The sedan delivery was an oddball body style amounting to a two-door van mounted on a car chassis. Several manufacturers made versions of the sedan delivery, but sales were challenging for everyone. It seemed that commercial users simply preferred trucks. This 1946 Chevrolet Stylemaster sedan delivery is listed here on eBay in a no-reserve auction. Bidding has reached $3600. The seller had a light restoration planned, but life got in the way, so off she goes to someone new with a strong vison and a trailer to pick her up from Wichita, Kansas. The Chev will need new “shoes” before that, however, as the current set of tires is dry-rotted and will not hold air.
This example is one of the very few I found that have not yet been modernized with newer components and an ornate paint job. The factory engine was Chevrolet’s 216.5 cu. in. six cylinder making about 90 hp, paired with a three-speed manual. The brakes do not work, and a motorcycle gas tank stands in for the original, which needs to be replaced. The seller notes that ten years ago when he purchased the car, it ran well enough to back off the trailer, and he drove it two blocks to its parking spot, pumping the brakes when needed. It has not been started since and was trailered to its current storage spot. It’s actually pretty dry underneath, though surface rust affects most components.
The interior has a set of funky non-original seats that tilt forward, a clever alteration that probably made removing items from the front of the cargo area easier. Speaking of the cargo bay, I love the barn door configuration. Some will find the vintage advertising charming as well. The instrument panel is plain as can be, with basic gauges on offer in an unfussy display.
The sedan delivery body style is hallmarked by steel panels where the rear passenger windows would be located. On this example, the existing glass is either delaminating, cracked or won’t wind up, and the sheet metal all around has dents, tears, and mostly minor degrees of rust. Unfortunately, the keys have been lost, but the seller does have a clear title. Stylemaster sedan delivery prices have declined over the last several years, except for resto-mod versions. Original vehicles that run and drive sell for high four figures to the mid-teens. This project car is likely destined for a fancy restoration. Like the seller, I wish I could see the result!
I’d put a newer drive train in it and add a right taillight. On something like this you can work on the body to get it up to the level you’d like and still drive it. It’s got enough “character” of it’s own to be a fun vehicle as is.
When stationed in Fallon, NV in the early ’70s there were rigs like this this all over the place. We were reasonably close to Hawthorn and used to run around the desert looking for interesting cars. Nothing rusts in the high desert. Found a 356 Porsche front half and got the gauges and some other bits off it and wound up putting the gauges in the red race car you might have seen in a couple of my comments. Just dusted them off and put them in.
Yes there were, and Babbitt/Hawthorne seem to have cornered the vast majority of them!
There are a few in rundown yards and a very few on some ranch collections but generally no one wants to sell them-like the ‘63 Chevy av gas truck in the desert outside of Mina..
They never really rust but the kangaroo rats and field mice will guarantee the interior is nonexistent.
BTW, if you’ve not been out to NAS Fallon recently you’ll be astounded I think!
Too, Babbitt is completely and totally GONE-no base housing, no BUILDINGS. Gone! Just the ammo dump now..
Clean off the dirt, keep the original engine for posterity and yes install a newer drivetrain (& brake system?)then replace the glass and drive it-around town/2 lane roads anyway..
I believe that this is actually a 1946 Chevrolet Panel Truck, as opposed to a Sedan Delivery. Apparently, it is a common misidentification, based upon a quick internet search. The grills and headlights are different. The interior photo looks like a panel truck- I had the same year Dodge equivalent of this vehicle. It’s a great find and a lot of work, but it would be great to get it cleaned up, running and safe, leaving the existing cosmetic condition as is.
Godzilla, thanks for making the correction. The Handy Man and Panel Truck shared the configuration shown. The sedan delivery was like a 2 door wagon without side windows and single swing out rear door. Remember when there were plenty of both and variations by Ford, others.
Looking at pics of each I think you’re right. The sedan delivery had a lower roof line and a car front end. Panel trucks (like this one) had the same front end as the pickups.
Yes, indeed. Sedan deliveries are based on a 2 door station wagon, without rear side windows etc.
A Panel delivery is based on a truck chassis, in the Chevy line up think Suburban without rear side windows etc.
To Godzilla: I was thinking the same. This is a light Chevy truck, and not a car. Like many postwar trucks, this one has hold-over prewar styling, complete with full running-boards. Chevrolet re-styled their trucks for 1948, then they remained the same through 1953. The 1954 modified the grille with contoured cross-bars, and that continued into 1955. Then, during the 1955 model year, Chevrolet and GMC radically re-styled and re-designed their trucks, keeping up more closely in appearance with their cars. In the 1950s, trucks began to look more stylish and less spartanly utilitarian. But THIS bad boy is a truck, 1941-style, not a car. ‘Twould be nice to see someone restore it, complete with the original vintage advertising. How many places have two-digit telephone numbers? But I remember them. You picked up the ear-piece, cranked it on the side, got the operator, and asked to ring Mrs. Shockley at#49. “She’s not there right now, but I can connect you to her over at the Nolans’ at #19.” (operators knew everybody in town, and all of their business: those were Norman Rockwell days.
To Godzilla: I was thinking the same. This is a light Chevy truck, and not a car. Like many postwar trucks, this one has hold-over prewar styling, complete with full running-boards. Chevrolet re-styled their trucks for 1948, then they remained the same through 1953. The 1954 modified the grille with contoured cross-bars, and that continued into 1955. Then, during the 1955 model year, Chevrolet and GMC radically re-styled and re-designed their trucks, keeping up more closely in appearance with their cars. In the 1950s, trucks began to look more stylish and less spartanly utilitarian. But THIS bad boy is a truck, 1941-style, not a car. ‘Twould be nice to see someone restore it, complete with the original vintage advertising. How many places have two-digit telephone numbers? But I remember them. You picked up the ear-piece, cranked it on the side, got the operator, and asked to ring Mrs. Shockley at#49. “She’s not there right now, but I can connect you to her over at the Nolans’ at #19.” (operators knew everybody in town, and all of their business: those were Norman Rockwell days.
To Godzilla: I was thinking the same. This is a light Chevy truck, and not a car. Like many postwar trucks, this one has hold-over prewar styling, complete with full running-boards. Chevrolet re-styled their trucks for 1948, then they remained the same through 1953. The 1954 modified the grille with contoured cross-bars, and that continued into 1955. Then, during the 1955 model year, Chevrolet and GMC radically re-styled and re-designed their trucks, keeping up more closely in appearance with their cars. In the 1950s, trucks began to look more stylish and less spartanly utilitarian. But THIS bad boy is a truck, 1941-style, not a car. ‘Twould be nice to see someone restore it, complete with the original vintage advertising. How many places have two-digit telephone numbers? But I remember them. You picked up the ear-piece, cranked it on the side, got the operator, and asked to ring Mrs. Shockley at #49. “She’s not there right now, but I can connect you to her over at the Nolans’ at #12.” (operators knew everybody in town, and all of their business: those were Norman Rockwell days).
And the rear door/doors are completely different as well- one on the Sedan Delivery, two on the Panel Truck. Different vehicles, actually.
This truck was showcased here back in 2015 at which time the current owner purchased it off of EBay….search the archives to view the listing.
Based on the comments at that time the consensus was the lettering was applied at a later date to give the impression the truck was used at a bakery.
What do the readers think?
Good chance they aren’t. Too many conveniently placed scratch/sanding marks. It just feels off. I’m no expert and could easily be wrong, nor am I suggesting the seller is hiding anything, bidders will give their opinion in $’s.
Steve R
No expert on authenticity here, I just like the look of this. There’s enough here that’s genuinely deteriorated to mitigate any pseudo patina meddling. Gotta love those rear barn doors. Something is so sinister about the rear windows.
After college and before real life began a friend and I drove his ’53 Chevy 3100 flatbed from Michigan to Maine and on back to California. I didn’t know much about mechanicals (still don’t) but I knew more than he did. I rebuilt the parts I could figure out and ignored those I couldn’t. Last I knew of that truck it died somewhere in San Francisco. I assume it still had my ViseGrips holding one side of the exhaust flange to the manifold where the bolt broke off.
This vehicle reminds me of that whole trip. It makes for a good story but not a particularly fond reminiscence. There aren’t enough tetanus shots and cases of beer to get me to work on an old hulk like this again.
Been there
The original auction has been ended and delisted.
Steve R
It’s been relisted
You are right, autocorrect did its job, I didn’t do mine by not proofreading before pushing send.
Steve R
I’d have to go Icon Derelict style on this. Clean it up, coat it to protect it, make it more mechanically up to date, etc.
Not a lot of these left. They were used up and discarded. This one is worthy of a driver-quality restoration and then be DRIVEN. I would guess 4.11 gears, that will keep you down to 50 mph but will still allow you to keep it in high for the average hill. The driver’s seat suggests that someone must have encountered some wild chili in the past. The first thing you would need to do is fix that seat…
I am a great fan of baked products. Our local bakery in Louth does a crusty can’t leave it alone. If any of you are over here It’s Pocklingtons by the market square. I don’t think this van was ever a bakers van. Reason hot bread causes condensation which runs into the crevices I have such vans riddled with rot below the waist line. Kindest regards to you all,Roger.
I agree with Godzilla. A sedan delivery would not have had that high of roof plus other hints that this is a panel truck.
I agree with Godzilla. A sedan delivery would not have had that high of roof plus other hints that this is a panel truck.
I bought one of these 46 Chevy panel trucks from a junkyard in 1985. It was from VA and had run out of trans gear oil on I-75 and welded the inside together. Changed the transmission and drove it for a few years.Only mistake I made was having it towed to our house and it showed up on our wedding anniversary. That was a sore spot so when I sold it I just handed my wife the money and told her to have fun. She did realize that you could buy an old vehicle fix it up and when you sold it make a few dollars. Here it is 40 years later and I have a 48 Chevy Suburban
Very cool old panel truck. (used to own a 1953) I would do a frame/chassis swap with one with disc brakes. Along with a somewhat modern engine. Install better seats, clear coat it and drive it.
