Visitors passing through Washington, D.C.’s Union Station this July will find themselves face-to-face with a beautiful, bright red 1954 Ford F-100.
Emblazoned with the white script of Virginia’s "Red Truck Bakery," this beloved local pickup is on display as part of Ford's Driving America Forward exhibit, running from now until July 14.
Although Red Truck Bakery officially opened in Warrenton, Virginia, in 2009, its delicious baked goods had a following long before. With a passion for good food, founder Brian Noyes spent weekends perfecting his recipes in his home kitchen.
Using a red Ford F-100 purchased from American fashion designer Tommy Hilfiger, Noyes delivered his pies and breads throughout rural Virginia. Gaining newfound popularity after a New York Times article introduced 57,000 new customers to his side hustle in a single day, Noyes realized he was onto something big.
Setting up a dedicated shop in a 1921 Esso filling station, the connection between the bakery and automobiles became even more pronounced. From there it was only logical that he name the business after the pickup that helped him get started.
Since its establishment, Red Truck Bakery has continued to grow its cult-like following to make Condé Nast Traveler’s list of "13 Destination Bakeries in America."
Turning out cakes, pies, muffins, cookies, and breads in classic flavors and creative seasonal delights, the team has attracted famous fans like Oprah Winfrey and Barack Obama. All the while, they’ve stayed true to their mission of creating connection and community through the power of good food and coffee.
While typically parked outside the Warrenton bakery, the F-100 regularly makes the rounds for holiday parades and car shows.
More than just a mascot, it has become a cherished backdrop for local prom and wedding photos. In fact, business partners Neal Wavra and Peter Schwartz joked that they were fully prepared for the flurry of local concern they’d receive with the truck temporarily away in the nation’s capital.
The red F-100 isn’t the only Ford that helps the folks of Red Truck Bakery get the job done. Needing a vehicle to transport supplies and baked goods between locations, bakery partner Peter Schwartz turned to long-time Marshall Ford dealer David Baird. Schwartz had one non-negotiable request — it had to be red.
Despite the challenge of sourcing one, Baird tracked down a red 2015 Ford Transit delivery van to keep the bakery's aesthetic intact.
Though built decades apart, both red Fords were designed with the same goal: providing maximum utility for hardworking owners.
The 1954 F-100 revolutionized the market with its driver-focused cab, rugged hauling power, and optional automatic "Fordomatic" drive. Decades later, the 2015 Transit delivers that same versatile functionality, securing Ford's legacy as America's commercial van leader for nearly half a century.
Red Truck Bakery has been celebrated with accolades like Food & Wine magazine’s “best pie in the state of Virginia” and NBC’s TODAY Show’s “favorite mail order foods of the year.”
For those outside the local area, the bakery ships its freshly baked goods across the United States and Canada.
Come see this icon and others in Ford’s Driving America Forward experience at Washington, D.C.’s Union Station from July 1-14.
Ciera Casteel is the senior collections archivist for the Ford Motor Company Archives.
