This is interesting. Very nicely restored. Reserve not met with top bid at $28k. http://www.ebay.com/itm/262256488138?forcerRptr=true&item=262256488138&viewitem=
Another vehicle by Twin Coach, this one a U.S. Mail delivery van. Would be nice to see one of these for sale or on the street.
Both of those vans are great. I read something about the Helm's bakery not long ago. Probably on the HAMB van site. I notice no rear windows and the only mirror seems to be in front of the door which would be useles for driving. I suppose with less traffic and horses pulling wagons being smarter than today's drivers it worked out fine. Never saw one of those mail vans. Lots of "cute" vehicles back then. Much better than today's box mail car.
For ANYONE growing up in the metro Los Angeles area in the 50's and 60's (like ME), these Helms trucks are a big part of your memories. The Helms bakery was over on the east side of Culver City (where I was born and lived the first 5 years of my life). The Helms trucks would roam neighborhoods, and you could SMELL them coming. And oh what a glorious smell it was. All kinds of fresh bakery goods - breads, donuts, cakes, cookies, etc. Generally, you would beg mom for 10 cents for a donut, and run to the truck.
Generally, you would beg mom for 10 cents for a donut, and run to the truck. And just what would you get today after you begged for 10 cents and ran to the bakery truck? The hole perhaps! We lived in central Illinois. All I remember are the milk trucks, the ice cream truck, an old guy with a wagan and horse selling produce in summers, and another selling firewood or coal. I'd end up with a lump of coal if I whined enough for a donut and what the horse left behind.
NO! Some things need to be kept original. Many of the UltraVan RV's in my other group are being turned into food wagons. Buy a later model cheap motorhome for that. And don't mess up good milk trucks.
I am a purist but If I had one , thetas what I would do with it without much modification. Would stay true to the original design. Would do the cooking elsewhere, but that would be my delivery vehicle. Yes sir!