I agree with some of the commenters above, this is a panel (truck based), not a sedan delivery (station wagon based). Also, I’m pretty sure the transmission would be a granny geared 4 speed, not a 3 speed as stated. Any way you look at it, or name it, this is a cool rig.
Now what, let do this lets do that let jump 50k in it why, days gone by its not worth restoring at today prices sorry guys
I would do a make it safe running and driving restoration for now and cruise it for the summer. That would give me time to think about what direction to go either sleeper hotrod or just a restoration either one would make for a fun cruiser
This panel truck appears to be a 3/4 ton. I’m sure the post war panel trucks I had in the early 70s were 1/2 ton with 5 lug wheels.
I think this vintage would have 3 on the tree like my 1948 and 1952 if it were a 1/2 ton.
I drove the 48 from Wi to CA and towed my Alfa back.
I know the owner passed a few years ago but he had a 1 ton and towed a TR3 in enclosed trailer to Road America.
Panel trucks have become rather rare while pickups are everywhere.
Before considering any purchase, my first considertion is parts. This model may be a little tough to source parts for.
6 lug wheels make it a 1/2 ton. 3/4 and 1 ton used 8 lug wheels. Such a cool truck. Easy engine upgrade would be a 235 from mid ’50s to early ’60s is a direct bolt in. A 1/2 TON MODERN CHASSIS WOULD BE H
GREAT UPGRADE AND MAKE IT USEFUL FOR A CURRENT HAULER.
Actually the cars used 6-lug wheels until ’48. They finally went to 5-lug for the cars in ’49. I always thought it was strange to see 6 lugs on cars but a friend of mine was working on his ’36, and I was helping him with his ‘Knee-Action’ front suspension. I noticed the six lugs and asked him about it. He told me that GM kept that until ’49…
If it was parked 10 years ago it would not take much to get it going. Replace/clean the fuel system and fix the brakes and replace the tires
Hello Sweet Lady!
This Dear, is a PANEL TRUCK, NOT A SEDAN DELIVERY.
SEDAN DELIVERIES had the frontend sheetmetal, fenders, grille, etc. of the cars (Thus Sedan) and as evident here the TRUCK sheetmetal identifies this Panel Trunk.
Ha ha, nicest correction I’ve ever had. Thanks to you and everyone else who id’d this as a panel truck, not a sedan delivery. Appreciate it.
Michelle,
I couldn’t think of the right words for a correction!
So… I just said “this panel truck”.
Keep up the good work.
That was great too! Thanks for reading, Rallye, and to everyone else – appreciated learning a thing or two from you all.
I reckon it was sometime in the early 70’s, when A friend of mine (Fred Schmidt) had one of these. I remember riding with him one day in that rig. It was so loud inside we didn’t hear the cop behind us with siren blasting for several miles. When Fred finally realized we were being pulled over he stopped, the cop came up and looked at us (both young hippies and dressed as such with beards and all) he was quite irate at us, thinking us to be pot heads yelled at us for not stopping sooner. When we explained we couldn’t hear him he calmed down, (it was after all over 100 degrees in Northern California that day) and informed us for the reason he pulled us over.Turned out Fred had removed one headlight due to it being burned out, and that’s a violation for daytime driving. Anyway that noisy old truck kept on rolling down the road.
God Bless America
The top of the driver’s and passenger’s doors are slightly different than those of the pickup trucks of the same year. The molding crease from the body is extended forward onto the top of the door above the window.
Rallye, are you a former rally(e, the properway to spell rally) driver? I’m a former pro-rally driver. If not, why the name?
Wayne,
I thought of different answers while trying to think who you are. You’re not Wayne Baldwin, he’s long gone. Stage rallying was the most fun on 4 wheels of all the motorsports I’ve been in.
For 30+ years, I’ve been vintage/historic road racing. The last bunch, I don’t care how much others spend on titanium and stuff. I like being prey and predator at the same time and passing faster cars (driving my ass off).
Pick your favorite:
Rallye was/is (?) the name of a magazine in Urrip and I saw my name in it.
It’s been a number of years but if somehow the money appeared, I wouldn’t be a former.
I can only remember part of the alphabet….NARRA, SCCA, POR, STPR.
Shifter on the floor, so it has to be a 4 speed woth a “granny ” 1st gear. If a 3 speed it would be on the column.
This looks like a panel truck to me. I have a 1953 1 ton panel that I’m putting a 292 with 700r4 and 4:11 gears. Everything else is original. I don’t plan on driving cross country
I’ve got one of these.
I leased it to the studio for the TV series Manhattan.
Won’t do that again; they abused it.
They paid for the damage, but I don’t like the way they left him running all day.
The oil was totally black when they returned him.
Took 3 oil changes, to get it back to my standard.
These things are fun to drive, putting around town, and easy to work on.
Sold 4/27/2025 for a high bid of $7,600.
Steve R