Chevy’s C10 came in a variety of flavors, but the panel body design is one of my favorites. This truly vintage example is a 1962 model with no engine or transmission, but does have an incredible exterior made perfectly rough by years of outdoor exposure. The old-school script along the sides from an electrician that once used the panel van for work puts it over the top for me. Find it here on eBay with a Buy-It-Now of $3,750 and the option to submit a best offer.
This was a no-sale a few days ago on eBay and the seller sounds motivated to get it gone, saying it “Needs to go.” Perhaps that would encourage you to try your luck at the option to submit a (lower) best offer. The seller simply says “The body is solid,” but I wonder what’s hiding beneath that bowed-out driver’s side fender. Regardless, the seller also notes that all the doors, including the rear barn-style assemblies, open and close as they should. Aside from the fender, the body shut likes do look pretty tight.
Inside, there’s clearly some makeshift storage remnants to clean out but far from the worst we’ve seen of barn find vans parked for the long-term. The script on the sides reads “Industrial Electric and Supply,” which is about a 1960s as it gets for your standard electrician’s business name. Further inspection of the photos shows a similarly rust-tinged fender on the passenger side, so it may not be as solid as the seller lets on. It’s located in Kentucky, which is a far better place for a truck like this than in my neck of the woods.
Although it’s hard to confirm production figures for pre-1965 trucks (or so I’ve been told), my sense is the panel design was typically produced in lower numbers. I have a feeling this example has more rust issues than the seller either knows about or lets on, but the price is still quite good for a truck with a perfect period look. The rear barn doors are a treat and the seller’s mention of “Many original NOS/OEM parts are available for additional purchase” makes this C10 an intriguing proposition.
Looks like a good project to either restore or resto-mod. I like them stock. In this case you won’t get a better riding truck. Those torsion bars on the front really make them ride nice. For me I’d probably go the V-8/auto way. I saw one of these at a show many years ago. Someone had dropped in a 409. Looked real good and I have no doubt it had enough power to stay at the front of the rush hour traffic.
Did I read that correctly? A post from geomechs with the words “resto-mod”? Has this world truly gone mad?
Maybe it’s the weather. It finally hit 70 degrees–something that I thought was impossible for this year–and I can walk around the yard without hipwaders. Snow is all gone with the exception of a couple of stubborn ‘snirt’ piles. Going to fire up a couple of relics and go for a ride. And, yes, I sometimes entertain thoughts of resto-mods. But I’m still super conservative on what should be done. This has no motor so that pretty much leaves the door open. An SBC? Everybody’s got one. A BBC? Warmer; the neighborhood dog doesn’t have one of them. Not too many have a 409 in one of these and it’s period correct. And it will fit in the hole without a problem. A THM 400 to send the power to the rear and you’ve got a good start. And you can close the (stock) hood. Super boring paint job with my logo on the side and it’s a neat work truck that goes like Jack, the bear….
Looks like the body is pretty good I agree with the ” restore” would be a good billboard ( when restored) for a business it doesn’t state which tranny was in it , so , whatever it is, stick with it a 350 should move it right along chrome wheels and whatever else.. good to go
Two things come to mind seeing this panel. As a kid in Riverside, Calif., my Dad drive one as a company truck for a hatchery, and my favorite, the Helm’s bakery driver. He made house calls, and always gave me a free cream puff! Nothing beat the smell of the wood panelled interior, the smell of fresh baked goodies!
My grandfather started his electrical contracting business in 1920, and over the years he deployed many panel trucks for material delivery to job sites and as residential service vehicles. This one brings back some memories. I can still see the gang box, conduit benders, and miles of wire reels rocking around the back. Restore it !
Oy,,,, panels are hot right now, but this is for the ambitious. I remember when I was a kid, The Milwaukee Journal had dozens of these, and would deliver bundles of newspapers to the route centers. It was a popular part-time teenager job. A neighbor did that, and beat the heck out of them.
Part of an estate. Owner sat on it until he died. SMH.
Boy! I just need time, money and space. I’ve always loved panel trucks. Oh well, maybe once I get moved…