The Creamsicle Mobile Driver
September 7th, 2024
Davelis “D.C.” Goutoufas and his Creamsicle Ford Ranger.
In his almost 57 years on Planet Earth, Davelis “D.C.” Goutoufas has made quite a name for himself in Tampa. Both professionally and personally. In fact, he’s a role model for Tampa citizens.
But it is Goutourfas’ Bucs fandom that is about to dwarf his life’s achievements.
Goutoufas was the first hearing-impaired student to graduate from the University of Tampa in 1990 (he lost his hearing at age four). Goutoufas is legally deaf but he can read lips.
Goutoufas also helped lead an effort to rename a Tampa city street for Jim Urbanski, the late president of The Tampa Tribune (RIP). The street that was renamed was Parker Street, where the Tribune’s newsroom, offices and printing press once stood.
(It was Urbanski who played a significant role in luring an NFL franchise to the area. And of course, that franchise became the Bucs.)
The current owner of Gaspar’s Cigars Mobile, Goutoufas is starting to be known more for his passion for the Bucs than his impact as a city leader. Why? Goutoufas is the guy who owns the 1999 Creamsicle Ford Ranger you see cruising around town.
Joe saw the truck while leaving La Teresita restaurant Thursday. White with orange trim and an orange hood and Bucco Bruce on the doors, the truck was parked so that patrons who left the restaurant couldn’t help but notice.
Joe put a picture of the truck on Twitter and next thing you know, by the magic of social media, Joe was having lunch with Goutoufas to learn his story.
Goutoufas is a fourth-generation Tampa resident. He says his great-grandfather was the first Greek to settle in Tampa. His mother’s roots can be traced back to William Bradford, the signer of the Mayflower Compact and Governor of the Plymouth Colony. Now that’s an American heritage!
So yeah, Thanksgiving is special in Goutoufas home.
Davelis “D.C.” Goutoufas
The Plant High School graduated (he played football and baseball there) once managed the Wachovia Bank downtown Tampa branch and ran for Hillsborough County property appraiser. He’s served on a wide variety of government and non-profit boards, and on a task force that allowed Tampa International Airport to be more accessible for travelers through Americans with Disabilities legislation.
But for Goutoufas, despite all his business and civic success, his passion always comes back to his love for the Bucs.
Goutoufas, who once worked in the marketing department of First Florida Bank with Bucs great Lee Roy Selmon when Selmon was hired to become the athletic director at South Florida, bought a 1999 Ford Ranger in March.
His inner circle thought Goutoufas was nuts when he told them he was going to buy it. What are you buying that old thing for? Goutoufas told them, just wait. He had a plan.
He enlisted the services of a number of Tampa-based craftsmen to create and design his truck into the Creamsicle Mobile it now is. (Goutoufas brags he was just the project manager).
Then, Goutoufas had a brand new Ford engine dropped in the truck.
Now the Creamsicle Mobile is good as new! And it looks awesome!
So when you see Goutoufas tooling around town, you’ll know the guy behind the wheel both had a significant impact on Tampa and is a guy who bleeds pewter and red — and Creamsicle, too! — just like you.
You can bet where Goutoufas will be Sunday afternoon. Fire the cannons!
Yesss! This is my old school and classic pick up truck. I had a late lunch at La Teresita this afternoon. Here’s more pictures of my Bucs creamscile truck … #gobucs pic.twitter.com/OcBxF3dtHE
— D.C. Goutoufas (@Goutoufas) September 6, 2024
September 7th, 2024 at 10:17 pm
Sounds like an interesting fella…. and obviously a huge Buccaneers fan
Nice job on the story and details Joe.
I guess even when the sports blogger takes himself off the beat – you still can’t get that beat reporter out of the sports blogger….
September 7th, 2024 at 10:27 pm
I graduated Plant High, too. Our class put a giant Panther on the building. I have often wondered if it is still there. Our football team was great. Ahhh, memories..
September 7th, 2024 at 10:38 pm
Joe – one of the all time great special interest stories. Maybe the greatest. Guess we can’t cremate the creamsicles after all.
September 7th, 2024 at 10:40 pm
Plant high graduate myself from the class of ‘87 so he’s a few years older. We had some mutual friends and knew each other. I see him tailgating right on himes and Tampa Bay. Nice guy. A Thick and thin Bucs fan. The kind I like.
September 7th, 2024 at 11:03 pm
This might be the most incredible thing I’ve ever witnessed in my life!
September 7th, 2024 at 11:35 pm
yo that truck is straight fire…….!
good story joe….especially on the cusp of the game…yeah man this dude is a real deal fan
September 7th, 2024 at 11:49 pm
Pretty dope not gonna lie
September 8th, 2024 at 6:08 am
Goutoufas story is an excellent display of how a person can overcome so much in life after losing his hearing at such a young age. He persevered. Good man and an awesome truck he created! Thank you for sharing his story.
September 8th, 2024 at 6:08 am
Heck yeah, Go Bucs! Great guy and great truck. Looking forward to a ride around town!
September 8th, 2024 at 7:32 am
Thanks for the fun read, Joe. Orange, white and red remind me of Florida. Floridian colors and the Bucs are our Central Florida team. Hope the weather gods cooperate today. Go Bucs and Goutoufas!!
September 8th, 2024 at 8:37 am
How pissed off is he about Trask never getting a shot in Tampa?
The mob wants to know.
September 8th, 2024 at 9:07 am
Good dude and a friend of mine. Im a Plant high graduate – ‘88. He is one of the nicest guys around. Yeah the panther is still painted there.
September 8th, 2024 at 9:37 am
Thanks for sharing, Joe. I look forward to seeing him on the road.
September 8th, 2024 at 10:19 am
Way, way back in the dark days for the Bucs (and some seasons were horrible) there was a guy in the Dunedin/Clearwater area that had a late model cream-sickle van with Bucco Bruce and the whole fandango. I felt sorry for him. Even more screwed than me wasting Sunday afternoons season after season. At least I didn’t have to show the world that I rooted for the worse team in football. You newer fans haven’t experienced that, YET.
Now that I left Florida the Bucs have blown up. Enjoy!
September 8th, 2024 at 10:20 am
Pray for me. I’m going to try to watch it on You-tube.
September 8th, 2024 at 1:14 pm
This is outstanding, Joe…very well done. 👏
September 9th, 2024 at 6:20 pm
DC is an all around great guy! Great article.