1948 Other Makes Helms Bakery

V8

Clear

Gasoline

For your Consideration; 1948 Divco Twin – Helms Bakery Truck This RARE post-war Los Angeles Helms Bakery truck was most likely purchased at the 1969 Helms Company Closing Auction. After WW II, the Helms Bakery bodies were then issued with “all aluminum” exterior skins. These bodies were far superior to there steel predecessors. This truck body has the large stylized Barn Doors in back - opening the truck up to the salacious interior envelope. The overall dimensions of the vehicle are 14’ 5” long, 6’ wide, 7’ 6” tall. This Divco Twin truck possesses a clean rust free body. The exterior side panels and “lid” are remarkably honest & straight with only 1 puncture wound located in the front. This truck body will truly be a dream project to repaint. Building the Helms Hot Rod in 1971 I recently crossed paths with a gentleman named Bud Lakeman, founder of Lakeman Chassis in Fullerton Ca. He recognized the truck in my photo immediately - and was excited to tell me about when it was built. He told me sometime around 1971 he fitted this truck with a 427 Ford engine, automatic transmission and a late model duly rear end for a man named Kurt Whiting who used it as a family camper and a highway traveling cruiser. Bud mentioned he has lost track of Kurt after he moved away to Colorado, and his friend should be about 68 or 9 years old now. Inside the Cabin. The interior was also fitted with a stove, refrigerator, a fold down table, a fold down bed and overhead storage. It had wall to wall green shag carpet, cork roof, 8-track stereo and lots of paneled siding and wood trim work. It had new upgraded gauges, a custom steering wheel and a really cool set of Star Trek type swivel bucket seats. It was a state of the art, happening, kind of hippymobile rod back in the rocken early 70s. Myself; I was pleased and amazed to have stumbled across the actual builder of my Helms hot rod. At the time, I hadn’t asked Bud weather he took part installing such details as the power steering duel exhaust & power breaks ect; or those super-mod swivel bucket seats. But he had given me his phone number. Bud did mention with a smile that Kurt’s child slept out on the front deck in the forward cabin, and the hot rod was really something to see in its day when it was on the road. The vehicle looks as though it had been stored somewhere for decades. Or maybe stored by one or more owners over the years, I don’t know. When I got it, it seemed basically unaltered from Bud’s descriptions of building it. The old green shag carpet ended up coming out during our clean up process, but it was all in there - wall to wall. Recently I called Bud and he mentioned in fact that he do the entire build of the Helms rod. ( F.Y.I.) One of Bud’s builds; a roadster in the mid 60s took the top honor at the Oakland Roadster Show and was then featured “front cover” on 4 different Hot Rod, Street Rod & Customs magazines. I recently decided to sell this rare Helms classic last week. I know someday I will look back to what I might have had - if I would have kept it. But I decided I have other classics; and it is not the time or place - to put this on the front burner. When I received it, I later discovered it had the key broke off in the ignition. I have actually never attempted to start it yet - or get it driving to date. My first step was to get better tires and tube work done all the way around and get it rolling. Then get it weighed… and then apply for a new clear title - now in my name. History The Helms Bakery Trucks delivered baked goods to the 1932 Olympics and through out the Los Angeles area until it’s closing in 1968. The little trolley-shaped vehicle with it’s signature “toot-toot” whistle had a legendary and memorable place in Southern California’s rich history. The Helms Divco-Twin There were only 148 Divco-Twin Helms bodies - built for the Helms Bakery. When the company closed it’s doors in 1968 some of those trucks were sold off at auction… and the rest were then scrapped. There are only a hand full of them surviving. The Historic Los Angeles Helms Truck These Helms vehicles have been featured in the most prestigious Concurs De Elegance & Auction- events in the nation. The Hemmings Motor news “Collector Car Magazine” did a large spread on the So Cal. Helms Bakery truck in the March 2012 issue. Historically significant with recent sales data values hitting big numbers. Helms Street Rod This Helms Bakery Truck would continue to make a great Street Rod, Shop truck, Motorcycle shop hauler, Toy hauler or Business Mascot advertising vehicle. The frame is nice and heavy for towing and the Dually Rear End fit nicely into it. I was recently told someone placed one of these Helms bodies onto a ½ or ¾ ton Chevy truck chassis and it also worked out well. Included in the sale: The contact information to the owner of the vintage artwork “Masters” originally used to make the vehicle’s Helms Bakery graphics. Another set of Helms Graphics can be reproduced directly from these full color Masters in vinyl - for around $2-300 ! Helms Reference links 1. http://gombessa.tripod.com/scienceleadstheway/id5.html 2. http://www.laobserved.com/archive/2011/08/helms_bakery_truck.php 3. