General Information

The following information has been collected from original newspapers, catalogs, and magazines, some of which are freely available for reference below. The rest can be found in the site’s gallery. No aggregate catalogs (BrickLink, Brickset, etc.) were used.

Instructions: H-2303

Advertised Part Count(s): 124 pieces

Set Box

First Year Confirmed Available: 1967(USA)

All 1967 Model Makers are incredibly hard to track as they were not typically advertised like the larger assortments/models. However, the 317 is fortunate to have a 1967 appearance:

1967 Spiegel Catalog

I will return here to cover the Canadian side of things later, as I currently have a lack of sources for Canadian Model Makers and am not comfortable making any assertions.

Most Likely Retirement Date: 1969

The set does not appear in a 1970 dealer catalog nor does it appear in the 1969 idea book. However, the 317 has a tabbed variant which would suggest a 1969 production.

Last Year Seen Available: 1971

Express News, January 27th, 1971

Aliases: Truck, Truck-Model Maker

Retail Price(s): 97c-$2.50(USA)

Note: Samsonite discontinued listing RRPs for sets in 1967. As a result, Model Maker sets' prices can vary. I've theorized this to be a reason 1968+ Model Makers include a secondary number, you can read about it here.

Rarity Score(Index): 3/7

Known Box/Packing Variants

There are two known versions of the USA 317:

The drawer version without an alternative number:

Around 1969, Model Makers were given a tabbed box and an alternate number:

There should also exist a Canadian version. It will have a tabbed box and not a drawer/sleeve style.

Box/Overview

The 317 Truck, like all sets in the new Model Maker line, was not an original Samsonite creation but instead already was a set sold in Europe.

The North American version reuses the European image of the set:

box top image

And the sides are the standard affair with other 1967 Model Makers:

And the drawer(or tab on later boxes):

Contents

I've seen some examples of the 317 using the large tray from 1965-1970 basic sets, so it's possible mine is either missing or some copies of the set didn't include one: