Welcome to Little Car in the Big City, where I highlight fascinating cars I found walking around a town that is known for being bigger than everything else, but where every car is fighting to stand out: New York, New York.
New York City is full of many joys, whether it's the pastrami at Katz's, the random talk shows, or the friendly neighbors, but one of the true pleasures has always been the sheer number and variety of gorgeous cars that can be found dotting the landscape.
Though a high volume of interesting cars can be found in certain neighborhoods, like the International Scout from last week, it doesn't really matter where you are. As long as you're willing to wait a bit and keep your eyes peeled, you're bound to come across something.
That was the case with this lovely 1949 Chevrolet Step Van, which I found simply walking down Fifth Avenue. In case you haven't visited in many years, or you didn't see our Answers of the Day feature on the Ten Weirdest Food Trucks, the city has been overrun by food trucks of all sorts. Korean tacos, Philly cheesesteaks, and even ceviche have all made an appearance in truck form. With so many looking for your lunchtime dollar, it helps to have yours be a little different.
This Chevy certainly is different, when you consider that most trucks are still either the old Grumman type or some variation on a generic box. As much as I love them, Citroen H vans are still relatively uncommon up here, so getting a Chevy from way back when is certainly a Nice Thing. And what makes this an extra-special treat is that it's selling Del's Frozen Lemonade, which is a bit of a Rhode Island staple.
Cam Crockford, the guy driving the van and slinging the 'nade, said that the pretty bluish-green hue is actually all-original, except for the logo and detailing that is. All that stuff is actually hand-painted. In tandem, though, the original painting and all the extra bits work perfectly, like an automotive embodiment of summer. The interior is in great shape as well, and somehow the glass in the greenhouse is all-original, according to Crockford.
Unfortunately, the summer weather has yet to truly descend on New York, what with near-constant rain and cool temperatures when the sun does manage to come out, but I'm sure that will change soon. Well, it better change soon. I needs me a beach.