Last week, I covered this 1950 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery, and for the sake of continuity, I thought I’d fast-forward ten years and examine this 1960 edition. The concept was still the same; it’s just the obvious styling evolution, conducted over a decade, that mostly sets the two apart. Today’s discovery is located in Irwindale, California, and has undergone some improvements, and appears to be a good base for a continuing project. This last of a breed is available here on craigslist for $18,750.
I refer to this Sedan Delivery as the last of the breed because 1960 was its swan song – there would be no more such configuration in Chevrolet’s lineup until the introduction of the notorious Vega and its “Panel Express” model in 1971 – same concept, just a very different vehicle. While I suggested that the 1950 Sedan Delivery reminded me of a hearse (some took exception to that comparison, but I still see it that way), this ’60 edition just looks like a Biscayne two-door station wagon with the rear side windows blocked out. The tailgate on this ’60 model, unlike the ’50 edition, which swings out from the side, has a standard fold–down flip-up arrangement, more similar to a station wagon. The body of this S.D. looks sound, with the front clip having been replaced, and thus the mismatched paint. The seller adds, “She led a very sheltered life and must have been stored indoors. She is very rust-free, except for the floor pans, which were covered by a vinyl flooring that trapped moisture underneath. The rest of the car is very solid.” Obviously, we’re rolling on a Cragar S/S-type wheel swap, but the exterior, all in all, looks rather original.
The interior has had some upholstery work done, though the driver’s seat is stained and doesn’t present well. A smaller after-market steering tiller is in place, as are some auxiliary engine gauges. The floor is wearing a cheap covering – probably due to the previously mentioned floor pan problem. I will say that the door panels look nice.
There’s no included image of the 283 CI V8 engine, but the seller says it’s a long-ago swap, still wearing a generator, having replaced the original 235 CI, in-line, six-cylinder motor. The generator comment makes me think it’s probably an original style, stock motor. Unfortunately, there’s no mention of running or driving characteristics (other than a ‘runs drives‘ exclamation); all operations that utilize the three-speed manual transmission (three-on-the-tree). Since the engine room is not photographed, let’s take a look at the inside cargo area. It’s a blank canvas and is in workable condition; it just needs to be finished.
The seller claims, “This is a documented 17,000 original mile car…” but then offers no documentation to back up that assertion. That and the lack of engine photos and some detail around running/driving are a bit of a red flag. Production numbers for this final year Sedan Delivery appear to be about 5,300 units, at least that’s the most consistent measure I could uncover. So, we’re not talking rarity here, but not commonality either. And is it that scant volume and last year availability that justifies the seller’s $18,750 asking price? He concludes the listing with, “Now selling for what I have in her – $18,750.00…My loss is your gain. Don’t miss out on this very rare car. You’ll be sorry.” At that price, I think I’ll take a miss out on this one; how about you?
This is a unique find and has potential to be a nice driver if the frame and floors aren’t too far gone. I would be curious to see how it looks sitting on level pavement and not with the front wheels parked in a low spot. It has good bumpers, trim and the grille is straight, which is a plus with these. My dad had a 59 Impala 2 door, white with red interior, 283 engine. I have always loved these 2 years with the aircraft style fins that flow out back. I would lean towards a white paint job after you get it straight. The rear cargo area is a blank slate for whatever your imagination conjures up. The asking price, if all checks out, needs to be more around the $10 – 12K range.
Looks like a hatchback to me.
I agree, it looks like a one piece lift gate. That would make it a real sedan delivery. If it had a 2 piece tailgate, I would think it was a converted wagon. Either way these are hard to come by, so it may go for near asking price. As a kid I had the Monogram model of this. If I remember right it had a 409 in it.
I think that was a kit called “Bad Actor”. Single headlights and a custom grill, etc.
in 1960 it would have been a 348 not a 409 they looked the same except for dip stick location no 409s till mid year 1961.
Good catch, I think you’re right.
JO
I guess “untouched original” now includes engine swaps, rusted floor pans and a replacement front clip. I’d be surprised if the documentation mentioned for the mileage isn’t a picture of the speedometer. A lot of the rust around the perimeter of the roof looks to be penetrating into the seams, which isn’t going to be an easy fix. Even though rare the asking price is really aggressive.
As for geezerglides comment about the tailgate, he’s right. There is an image of a Chevrolet sales flier that shows a lift up 1 piece tailgate that specifically touts its benefit.
Steve R
I had and assortment of models as a kid. For some reason this model car always stands out. Go figure!
Bad news was the Tom Daniels model later released as Quick Silver,my friend had 2 60 sedan deliveries in the mid 80s.
would want mileage proof to back up claim
I owned a ’60 Sedan Delivery for a few years. Yes the tailgate was one piece hinged at the top. Being a Ohio car, the rear wheel wells were rusted out and beyond my body working capabilities. I ended up sending it down the road with new quarter panels in boxes and tons of restored trim.
Looks almost like the white Biscayne wagon I won in a poker
game as a 15 year old kid in ’69 or ’70. Had a real time with that one. After Dad and I got the gas tank cleaned and re located to it’s
proper location, we took it down to Wherry Welding in Bloomington for new floor pans and patches for the quarters. And through all that, that 235 ran like a Swiss watch! Wound up selling it to a kid I knew in school
for $650 (?) And yeah, I had the
Monogram kit too. It was called
the Street Fighter. It was molded in orange with a see through roof,
ET wheels, and a 396 rat motor
under the hood. Really cool back in 1970. Would make a great door 🚪 Dash car for hauling whatever your customers have in mind.
Seller is talking out of both sides of his mouth- starts the ad by saying he bought something else to build, then ends with stating that he needs cash to start a business.
I own a 1959 SD which are even rarer but there still seams to be a lot of them still around. The 1960’s SD’s have a much better survivor rate as there are plenty of them around if your inclined.
Like Steve said this one has had some hands on it for a low mileage car – not bad really but I do see what I beleive are missing those loong side trim pieces.
it’s got org side trim for a Biscayne the long pice of chrome was on the bel aire
Nice project (if it were about 3 grand).
Kind of an ugly barge.