Grumman has produced bodies for several delivery vehicles over the years, with the most noticeable perhaps being UPS delivery vans from 1966 forward. Others include the Olsonette which served well for auto parts and baked goods deliveries. That’s how the seller’s van began life, as a 1969 Grumman Olsonette, used to tote bread for Capital Bakery out of Pennsylvania. It has since been significantly customized physically and mechanically with additional details that can be found here on Daily Turismo. But from Milford, Massachusetts, it’s offered for sale here on Facebook Marketplace for $19,000. For those wanting a vehicle that no one else has, this could be it. Thanks, Tony Primo!
To find the history of the Grumman Olson vans, you have to go back to 1946 when Jimmy Olson partnered with a Chevy car dealer in Brooklyn to sell aluminum-body trucks to the laundry industry. They brought in Grumman Aircraft Engineering to design the bodies that would then go on Chevrolet chassis. A series of expansions, acquisitions, name changes, and sales would take place over the years until apparently Grumman got involved 100% in the 1980s. Their first contract with UPS in ’66 really got the ball rolling.
This ’69 edition of the Olsonette (smaller than a UPS delivery truck) once served a bakery in the Northeast. The seller provides a photo of what it must have looked like back in those days before up to 14 feet were lopped off to provide for what you see here now. The builders envisioned something of a cool rolling beer dispensary but stopped work just shy of the project being at 100%. It’s been sitting around unused for about a year, so the decision was made to pass it along for someone else to create an interesting advertising vehicle or some such thing.
Some of the many changes made to this life-size “Hot Wheels” is the use of a turbo-charged 300 cubic inch Ford inline-6 engine with a C6 automatic transmission. A nine-inch rear end is out back with 3.55 gears and posi-traction and the suspension has airbags at all four corners. The van has disc brakes in the front and drums in the back for stopping.
The whole thing was repainted in Capital Bakery colors (why?) and has Captain’s chairs for its occupants but is otherwise bare inside. One reader of the magazine article wonders how the driver and others don’t get overheated as the windows don’t appear to go up or down and there is no visible sign of air conditioning. Maybe that problem remains on the to-do list. If you bought this neat van, what would you do with it?
An interesting vehicule. Although having been redone ? comparing to the bread truck, visibility is probably lousy and do i not see windshield wipers, i would have kept it like the original at least it would have been road worthy all year long.
Will the engine overheat in that confined space? How about on hot days?
Make a great band wagon 🤣😂
Where’s Shaggy, Scooby-Doo, and the Gang? This would be great for a modern day spon-off!!
That poor truck…
$19k, with a 6 cyl., listed 10 weeks ago, i can see why it is still for sale.
Bit high on the price since it’s not street legal yet. No windshield wipers doesn’t fly with most states. Do have to ask how you take “14 feet” out of a short truck. AC shouldn’t be a problem and unless the windows are modified would be the only option to make it comfortable. BTW, engine location is normal for this type of van. Radiator and fan are up front behind the grill and there’s plenty of open space around the engine to expel the hot air. Bought right this could be fun to own.
more likely bob, it was 14″ from the height lol
cool ride, even though i have never been a chop and drop fan
Looking at this van makes me hungry for hotdogs on the grill. So my question to the readers. Are you a mustard fan or a ketchup fan?
Fugly. Should have kept it original.
A once nice van that ended up in the hands of a moronic redneck with no taste and unearned cash.
You’re hypotheses is based on stupidity. Unless you know this person you’re more likely the moron.
I worked in the bakery business for 28 yrs. These and all older bread trucks are hot miserable noisy rattle traps. I wouldn’t want it if it was FREE !!
This must have been before Jimmy Olsen worked for the Daily Planet. Who knew???
Perfect truck to deliver short bread and shortcakes with…ha, ha. I would hit the local pick-a-part for some better seats.
damn, I hada dream bout doin this toa ‘step van’ (1? 2? nites ago). Wanted it to B high enuff for a walk thru, but just barely, just my 5′ 11″. Dont like the effect on the snout here tho. Windows are fine tho. I’d pick another in which the frnt would not look odd (2 me) like this one.
“One Man’s trash is another Man’s treasure.”
It’s more about taste and style or preference. Not off to a bad beginning.
Plan A
– Leave the Bread Truck motif.
– Spruce up the inside like the old 60’s and 70’s Surf Vans (with some modern touches) .
– Add a roof top A/C unit.
– 6 cyl is ok, you’re not going to race it after all.
That’s it! and you have a one-of-a-kind cruiser to take to the Show and Shine.
Or, Plan B
Paint it like the Mystery Machine and me and the wife jump in with our 3 Cats and go off solving mysteries!
Lol