Vehicle Description
1953 Dodge Panel Truck
A panel truck in U.S. and Canadian usage is a small delivery truck
with a fully enclosed body. It typically has no rear windows in the
rear cargo area and is a van built on a truck chassis. Panel trucks
are often used by construction and maintenance contractors and were
sometimes configured for ambulance and hearse roles.
For consignment a vintage Dodge Panel Truck, complete with an
earlier restored interior, and exterior paint. Badged with 340 in
mailbox stick on numbers, this truck's engine decodes as a circa
1967-1975 318ci V8, in its original condition. Interior has oak and
shagadelic carpet mixed, and some custom wood cabinets.
Exterior
Fairly straight exterior steel with minor areas of rust,
particularly where the back of the hood cowl meets the body, and
invasive rust within the seal of the driver's windshield. All
bathed in Mellow Yellow, some misalignment of the doors is noted.
Chrome looks good save for a non chromed screw used to mount the
door handles which is producing rust. Bumpers have been blackened,
and grille has been painted to match the body. Small running boards
in black adorn the rockers. Steel wheels are yellow and have
standard chromed Dodge truck caps in the centers. The original ram
hood ornament sits atop the bulbous hood.
Interior
Swinging the yellow painted metal framed doors with a large black
vinyl screw on panel we are met with a totally custom interior. An
original metal yellow dash complete with a central gauge cluster
that has a fuel gauge in the center of the speaker mount, and a
water gauge below now inserted where a badge would typically be.
Below the dash is a wood box which houses an aftermarket radio,
dual cup holders, and a storage drawer. Newer rubber floors are
seen upfront and have blue cloth buckets floating within them. In
back nice wide oak veneered plywood is mounted with black metal
strips. Dual boxes have now enclosed the wheel wells and 2 glass
insert door small cabinets are behind these wood wheel well covers.
Gray carpeting covers the walls and ceiling and oak herring strips
hold it on to the walls.
Drivetrain
318ci V8 decoded as from 1967-75 build date is now in the engine
bay. This engine shows some water rusting on the top and has a
single 2-barrel carburetor on top. A 904 3-speed automatic
transmission is on back.
Undercarriage
Minor surface rust on the usual suspects but mostly structurally
sound frame, body hangers under running boards, and floorpans are
seen. A dropped front suspension in the form of leaf springs is in
front, and more leaf springs on the rear. Power disc brakes are up
front, and power drums on the rear. Exhaust has surface rusting,
and a Turbo muffler is installed.
Drive-Ability
This panel van started right up and ran smoothly. Suspension was
responsive, and brakes brought me to a quick stop. With its
interesting interior sound deadening, road and engine noise was
still apparent. Overall not a bad driver, hauler, or maybe even a
shag covered camper.
An older restoration back in the day when carpet was cool, and oak
trim was the cat's meow. Interesting color combo, a 318 engine
badged as a 340, and plenty of yellow to go around. Drive away as
is and put your dreams to work to make it yours as you are starting
with a solid foundation.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special
interest automobile showroom, featuring over 450 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.
