Time for a hamburger and a shake? Or how about Chicken McNuggets and an ice-cold drink? All around the world people know that the place to go for good food and fun times is McDonald's. One of the most familiar brands in the world, McDonald's began in the early 1950s when a milkshake mixer salesman, Ray Kroc, called on the McDonald brothers who were using his milkshake mixers in their hamburger stand. Kroc was so impressed with the McDonald brothers' operation that he talked them into opening other restaurants.

In 1955, Ray Kroc opened his first McDonald's in Des Plaines, Illinois. In the four decades since, McDonald's has grown and spread around the world. McDonald's has shared its prosperity with communities around the world, especially through its involvement with Ronald McDonald House Charities, which mahes grants to organizations serving children and their families. The way McDonald's sees it, its job is providing smiles for the world to wear, whether those smiles come from a bite into a tasty sandwich, a giggling encounter with one of the McDonaldland Gang or a helping hand in a time of need.

Several years before the first McDonald's would open in Illinois, the Dodge Motor Company introduced a completely new line of trucks, including the 3/4-ton Route Van delivery truck which was introduced late in the year and equipped with a number of trucking firsts. The Route Vans had two rear axles and Fluid Drive (the first in a volume-production truck). A unique brake - located on the steering colum - made stopping easier for door-to-door deliveries. All of these innovations were designed to make the delivery driver's job easier, and also helped to prolong the life of the truck.

Now, a sturdy 1948 Dodge Route Van that was used by McDonald's as a promotional vehicle is recreated in a colourful die-cast replica. Your Limited Edition McDonald's 1948 Dodge Route Van is produced by - and available only from - Matchbox Collectibles.

(1999)

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