Custom-built factory parcel delivery van: 1959 Ford P-Series!

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One of the most significant aspects of the classic car world is its wide range of vehicles and the history behind them. Most everyone knows about Mustangs and Corvettes, but it is exciting to come across a new-to-you vintage ride you have never seen or don’t know much about. And it is even better when the vehicle has an interesting backstory.  This 1959 Ford P-Series parcel delivery van is one of those vehicles, and it comes to us from Cary, IL, with a price of $9,500. Thank you to Kiwie49 for providing the tip on this fascinating truck!

Parcel trucks have existed since the invention of the automobile and are still one of the most important aspects of commerce in the USA. UPS’ first truck was a modified 1913 Ford Model T, and we’re still seeing major innovations in this industry as our need for convenience and parcel delivery grows (Amazon’s electric Rivian vans come to mind). These trucks are utility incarnate, and looking at the OEM’s designs for these trucks throughout the decades is a good lesson in simplicity.

This particular van has lived a unique life. According to articles found here and here, it was custom-ordered with a lowered roof to fit into the hull of the SS Aquarama during Great Lakes trips from Detroit to Cleveland. It was used to move all the passengers’ luggage at each port. These trips were not profitable, and the cruise line was shuttered in 1962 with this truck resting within the ship. Found for sale by Terry Hawke in 1993, it only had 149 original miles on the odometer! Mr. Hawke purchased the truck and then used it to promote his family’s Pony Cycles at car and motorcycle shows. According to the listing, it now has 17,300 miles, which is still astonishingly low for a parcel truck from 1959! Pony Cycles are another interesting story within the Petrolania annals, and you should check them out if you are interested in neat, small American manufacturers, mopeds, or scooters.

So, what do you think of this P-series? Are you enthralled by its look and history? Or is it just another boxy delivery truck? As mentioned in the linked Motor Trend article, would you turn it into an overlander? Or maybe a food truck? Personally, I think these oddball vehicles are so interesting, and I would love to hang out in this van at car shows or cruise around town. I wish it could tell all the tales from the cruises it was on in the Swinging 60s! Check out this Ford here on Facebook Marketplace, and thank you again to Kiwie49 for sending in this tip.

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Comments

  1. Richard Truesdell

    It would make for a very interesting RV conversion IMHO.

    Like 11
    • nlpnt

      The low roof is a big drawback in that application, and reversing it would ruin the truck’s uniqueness.

      Like 0
  2. Aussie Dave Aussie DaveMember

    I agree with you Richard.
    My first thought was, wow, this would make an excellent motor home, it’s size, length and the way it opens up.
    I’d leave the exterior as is.
    Update the drive train, including A/C and P/S, upgrade the brakes etc. but I’d leave it as a 2WD.
    The way it opens up, would be perfect for Aussie summers.

    Like 8
  3. John EderMember

    This seems like the perfect set up for a “the long and the short of it” joke…

    On a serious note, a fire apparatus manufacturer that I once worked for had a contract to build a small pumper/rescue unit for the parking garage at San Francisco International Airport on a GM 4×2 chassis. We did a lot of work with aftermarket lowering components to get the overall height down to meet spec. No bags or hydraulics.

    Like 4
  4. z1rider

    I saw this in person at the Old Car Festival in Dearborn some years ago. The owner related that one of the reasons for the low miles was due to the way it was used to move luggage/cargo onto the ship. Seems they would drive across a ramp connecting the dock to the ship, unload and simply reverse the van back down the ramp, which would turn the odometer backwards. The 149 miles were were put on with trips to the gas station and repair shop for maintenance.

    Still I’m confident the actual miles were probably less than a thousand.

    Like 5
  5. Kenneth Carney

    They also used them for ice cream trucks when I was a kid. I recall many a time standing on the street corner,
    money in hand, waiting for my favorite treats. Brands like Mr. Softie
    and Good Humor made a mint with these trucks in the ’60s and ’70s. I still can see the driver’s in their pressed white uniforms with those
    folding army style hats too. They were also used as Civil Defense canteen trucks in the event of a bomb
    attack or natural disaster. And Uncle
    Sam bought his share of them too,
    turning them into mobile command posts, portable generators, or whatever was needed back then. After their usefulness had run out, they became equipment haulers for
    a lot of local rock bands or a cheap
    camper conversion for some DIY guy
    with good hands and an unlimited
    imagination. Whatever the use, and
    whatever the need, you could always
    count on a truck like this to fill almost
    any need you had in mind. Hmmm.
    Tacos and Nachos come to mind right now or maybe some Papas Locas. Food truck anyone?

    Like 6
  6. Darryl McLain

    I fell in love with it the minute I looked at it. It’s exotic, utilitarian, fun!

    Like 3
  7. Nelson C

    Pie Wagon! One of my favorite vehicles. I loved test driving these, maybe because no one else wanted to. Slow (6.2 NA Detroit), noisy, barely hear the radio, no air but all the wind you could handle with the door open. Just launch in first, or low, and run ‘er right up to the fuel shut off, shift and do it again. Loud as hell on the Belgian block road but nobody ever messed with you. You were bigger than them and that was usually enough. Interestingly, Ford and GM both used the “P” platform designation for their Step-Van. This chassis underpins everything from bread vans to Class A motorhomes. Unfortunate about the cut down roof as only Billy Barty could stand up straight inside.

    Like 0
  8. chrlsful

    short list KC: “Whatever the use, and
    whatever the need, you could always
    count on a truck like this to fill almost
    any need you had in mind. …” And my friend w/one he calls the Yellow Submarine, the ol Mileage Maker i6 (right after the flathead) or CostClipper in the P’n other trucks. He put ina divorced x-fer case to run all over the dunes near Sandwich on the Cape (Cod). It’s a short one but fun for some summer daze’n nites. Room in back (I bet) tho throw in some drift wood for a nice clam bake ora open bonfire the latter he tells me still allowed in that town (whata joy) hangin an eve til late nite – on the beech (gorsh I miss the ocean) a fire, friends, food’n frosty liquid. Some instruments, the wind’n wave. Good livin~

    Like 2

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