My grandfather's work truck

[Guest Snickels]

This was my grandfather's work truck back in the day. I need help with year/make/model? I'm looking to replicate this vehicle. All the way down to the lettering and maybe the dent on the front fender. Any help would be appreciated , thanks.

[keiser31]

Looks to be a Chevrolet about 1934?

[West Peterson]

1936 perhaps? Wouldn't it have wire wheels if it were 1934-35?

[junkyardjeff]

I would say 34 or 35 and looks to have the later artillery wheels.

[Dave Mellor NJ]

I agree with Jeff. The 36 truck had the scalloped wheels but it also had horizontal louvers on the hood with a bowtie emblem, the roof was lowered and it lost the visor. Sorry I only have this streetrod pic.'

[keiser31]

I don't see any louvers on the truck in question and the windshield corners are completely different.

[Woodfiddler]

1933 Dodge Commercial Sedan with 1935 artillery wheels (from a sedan or two, maybe?)

Just a guess...

Chuck

[West Peterson]

There's no more guessing on the make. It's a Chevrolet. The question is "what year?" In 1936, Chev introduced the scalloped artillery wheels and horizontal hood louvers. The side of the hood in this picture is too blown out to see if there are any louvers or bow-tie emblem (the bow tie can be seen on the hub caps, but even still, the grille is obviously Chev). I believe that both a high-top and a low-top cab was available in 1936, so I'm not sure that is a sure way to tell, either.

[Guest Old48Truck]

It's a '34 Chevy.

[Dave Mellor NJ]

The grandfather's truck has vertical louvers but they're hidden behind the tire. 34-35 trucks only had the louvers on the rear half. I thought this was understood. It's true that the high cab was carried over into early 36 but I don't think the hoods were.Again,please excuse the street rod pic

[Dave Mellor NJ]

Seen here are two Panel trucks.One has the high cab with the visor but it also has the horizontal louvers but it looks like a bigger truck with those large wheels. That would be a 36. the other one has wire wheels and the vertical louvers. It would be a 34-35.

Edited December 18, 2012 by Dave Mellor NJ (see edit history)

[Dave Mellor NJ]

There was a guy last year whose family had a bread business In California with a fleet of these panel trucks.He was working on recreating a few of them.

[rocketraider]

Dave, what a cool photo of the sign artist lettering that panel truck.

[The Continental]

Looking forward to seeing this coming to fruition

[Dave Mellor NJ]

I found that discussion about the guy replicating his family business' Chevy panel truck. His name is Alec Buchan from Washington state (not California). You should contact him to see how he's done and please ask him to bring us all up to date.http://forums.aaca.org/f119/chevrolet-panel-truck-269940.html

[Woodfiddler]

1934 Chevrolet Delivery Van? Is that what this body is called / referred as? Were they 1/2 ton only or could they be 3/4 ton or did they even offer the different choices back then? Obviously there was the bigger 1 ton(?) trucks, some with duals, but the artillery wheels with huge tires, why would they have been chosen? Just to increase the 1/2 ton capability and eliminate the wire wheels? Ideas anybody? Inquiring minds want to know! Thanks everyone for your input.

Chuck

[Buchans Bread]

Neat project. Visually, there are few differences between the trucks produced between 1934 and 1936, the '36 hood being one of the most significant. As noted above, the larger trucks did have different wheels. In those years, two models were produced, the 1/2 ton and the 1 1/2 ton. The larger truck came in both a single (RA) and dual (RB) rear wheel option. The 'Buchans' image is what I am trying to create. The attached 'green' truck is a '34 1/2 ton (not mine) and the others are my '36 1 1/2 tons. My project is going slow, continuing to try to collect the hard-to-find odds and ends.

Edited December 20, 2012 by Buchans Bread (see edit history)

[Steve Braverman]

The green truck used to belong to my father. I recognize the color scheme. He sold it at Hershey about 25 years ago, and has regretted it ever since. He has never been able to find it. Where was this picture taken, and where is the truck now?

[Buchans Bread]

The truck was for sale when I came across it in August. Hopefully, the attached photo will help. I got some great pictures of the interior wood which will help me in my recreation.

