By Savannah Clark
In 2013, my husband, Brad, and I stumbled upon a 1948 Kit Companion in Spokane, WA. With Brad’s 15+ years of experience in classic car restoration, it didn’t take long for him to start tearing into the old, rotten camper we had just purchased. While I had a vision of converting it into a mobile kitchen, I never imagined just how beautiful it would turn out.
Brad tackled the rebuild from the ground up, while I took charge of selecting the restaurant equipment. His craftsmanship and attention to detail ensured that the final product blended classic charm with modern functionality. Five months later, we had a fully operational, vintage-style restaurant on wheels.
Old Tin Can opened for business in Sandpoint, Idaho. Serving up the best classic burgers and fries in town, it quickly became a local favorite—bigger than I ever expected and more work than I ever anticipated! While I loved creating food people couldn’t get enough of, my greatest pride came from the trailer itself. It was more than just a food truck; it was a restored piece of history, brought back to life with passion and skill.
As the season wrapped up, so did our time with Old Tin Can. With a baby girl on the way, Brad and I decided to sell the trailer so I could focus on being a mom. A catering company in Chicago became its new owner, but Old Tin Can’s burgers will always be remembered in Sandpoint.
Who knows? Maybe one day, we’ll rebuild again.
Originally published in issue #18 of the VCT Magazine.
