would become collectibles. Most kids ripped open the box and played with them on the living room floor.
Today, that same 1964 truck in excellent condition with its original box sells for $275 to $325. Without the box, the value drops significantly.
Finding one in true mint condition is rare. Sixty years of wear, lost parts, and discarded packaging make pristine examples increasingly scarce. Prices continue to climb as supply shrinks.
Are Hess Trucks Worth Anything Without the Box?
Short answer: yes, but significantly less. The box is a huge part of the value for collectors. A boxed truck in mint condition can fetch two to five times the price of the same truck loose.
Mint in box (MIB) means the truck was never removed from its original packaging. This is the gold standard. Collectors pay top dollar for sealed, untouched examples.
A truck in excellent condition without a box still holds value. Clean paint, working lights, and all original parts matter. Missing accessories or broken features reduce value fast.
Damaged trucks with scratches, missing wheels, or faded decals are worth the least. They may sell for 10% to 30% of the boxed price. Still, rare models from the 1960s hold some value even in rough shape.
Storage conditions also play a role. Trucks kept in climate controlled spaces away from sunlight retain their color and decals far better than attic stored examples.
Vintage Hess Trucks Price Chart By Years
The following table shows estimated values for Hess trucks in excellent to mint condition with original box. Prices reflect current collector market trends.
| Year | Description | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1964 | Gasoline Tanker | $275 – $325 |
| 1965 | Gasoline Tanker | $375 – $425 |
| 1966 | Voyager Ship | $700 – $2,000 |
| 1967 | Mack Gasoline Tanker | $350 – $425 |
| 1967 | Mack Gasoline Tanker w/ Red Velvet Base | $1,800 – $2,000 |
| 1968 | Mack Gasoline Tanker (Reissue) | $100 – $125 |
| 1969 | Amerada Hess Tanker | $150 – $225 |
| 1969 | Mack Gasoline Tanker (Reissue) | $75 – $125 |
| 1970 | Fire Truck | $200 – $250 |
| 1971 | Fire Truck (Reissue) | $200 – $250 |
| 1972 | Gasoline Tanker (Reissue) | $175 – $250 |
| 1974 | Gasoline Tanker (Reissue) | $175 – $250 |
| 1975 | Fuel Oils Truck Tractor Trailer | $175 – $225 |
| 1976 | Fuel Oils Truck (Reissue, Unlabeled Drums) | $200 |
| 1977 | Gasoline Tanker | $200 |
| 1978 | Gasoline Tanker (Reissue) | $200 |
| 1978 | Training Van | $175 |
| 1979 | Training Van | $175 |
| 1980 | Training Van | $150 |
| 1982 | Oil Delivery Truck | $75 |
| 1983 | Oil Delivery Truck Bank (Reissue) | $75 |
| 1984 | Gasoline Tanker Bank | $70 |
| 1985 | Oil Delivery Truck Bank | $70 |
| 1986 | Fire Truck w/ Ladder | $80 |
| 1987 | Tractor Trailer w/ Three Labeled Barrels | $75 |
| 1988 | Car Hauler w/ Race Car | $20 – $25 |
| 1989 | Fire Truck w/ Ladder | $60 |
| 1990 | Gasoline Tanker | $50 |
| 1991 | Car Hauler w/ Race Car | $40 |
| 1992 | Car Hauler w/ Race Car | $40 |
| 1993 | Police Car | $35 |
| 1994 | Rescue Truck | $30 |
| 1995 | Helicopter Transporter w/ Copter | $30 |
| 1996 | Emergency Ladder Truck | $30 |
| 1997 | Tractor Box Trailer w/ Race Car | $25 |
| 1998 | Mini Hess Tanker Truck | $45 |
| 1999 | Flatbed Truck w/ Space Shuttle | $25 |
| 2000 | Fire Truck w/ Working Lights | $25 |
| 2001 | Helicopter Truck | $20 |
| 2002 | Truck and Airplane | $20 |
| 2003 | Truck and Race Car | $20 |
| 2004 | Sport Utility Truck w/ Cycles | $15 |
| 2005 | Emergency Truck / Rescue Vehicle | $25 |
| 2006 | Large Truck and Helicopter | $45 |
| 2006 | Mini Hauler | $15 |
| 2007 | Monster Truck w/ Motorcycles | $15 |
| 2008 | Mini Camper | $20 |
| 2008 | Truck and Front Loader | $35 |
| 2009 | Toy Truck and Race Car | $25 – $30 |
