Last Friday, the first day without rain in what seemed like forever for southeast Pennsylvania, I decided pretty early in the morning to scour the grounds of local businesses in pursuit of colorful designs and nifty patterns. I’d gone on such journeys twice before, penning the recaps for the publication that you’re currently staring at. And speaking of which, if you are interested in reading about Art On Wheels, parts one and two, then click here and here. Okay, with that matter out of the way, let’s now move on to my latest effort to spot and photograph good-looking trucks and vans.
I left my suburban Philadelphia home at 8:45 AM. Six minutes later, near the delivery bays of my town’s supermarket, I parked my car and got out to snap a picture of a Maier’s truck that was filled with breads and rolls. Hey, not only did I like the looks of the truck, I also liked the feeling that immediately swelled up within me: Namely, that this was going to be a productive morning. I mean, the supermarket was the first place I visited, and right off the bat I’d hit pay dirt.
Pay dirt. I knew from past experience that it wasn’t necessarily lurking everywhere. Hardly. For every truck and van worthy of attention there are 15 or more that are real plain Janes. Not only that, it ain’t possible to photograph the lookers, vehicularly-speaking, that are on the move. If I attempted to do so while I too was cruising along the road, then I’d now be writing this opus from six feet under.
I’m here to report that things panned out. After immortalizing the Maier’s truck, I spent an additional, and fruitful, hour and 45 minutes on my project. In parking and delivery areas during that time I met plenty of trucks and vans, of which nine (including Maier’s) made the grade. And — bonus! — later in the day, while coming home from an ordinary shopping mission, I lucked out by crossing paths with a long, long trailer that was making a delivery to a Dunkin’ Donuts store about half a mile from my house. That bad boy was a slam f*cking dunk for me. And it brought the total up to 10.
Ten excellent vehicles! That’s success in my oddball book. After all, this was a mission of serendipity. It was impossible for me to know what trucks, if any, would be at the locales I visited. Yeah, for some reason truck drivers don’t give me their delivery schedules. And one beauty, a Lehigh Valley dairy products truck, wasn’t where I’d have expected it to be. Instead of being in the delivery section of the Walmart mega-store on whose property it was parked, it was on the outskirts of Walmart’s enormous parking lot. Its driver was not in sight. Maybe she or he was reclining amidst the cargo, grabbing some ZZZs. Whatever, I was more than glad to find that truck.
Well, I’ve placed the photographs of the 10 head-turners in the order that I encountered them, noting the time that I snapped each picture. And I’ve studiously gazed at the photographs, trying to come up with my top three. It wasn’t easy. For instance, I dig the Utz truck, which carried potato chips and other snacks. Its black, white and red design reminds me of the era, maybe 20 or 30 years ago, when those three colors, in conjunction, were de rigeur in the fashion world. But ultimately Utz didn’t make my cut. I guess that these days I’m more in tune with splashy lines and a palette that dips broadly into the color spectrum.
Here then are my top three, in ascending order: Edible Arrangements, Lehigh Valley and Dunkin’ Donuts. Yes, that Dunkin’ truck drives me wild. “I’m Number One! I’m Number One!” I can hear it yelling.
And how about you? Which of these 10 exhibits particularly ring your bells? If you let me know in the comments section, indicating the ranking you give each of your top three choices, then I’ll compile the results. And once that’s done I’ll spend however many it takes of my remaining Earthly days to track down the winning vehicle. And when that mission is accomplished I’ll pin a big gold ribbon somewhere on its glorious body.
One final note: Yes, I agree, it’s on the odd side for a geezer, let alone anyone, to get his jollies from trolling the parking and delivery areas of shopping centers, strip malls and stand-alone businesses, with art as his prey. What can I say? I like to wander. I like to look at pretty things. When it comes to jollies, my philosophy is to try and grab ’em where and when I can. Amen.
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Yeah, Another Blogger 
Did you bother asking for samples from the Dunkin’ Donuts truck?
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I should have stolen a few while the delivery guy was in the store.
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My faves in the “abstract” category are: 1 Red Bull, 2 Kush’s, 3 Utz. In the “realistic category: 1 Lehigh Valley, 2 Coastal Sunbelt Produce, 3 Edible Arrangements. I love donuts, but those splashing drinks make me uneasy…
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Right, the Dunkin’ artist went pretty wild.
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Kush’s just shades it ahead of Coastal Sunbelt for me. I like the pop art feel of it (Lichtenstein, or is that just me?) I also love the phrase ‘mission of serendipity,’ by the way, and might use it in a lyric some time, if that’s ok?
