Barn Find/Solid Steel Panels/Dry Interior/186.7ci Flathead 6

1928 GMC Panel Delivery

Panel trucks are often used by construction and maintenance contractors and were sometimes configured for ambulance and hearse roles. Other variations include canopy express models, which have open display areas behind the driver's seat primarily used by farmers for selling fruits and vegetables. The evolution of sport utility vehicles can be traced to panel trucks, as the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon, as well as the International Harvester Travel-all were passenger versions of these trucks. In modern times minivans have been adapted to some of these functions.

For consignment the pre cursor to the Suburban, Yukon and a tracing to the minivan. We give you the Panel Delivery Van, an enclosed body on a true truck frame, all right out of 1928 and the GMC plant. This truck labeled with "Bradford Bread" logos on either side, one can assume it was a bakery delivery truck at one time, although few crumbs of evidence still exist on this company. This truck is mostly solid and will need a complete ambitious restoration to bring it back to normal, however all the essentials are there. All metal body and frame with some signs of earlier invasive rust, now partially fixed with newly welded panels, and body putty. Original wheels and interior, some time and effort and you will be in business, rolling down the road making your own bread in your own business.

Exterior
Anyway you slice it, it's all metal body, and some previous repairs are noted particularly on the bottom end near the rockers and bottom of all panels have been repaired. This truck has a General Motors badge on the hood cowls, which are fronted by a chromed radiator surround, showing age and patina. A single headlight hangs above the front curved fenders which make their way rearward and connect with the rear fenders via a running board. On back are two floor to ceiling doors for easy access to the interior storage/cargo area. These doors have oval glass windows, typical for the design of these ragtime times. The roof covering the entire body of the truck, has a wood frame, and is covered with canvas. Underneath is wood lath which is held up by arched metal supports. The canvas covering is a bit rough, but the wood and lath appear in useable shape. A split (for air circulation) in the center non safety glass windshield is upfront, and all other glass is clear. Rustic black faded paint and some scraped off is seen overall, and 20-inch spoked split style wheels provide contact with the road.

Interior
Opening the dual doors out back we reveal a large cargo area covered in wood, and metal supports in between. This floor could be original and is not rotted as seen. Metal box style framing makes up the wheel well covers, and sides, as well as the door panels which are stamped. Wood lath lacquered inside is seen being held up by metal arches for the interior roof. A single seat sits atop a storage box, and no passenger seat is installed. Upfront an original metal dash houses the simplistic gauges, some surface rust is noted on the dash and a few gauges. The floor is open to the underside and is made of wood. Overall, the interior remains dry with no real invasive rust seen.

Drivetrain
A 186.7 Flathead 6-cylinder gas engine is installed, but not running. It is not hooked up to the top of the radiator. This engine has a 1-barrel carburetor on top. The transmission is a 3-speed manual transmission and currently there is no drive shaft. This is a T-19 designation with a 1926-1928 Pontiac engine-1/2 ton truck.

Undercarriage
Plenty of surface rust and road dirt has accumulated however the structure remains strong and not compromised as far as we can tell. Mechanical drum brakes are all around and leaf spring suspension is installed.

A potential bread winner, anyway you slice it, fixed up it could be the toast of the town. If you have a tendency to loaf around, this is not the project for you. But if you are ambitious, a full restoration could occur, and you'll have yourself a small slice of 1928 life in the Panel Truck lane. I know I've fully buttered you up now...A toast!

Please note, this vehicle does not come with a battery.

Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 600 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display.
This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.