A Little Piece of Movie History In North Branch
“Hey! I drove that truck in Jingle All The Way!”
If you’ve driven past Anderson & Koch Ford, you’ve probably noticed the vintage red tow truck parked proudly near the entrance. It’s more than a nostalgic display, it’s a piece of movie history with roots right here in Minnesota.
The truck is a 1966 Ford N-750 tow truck, the same style of wrecker featured in the 1996 Christmas classic Jingle All the Way, filmed throughout the Twin Cities.
In one memorable scene, the truck tows Howard Langston’s (Arnold Schwarzenegger) disabled SUV.
The story becomes even more local from there.
Former Anderson & Koch General Manager Bill Young discovered the vintage truck sitting in a farm field and brought it to the dealership, preserving a unique piece of automotive history.
Today, it greets visitors outside the dealership, complete with its Dakota County Towing lettering, a tribute to its Minnesota heritage.
Years later, a customer from Chisago City stopped by the dealership, looked at the truck, and said:
“I drove that truck in the movie.”
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Sixty years after it rolled off the assembly line and thirty years after making its Hollywood appearance in Jingle All the Way, this vintage Ford tow truck adds to the story of North Branch.
The next time you’re driving by Anderson & Koch Ford, take a moment to stop, snap a photo, and appreciate this unique piece of automotive…and movie…history.
Do you know more about this truck or remember seeing it during the filming of Jingle All the Way? We’d love to hear your story!
Reach out to the North Branch Area Chamber of Commerce! We’re always looking to preserve and share the stories that make our community special.
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