Divco Milk Truck History
Article by Mark Trotta
Although Divco made numerous commercial vehicles during their 64 years in business, the snub-nosed Model U and it's variants are certainly the most recognized.
Spanning over four decades, tens of thousands of these trucks delivered fresh milk daily to a sprawling American suburbia.
Although primarily sold to milk companies, Model U's were also utilized by Laundromats, dry cleaners, bakeries, and newspaper companies.
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Company Name
The name Divco is an acronym for Detroit Industrial Vehicles Company.
Originally based in Detroit, Michigan, final years of production were in Delaware, Ohio, until production ceased in 1986.
Pictured: Restored Divco Milk Truck at Tallahassee Automotive Museum
Model U (1938-1986)
Headed by company president John Nicol, the design team completely revamped their milk truck series for 1938. Prior models included the Model A, Model B, Model C, and Model G.
The new snub-hood truck, dubbed the Model U, featured an all-steel body and "drop" frame, making it easier for delivery men to step in and out of.
The short 100-3/4" wheelbase truck was powered by a four-cylinder Continental engine, a carry-over from the Model G. Producing 38-horsepower, the 140 cubic-inch motor was governed for a top speed of 32 mph.
News of the new truck was announced in the November 1937 issue of "Automotive Industries" trade magazine. Shortly after, the Model U was released, and sales began exceeding expectations.
The longevity of the Divco milk truck can be credited to it's original design team from 1937. The truck's exterior design is still pleasing, some have even called it "cute".
The Model U was offered in both insulated (dairy) and non-insulated body styles, and with a variety of equipment to suit different needs.
Very early examples often used ice to keep products cold before refrigerated units became standard.
Stand and Drive
To facilitate multi-stop deliveries, the Model U could be driven from either sitting or standing position. On most models, the throttle was a rotary knob on the end of the manual transmission shift lever. This set-up was eventually replaced with a right-foot button as the throttle control.
The two-pedal control system was developed by Warner Gear for Divco. The left pedal served both clutch and brake. When the driver pushes it half-way down, it disengages the clutch. Releasing the pedal engages it. Pushing the left pedal all the way down would apply the brakes.
This control system was marketed by Divco as Step-N-Drive. A swing-away pedestal seat gave the driver the option to sit or stand while driving.
Divco Models UM and UB
In late 1938, the Model U line was split into two distinct models. The original insulated milk truck became the Model UM, now joined by the un-insulated Model UB. The latter was designed for department stores, bakeries, and other delivery services.
A longer, 127-1/2" wheelbase Model UL was offered in 1939. The new longer model was also available as the mildly insulated Model ULM.
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World War II
All Divco truck production was suspended in 1942 to help the U.S. war effort. For the next three years, factory output was comprised of strictly war materials, including airplane sub-assemblies for the Curtiss-Wright Corporation.
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Post World War II
After the war ended, production of civilian trucks commenced, with 1946 Divco models basically the same as pre-war models. The milk trucks continued in two wheelbases; the 100-3/4" Model UM, and 127-1/2" model ULM. Gross vehicle weight was 9,000 and 12,000 lbs, respectively. Engine selection was either a four- or six-cylinder Continental.
In the early post-war years, Divco Milk Truck production doubled the best pre-war sales figures. Demand reached an all-time high in 1948, with 6,385 trucks produced. A new 229 cubic-inch Hercules six-cylinder engine debuted this year.
Their continued success spawned competitors (Chevy, Ford, Stutz, White, and others).
Drivetrain
Throughout their long production run (1926–1986), Divco utilized several different engine brands and displacements.
Continental Engines
While not a familiar brand today, Continental engines were common back in the forties and fifties, and were standard equipment in several classic car lines, including Checker, Graham, Hudson, Kaiser, Frazer, and early Jeep vehicles.
Truck manufacturers that utilized Continental engines include Bantam (Jeep), Brockway, Indiana, Moreland, Reo, Sterling, and others.
Fun Fact: Lesser known cars with Continental engines include Abbott, Ace, Ambassador, Auburn, Hanson, Metropolitan, Morris, National, Overland, Peerless, Piedmont, and others.
In addition to four and six-cylinder Continental's, other engines fitted to Divco trucks included a Hercules six and three-cylinder Detroit Diesel.
Starting in 1964, 240ci and 300ci Ford inline-six motors became available, which eventually became standard for all models.
For the restorer, Model U's with Ford engines are easier to find and repair than earlier models.
Transmission
While automatic options were available later in production, manuals (3-speed or 4-speed) were standard for the majority of Divco models.
Final Thoughts
Being a purpose-built vehicle, on average only several hundred Model U trucks were built per year. And because of their low production numbers, and the fact they were commercial vehicles, only a fraction of Divco's produced survive today.
Today, there is an enthusiastic market for vintage Divco milk trucks.
Divco Club of America
Founded in 1991, Divco Club of America has a newsletter that features a classified section in each issue to buy and sell Divco (and other multi-stop) trucks, parts, and memorabilia.
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