hesstoytruck.com

December 8, 2025

What is hesstoytruck.com

• hesstoytruck.com is the official site for Hess Toy Truck. It serves as the hub where they showcase their history, past and current toy trucks, and announce new releases. (Hess Toy Truck)

• On the site, you can browse a catalogue of “Holiday Toys” (past and present), read the brand’s history, and sign up for alerts when new holiday editions release. (Hess Toy Truck)

• The site also shares a narrative of the brand’s origins, how the toys are designed and produced, and how the tradition has continued across decades — even as the business changed. (Hess Toy Truck)

In short: hesstoytruck.com is where you go to learn about Hess’s toy-truck legacy, see what’s available now, and follow upcoming drops.

Origins and Early History (through the site’s “Hesstory”)

• The first Hess Toy Truck dates to 1964 — a tanker trailer modeled on Hess’s real B61 tanker truck/trailer. Back then, the toy had working headlights and taillights, and a fillable cargo tank with a hose. Batteries came included, making the toy unusual for the time. (Hess Toy Truck)

• The first truck sold at Hess gas stations — there were no TV commercials, just modest newspaper ads and station signage. It was meant as an affordable, high-quality holiday toy for customers. (Hess Toy Truck)

• Because of early success, the Hess corporation committed to releasing a new toy most years. Over time these became a holiday tradition — many families came to expect the new Hess toy each season. (Northeast AAA Magazine)

How the Tradition Evolved

• In the late 1970s and early 1980s, marketing expanded. Hess began producing annual TV commercials, and in 1988 introduced a jingle — “The Hess truck’s back and it’s better than ever.” That jingle became a signal for many fans that holiday season had begun. (Hess Toy Truck)

• As years passed, the variety of toy vehicles expanded: not just tanker trucks, but fire trucks, rescue vehicles, helicopters, airplanes, racing cars, even plush toys in recent years. (Wikipedia)

• By 2014 the retail model changed: the company sold off its gas-station chain. After that point, toy trucks stopped being sold at gas stations — instead moving to online sales through hesstoytruck.com. (Wikipedia)

Recent Shift — Hess Toy Truck as Family-Owned Brand

• In 2025, after corporate changes (sale of parent company), the Hess family confirmed that Hess Toy Truck will continue — now as a privately run family business — not as part of a large corporate retail operation. (The Toy Book)

• The site highlights that this move is meant to keep the tradition alive and even expand it: “more joy, more innovation, and more reasons to celebrate” in future releases. (Hess Toy Truck)

So hesstoytruck.com isn’t just a shop — it’s the digital legacy and continuing home for a 60-year holiday tradition.

Why It Matters — Cultural and Collector Significance

• The toys are more than just kids’ playthings. Over decades they became nostalgic holiday staples for many families. The arrival of the yearly Hess Toy release historically signaled the start of holiday shopping. (truthnetwork.com)

• Because of the long history and variety, many older Hess trucks have become collectible — some early models are now worth substantial amounts among collectors. (New York Post)

• The shift from gas-station sales to online sales consolidated the buying process, making the toy accessible globally and giving long-time fans a stable way to continue collecting. The family-owned renewal adds authenticity and continuity.

What You’ll Find on the Site (Today)

• A full archive of historical models — all past holiday toys, with photos and summaries. (Hess Toy Truck)

• Latest releases — for example the 2025 “Stock Car Racers.” (Hess Toy Truck)

• Options to sign up for alerts, find release dates, and presumably place orders when availability opens. (Hess Toy Truck)

• Background on the brand’s origins, design philosophy, manufacturing process (including long lead times for design), and corporate history. (Hess Toy Truck)

Key Takeaways

• Hess Toy Truck began in 1964 as a simple holiday-season toy sold at gas stations.

• It evolved into an annual cultural tradition, with a devoted fan base, TV ads, and a recognizable jingle.

• Over decades the lineup expanded beyond tanker trucks to include many types of vehicles and even plush toys.

• After the sale of Hess retail operations, the toy business shifted online — now maintained through hesstoytruck.com.

• In 2025 the brand entered a new phase: still continuing, but now as a private, family-run business under the Hess family.

• For collectors and nostalgic families alike, hesstoytruck.com stands as the central repository and marketplace for a nearly 60-year tradition — with the promise of future releases.

FAQ

Q: Is hesstoytruck.com the only place to buy Hess Toy Trucks now?
Yes — since 2014, production and sales stopped at gas stations. The toys are now sold online via the official site. (Wikipedia)

Q: Did Hess ever skip any years?
Yes — during times of crisis (like fuel shortages in the 1970s), they skipped releases. (Northeast AAA Magazine)

Q: Are old Hess Toy Trucks collectible?
Very much so. Older models, especially from the 1960s–70s, can fetch high prices among collectors. (New York Post)

Q: Is Hess Toy Truck still part of a big corporation?
No. As of 2025, the Hess Toy Truck brand was spun off into a privately run business by the Hess family — continuing the tradition independently. (The Toy Book)

Q: What kind of vehicles have been released — is it only trucks?
Not just trucks. Over the years Hess has released fire trucks, rescue vehicles, helicopters, airplanes, racing cars, and even plush toys for toddlers. (Wikipedia)