Delivery wagon returns home
(5/21) At its annual Spring Car Show, Crouse Ford of Taneytown welcomed the community for a look at one-of-a-kind vehicles, including the return of an antique local delivery wagon. The 1961 Ford Falcon Delivery Wagon was on display from local farm manager Del Hilbert.
Delivery wagons, or station wagons without windows, are very rare and the ’61 Falcon is a rare breed of a Huckster’s truck, according to Eric Glass of The Taney Corporation. The delivery wagon was bought new by resident Delmar Riffle from first generation Crouse Ford owner George Crouse, Sr. in 1960. - three whole generations ago, according to Glass.
Riffle, a former Taneytown baseball star and proud United States Marine, was a successful community businessman, Glass said. Born and raised in Taneytown. Riffle was a good friend of George Crouse, Sr. who owned a Ford Dealership in the heart of Taneytown. As the owner of Riffle’s Vending Company, Delmar needed a Sedan Delivery Wagon - Ford of course - and bought it new from Crouse Ford for $2,800.
In addition to the variety of candy for his many vending machines Riffle would hand make fresh sandwiches each morning at the family restaurant Riffles Alley, next to the fire department.
All of the items were then delivered to the Cambridge Rubber Factory at the edge of town and placed in special cooled vending machines, Glass said.
Riffle kept the delivery wagon sitting in his garage for many years after he retired. Glass bought the wagon for a "boosted" $3,500, but Riffle in turn "Just grinned and said, ‘I will buy the next lunch,’" according to Glass. "The rest is history," Glass said.
The vehicle was eventually purchased by Hilbert who put many dedicated hours of love into restoring the delivery wagon for its car show display.
The annual Crouse Ford Spring car show had a great turn out this year with over 90 cars entered for display, third generation and current owner Tom Crouse said. The event is popular with both local community spectators and car enthusiasts coming as far away as Potomac, Maryland, and West Chester, Virginia, he said.
This years' Dealer Choice award was presented to Joe Finzell of Westminster, who showed a red 1960 Ford Falcon.
Crouse said he was sad to see the cars pull out at the end of the show. "This is the first time in over two years our car lot has been full!" he said. At the conclusion of the car show festivities, the vehicles paraded in front of Assisted Living at Lorien Taneytown across the street. Delighted residents sat on their front porches to wave at the passing motorists and to notice the multitude of unique cars.