Keep prowling those supermarket car parks, Neil.
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Hey, I’ll be flattered if you use that phrase in a song.
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Lehigh Valley, Dunkin Donuts and Grundy Insurance.
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Duly noted. Thanks for voting, Joyce!
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Fun. Great photo shoot idea.
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Many thanks, Vincent. Appreciated.
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This is some beautiful truck art, Neil. My favorite truck-art-day so far. Here’s my list:
1. Kush’s Sliders: I love the big, fat letters with the shadows, and those sliders and fries tucked in there almost as an afterthought. The blue-black-orange color scheme is also great, including the polka-dot pattern. I can see Warhol digging this one.
2. Coastal Sunbelt: the fruit is just so big and bad. Love the simplicity here.
3. Grundy: a little offbeat, a little throwback-y. I’m guessing this is a custom job. The script lettering is attractive, and of course the old-time car. I wish you’d have knocked on the door and awakened the owners, though.
Honorable mention: Utz. That cute little Orphan Annie-style girl just does it for me.
At first I gave the nod to Lehigh Valley, since I love nature scenes, but decided this is too cliché. Kush’s it is.
By the way, my boss just asked me what I was doing. I figured the best thing to do was to be honest. But he laughed. I don’t think he believed me.
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Pete, I’m glad that your boss has a sense of humor.
Thanks for the art analysis. You should go back to college and enroll as an art major!
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The donut truck is awesome, but why no donuts mixed in with that wild coffee? Are they only known for their coffee now? I have to go with the slider food truck as my #1, mostly for the eye-catching color 🙂
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You know, I hadn’t noticed that there are no donuts in the picture. Kind of a weird decision, although the Dunkin’ company, I think, has developed a huge customer base for its coffee drinks.
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Imma vote for the Utz truck because it’s got potato chips in it. 😏
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I like the way you think!
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Tough calls, but I’ll go with #1 Kush’s for sure, and then it gets murkier. Not playing by the rules with no #2 or 3, but all other finalists are Coastal Sunbelt, Utz, Lehigh, and Grundy.
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Hi Lexie. You are the fourth person so far to pick Kush’s as number one.
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I like the giant strawberry.
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It looks good enough to eat, for sure.
Thanks for dropping by, Sam. Much appreciated.
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The Lehigh Valley was on a stakeout. Get down to the funky part of town and see what you come up with. That Red Bull is a nice looking truck.
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Maybe Lehigh Valley (a dairy products company) was smuggling illegal dairy cows. You never know.
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This is an unusual hobby. Well, whatever snaps your shutter! I like to photograph flowers, but I take too many pics to post them on my website. Although I don’t drink it, I like the Red Bull truck best.
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Hi Marie. You’re the third person who favors Red Bull. Kush’s is still in the lead, though.
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Between wonder and wander is only one vowel! To wonder is to wander which it looks like you’ve been doing.
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Hey there, JT. Yup, wonder and wander go hand in hand.
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Hard to make a choice but I think the Lehigh Valley. Fun post! 🙂
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That makes three #1 votes for Lehigh Valley. Thanks a lot for stopping by, Lynette. It’s always good to hear from you.
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Utz, Maier, Grundy 🙂
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Utz being number 1.
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That makes two #1 votes for Utz.
By voting, you’ve done your civic duty!
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Glad to hear it!
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A fine pastime Neil – More of us should get out there snapping.
For me in order of preference it’s: Maier, Edible, Lehigh
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You’re the first person to pick Maier as #1. Maybe you’ll start a trend.
Thanks for voting, Alyson.
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Hello Neil, Your story takes me back to 1960 – I was nine years old. President Eisenhower, an avid golfer, was about to leave office. I can still hear my father laughing at what was scrawled on the side of a dusty semi truck “Last Load Of Golf Balls For Ike.” Thanks for the good vibes. All the best. Jerry
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Hey, Jerry. I hadn’t thought about Ike in a long time. I remember that he loved golf. It can be a very humbling sport.
Have a great weekend.
Neil
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Truly, there many, many worse ways you could be getting your “jollies.” This is quirky but fun. Certainly will make me pay more attention to delivery trucks from now on. Here are my favorites: 3.Coastal Sunbelt produce. 2.Lehigh Valley and 1. Edible arrangements.
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Good morning, Laurie. I hope the weather in Maine is decent today.
Your vote for Edible gives it its first #! vote. We’ll soon see if anyone else puts it at the top of their list.
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Keep us posted!
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Oh, I just have to go with Dunkin Donuts. And since being diagnosed with celiac disease I don’t even EAT donuts. This has been fun.
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Fran, you and me are the only people so far who have picked Dunkin’ as #1. I’d have thought that it would be doing better in the voting. That truck is way cool.
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My rankings, sir.
3rd place: Coastal Sunbelt Produce – for its simplicity and the way those coy-ass looking strawberry and pineapple pop against the blue. (That strawberry is up to no good, and you just know that the pineapple doesn’t take sh*t from anyone.)
2nd place: Lehigh Valley – because blue skies and green pastures (the cattle must be in the barn).
1st place: Dunkin’ Donuts – because I want to take this photo to the hair place and ask for highlights in all the shades of that crazy coffee swirl.
Honourable mentions to Grundy Insurance (for the bad-ass flame – really changes the vibe of the ad) and Excel (something about that escalator is kinda mesmerizing).
Can’t say that I expected to be voting on business/delivery vehicle art this evening, but it was a delightful and surprisingly fun turn of events. Thanks, Neil!
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Becky, your analysis of these trucks is inspiring!
Your vote now gives three #1s to Dunkin’. Kush’s is ahead with four #1s. It’s a tight race!
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Indeed!
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Dunkin Doughnuts, #1 hands down, then Grundy (I love the car), and lastly, Red Bull. Thanks, Neil—that was fun!
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Morning, Diane. Your vote for Dunkin’ gives it four #!s. Dunkin’ and Kush’s each have four #1s now.
Thanks for voting. And thanks for keeping up with my stories. Much appreciated.
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I’m gonna go with Coastal’s giant fruit—#1; Edible’s artsy fruit—#2; and Kush’s cool font. The Dunkin’ art, while ambitious, just makes me think of all the coffee I’ve spilled, or burned my tongue on. This was fun, Neil—keep on truckin’!
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Thanks for stopping by, Cindy. I’m always glad to hear from you. Hey, you need to be careful when you drink coffee.
With your choice of Coastal, it now has two #1 votes.
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Kush’s color’s pop that’s for sure! I’m half-Italian…while Maier’s wasn’t terribly impressive, those flag colors tug at my heartstrings so it deserves an honorable mention. Lovely post. As Cindy above noted: Keep on truckin’! 😊
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Good to hear from you, Cristina. You’ve cast a (for now) momentous vote, because you’ve broken the tie between Kush’s and Dunkin’. Kush’s now has taken the lead with five #1 votes. We’ll see if any more people vote over the next few days.
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I vote Utz … because it looks pretty much like it looked decades ago when I was a kid. So it reminds me of being a kid … which, as the years go by, gets increasingly more difficult.
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Hello Jackie. I took a look at the Utz website. They date back to 1921 and are privately-owned. I had no idea they’ve been around for so long. Your vote increases Utz’s total to three #! votes.
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I like the Utz truck. It has a European flair.
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Utz is on a roll. Yours is the fourth #! vote for Utz. Thanks for stopping by. Appreciated.
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HI, Neil, I’m voting for Dunkin’ with Utz coming in at close second, Edible in third. So it seems junk food leads in my voting! I do have a soft spot myself for both the old fashioned Good Humor Truck and the Icee Truck which I’ve been known to follow to the ends of the earth. Excellent post!
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Hey there, Cindy. Dunkin’ now has five #1 votes, the same number as Kush’s. What a race!
You know, I haven’t seen a Good Humor truck in a long time. I think they used to come around my neighborhood, but the only ice cream truck I see here anymore is Mister Softee.
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My votes:
1. Edible arrangements
2. Coastle Sunbelt Produce
3. Lehigh Valley
Hope one of my favourites will go to the final. I’m praying for them silently.
Thanks for arranging the competition, Neil!
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Thanks for voting, Isabelle! You’ve given Edible its second #1 vote. It’s lagging quite a bit behind Dunkin’ and Kush’s and Utz.
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“Last Friday, the first day without rain in what seemed like forever for southeast Pennsylvania…” Well Neil, I can tell you exactly where that rain moved to last Friday.
But I digress. Onto the matter at hand. I would give First Prize–the all-expense paid vacation and complete new wardrobe to …Maier’s Italian! Maybe it’s the Italian–of which I love all things (except their current PM). Maybe I’m hungry and it’s the great looking, mile-high sandwich.
I would award runner-up to Red Bull. I like its bold, clean design. Like something the Shakers might have come up with, if only they’d been drinkers.
For pure, splashy color, Kush’s Sliders get the honorable mention.
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I’m hungry too, Amy, and plan to go out for some pizza slices in a short while.
You’ve given Maier’s its second #1 vote. The CEO of Maier’s thanks you from the bottom of their heart.
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What fun! I opt for Dunkin’ Donuts first (it’s “fabulously eye-catching”) and Grundy’s second (love the car). The others tie for third. 🙂
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Dunkin’ now has six #1 votes, one more than Kush’s. Dunkin’ had gotten off to a slow start, but it’s been in high gear since then.
Many thanks for dropping by, Tyler. Always appreciated.
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There’s a blue Red Bull Mini Cooper that drives around my town. It has a huge Red Bull can. That might have to be one of my favourite art-on-wheels contraptions. I do have a soft spot for those egg-shaped Cadbury Creme Egg cars they used to have though. Great blog post!
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Hello there. I’m going to take that as a vote for Red Bull, which brings its total of #1 votes to four. By the way, I just realized that there’s only one truck that nobody has mentioned at all in their comments, and that’s the Excel truck. I like it. Its artwork is clean and tidy.
Thanks for adding your thoughts. Have a great day.
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I vote for the dunkin donuts truck. Because if that thing really is full of donuts, it is the best truck ever!!!!
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Ann, you’ve given Dunkin’ its seventh #1 vote. It’s in the lead by two (Kush’s has five #1s). Enjoy the rest of the weekend. Be seeing you —
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Mm, tricky! 1. Edible Arrangements 2. Coastal Sunbelt 3. Grundy. I have a fruit thing going.
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Hi Anabel. Edible Arrangements, with your vote, now has three #1s. It’s doing pretty well. Thanks a lot for dropping by. Take care.
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Coastal Sunbelt Produce, Dunkin’ Donuts, and Edible…cause they all are! And say it well.
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Coastal Sunbelt is a well-liked vehicle. Your #1 vote is its third. At this point though, it’s doubtful if any vehicle is going to overtake Dunkin’. Be seeing you, Janet. Thanks a lot for voting.
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I like the Coastal Sunbelt Produce. Just looking at it warms me up.
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Hello there. The lady (Janet) who posted a comment directly before yours also voted for Coastal. Your vote gives Coastal a total of four #1 votes.
Take care. Have a great upcoming week.
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Easy choice for me Neil: Red all the way. Red Bull! That’s my color. Chuckle.
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Muriel, you’ve given Red Bull its fifth #1 vote. The Red Bull truck has gotten more votes than I would have predicted. Shows what I know.
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Now you’re going to have me paying closer attention to the trucks I see 🙂
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But keep your eyes on the road!
Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the universe, Joanne.
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Lovin’ them all, Neil! I think you’ve got the right ones at the top. I do have to say, though, that 3D escalator on the Excel van is a pretty cool optical effect. These are great fun!
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Just to put it on the board, I’m going to give your number #1 vote to Excel. It deserves it.
Thanks for the visit, Julie. See ya —
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They are all very good, but I also like DD best. The splashy coffee reminds me of Jackson Pollock’s paintings, and the overall composition (with the DD sign and the friendly clouds) is special.
My #2 is CSP, for its simple and communicative layout, with harmonious bright colors. Sometimes the pineapples I see in the supermarket’s produce section really do look like that.
My #3 is Excel, for its attention-grabbing use of perspective.
BTW, Utz makes sweet potato chips that are quite good and less salty than many brands of chips. Their truck is nice enough, but their sweet potato chips are what is really special.
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Hi there. I appreciate your astute analysis and your recommendation of Utz sweet potato chips! I very well might try them.
Your vote for Dunkin’ is its eighth #! vote. Tied for second place at the moment are Kush’s and Red Bull, each with five #1s.
Have a great week. Be seeing you —
Neil S.
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I say: DD (#1), Red Bull (#2) and the escalator one because of the 3D escalator (#3)
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Dunkin’ is pulling way ahead. Yours is its ninth #1 vote. Thanks for taking part, Kathy. Have a great week.
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Here is my vote, Neil:
#3 Costal Sunbelt Produce
#2 LeHigh Valley
#1 I have to agree with your #1, but my question is: Did you go eat a donut after taking all these photos, to prove that advertisement works?
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You know, the funny thing is that there are no donuts pictured on that truck. I hadn’t realized that until one of the people who posted comments mentioned it.
Well, you’ve given Dunkin’ its 10th #1 vote. It’s way ahead. Probably there will be very few people adding comments/voting at this point, so Dunkin’ undoubtedly will be the victor. Now I have to track down that truck and attach a big gold ribbon on it! Have a great rest of the week, Tanja.
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I guess you don’t actually need to see the donut to get hungry for one-the association is enough! I hope you will have a sweet week, too, Neil.
🍩🍩🍩
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The Grundy is definitely number 1, bread van 2nd, Dunkin Doughnuts, 3rd.
I have a question though – do you take cleaning equipment with you? They look much cleaner than lorries I notice on the roads.
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Very interesting point. The white trucks (such as Excel and Maier’s) look really clean. The owners must be hosing them down at night. They care!
By the way, your vote for Grundy is its first #1 vote.
Thanks for taking part, Cath. Much appreciated.
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From some years now many companies are beautifying their trucks with distinctive artsy paintings, now, it’s not lost on me their ultimate goal is to sale you something, however it’s refreshing seeing some color, and aesthetic color designs, on them, when before the monochrome anonymity, or just the logo company was the norm.
Never thought of taking pictures of them, however on my long commutes to work, and back, it was a thing to notice the change it brought, ironically, weird me, used it to predict the end of a business, or affair of my own according to what I could decipher some symbolism in the painting, like a sort of synchronicity, (did the same thing with billboards).
In plain English what’s the message they are giving me, relevant to my problems, and affairs?
As an example, a Lady friend of mine who seemed to have a personal interest in me, but refused to go out with me, told me the same day after seeing a fish company truck painting of a fish on a hook.
“Alright, I will go out with you, I believe you are not the type of person I should look forward to have a relationship with, but feel that you are pulling me like a fish on a hook!”
It was just a coincidence?
Go figure! 🙂
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Hi. It’s always good to hear from you. I have to say that I’m not a believer in the kinds of messages and symbolisms that you talk about, But I totally understand that some people do believe in this. In regard to your lady friend, I have a feeling that she actually wanted to go out with you and was subconsciously looking for something that she could say was pointing her in that direction.
I’m very glad that you added your thoughts to my story about truck art. Have a great rest of the week.
Neil S.
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My favorite is the Coastal Sunbelt Produce – the name and the picture are so evocative of fresh fruit. 🍓
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Hi Kerry, and many thanks for stopping by. You have given Coastal its fifth #! vote. Dunkin’ Donuts is the highest vote-getter so far, and very likely will remain so. Have a great day.
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My favorite van around these parts is a Mexican supplier of avocados (with avocados painted all over it). I always want to sneak one out…
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Hee hee! You and my son Biff would be great pals. One of his favorite things to do is watch trucks, study trucks, get up’n’close to trucks. Bash follows for the fun of it, but Biff’s the gearhead of the twins. 🙂 And I gotta say that Dunkin’ Donuts trailer’s got quite the eye-catchin’ splash of color to it with the ribbon of spilled coffee!
Yet I fear I should shed a tear for that coffee… 🙂
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Hi Jean. Biff sounds like my kind of guy.
Thanks for stopping by. I’m going to give your top vote to Dunkin’. It now has 11 #1 votes, and is way ahead.
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Hey, it’s pretty! The truck depicting a classic vehicle…darnit, forget the brand…was nice, but it’s the ribbon of spilled coffee that does it for me. ‘Tis stylish. 🙂
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I will keep with the milkman delivery truck. It is iconic of simpler less commercialized times.
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AOC, you have given the fourth #1 vote to the Lehigh Valley truck. It has done nicely in the voting, but Dunkin’ Donuts remains way ahead of the rest of the field.
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That’s amazing!!
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I stumbled upon your site..I am new to all these ways of taking pictures..somewhat older too(50ish)..I experimented with photography a little back in the good ole’ days-I like the dunking donuts truck, Red Bull and the Coastal Sunbelt truck. I have good memories of these; wish I could remember more..thanks!
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Thanks for stopping by, Sandra. Like most people these days, I take photos with my phone. In my opinion, it’s the way to go.
Have a great weekend.
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Thank you..looking forward to your blogs!
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These are all interesting – even the elevator/escalator service van – but the Kush’s Sliders wins hands-down for me. A good truck is the ultimate ace tucked in the sleeve, in my opinion.
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If I tabulated things correctly, then you have given Kush’s it’s sixth #1 vote. Dunkin Donuts remains way ahead. Thanks for voting!
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I love the artwork on the Vehicle Insurance truck. 🙂
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Hi Jane. You’ve given that truck either it’s first or second #1 vote. I’ll have to check to get the correct number. Many thanks for reading and voting!
Neil S.
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Definitely Utz! If only for their slogan I’ve occasionally seen: “It’s Utz against them.”
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That’s a great slogan. Don’t think I ever heard it. By the way, you’ve given Utz its fifth #! vote. Dunkin’ Donuts has a huge lead in the voting,
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