Hello, The old Model A vegetable sales side opening bed was one for the books. For rural locations far from normal shopping for groceries, this type of truck was designed for just that purpose of bringing the “goods” to the customer. When we were living in our old Westside of Long Beach house, it was not that far away as being out in the country locations, to the local shopping markets. But, there was a company whose sole intend was a captive audience in the neighborhood 1950s housewives sitting/working around the house while the dad was away at work. So, since the majority of the wives did not go to work, there was no need for a second car, even in the city environments. One guy drove by daily with his wares of the freshest vegetables picked from the vast farmers growing fields scattered around the whole area. The vegetables were sitting on packed ice with the curtains dropped down until he found a good stop. Now, he raised the curtains and the wives came out to buy their vegetables and other products he sold out of his open bed/covered truck bed. It was convenience for the transportation, lacking housewives. Shopping, just steps outside of your front door. Our mom was a customer and always liked the freshest produce brought by this vendor. But, the other vendor on opposing days was a similar truck set up in the same ice bed opening with the sides down until he, too, stopped and rolled up the curtains. Jnaki His products were the freshest fish, just brought to shore by the Long Beach fisherman and the flock of boats at the Terminal Island fishing harbor. So, it was a short drive to the Westside of Long Beach and the fish + shrimp + lobster in season and most any kind of catch the commercial fisherman sold to the vendor. But, when we saw the nicely laid out fish on ice, it was fresher fish than the week old fish sold in the larger commercial markets/grocery stores located a mile away. A local beachside vendor with plenty of great food sounds like a great summer job, in a nice custom hot rod platform. Ice cooled rear roll down sides prevent accidental theft when taking a break with some action in the waves... We never thought of those fresh vegetable/fresh fish trucks as a base for a hot rod build. But with wild ideas floating around the “old noggin,” here is a possibility for another vendor…YRMV A fall season job of cooking a meal and providing a service to the community neighborhoods… fresh baked and delivered to your front door!!! YES!
The Jalopy Journal
