1933 Twin Coach Delivery Truck

This 1933 Twin Coach is said to have been part of a fleet of stand-and-drive delivery trucks manufactured by Twin Coach of Kent, Ohio, in the 1930s for Helms Bakery, which serviced the Los Angeles, California, area. The truck underwent a refurbishment in 2008 under previous ownership that included a repaint in the Helms Bakery livery, refinishing work on the interior cabinets, and a rebuild of the 199ci Hercules inline-four. It was then acquired by the current owner after listed via a March 2021 BaT auction, and subsequent work consisted of repairing the alternator as well as adding period-style graphics and props. Additional equipment includes a three-speed manual transmission, 18″ Dayton steel-spoked wheels, a fold-away driver’s seat, wooden shelves, cabinets, and sliding glass-front drawers that can be locked for transport. This Twin Coach is now offered by the seller on behalf of the current owner with copies of factory literature, service records since 2008, accessories, and a clean California title. During a refurbishment in 2008, the truck was refinished in the Helms Bakery yellow and blue livery after steel patches were added on the front panel, the engine hood, and the doors. Additional work included replacing the aluminum door panels, repairing one bumper, and custom fabricating a new bumper to duplicate the factory unit. After the owner’s acquisition, period-style Helms Bakery graphics were added to the body panels and windows. The 18″ Dayton steel-spoked wheels are wrapped in S.T.A. Super Transport tires. The suspension utilizes solid axles and leaf springs at the front and the rear. Braking is handled by four-wheel hydraulic drums with exposed shoes and wheel cylinders. The “Stand and Drive” configuration is facilitated by a combination brake/clutch pedal that acts as a clutch release during the first part of its travel and engages the brakes as it continues moving down. Instrumentation consists of a barrel-style speedometer along with Stewart-Warner gauges for amperage, oil pressure, and coolant temperature. The five-digit odometer shows 19k miles, a few of which were added by the current owner. Total chassis mileage is unknown. The cabin features wooden flooring, shelving, and cabinets that were refinished under prior ownership. The bicycle-style seat is mounted to a folding base that can be moved for entry and egress. The sliding drawers feature glass fronts and can be locked for driving via a central locking mechanism, and replica doughnuts made by a movie prop house were added by the current owner. Replica bread loaves, paddle, and cookie jars are included, along with original branded pie tins. The Hercules 199ci flathead inline-four utilizes a single Zenith 94-T carburetor and was rated by the manufacturer at 37.5 horsepower and 124 lb-ft of torque. The engine was rebuilt by Engine Components and Machine of Santa Ana, California, in 2009, and a 12-volt electric fuel pump is fitted. The Delco alternator fitted in place of the factory generator was recently repaired. Power is sent to the rear wheels through a Brown Lipe three-speed manual transmission. A Helms Bakery hat and whistle are also included in the sale, along with patches and signage.