1979-Kidco Diversifies the Lineup.1979 brought about the most interesting changes for the lineup. The trucks were now being produced under the name "Tough Wheels" for "Kidco". They were still produced in Hong Kong, and not much physically changed on the trucks as as far as changes in design, but there were other changes afoot.
The only major design change was that the conventionals received sleeper roof mounted air deflectors. These were molded in either red, or black plastic. They were rather cheaply made and mounted.
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New Boxes! Yeah!!!
The cabs were still available in individual packages, but the packaging got a facelift. The cabs that were sold individually were now called Kidco Super Tough Wheels. The packaging remained the same shape and style, but the color changed to blue, and the cabs were facing the other direction. Then the paint schemes became more varied, and the cab stripes came back. It seems that the unstriped cabs would be relatively rare, considering that the production run was extremely short. The orange Peterbilt cabover became a dark maroon with red and yellow stripes. The green Kenworth conventional became an orangish-yellow, also with red and yellow striping. Lastly, the Peterbilt conventional could be had in a red with white striped configuration, or in black with blue and violet stripes (the nicest one yet!) |
Allied's Gone, And So Are The Individual Trailers.
1979 was a turning point as far as marketing was concerned. The Allied Van Lines trailer ceased to exist. Rumors state that they lost licensing on Allied. Who knows for sure? This was the first of the introductory four trailers to get cut from the lineup. (Worth mentioning here- The Watkins truck also got cut, probably in late 1976. I am not sure when it got cut from production, but I must make my estimate based upon construction. I have many with the pressed wheels, and only one with 'floaters'. The unit with the floaters has a differently colored rear suspension, so I doubt the validity of it's authenticity. All of the trailers I have in my collection have matching colored landing gear, and rear suspensions.) Then another unexpected death. Somewhere along the line, Kidco decided that selling trailers individually was not profitable. In 1979, single trailer packaging was cancelled. The only way to get the trailers was to buy the whole combo. But like the cab striping, this is another change that won't last very long. |
Allied's Gone, And So Are The Individual Trailers.
There was also a tractor-trailer unit that was new this year, but (like the other trailers and cabs) could not be had individually. Kidco replaced the Allied Van Lines truck with the "K-Line" tractor trailer. (K-Line was an obvious reference to Kidco corporation.) This rig was new for 1979. This unit was a red Peterbilt conventional with orange stripes. A white refrigerated van trailer accompanied the cab, with red stripes and reefer unit. Other notable changes were the stripes that returned on all of the cabs. Even the new dark blue Kenworth cabover got some new striping. The Peterbilt cabover got new striping, and a lighter blue paint job. (Best looking Peterbilt cabover yet? ...Could be.) But once again, the only way to get these sharp tractors was to buy the combo rig. |
