The Budgie No.18 Foden Dumper Lorry was originally part of the Morris & Stone (Morestone) Esso Petrol Pump Series where it was added to the range in 1957 as Esso Series No.18 Foden Dumper Lorry. It was bright red with a yellow dumper and had two sizes of metal wheels.

Modelling from a hefty vehicle like the real Foden Dump Truck was difficult but the result was a neat model with good detail, especially on the dumper.

When Budgie re-issued No.18 in 1961 in the 'Mobile' Vehicle Series, the dumper colour was changed to grey but otherwise it remained the same, including the generous silver trim on the front, and the metal wheels.

The half-cab and open chassis of No.18 were one casting without a base. This may have been authentic but on a small model was prone to weakness so later the chassis was re-cast with a substantial strengthener above the middle axle. Unfortunately, this prevented the dumper from sitting flat so late models are easily recogniseable.

The dumper was a detailed piece of casting with outer ribs, a noduled floor, and a large overhang above the cab under which was cast the only identification on the model which just said 'Made in England' and 'No.18'.

With the type 2 chassis, No.18 had other changes. The red colour was now darker, the silver trim at the front was dropped and the metal wheels were replaced by two sizes of black plastic.

Apart from the Esso Petrol Pump boxes, the Foden Dumper Lorry appeared in Budgie Gift Sets Nos.8 and 12, and was later issued in 'Mobile' Vehicle Series boxes and both types of 'Modern' box.

The only blister-packs used for No.18 were the blue ones, but it was also included in the first triple blister-pack, No.96b Road Construction Set, not long before it was withdrawn in 1966 when Guiterman (Budgie's owners) ceased trading.

In the United States it was included in a boxed collection of six models in blue blister-packs under the title 'Budgie Collectors Models' which was distributed by Flare Industries Inc. of New York.