Patina-Plus Panel Truck is an Attention-Getter
Upgraded running gear and motor make for easy driving features.
Accumulated Exception
Once a low amenity, utility vehicle, panel trucks now command a cool status all to themselves. Part of that prowess is their rarity. Used extensively by farmers, tradesmen and as company delivery vehicles, most panel trucks worked hard and few survived intact. This 1959 Ford F-100 panel truck is an exception, with its history told through generations of accumulated patina.
Photos courtesy of Hemmings.
Production Introduction
Listed with Hemmings, the panel truck is described as “a great rolling billboard and an attention-getter for any business...with head-turning patina.” Ford panel trucks are the direct predecessor to the E-series. Built on the new F-1 chassis, modern panel truck production began in 1948 and lasted until 1960, when the introduction of the Econoline officially killed the enclosed truck.
Delivery Design
The panel truck's long lineage adds to its popularity and nostalgic appeal. While Ford's marriage of a van-style body and the heavy-duty pickup truck chassis debuted in 1948, the concept dates back to the early 1900s. First built of wood on existing car platforms, those enclosed delivery sedans have more in common with stagecoach design than the later all-metal iterations.
Direct Myriad
By the 1920s, the delivery sedan was an established body style. It was produced in numerous variations and employed in countless roles by almost all vehicle manufacturers worldwide. An interesting variation of the delivery sedan was the 'canopy express' or 'huckster truck' that had open sides to facilitate the direct sale of products and a myriad of other goods.
Interloper Block
This 1959 F-100 panel truck has a little of its own 'huckster-ism' going on. Originally equipped with Ford's workhorse motor, the 223 cubic-inch inline-six has been replaced with a late 1970s, Chevy 350 V8. The interloper small block is dressed up with a Holley aluminum intake manifold, an Edelbrock four-barrel carburetor, a low restriction air cleaner, and Mr. Gasket chrome valve covers.
Easy Road
The Chevy motor is coupled to a Turbo Hydra-Matic 350 three-speed automatic. A grafted-on Camaro sub frame provides updated suspension and handling. Snazzy, Boss Brand five-spoke wheels capped with three-bar spinners are fitted with Dunlop tires. The seller reports, “Out on the road, this one feels quite nice thanks to its easy driving features.”
Scant Reset
The interior is just as funky as the outside. Well-worn bucket seats and carpeting provide a degree of modern comfort, while an in-dash aftermarket stereo keeps the occupants entertained. The column hosts updated control switches, a Sun Super Tach II tachometer, and a smaller, hot rod-style steering wheel. Obviously, reset, the odometer read a scant 1.3 miles.
Original Offer
Ford panel trucks were well-known for their ample cargo space. A carefully trimmed rug, along with roof insulation helps tone down road noises. From 'rolling billboard' to 'attention-getter,' this 1959 patina-plus panel truck is one eye-catching survivor. The full 'Make an Offer' listing can be found on Hemmings's website with an asking price of $19,800—almost nine times its original cost.
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