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1936 Helms Bakery Delivery Truck

front right

Isn’t it cute, or at least charming? These were used by Helms Bakery of Culver City to deliver donuts, bread, pies and other pastries to homes and neighborhoods within a 15 square mile radius of the bakery in Culver City. Many of those of us who grew up in LA will remember the familiar tweet tweet sound of the whistle as these bakery trucks made their rounds. The price here on Hemmings might be shocking at $72,500, but it is a piece of American automotive history. They have sold at auction for prices ranging from $60,ooo to over $70,000. There were only 148 of these built by the Faegeol-Twin Coach Corporation. The engine is a Hercules in-line four.  This one is complete and one would assume restored. It even has the original pie and pastry cabinets as well as the “tweet-tweet pie-tin whistle”. These whistles were created by Divco using a pair of pie tins connected with a bellows. It is said that in 1969 the Apollo astronauts had sandwiches made with Helms bread before heading to the moon. This will be an interesting addition to someone’s collection, hopefully somewhere the public will be able to see it.

 

Comments

  1. Avatar Dan Farrell

    Remember them well coming by our house in Whittier Ca.

    Like 0
  2. Avatar pontiactivist

    I have an early 70’s van truck magazine with one like this done up in 70’s van fashion. Cool looking delivery. Can think of better things to spend 70 grand on though.

    Like 0
  3. Avatar Scot Carr

    ~ The interior is woodworking art.

    Like 0
  4. Avatar GlenK

    Someone has been trying to unload this for a while. People seem to forget “it’s only worth what you can get for it”. So, if no one has given him or her $70,000 some odd it just not worth it.

    Like 0
  5. Avatar Jasper

    How many people fell out driving around corners? Or slipped off the minimal saddle hitting the brakes?

    Like 0
  6. Avatar bruce

    helms was also in san deigo, they delivered bread and pastries to my grandmothers house. it was a big deal for the grandkids , you got to pick out a cooky. the truck was a extended 1950 chevy panel truck, 2 tone light brown, dark brown

    Like 0
  7. Avatar Jason Houston

    I doubt they had narrow whitewalls in 1937.

    Like 0

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