| 2009 | Miniature Space Shuttle Transport | $12 – $18 |
| 2009 | Two Car Racers | $20 – $30 |
| 2010 | Toy Truck and Jet | $25 – $35 |
| 2010 | Miniature Fire Truck | $12 – $18 |
| 2011 | Miniature Helicopter Transport | $8 – $10 |
| 2011 | Truck and Race Car | $20 – $25 |
| 2012 | Helicopter and Rescue | $30 – $40 |
| 2012 | Miniature Truck and Airplane | $15 – $20 |
| 2013 | Transport Truck and Dozer | $30 – $40 |
| 2013 | Miniature Truck and Racers | $12 – $15 |
| 2014 | Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Truck | $150 – $200 |
| 2014 | Miniature Sport Utility Vehicle | $8 – $10 |
| 2014 | Transport Truck and Spacecraft | $25 – $30 |
| 2015 | Fire Trucks | $60 – $85 |
| 2016 | Toy Truck and Dragster | $20 – $35 |
| 2017 | Mini Collection (Set of 3) | $15 – $25 |
| 2017 | Dump Truck and Loader | $25 – $40 |
| 2018 | Holiday Toy Truck (RV w/ ATV and Motorbike) | $25 – $35 |
| 2019 | Tow Truck Rescue Team | $25 – $40 |
| 2020 | Ambulance and Rescue | $20 – $30 |
| 2021 | Cargo Plane and Jet | $25 – $35 |
| 2022 | Flatbed Truck w/ Hot Rods | $25 – $35 |
| 2023 | Police Truck and Cruiser | $25 – $40 |
| 2024 | Fire Truck Set | $30 – $45 |
| 2025 | Holiday Release (TBD) | $35 – $45 (retail) |
The 1960s: Where It All Began
The 1960s trucks are the crown jewels of any collection. The 1966 Voyager Ship stands alone as the most valuable standard release. The 1967 Mack Tanker with its red velvet base is the ultimate grail piece, worth up to $2,000.
The 1970s: Building the Tradition
1970s models are solidly valuable, mostly ranging from $150 to $250. Fire trucks and fuel oil tankers dominated this decade. Reissues from this era are worth nearly as much as originals because the overall supply remains tight.
The 1980s: New Directions
The 1980s saw Hess experiment with new vehicle types. Oil delivery trucks, bank editions, and the iconic tractor trailer appeared. Values range from $20 to $80, making this decade accessible for new collectors.
The 1990s: The Creative Peak
Hess got ambitious in the 1990s. Police cars, rescue trucks, helicopters, and space shuttles hit shelves. Most models from this decade trade between $25 and $50. The 1998 Mini Tanker is a standout at $45.
The 2000s: Combo Era
The 2000s introduced paired vehicles. A large truck paired with a smaller car, helicopter, or airplane became the formula. Most range from $15 to $45. The 2006 Large Truck and Helicopter package is the decade’s top performer.
The 2010s: Anniversary and Beyond
The 2014 Limited Edition 50th Anniversary Truck is the modern highlight, valued at $150 to $200. The 2015 Fire Trucks also perform well at $60 to $85. Most other 2010s models remain affordable under $40.
The 2020s: The Latest Releases
Recent Hess trucks from the 2020s are still close to retail pricing. Values typically sit between $25 and $45. These are great entry points for new collectors. Sealed examples could appreciate significantly over the next decade.
Final Thoughts
Vintage Hess trucks remain one of the most accessible and rewarding collectibles in America. Whether you have a dusty box in the attic or you’re hunting for a 1966 Voyager Ship, there’s real value in these holiday toys.
The key to maximizing value is simple. Keep them boxed, clean, and stored properly. Even newer releases can surprise you in 10 or 20 years. The collectors who bought $1.29 trucks in 1964 never imagined they’d be worth hundreds today.
If you’re just getting started, focus on trucks from the 1980s and 1990s. They’re affordable, plentiful, and slowly rising in value. For serious collectors, the 1960s models offer the biggest returns but demand patience and a sharp eye for condition.
Whatever your budget, there’s a Hess truck out there waiting for you. Happy collecting.
