Rare CLASSIC MOPAR / 2-Owner Survivor! 1937 Dodge Humpback Panel Van Delivery

1937 Dodge

Series MC Half-Ton Panel Van

Original “Humpback” with TWO OWNERS since NEW!

VIN# 8183955

Always an iconic design and style-leader amongst American light trucks, the Dodge “Humpback” has captured the attention of classic vehicle enthusiasts and hot-rodders for generations. The unique box shape, paired with streamlined, glitzy frontal styling from the Dodge sedans, and the classy side-mount spare make its appeal timeless.

This example was a cherished vehicle that has been kept in excellent condition by its two owners. IT WAS MOSTLY RESTORED in the LATE 1970s, and left UNTOUCHED SINCE THEN. So far, it has been spared any hot rod modifications, and remains essentially stock except in some minor details.

This Dodge is almost entirely complete, including an original Mopar accessory heater and period accessory turn signals (not hung on the vehicle in the photos). The driver’s seat is from a later vehicle and the steering wheel is a ‘parts store special’, but almost everything else is complete and correct, right down to the original owner’s manual in excellent condition (VIN# recorded in the book at the factory). It has almost all of the trim that is so often missing from these sorts of projects, and which can be tough to source today. Have a look around at the pictures and you’ll see what we mean – Correct, original detailing: Nice grille, straight bumpers, hubcaps, instruments, handles, tail light, horn, air cleaner, inner cargo panels, bright trim, engine bay splash panels, windshield frame, wipers (and two American Bosch wiper motors, tucked behind their access doors)…Except for the windshield (which is a plexi-glass panel), the glass is excellent. A new windshield gasketis in the box ofextra parts. Theslender chrome hood spears, the ones not seen in the pics, come with the vehicle. Very little needs to be added to properly restore this truck to show condition.

The motor is a De Soto flathead 6. It is a date-correct 1937 “S3”, 228 cubic inches (as used in 7-passenger sedan, limo and taxi models). THE MOTOR STARTS ON THE KEY and RUNS.(See and hear it run on the video link below).The fuel tank is out of the vehicle, but after some careful prep (it hadn’t been started in almost forty years, and no one wanted to damage bearings or other critical parts), we filled the carburetor float bowl with gasoline, and the engine started right up!The fuel tank was removed for cleaning in the 1970s. Not being able toscourthe inside properly, the owner cut a hole in the top panel so as to literally scrub the tank clean – It remainslike thatto this today, and the owner will weld a new panel over the hole if the buyer wishes. The tank is still spotless inside (see pics on the photo link.)

The De Soto mill is visually identical to the Dodge unit except in serial numbers, so it looks 100% stock yet it has a useful ten more cubic inches and developed eighteen more horsepower and extra torque over the Dodge unit – which seems to us like a big net plus to anyone who wants to restore this truck to a stock appearance.

By any sane definition, and excluding normal surface oxidation,THIS IS A RUST-FREE VEHICLE!Please look at all of the photos of the underbody on the photo link: Frame, inner steel panels, bottoms of the running boards, body joints, crevices inside the passenger compartment foot wells, body corners, fenders – all beautiful and super clean. The only evidence of rust-through I could detect were some small “wormholes” in the inner steelat the back of the cargo floor, under where the rear doors latch and only visible from beneath (see photo on photo link)…This area was cleaned and primed and is structurally solid. The cargo floor is solid hardwood, with absolutely no dry rot.

The only glaring defect on the body is the soft roof panel, which is decayed and partially collapsed. But it is an original, and therefore an excellent pattern for a new one. The driver’s side lower body panel (between the running board and the door-level of the body) is made of Masonite – a new steel panel comes with the vehicle.

Overall, the body panels are amazingly straight with excellent panel fit on the doors and hood. It’s very unusual for a panel van to escape having seriously compromised steel panels in the cargo area. Have a look at the outer reflective surfaces of the panel walls, the cargo door inner panels, fender wells in the cargo area, and the short steel walls that bolt around the perimeter of the floor. Panel fit of all the doors and the hood is excellent. Door hinges are excellent, with no sag, and the doors latch well.

The current owner was sixteen years old when he bought this vehicle from its original owner – a family friend -- in the small town of Winthrop, Minnesota, where the truck had spent it’s entire life. He embarked on a two-year, body-off restoration at home with the help of a journeyman auto body and welding specialist. They sweated a lot of details with the metal work and mated the De Soto motor with a good driveline. After the van was painted and completed enough to be on the road, the new owner drove it in some local parades and events. As the young man embarked on work and other projects, the old Humpback got put into the garage before the full interior restoration could be completed. That was around 1978, and the van has not turned a wheel since then except to move it to a newer garage.