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U90ka_QnNVY 4. http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=endscreen&NR=1&v=jNcpPXiNWbA 5. http://carproperty.com/1936-twin-coach-helms-bakery-truck-ad97631725.htm The winning bidder; · $500 deposit required within 24 hours at close of auction. · Balance Due in 5 days via Bank to Bank transfer. · Short term storage of the vehicle is available This vehicle has been fitted with a set of used tires and tubes holding air well. The truck measures; 14’ 5” long, 6’ wide, 7’ 6” tall. Seller will assist Buyer in his “pick-up” or transporter arrangements. Vehicle is stored about 5 miles North-West of Disneyland in Southern Ca. 92804 Vehicle – “Sold As Is” Priced to Sell - Reasonable Reserve - Happy Bidding - Upon winning your auction; $500 deposit required at close of auction. - Balance wired in 5 days. Shipping; Winning bidder is responsible for shipping. Local PU is accepted. International Buyers; International bidders are accepted. Methods of Payment; Papal. bank to bank transfer Items are described "As Is” We are not knowledgeable of all items. We photograph and describe these items to the best of our ability. Please make sure you know what you are bidding on. If you have any questions not answered by the description or pictures, please email us before placing your bid. On Sep-12-12 at 07:16:29 PDT, seller added the following information: Hemmings Motor News Article;http://www.hemmings.com/hcc/stories/2012/03/01/hmn_feature18.htmlOn Sep-13-12 at 11:20:10 PDT, seller added the following information: I’ll try to make clear your understanding. I have actually never gotten around to attempting to start my Helms truck. The truck still has it’s 1970s - 40 year old battery in it, and of coarse the broken-off key. I had decided to sell the truck 2 weeks ago. After talking to it’s original builder, it looks like it is still “as built” and has been stored away for 4 decades. The last Helms Divco Twin owner that I spoke with said he covets his truck and had searched for one for over 10 years. He now parks his Divco Twin along side his museum restored 1930s Duesenburg ! This is how valuable these Helms Bakery trolleys are becoming. Even In the worst of US economic times - they have sold for 74k and 64K (not including auction fees & taxes) This Helms Divco is being sold as is not running. The new owner may decide to place it onto a Chevrolet 2500 chassis for a done deal, or possibly install a new crate motor to his liking into it. He may also return it into a Helms delivery with the bakery drawers. Either way the remaining - 1 year only 1948 divco Twins with aluminum bodies & wide rear doors are upcoming and coveted collector car vehicles. Owners now get invitations to the Concours events and headliner auctions. They are in demand with advanced collectors and carry large price tags now. The truck’s 10K reserve is far under fair market value and most defiantly - priced to sell in the current market. Good luck. On Sep-14-12 at 13:50:19 PDT, seller added the following information: It's Not Running I appreciate your inquiry. Please take the time to read over my description. I have previously stated the original builder has told me he personally installed a 427 Ford with auto trans, duely rear and all you see pictured -into this Helms. (It appears to be in unaltered condition). It has also been stored away for 4 decades. It still has an old 1970s battery in it with lots of corrosion on the terminals, the same custom air cleaner, chrome valve covers ect. on the engine, and lots of dust. I would not have any reason to believe the engine had ever been changed out over the years - I don't know. Regretfully, I haven't had my opportunity to ID the engine, or get it running yet for myself. The Aluminum Divco Twins The 1948 aluminum Divco Twin - is a 1-year-only Helms Bakery body. A one time order of these coaches was placed by Helms in 1948. After the war, aluminum became available to Divco. The helms order in 1948 were the only Divco Twins built using aluminum skins and also boasted those large wide opening double doors in the rear. Sadly these were the last Divco Twins ever built. A nice year to own and straight & rust free. The body alone might bring twice the reserve. Have you seen a nice clean aluminum '48 changing hands cheap lately? Here is your chance. Sold as is. Will it start up and go for a drive?? Your guess would be as good as mine.. The obvious plan was to install a new fuel pump, battery, carb rebuild and ignition switch ect. This vehicle is currently 70 miles away in storage, and I haven't had my opportunity to find out yet. So it's priced accordingly, best of luck. Happy Bidding