Weekend Edition: Hot August Nights – Jeep Fleetvan Milk Truck?

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With some minimal research it would appear that this is what is known as a Jeep FJ-3 delivery van. They were built in the early-to-mid 1960s, though not in notable quantities. This is the first one I’ve ever seen, and frankly had never heard of them. This  leads event the most avid Jeep historians to dub the FJ series of vans the “Forgotten Jeep”. The FJ-3 was primarily built for postal service delivery, accounting for their Right-Hand-Drive configuration. There was also an FJ-3A which was left driven, and had a proper Jeep vertical slat grille. More Photos after the jump.

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This old van appears to have been a milk delivery van at one point, though perhaps it was repurposed later in life, or perhaps this is all a fiction created by the builder to give the van a more interesting story, though fake, as a conversation starter.
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This Fleetvan was originally built with a 1000 pound load capacity, and that small 134ci four cylinder “Hurricane” engine certainly isn’t going to be setting any records for speed. That said, it’s a neat old piece of history.
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Who makes modern white walls? I didn’t check out the tire manufacturer, but now I wish I had.
IMG_8484There is no brake pedal, just a gas pedal. Apparently when you lift off the throttle, the truck automatically brakes for you. I’m not sure I’d enjoy that.
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A neat piece that I didn’t know even existed. I’m glad I got the chance to snoop around it for a minute.

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10 responses to “Weekend Edition: Hot August Nights – Jeep Fleetvan Milk Truck?”

  1. Batshitbox Avatar
    Batshitbox

    I’ve seen this very same truck on a trailer in San Francisco! Coke machine, logos and all. It’s also the only one I’ve ever seen in the wild, that’s how uncommon they are. I remember following it and thinking, “My that’s a very small IH Metro… no, holy crap! Really? A Fleetvan?!?” I hoped I would catch the guy at the next light, but we went different ways.

  2. nanoop Avatar
    nanoop

    There is a specialist for historic cars’ tires in Germany (MOR) that seems to be vulkanizing white rings onto selected tires from selected first and second tier manufacturers, including diagonals. I believe Continental has some few rubber products for motorcycles still/again(?).

    1. Batshitbox Avatar
      Batshitbox

      Nowhere on that entire website does it say where the Rambler Ranch is located. I’m guessing somewhere near Denver, because it’s mentioned on the ”Story” page.

      1. Van_Sarockin Avatar
        Van_Sarockin

        The judges would also have accepted ‘My Happy Place’.

    2. mdharrell Avatar

      That’s not a Fleetvan. It’s a Studebaker Zip Van. I missed a chance to make an offer on one that was in truly sorry shape a few years ago when I failed to locate the owner before the vehicle disappeared.

  3. salguod Avatar

    Judging by what looks like pin striping over rust in your last pic (although it’s hard to see well, I could be mistaken), I’m guessing the milk story is fiction.
    Still, a very cool old Jeep.

    1. Scoutdude Avatar
      Scoutdude

      The pin striping was definitely added recently over rust but it doesn’t really match the dairy name both in color and style so it is possible the dairy markings are original and the current owner added the pin striping.

  4. Van_Sarockin Avatar
    Van_Sarockin

    Solid. Not quite a Citroen warthog (or whatever they call it), but a genuine piece of commercial vehicle. Where did we go wrong, and how do we get back on the right track?

  5. Guest Avatar
    Guest

    I’m not sure who the maker of those tires are, but Coker Tire is considered the big name when it comes to vintage style tires (whitewalls, skinny 20’s-style tires, etc.)

    “Coker Tire Company is a Chattanooga, Tennessee-based company that manufactures and sells vintage-style Michelin, Firestone, BF Goodrich and Uniroyal bias-ply and radial whitewall tires for collector automobiles.”

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coker_Tire

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coker_Tire