319 Truck With Trailer
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-2305
Advertised Part Count(s): 74 pieces
First Year Confirmed Available: 1967
All 1967 Model Makers are incredibly hard to track as they were not typically advertised like the larger assortments/models. However, the 317 is even more so difficult as it never appears in Samsonite catalogs or idea books either. It can be reliably dated to 1967 via the format number for the instructions.
196? Canada - I have no idea when this set would've released in Canada due to a lack of good Canadian sources. We do have an example which you can see on this forum post.
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 319 has a tabbed variant which would suggest a 1969 production.
Last Year Seen Available: 1971
Greeley Daily Tribune, December 17th, 1970
Aliases: Truck With Trailer, Model No. 319, 74-piece LEGO Model Maker
Retail Price(s): 97c-$1.19(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
The 317 Truck With Trailer, similar to most of the 1967 Model Maker line has two known USA variants:
The original drawer version without an alternate number:
The 1969 tabbed box variant with the alternate number:
There is a Canadian version with a tabbed box, but I have no image to show.
The set was also given away through the 1967 Oxydol Sampler Set, but I'm not sure what the box would've looked like(or if it even shipped in its colorful box or not).
Box/Overview
The 319 Truck With Trailer, 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:
And the sides are the standard affair with other 1967 Model Makers:
And the drawer(or tab on later boxes):
Contents
As with other 1967 Model Makers, the set would've contained the pieces required to build the intended model. Conveniently, the built fits in the box partially assembled for storage:
Intended Model
The intended model uses all basic pieces—there should be no surprises:
