Genealogy: The Coronado Brewing Company’s (CBC) celebrated beer truck, a 1924 Model T “C-Cab” named Olive Oyl, has quite an interesting history. The truck was born and raised in the mountains of Colorado. About four years ago it was purchased by an Alpine man, and then sold to CBC. The truck originally was a working ranch truck, then later on worked as a popular parade vehicle with a steam calliope in the back. The truck was bright red with yellow pin stripping, and named “Whislin’ Ed.”

Some of the photos below were sent to us from a former owner, and tell the story of this faithful little cowboy truck better than words ever could. The fact that this old Model T has survived since 1924, with very little down time, is nothing short of a miracle. It’s our understanding that many hearts were broken when this symbol from the twilight of Colorado’s cowboy era left the state.

In one photo a saddle is draped over the engine cowling. A cowboy sits on the roof, feeding hay to his horse, standing in the truck bed. Somewhere late in the truck’s career, the original truck bed was replaced with a shorter bed. While this only served to enhance the unique and embraceable look of the truck, certainly no horse could sit back there today.

In a very short amount of time the little C-Cab truck has become a proud part of Coronado’s landscape, trading in her Colorado saddle for a Coronado surfboard. Currently Olive Oyl is owned by CBC and painted spinach green, with “Model T-Black” fenders and running boards, and just a splash of purple pinstripe and trim.

The driver of the truck is Joe Ditler, publicist for the Coronado Brewing Company. He logs 100 miles a week on the streets of Coronado in Olive Oyl, appearing in not only the Coronado July Fourth Parade and Christmas Parade, but also the North Park Parade and St. Patrick’s Day Parade in San Diego.

Next time you see Joe and Olive Oyl on the streets of Coronado, stop and say hello and search the car for loose beer bottles!