When his dream of a vintage Kombi coffee truck literally went up in flames, East London restaurateur Adam Iverson put the idea on the back burner for four years – until now.
Iverson, 32 – who owns the Cowshed restaurant and Milkshed pub in Nahoon with wife Zina, 31 – has turned a rusted 1969 Kombi pickup into a trendy flatbed mobile coffee bar complete with an eye-catching carpet of faux grass on the serving platform.
“I love coffee and VW vintage cars and wanted to step away from the restaurant vibe, but in 2012 my first coffee truck, a 1974 Kombi van, caught fire and burnt out when the fuel line popped.
“I had only used it at one event and the next day, as I was pulling out of my driveway, it caught fire.”
Seven months ago Iverson came upon a 1969 VW Kombi flatbed pick-up standing unused and neglected in a Cambridge carport.
Iverson’s dream was reignited and the Kombi was overhauled by his trusty West Bank panel beater.
“His craftsmanship is great and he chopped out the rust, patched it and painted it black. I even managed to save some parts of the burnt van like the deck lid, and we incorporated it into the new one.
“I just had to get this project off my chest after I never got to fulfil the last one. I’m just trying to get over the fear that it will happen again!”
In a nod to the fact that Kombis have no radiators, Iverson has called his mobile business the Aircooled Coffee Company and will position it at markets, weddings and other events.
Along with a gleaming new body, Iverson has invested in a good grinder and fitted his head-turning truck with a single group coffee machine which will produce cappuccinos, flat whites, lattes and single or double espressos.
“Good coffee has become more of a scene in East London and we have some very good upmarket markets now too,” said Iverson, whose truck fuelled guests at a Chintsa wedding at the weekend...