The American junkyards are known for housing ordinary cars and trucks, but occasionally, there are surprising treasures to be found. One such gem was discovered in a boneyard near Monterey, California – an iconic vehicle from the crunchy-snacks industry. This unique find is a Grumman Olson delivery truck, a testament to the manufacturer’s aircraft roots.
Grumman Olson’s origins can be traced back to the Grumman Aircraft Engineering Corporation, which began building aircraft for the United States Navy in 1931. During World War II, their fighters and flying boats made a significant impact in helping the Allies defeat the Axis powers. Leveraging their expertise with aluminum, Grumman Olson ventured into the world of delivery trucks.
The first Grumman Olson truck, the Kargo King, featured a lightweight aluminum body built by Grumman on a Chevrolet truck chassis. This winning combination paved the way for the introduction of the Kurbside delivery truck in 1948. Grumman Olson assembly plants sprouted up across the country, including one in Tulare, California, where the featured Kurbside was built.
Although United Parcel Service was a well-known buyer of Grumman Olson trucks, it was the Frito-Lay Kurbside Krew Kabs that left a lasting impression on Americans during the 1970s and 1980s. These trucks, adorned with matching Kubemaster trailers, were responsible for delivering a wide variety of snacks to retail establishments nationwide. The Cradle of Aviation Museum even provides a photograph to preserve the memory of these iconic trucks.
Underneath the Kurbside’s sleek exterior, lay the heart of a Chevrolet – a reliable small-block V8 engine, the same one used in their Step-Vans and Value-Vans. The transmission, possibly a four-speed manual or a three-speed, rests on the doorstep. One unique feature of the Kurbside was the placement of the truck’s only door on the curb side, ensuring driver safety when exiting onto the road.
Given the truck’s heft and the need to haul trailers, it likely had a voracious appetite for fuel. In an effort to maximize mileage, a sticker on the dash urged drivers to extract every last drop of efficiency. Functionality was prioritized over aesthetics, evidenced by the industrial-grade defroster vents inside the cabin.
Unfortunately, the Kubemaster trailer that once accompanied this Kurbside has disappeared, perhaps repurposed somewhere for storage. However, the value in the body of the truck lies in its abundant aluminum, a material that Grumman Olson was well-versed in due to its aircraft background.
As a California resident during the time when this truck was in service with Frito-Lay, there is a strong possibility that the snacks delivered by its Kubemaster have been enjoyed personally. The memories and nostalgia associated with this piece of automotive history are everlasting.
While Grumman Olson may no longer exist, its legacy lives on through its successor, Morgan Olson, which still produces delivery vans to this day. Those looking to buy a new delivery van can still count on the expertise and craftsmanship that originated from the Grumman Olson lineage.