Classic Teal & Cream/230ci Inline 6-Cylinder/Saginaw Manual Trans/Rare Example

1965 Chevrolet Panel Truck

A panel truck in U.S. and Canadian usage is a small delivery truck with a fully enclosed body. It typically is high and has no rear windows in the rear cargo area. The term was first used in the early 1910s. Panel trucks were marketed for contracting, deliveries, and other businesses. Often described as a small van (based on the chassis of a truck or pickup truck, and not a sedan which yields a sedan delivery) used mostly for delivery rounds, the British equivalent is a "delivery van."

For consignment, a panel van with a little bit of custom "Woody" mixed in for the full effect. The beneficiary of a full body off restoration, which included the addition of new fenders and bumpers. A 1965 pickup truck graciously donated the engine, and some fine oak woodwork adornments are now attached to this classic color panel delivery van from 1965. Guaranteed you will be the only one on your block to have one as these are not commonly seen.

Exterior
Leading the way is a wood-winged Packard swan gracefully bowing on the front top of the hood. Consigner states that these wings are removable if they seem too ostentatious, but I'd say they add panache and would not rid the truck of them. Two tone teal body panels and cream roof reflect the iconic colors of the mid 1960's, and paint is nicely done, with a few thin drips and minor orange peel, but very deep in presentation. A very nice chromed grille/headlight/front badging operation is on the front, and is bordered below by a clean mirror like bumper. On the sides at the beltline, is a wood bordered trim panel with cream color inside. This runs the gamut of the van. On top is a cream roof and drip moldings, as well as an added arrow shaped chromed roof rack. Big chromed mirrors hang off of either side of the doors, which have well minded gaps. On back dual swinging doors with windows, allow easy access to the cargo area, and are flanked by the rounded arrow taillights on either side, and another pristine bumper hangs at the bottom. Dual chrome exhaust tips peek out from underneath, and on all 4 corners are teal badged bowtie hubcaps and rounded trim rings wrapped by Falken raised white letter tires with like new treads. We are now ready for takeoff, so fasten your seat belts, we will be gliding on "wooded" wing (sic).

Interior
Swinging the oak paneled doors, all custom with even wood armrests and pulls as well as some custom turned knobs beret us upon entry. Inside a white metal dash in its original configuration now is peppered with wood accenting and panels. A black insert for the gauge cluster now has wood topped pulls and knobs. And the steering wheel is rimmed by a white plastic with wood inserts for the horn pushes and center. Seats are provided by a late model custom velour blue broadcloth seats, highly padded and wide. These buckets flank a custom wood center console, which also has some matching broadcloth velour padding. All this floats in a sea of brown/white/teal mixed color shag carpet (yeah baby! shall we shag now...well..nevermind!) and behind is a dual arched header which separates the passengers from the cargo area. This header sports the original front Chevrolet pointed badge for the grille and dual speakers. In the cargo area the floor is lined with carpeting and has painted in gold bare metal sides and white ribbed roof.

Drivetrain
Under the hood is the aforementioned 1965 Truck engine which is a 230ci I-6. It has a 2-barrel carburetor feeding it and a 3-speed Saginaw transmission shifted with a Hurst shifter on back, which yields power back to a 12-bolt rear axle. All is nicely restored and looking good.

Undercarriage
Some slight surface rust, but mostly rust free structural sound frame and floor pans. Rockers and wheel wells are nicely restored with no rust, and all is looking good with the independent coil spring front suspension, and a 3 link with coil spring rear suspension. Drum brakes are noted for all 4 corners. A passenger front toe kick has been successfully replaced.

Drive-Ability
No problems reported by our very talented, and good looking I might add, decoder! He reported it fired right up, all functions worked as they should and was impressed with the acceleration, handling (it's a panel van on a truck chassis) and bias free panic braking.

An interesting custom build with the use of wood throughout, classic colors and looking much like the original on the exterior. A fine running example, buttoned up engine bay and engine, and custom interior, this van can haul the goods, or bring you a good haul, either way it's a rarely seen example, and it's looking wonderful!

VIN DECODE
C1455B125792
C-4X2
14-1/2 Ton
5-Panel Truck
5-1965
B-Baltimore, MD Assy Plant
125792-Sequential Unit Number

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.