Sascha Bee was born in 1970 and in the same year his father bought an LP 811 – the sound of which has accompanied him ever since.

Lemonade can also be delivered by bike. August and Josefine Bee proved this: In 1934, the couple founded a company and produced their own carbonated drink, the “Metrogold” brand. Success came quickly and the bicycle was a thing of the past as a means of transport: During the course of the year, production grew to 1,500 bottles per hour. Since then, Getränke Bee has been a firm fixture in the Esslingen area when it comes to liquid refreshments.

The business remained in the family and has been run by grandson Sascha Bee for years. And he still likes to get behind the wheel of the LP 811, which has been part of the company fleet since he was born in 1970. Bee not only shares his year of birth with the vehicle, but also a whole lot of memories – as a child he accompanied his father on his journeys around the Swabian town of Esslingen.

It was delivered with a flatbed structure that had to give way to a Topliner beverage body at the beginning of the 1980s. The year 1988 comes along: Sascha Bee holds a driving licence and has his first experiences behind the wheel of the 7.5 ton truck. In the mid 1990s, the Bees let the LP have a little more rest. Instead of being used for distribution transport, it will from now on be used as an eye‑catcher at events for promotional purposes with an awning and tap system.

The classic truck was temporarily decommissioned in 2010, for a few years it was only parked up. Until Sascha Bee decided on a comprehensive restoration. He didn’t want to do without his loyal companion: “When I’m at the wheel, memories of many kilometres shared between Esslingen and Stuttgart immediately come back. One hour on the road with the LP and I’m a different person,” says Bee.

Reason enough for only him to drive the 811 – after all, you protect what is valuable and dear to you. Though there will be one exception: The next generation of the Bee family is in the process of getting their driving licence – and is looking forward to the first trip behind the wheel of a real classic.