In late fall of 1961 Texaco introduced the SS Texaco North Dakota Tanker Ship at their stations for the holiday season. The 27" scale model tanker runs on "C" batteries and is highly detailed after the original ship. All in plastic this toy caught the eye of the kids with the outstanding decals, details and eye catching colors sold extremely well at the stations.
The radar dish was a nice feature but it was far from kid proof. It was not match for small hands and was so broken or lost.
The rear of the tanker displayed where the headquarters was in Wilmington Delaware. The ship also had a working rudder as you can see in the picture.
Check out the great detailing on the bow of the ship showing the draft markings.
The upper deck is where the motor controls are. The one thing that Texaco did not think of and would have made a great feature was that the wheels on the bottom of the tanker do not roll. How cool would it have been to have a motorized tanker that sailed across the floor?
The set came with the ship, box, cardboard packing and booklet. All these items are a must have for the collector who is looking for a "mint condition" collectible.
I have one of these in box, never removed from box. In fact it was just opened a month ago because I didn't know what was inside. What is the value of this and how would I find an interested buyer?
ReplyDeleteHI: I'm very interested from Puerto Rico, my email is rivsan2008@hotmail.com, I saw one in a antiques sales for $30.00, can't see the condition because was sold.
ReplyDeletei sold one today for $150 with box.
ReplyDeleteNice to see one in fine condition. Mine has the towers/cranes broken, but is still 'seaworthy'. The original motor has a round case with two rectangular external magnets. I replaced the old motor 30 years ago due to rust. I used a 1" brush type round cased internal magnet toy motor. The shaft speed is too high with two cells but I put in a little on-off-on switch accessible through a bridge window to run on one cell or two. Mine is more of a toy than a perfect item and I am willing to sail it. It would be perfect for calm areas, but is surprisingly stable in scale-size "rough seas" due to the ingenious ballast system. I added some styrofoam pieces inside mine so that it could not sink. There is no ready to sail model like this made today. The tanker also has a built in ballast tank so that it will ride lower and more stably in the water than its light weight and somewhat high CG due the batteries would normally allow. That is what the slot in the bottom is for, and there is vent on top of the ballast tank inside the hull. Mine takes D cells, but C cells would be better. Perhaps I could put in a better quieter motor and a servo, FPV camera inside the bridge without changing the looks. It is totally possible to install a ruder servo as the rudder shaft extends up into the hull, and I wonder of the makers were so forward-thinking as its a great model and roomy inside. Be sure before sailing to see to the prop shaft packing gland, that it is full of grease. I am one year older than this model. 8-)
ReplyDeleteMy father was the Captain of this ship for many years. He is now 82. At Texaco he was the youngest Captain of their fleet and retire as Admiral and Commodore of the fleet.
ReplyDeleteMy father was the Captain of this ship for many years. He is now 82. At Texaco he was the youngest Captain of their fleet and retire as Admiral and Commodore of the fleet.
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