Vehicle is not road-ready: The fuel tank is out. Brake system will need rebuilding. Vehicle rolls easily, but the steering is locked up at the moment. Engine starts and runs, and the gearbox and rear axle are expected to still be in good shape, but after sitting so long, the entire vehicle will require a good going-over before anyone can expect it to be a driver. That being said, it really shouldn’t be much work at all.

Overall, this is a rare find of an honest, totally solid, true classic truck that hasn’t been beaten to death. All of the hardest work was done before it was put away, five decades ago. It would make an excellent candidate to easily be put back to period stock appearance and performance, or (I know half of you are thinking it…) a perfect all-steel street rod with a neat Mopar 340 or a late-model Hemi – In which case, it would make the world’s coolest van in which to haul your chopper to Sturgis!

NO DISAPPOINTMENTS HERE!

NEARLY 100 PHOTOS FOR YOU TO EXAMINE, SHOWING THE CAR IN DETAIL, INSIDE/OUT and UNDERNEATH. Click Here:https://flic.kr/s/aHskS8kxJq

SEE AND HEAR IT RUN for the FIRST TIME in almost FORTY YEARS! Click Here: https://youtu.be/vfsWOsuM9gA

VIN TAG: Chassis# 8183955: “81” prefix means “Made in Detroit”, (these vans were also produced in Los Angeles and Windsor, Ontario). The Chassis# also appears on the frame and is hand-written in the original Owner’s Manual. The GVWR of 4000 lbs for the Series MC ½-ton models is engraved on the VIN tag.

“K-4-3-LR” on oval body tag notes “1937 Series MC ½-Ton Panel Van” with 116” wheelbase. “9499” = the assembled Body Number. (Special thanks to the excellent 1937dodge.blogspot for helpful information!)

We try and cover everything that’s important, but sometimes we miss a detail: If you’d like to see something up close, we will try and get a picture posted for you. If you want to talk, we’ll give you a phone number. Please ask any questions before bidding – We will answer quickly and honestly. Note: eBay requires we fill-in “exact mileage” from the odometer – This vehicle’s actual mileage is unknown, and the odometer number unsubstantiated.

And Now… if You’re Serious About Bidding, Please Read….

The Fine Print:

GOOD LUCK!Please bid to the value this car may hold for you. Please feel free to ask questions or add comments. Please ask questions BEFORE you bid. We will respond quickly and honestly. This vehicle is garaged in Withrow, Minnesota 55082, about twenty minutes north west of downtown St Paul. Inspections are invited and encouraged!

CONDITIONS: Winning this auction constitutes a legal and binding agreement between the Buyer, the Seller (MM1000auto), and the Owner. Please bid sincerely and sensibly. Zero-feedback bidders must contact us first before bidding to establish some level of seriousness-of-intent: It's nothing personal, just business: We, and many others, have been stung on eBay Motors by too many dead-beat auction winners.

Vehicle is sold "As-Is and Where-Is". No warranty is expressed, implied or offered. Seller cannot and will not take any responsibility for this car after it leaves the premises.

PAYMENT:Buyer must make a $200 DEPOSIT by PayPal within 24 hours of the Auction Close. The Deposit will secure the Deal for all Parties involved. Failure to make Deposit within 24 hours will risk Cancellation of the Sale at Discretion of the Sellers. BALANCE MUST BE PAID within 7 BUSINESS DAYS of sale by SECURE PAYMENT. Accepting US FUNDS via WIRE TRANSFER, CERTIFIED BANK CHECK, or CASH at PICK-UP. Deposit is NON-REFUNDABLE except under circumstances deemed fair and appropriate by the Seller.

Deposit will be payable to this eBay Seller, via PayPal, and the final balance will be made directly to the titled Owner of the car (wire transfer preferred, but certified bank check or cash at pick up is also acceptable)

TRANSPORT:Buyer is responsible for all transportation arrangements and costs. This vehicle is garaged in Withrow, Minnesota 55082, about twenty minutes northwest of St Paul. We do not offer quotes on shipping. Fast, competitive shipping quotes are a few keystrokes away on Google. If you like, we will be happy to recommend some preferred carriers with whom we have had direct experience. ALL EXPORT SALE DETAILS MUST BE ARRANGED BY THE BUYER, though we can recommend an excellent overseas vehicle shipping specialist if you like.

STORAGE: While the Auction Winner sorts out pick-up or transport arrangements, Seller can offer, free of charge, dry indoor storage for up to 30 days after auction termination. Longer periods can be arranged at extra cost if necessary. Seller cannot accept any liability during this storage period.

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