[Steve Braverman]

Is the truck still in Pennsylvania?

[Buchans Bread]

I have no idea. I pulled the photos off the web when it was for sale for more examples when I get to that stage in rebuilding mine. It has quite a few good photos of the interior wood. I think his price was quite high and if he held strong, it would not surprise me if he still had it. His number is on the image above. Good luck.

Edited December 20, 2012 by Buchans Bread
spelling (see edit history)

[Dave Mellor NJ]

It's nice to hear from you again,Alec. I hoped you would hear about this thread. I'm keeping track of your progress,hope you find some time to move it along.

[Buchans Bread]

Likewise Dave. I go through old emails and chuckle quite often about your 'buddy' I see your old door has sold at least once on ebay. We are moving along, but at a snail's pace. My son-in-law will start playing with the sheet metal after the new year and at that time I will start seeing what can be made of the old 207, while keeping my eyes open for one that's running. Bought some hard to find pieces here and there, but still looking for the correct hood ornament. This project will go slow, but that's ok. Found a '57 that will probably be done first as it runs... Slainte' Mhath (Cheers in Scottish)

Edited December 20, 2012 by Buchans Bread (see edit history)

[Buchans Bread]

Now back to the original post. From the above, it is a '34 (DB) or '35 (EB) 1/2 ton. The '34 had a 112" wheelbase with 5,786 vehicles produced. The '35 had the same wheelbase with 5,694 produced. While there are quite a few of these around, it is a project to rebuild them. All the panel trucks, suburbans, and open express' are the same as the 'high cab', with respect to the front doors forward. The image above of the 'street rod' is a '36 low cab. Also, if you are unaware, much of the construction is wood. Here is a '34 I know of being worked on. If you are looking for one, I know of some and can provide some leads (send me a PM).

Edited December 20, 2012 by Buchans Bread (see edit history)

[Steve Braverman]

To bring this thread up to date, today my Dad and I retrieved his long lost panel truck thanks to Mr. Buchan. For the back story, my father bought this truck from a used car lot in 1962 when he was 20 years old. He sold it a few years later when he went into the Navy. When he returned from Vietnam, he bought it back. In 1989, he sold it at Hershey. Now once again in December 2013, he has purchased it once again. Not many people can say they've bought a vehicle three times over a fifty year period.

[Dandy Dave]

Nice! Glad to see it comming home Steve. Dandy Dave!

[junkyardjeff]

I hope its going to stay in the family this time.

[Buchans Bread]

That is awesome. Congratulations!

[whtbaron]

Congrats... I'm guessing that the truck hasn't depreciated much in his 3 purchases...

[rocketraider]

Steve, did the truck still have its original drivetrain intact or had the fellow installed the 230 and PG already?

I wish I had the time and resources for a prewar car.

[Steve Braverman]

Steve, did the truck still have its original drivetrain intact or had the fellow installed the 230 and PG already?

I wish I had the time and resources for a prewar car.

When my dad sold the truck in 1989, it had a cracked head and block and wasn't running. Since then the only thing the guy did, and I mean only (truck still has NY registration stickers and plates from the 70s, and tires from the 60s) was to replace the engine. Thankfully, he found an engine from a '35 Chevy car, which is pretty much correct for this truck. It seems to run well. The pistons are a little noisy, but I have yet to get the engine up to operating temp, so it may be quieter when warm.

We have a little bit of work to do on the truck to make it a nice driver. It needs a windshield and tires before it can be driven, and the lacquer paint job that my grandfather applied around 1970 is peeling badly, so we'd like to get it painted. Also the clutch is funky, it makes weird noises and sometimes refuses to release.

I have yet to find another 1934 Chevrolet Panel Truck in original running condition anywhere. I wonder if any others exist.

[Willys77]

Great conclusion to a thread, Steve! What are your Dad's plans for his Panel? Post a video of him driving it, perhaps! My Granfather's Chevy Pickup - year unknown by me, but likely '34-'36 - got made into a utility trailer by Pete our local welder & car/truck undoer! Oh well.