Carnation Truck
What in Carnation?? (Yep, I crack myself up!)
The Carnation Truck was a favorite photo op for many years, as is witnessed in these two photos from different lots. They both date from around 1957. I can only assume that this is another example of a convincing pseudo-antique vehicle designed by Bob Gurr. Anyone? Bueller? Anyone?
Here it is again. Not much to add as far as the truck is concerned. Someday the Flower Mart would be in this location, did the truck go bye-bye at that point? Anyway, let's take a look at the upstairs windows, maybe there's a name we recognize.
Christopher D. Miller...that kid has all the luck. Like having Walt Disney as his grandpa! Can you imagine? He was only about 3 years old at this time, but apparently he was already fond of physical fitness, like his father Ron. Maybe he learned Rex Kwan Do.
9 comments:
The Carnation truck is a Gurrmobile and was a favorite of walt's. There are many stories of Walt firing up the truck and driving it on Main Street.
As the duck said "You Quack me up too"! Nice pix.
We especially like Mable's half-hearted driving in the second shot, with her left hand on the wheel. Just don't get behind her - apparently she's about to back up.
From the December 13, 2000 "Designer Times" by Bob Gurr on LaughingPlace.com (http://www.laughingplace.com/News-PID108035-108036.asp):
"An early sponsor at Disneyland was the Carnation Milk Company. They wanted to have an antique delivery truck parked on Main Street right in front of their Carnation Ice Cream parlor. Walt had me design an antique looking truck, which Carnation built right in their own truck maintenance shop in Glendale.
"I based the antique design on a “modern” 1931 Model A Ford chassis. A friend made a custom radiator emblem for it naming the truck.....Gurrmobile. I used to get a kick out of “know-it-all” guests who would tell others how they remember the old Gurrmobiles that were built in Los Angeles long ago. For years it served as a photo-op prop in front of the ice cream parlor. When folks would take each other’s photo seated in the cab, behind them would appear the words “Carnation Milk”......clever publicity."
As everyone else has said, it's a Gurrmobile. For more info on Bob Gurr, I strongly suggest "Disneyland Detective", a very entertaining book about the hidden (and not so hidden) details at Disneyland.
Thanks for all of the info, everybody! I forgot to ask...does this vehicle still exist??
Thanks for all the great images in 2007 Major!
Happy New Year!!
Peter Vincent
Wow. I was there and I assumed the old betsy was really an old betsy. Who knew?
The Carnation truck was retired by Disney and moved to the back lot where it sat for a number of years. In the late 90s, the manager of the Carnation Farms located in Carnation, Washington and home of the founder of the Carnation Company was given the truck for the museum at the farm. The truck was restored and repainted and is now on display at the farm. It even occasionally motors around the farm at special events.
Post a Comment