There are plenty of obvious candidates when it comes to choosing a project vehicle. However, this 1946 Dodge Brothers Langendorf Bread Delivery Truck offers something different and unique. Restored to its former glory, it would be an eye-catching vehicle for parades, shows, or at a Cars & Coffee. It needs work, but with items like the original signage intact, the buyer has something to work with. Why not take a look to see if it appeals to you?
Bernard Langendorf started the bakery company bearing his name in San Francisco, California, in 1895. The company grew, relocating to larger premises in San Jose in 1926. Bernard’s sons took over the reins, and continuing growth resulted in further factories opening in Los Angeles and Seattle. American Bakeries, Inc. purchased the company in 1964, ending the family’s involvement. Langendorf’s followed a typical bakery practice, shipping its products to stores in its own fleet of trucks, emblazoned with the company name. This 1926 Dodge Brothers Truck is a typical example, featuring an impressively large cargo area to accommodate plenty of bread to feed the hungry masses. It is unclear when it last saw service, and there is no disputing the fact that it requires a total restoration. However, the foundations are there to return this gem to its former glory. The sheetmetal is intact and appears to suffer from nothing beyond surface corrosion. There are areas where the original paint combination is visible without signs of significant fading. The signage is also present, allowing the new owner to perform a faithful restoration. It appears that most of the timber is also there, although some pieces may require replacement. However, that shouldn’t be a problem, with the originals fit to serve as templates.
The interior is missing its seats, although the dash and gauges are present and restorable. I am unsure whether this Truck would have featured a bench seat or a single driver’s seat that allowed walk-through access into the cargo area. That was a common practice with vehicles of this type as delivery men often worked alone. However, either approach would be acceptable and would be a matter of personal taste.
There are no engine photos, but the seller confirms that this Truck features an engine and transmission. The specifications for both are unclear, but I located information that might be relevant. This classic should feature a 201ci flathead six that produced 82hp in 1946. It is possible that Langendorfs ordered the Truck with the larger 217.8ci six, but since the load being carried wasn’t typically heavy, I would be surprised if they did. Shifting duties fall to a three-speed manual transmission, although there was an optional four-speed if buyers were willing to spend the money. The seller doesn’t have the keys to this classic, but that shouldn’t present many problems. The mechanical components in these Trucks are typically pretty hardy, and a mechanical refresh, if required, should be straightforward.
Classic pony and muscle cars are obvious candidates for project builds, but there is a hardy group of enthusiasts who have a passion for returning vintage trucks to their former glory. This 1946 Dodge Brothers Langendorf Bread Delivery Truck could become something special, as a reminder of a company started by one man with a dream and determination. It is listed here on Barn Finds Classifieds in Lucerne Valley, California. If it ticks the boxes for you, why not visit the listing for a closer look?
If I may be the 1st, with painfully slow internet, this is not a 1946, but more like a 1936 1.5 ton LE series. Possible typo, but a stark difference from ’36 to ’46 and while the ’46 amazingly used the same motor, this was only about 70 HP. These trucks were shipped with just a front clip and chassis, and a truck body builder made the rest. As you can see, not much in the line of driver comfort, but remember, these trucks never went very far, and mainly in big cities. Langendorf was a local brand, every big city had several very much like the old Wonderbread, which I always liked and not made today. In the 30s, bread was huge, and even in my small town, there was the “Italian bread makers” that’s all they did was make bread. Nice find, and as far as an advertising piece, has potential, but this old gals bread hauling days are long gone.
Thats a 34-35 Dodge ,not a 46…
“You’ll grow grow grow with Lang-Lang-Langendorf bread!” Now back to our regularly scheduled program…
Days gone by not worth restoring at todays prices for labor and paint etc all thou if you were nuts it would make a cool food truck
This is a neat truck, I see it getting a Cummins transplant
Brought to you by the folks selling the Lincoln coupe. Wonder if they have anything that isn’t junk. It would make a good ice cream truck though.
Wow…..that bread was heavy !!!
My money’s with the 1936 vintage. Dodge kept up with the design trends, even with the commercial bodies.
These always were a classic. Doing anything but a full restoration would be the order of the day. I do admit that I might be tempted to use a larger six, like a 250 although it might be too long to fit that engine bay. Anyways, I hope it doesn’t get the resto-mod treatment…
Hey, pal, how’ve you been? In the 30s, Dodge was actually a relatively modern truck. Aside from swoopy styling, many features were standard, such as, “Fore-Point” load distribution, with the motor and cab moved forward a bit for more weight on the steer, an early form of cabover, I reckon. Things we take for granted like, adjustable steering columns, hydraulic brakes( some still had mechanical in the 30s), vacuum wipers,( some still had hand operated) hand choke and throttle( poor mans cruise), a heater, HD frame, full gauges, even synchro transmissions. I can’t find a cost when new, however, a 1936 Ford 1.5 ton was around $725, or 1/5th the cost of a house. I’d imagine a Dodge was about the same price, regardless, it was a major investment at the time.
RE: resto-mod,,I don’t think so. It’s not the kind of vehicle that would lend itself well to that. Way too much work, and for what? No, I think( hope) someone will restore it as a promotional piece, running or not.
Mid-1930s cowl and chassis rebodied in 1946?
In the body of the write up Adam says it is a 26? I have no clue
But Howard wonder bread is still sold here in South Carolina still says builds strong bodies in 12 ways with the multi colored dots on the label
IF I owned a Panera or something similiar I’d restomod it and write it off as a marketing expense.
It deserves to be preserved in some form.
That truck had to have the best “interior” smell ever back in its day!
Earliest truck experience was Dad’s 1933 BB 4 cyl 1-1/2 ton as passenger in early ‘50s, OK w/o load, but loaded long climb was a killer.
Jack Webb is a killer in “Appointment with Danger” 1950 ‘U S Post Office’ film noir. Others recognized as good guys later are 1950 baddies.
Watch black & white trailer on YouTube.
IMCDB internet movie cars database has an extensive list of cars, buses, trains, taxis (+1948 checker) and lots of ’36 – ’48 full cab box trucks wearing fake Log Cabin bread ID. The only front clip & chassis, special body is a ’47 International Harvester KB5 U S Mail truck.
Movie opens as White WA series backs into loading slot. There’s a ’48 White 798 ‘Highway Post Office’ bus. Toss in a couple of airplanes too.
The movie has twists and turns building tension to very end.