Product Review: Hess Toy Truck Gets a Makeover
1987 18-wheeler bank
As a child I was far from a girly-girl. I hopped fences, climbed tress, played Voltron, stormed the brigade as a GI Joe, and crushed miniature cars as a monstrous destroyer of worlds. I played basketball, volleyball, softball, and threw the discuss, And when my mother gave me Barbies or Cabbage Patch Kids, I cut their hair off and turned them into short stops and power forwards. I was rough and tough!
When it came to my Christmas wish list, there was always one item that I wanted but Santa never brought: a Hess truck. The first one that I remember asking for was the 1984 oil tanker bank but it was the 1987 18-wheeler bank that stole my heart. I begged Santa for it and when I awoke Christmas morning I just knew that it would be under the tree. It wasn’t. That was the year I learned that Santa did not exist and that my mom refused to buy me boy toys. I vowed that I would never confine my daughter to dolls and nail polish (although I’m sure that came out something like, “girls toys are just stupid”).
2009 Race Car and Racer
So, imagine my delight when I was offered the 45th edition Hess Toy Truck model to review. Now imagine my excitement when I actually received it and saw the amazing race car pictured at left. It is beautiful and once again, I find myself enamored with a Hess toy.
The 2009 Race Car and Racer comes equipped with 29 lights with an optional flashing mode, 3 realistic sounds (ignition, acceleration and horn), alloy-look racing wheels, chrome detailed rear view mirrors and air vents, low profile headlights (a first for a Hess Toy Truck), and features a touch-release canopy compartment that opens to reveal a hidden compartment with a smaller, faster race car. The smaller race car uses a pull-back motor, has its own set of 15 flashing lights, and has many of the same features of its larger counterpart. They are both simply beautiful.
The 2009 Hess Race Car and Racer.
But the real test was seeing my daughter (3) play with the cars. She was just as excited about them as I. The moment we took it out of the box she figured out just how to open the compartment to find the smaller car. She demanded that we play racing and we spent the better part of the evening sending the cars- lights flashing and all- down the hall. I was a beautiful sight and I remembered why I was so fascinated by the trucks.
So while I am not doing a gift guide this year, I will say that the Hess Toy Truck definitely makes the cut.
I grew up with the Hess trucks. My aunt used to get us kids the Hess truck every Xmas. It is nice to see some things don’t change and the Hess trucks are still well made and built to last.
.-= Andrew aka DadontheRise´s last blog ..Wordless Wednseday =-.