Chevron Cars Trevor Tow Truck

Made By:

Chevron

Scale:

N/A

MSRP:

US$8.99

Overview:
Packaging (Design):	8/10
Packaging (Durability):	9/10
Casting (Body):	9/10
Casting (Interior):	9/10
Casting (Chassis):	8/10
Casting (Engine):	8/10
Paint (Exterior):	N/A
Paint (Interior):	N/A
Paint (Trim/Graphics):	9/10
Overall Panel Fit:	10/10
Total Score:	8.8/10

 

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Background

In Chevron's Auto Shop class, Trevor Tow Truck explains the basics of internal combustion engines (and the benefits of a certain fuel) to a class of cars including Zachary Zoomer, Dylan Dasher, Bailey Bouncer, and Skyler Scamper.

Packaging

Trevor Tow Truck is sitting on a base approximately 8¼" (210mm) x 4½" (115mm), with a printed cement floor surface. This base is approximately ¾" (18mm) thick with a green edge. The Chevron logo/name and "Keep your Neighborhood Clean ♻" are printed on both ends, while Trevor's name and the Chevron Cars logo are on the front edge. Behind him is a printed panel with an image of the shop class/garage: a chalkboard with "Lessons on Techron," a "Techron Tech" pennant pinned to the wall, various tools and fixtures around the room, and Skyler and Zachary on lifts. "Safety tested and recommended for children age 3 and over" is printed on a tool box near the lower right corner of the panel. The back panel has the same setting, but now Trevor is in front of the chalkboard and Brandon is parked under Zachary's lift. The text on the chalkboard has been changed to list this toy's features, while the bottom has a photo of Trevor with callouts for his moving eyes, opening hood, reflective mirrors, working tow bar, opening doors, dual rear tires, and deluxe hubs. Next to the photo is the usual marketing paragraph: "Students at Techron Tech love Trevor Tow Truck's Auto Shop class because he really knows cars inside and out. He teaches that engines like a school bad and explains how to keep them running in perfect harmony. Tough things like pistons and valves are a piece of cake for Trevor's students because he makes class fun. But Trevor Tow Truck is serious about engine performance...so remember, 'No monkeying around!'" A small flyer, SafeTrek Travel Club info sheet, and "Owner's Manual" are packed inside the blister under Trevor.

Casting/Paint

Trevor is cast in a combination of desaturated blue and yellow ABS: the former for the cab and hood, the latter for the fenders, bumper, and tow body. The tow boom is black, while the tow cradle, mirrors, rood lights, and antenna are silver plastic. Reflective silver stickers are used for the mirror glass, Chevron Travel Club/Roadside Assistance badges are on each door, and a Techron sticker is mounted as the license plate on the rear bumper. The tires are vinyl with Chevron/Techron cast on the sidewalls and are mounted on silver heavy duty wheels - singles up front, duallies in the rear. His parking lights, Roof light lenses, and lower rear lights are orange, his upper taillights are red, his grille and rear bumper are silver, his windshield visor is desaturated yellow (a pretty good match to the cast plastic), and his mouth is black with white teeth. All of the paint apps are applied neatly, with good sharp edges and proper alignment. His eyes are blue with pink eyelids. The interior is gray with a black steering wheel, done up to represent a spartan truck interior: a single bench seat with lap belts and a flat dash with basic gauges and a CB radio. Under the hood is a basic but passable inline engine. It has recognizable detailing for the valve cover, air cleaner, and radiator, all done in a uniform silver color. The chassis is a bit fancier than usual, with detailing for the front and rear suspensions, engine, and dual fuel tanks. The sides are designed to poke out from under the doors as running boards, complete with detailed tread patterns.

Features/Accessories

Trevor has opening doors and an opening hood, moveable tow rig, and moving eyes. The hinges work nicely and the doors snap securely into their "closed" positions. The eyes are activated by pushing down on his hood and rolling him forward, which makes his eyes move side to side. The black tow boom has two internal tabs to stop movement, one at about horizontal and the other just before vertical, while the silver cradle has one tab when it's nearly parallel to the boom. Putting the boom in the "up" position and letting it drop back to the first tab allows the cradle to rest flat against the angled back of the tow body. Setting the boom to its lowest position and fully extending the cradle allows Trevor to tow any other Car in the series. The tabs are extremely stiff, to where it feels like damage is inevitable if these joints are overused. But on this previously-unboxed copy they function as they should, and Trevor has no problem hitching up another vehicle.

Accuracy

The biggest difference here, aside from the realities of casting a toy (the antenna can't really e made from wire), is that in the ad Trevor had a traditional tow rig painted yellow. But hook and chain trucks haven't been used much since The Dukes of Hazzard era, so a wheel lift or integrated truck is a perfectly understandable update. The door graphics have also been changed, from generic "24 hour towing" to Chevron's then-new Travel Club. With the tow rig stowed, Trevor measures approximately 7" (180mm) long, 3½" (90mm) wide, and 4" (100mm) tall. Fully extended, the rig adds about 3" (80mm) of length.

Overall

A surprisingly nice little vehicle, Trevor is very well done and has a ton of features. The classic 1950s truck vibe will be familiar to many, and the updated boom may be technically inaccurate but adds a nice bit of value by being able to work with other Chevron Cars.