“I Think I Can” — Bradford Piano Delivery, Wellington, c.1950

A Bradford utility truck makes its way through Wellington around 1950, tasked with delivering upright pianos for the Howell Piano Company. Lightly loaded, the Bradford was already operating at the outer limits of mechanical optimism; fully loaded with two pianos and two delivery men, it entered the realm of heroic perseverance.

An engine update introduced in 1950 raised output to a commanding 25 horsepower, allowing the Bradford to reach a tested top speed of approximately 53 mph. Contemporary road tests recorded 0–50 mph acceleration in 47.6 seconds — a figure noted with admirable restraint and, one suspects, considerable patience.

The absence of visible load restraints adds a further layer of excitement, particularly when imagining piano deliveries on Wellington’s hills. Progress may have been slow, but commitment was unwavering — and once underway, stopping was likely considered optional.

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