Words & Photos: Gary Rosier
Roger Thompson of Port Orange, Fla. owns this 1961 DIVCO (Detroit Industrial Vehicle Co) short wheelbase former Sealtest Milk delivery truck. Never one to "follow the crowd," he loves "different" vehicles, he says... and different but cool it is!
Sealtest Dairy Company was founded and operated by Vernon F. Hovey. After his death, the company was turned over to his two sons. They ran the business in the state of New York before eventually selling it.The Sealtest brand was originally a franchise, as local milk bottlers bought the rights to the Sealtest name in their respective market areas. While no longer being produced, it’s a brand name that has been bought and relabeled, merchandised and shared by many manufacturers - just like this truck!
Roger has owned small block Karman Ghias, V-8 Trackers, Blown Bricklins and a potent V-8 powered Studebaker pickup (see his '63 Studebaker Champ within these pages), so he's no stranger to unique/cool rides.
Roger is always looking for another project. He saw this listed locally, and the quest was on to produce another one of his decidedly cool but "different" rides! The previous owner had started it, replacing the front sub-frame with a modern Chevy pick-up front clip (power steering and disc brakes, he says with a grin!). Rounding out the drive-train is a GM 350 crate motor with a Turbo 350 and 12 bolt Chevy rear (3:42 gear ratio). A Lokar shifter handles the shifting duties. It rolls on a set of American Torque Thrust II wheels (15 in.) with Michelin 235/75/15's. It stays cool with a Howe Aluminum Radiator and shroud.
The "bones" were there, he says, so it just needed his custom touch. It took him a full seven days with another man full time scraping and sanding off all the old paint down to bare metal!
He also installed a complete E-Z wiring harness (23 circuit) with custom dash and Dolphin Gauges. It's of course a bear to see out the back he says, so a back-up camera was installed. New glass and seals were installed throughout, as well as a couple of new doors that were found close by.
He was browsing the internet, looking for pieces to complete the build. He found an original emblem and expected the part to be far, far away - turned out it was only a short drive away in a neighboring town! Not only that, it was still in the NOS Box... And the seller had many parts and pieces/memorabilia from his father, who had been a Sealtest Milk delivery man for over 28 years! Roger quickly made an offer and bought every last one.
It is now painted to Roger's liking, a Flatz Bright white epoxy paint. Sound deadening was installed throughout and custom carpeting installed over that. Originally only a single seat was factory, but Roger scored another one in his parts treasure purchase, so he had them reupholstered and installed to match. A high end stereo system with DVD and custom speakers brings back the sounds of the 60's.
The only sounds you can hear, though, as she rolls down the highway are the sweet sounds from the custom (but quiet) rumble of the dual exhausts and stainless mufflers. All new throughout LED lighting and even a working Sealtest lighted sign and various Sealtest milk-crates completes the interior. High output headlights help you see your way home. Dare to be "different" - you bet!
