American

1936 Helms Coach

The Helms Bakery in Culver City, California was a notable industrial bakery of Southern California that operated from 1931 to 1969. In 1926, Paul Helms of New York took an early retirement for health reasons and moved his family to Southern California. Helms started construction on a building between Washington and Venice Boulevards in 1930 and, on March 2, 1931, the Helms Bakery opened with 32 employees and 11 delivery coaches (trucks). Divco or the Detroit Industrial Vehicle Company manufactured the Helms. Interestingly the brake pedal setup also doubles as a clutch when depressed slightly, making it a tricky little truck to operate. Both the owner and wife can recall the name of their Helm’s delivery truck driver and the fresh milk and baked goodies he delivered to their homes. Fond memories such as these make this an incredibly sentimental piece to this museum.

-Part of the Malamut Auto Museum Foundation

1948 Chevrolet Truck

-On loan from The Mike Malamut personal collection

1962 Chevrolet C 10

An orange beige exterior with orange beige, black cloth interior, this truck has an automatic transmission, V-8 engine with factory AM radio, original paint and interior with original 55,000 miles. It is unrestored with factory markings clearly shown in the engine bay. Immaculate, it drives like a brand new truck.

-On loan from The Mike Malamut personal collection

1977 International Scout II

The International Harvester Scout is an off-road vehicle which was produced by International Harvester from 1961 to 1980. A precursor of more sophisticated SUVs to come, it was created as a competitor to the Jeep. It initially featured a fold-down windshield. The Scout and second generation Scout II were produced in Fort Wayne, Indiana as two-door trucks with a removable hard top with options of a full length roof, half cab pickup and/or soft top.

The Scout II was introduced in 1971. The basic sheet metal remained unchanged until production stopped on October 21, 1980. During the 20 year period (1960–1980) 532,674 Scouts were produced. The Scout, introduced as a commercial utility pickup in 1960, set the stage for future 4-wheel drive recreational vehicles of the ’70s, ’80s, and ’90s.

The Scout II is most identifiable by its different front grilles. The 1971–1972 Scout II shared the same grille, three horizontal bars between the headlights and chrome rings around the headlights. 1973 Scout II’s had 14 vertical bars between the headlights, a split in the middle, seven bars on each side surrounded by chrome trim pieces and an “International” model plate low on the left side. 1974–75 Scout II grilles were the same as 1973, with the addition of a vertical bar trim overlay. The 1975 had chrome and black square trim rings around the headlights. 1976 had the same headlight trim rings as 1975, a chrome center grille of 15 horizontal bars split into three sections was used in this year only. 1977–79 Scout II’s used the same grille between the same headlight bezels the new chrome grille had two large horizontal bars with three vertical support lines and the “International” nameplate moved up to the center of the grille on the left side. In 1980, the final year of production for the Scout, the grille was a very distinctive design, available with black or silver, a one piece grille with square headlights, made of ABS plastic. Both grille color options had imprinted chrome trim around the headlights and an “International” name located on the left side. Starting with late 1974 Scout IIs disc and power brakes were standard features. Early 1974 models had disc brakes as a rarely selected option. A three-speed Chrysler 727 torqueflite automatic transmission was optional.

This particular Scout II features every option that was available at the time. It was a dealer demo car with all the options.

-Part of the Mike Malamut personal collection

1965 Jeep Wagoneer – Camp Host

The Jeep Wagoneer is the first luxury 4×4, sold and produced for Jeep by several automakers from 1962 to 1991. Marketed as a station wagon, the design became known as “sport utility vehicle” (SUV) when Jeep first used the term for the 1974 Cherokee version, the 4WD Wagoneer stayed in production for 29 model-years (1963–1991) with almost unchanged body-structure, making it the third longest-produced single generation car in U.S. automotive history.

Introduced in November 1962 for the 1963 model year as a successor to the Willys Jeep Station Wagon that had been built since the end of World War II, the Wagoneer pioneered the sport utility vehicle concept. Although sharing a pickup truck chassis (like its predecessor), the Wagoneer had a sophisticated station wagon body design, that was more carlike than any other 4×4 on the market.

As of 1965 all models came with a new standard safety package that included front and rear seat belts, a padded dash and high impact windshield, and a dual braking system.

Late-year 1965 Wagoneers and Gladiator pickup trucks were available with the 250 hp (186 kW; 253 PS) 327 cu in (5.4 L) AMC V8 engine, which proved to be a popular option.

This particular car is a rare ’65 with factory AC. It is also a deluxe model which means it came with automatic, power steering, power brakes, and deluxe stainless window moulding. It belonged to a friend of Mike’s. At the time, Mike owned one in the same color but it was a base model (3 speed and no factory AC). Mike always wanted his friend’s Wagoneer but just didn’t tell him. After many years of ownership, the Wagoneer ended up on eBay. Mike saw it and made the purchase.

Future plans for the Wagoneer include redoing the interior with factory correct material, doing the body work, and repainting the entire car. To quote Mike: “It will be beautiful!”

-Part of the Mike Malamut Personal Collection

1957 GMC Carryall

-Part of the Mike Malamut personal collection

1968 Jeepster Commando

-Part of the Mike Malamut Personal Collection

1971 Chevrolet Suburban C20 3/4 Ton

This 1971 Chevrolet Suburban is a three-quarter-ton example. The GM build sheet indicates that the vehicle was built at the Fremont, California plant and originally delivered to Coyle-Billings Chevrolet in San Jose, California.

It is equipped with the Comfort and Convenience packages as well as a ceiling-mounted air-conditioning system. The truck is finished in Medium Olive with a white roof. It is powered by a 350ci V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission. It is believed to have resided in North Carolina for nearly 30 years. Exterior features include a single driver-side door, two doors on the passenger side, and a clamshell-style tailgate.

The cabin features three rows of seating and has been retrimmed with vinyl and fabric upholstery. Further additions include a Pioneer CD player and a period trailer-brake controller fitted under the dash. Factory options listed on the glovebox decal include a ceiling-mounted A/C unit (C69) and the Comfort and Convenience group (Z62).

Part of the Mike Malamut Personal Collection

1972 Chevrolet C10 Cheyenne Super

This 1972 Chevrolet C10 Cheyenne Super was refurbished prior to the current owner’s 2016 purchase and is finished in black with faux-woodgrain trim. Power is provided by a 350ci V8 paired with a three-speed automatic transmission, and equipment includes polished bumpers and mirrors, bed rails, air conditioning, bucket seats, and an AM/FM stereo. Equipment includes Cheyenne Super badging, stainless upper body side moldings, and chrome bed rails, bumpers, and mirrors. The cargo bed is finished in black. The truck is equipped with power steering and front disc brakes. The 350ci V8 delivers power to the rear wheels through a three-speed Turbo Hydramatic automatic transmission.

Mike was searching for a truck like this for some time before finally locating this one. He had one years ago that was stolen from a shop while it was there having some work done to it. It never was found.

-Part of the Mike Malamut Personal Collection

1973 International Harvester Wagonmaster 1010 Custom

The Wagonmaster was International’s second take on the quintessential suburban utility vehicle, the Travelall. International’s announcement on August 21, 1972 said, “The Wagonmaster combines automobile-type styling and comfort with the durability and trailering capabilities of International’s popular Travelall wagon. Its design features a 5-foot pickup-type bed behind the roomy six person passenger compartment.” International wanted to offer the suburbanites a family pickup and capitalize on a new aspect of the RV market, the fifth-wheel trailer. With International’s legendary burliness combined with a car-like interior, this rig was positioned to be an RV mover and shaker.

-Part of the Mike Malamut personal collection