The Sedan Delivery dates back to the 1920s, but as a full-size offering from Chevrolet, 1960 was the last year. It essentially was a Biscayne 2-door station wagon with sheet metal where glass would otherwise have been on the sides. And it had a single bench seat, providing for lots of storage room in the back. The seller’s 1960 example is a roller that needs bodywork, a new interior, and – of course – new power under the hood. Located in Everest, Kansas, this interesting find may offer tons of potential and is available here on eBay where the reserve is north of the current bid of $1,500.
By the late 1950s, the American-built, full-size Sedan Delivery was all but gone, with Chevrolet being the only holdout. Ford had one but transferred the concept to the new compact Falcon in 1960, and Chevy would do the same with its new Corvair in 1961. It was an easy build for the Bow-Tie guys as they already had a platform to base it on and minimal changes were needed to build a Sedan Delivery rather than a Biscayne. In 1960, two trim levels were offered (Series 1170 and 1270), although the differences between them were likely few.
If you stuck with a single seat, the 1960 Sedan Delivery offered up to 93 cubic feet of storage space. Estimates are that only about 5,300 of them were built in 1960, while the Biscayne wagon had triple that many assemblies. When the full-size Chevies were restyled in 1961 and lost the “batwing” design, the full-size Sedan Delivery was retired. So, the seller’s example is one of the last of a breed.
This vehicle was likely powered by a 235 cubic six or a 283 V8, but only an empty space is there now. It also could have had a “3-on-the-tree” manual transmission of a 2-speed Powerglide automatic. Some work seems to have been done on the body, with glimpses of body filler and grey primer all over the place. It comes with new floor plans for the buyer to install and rust is still present on the roof. Apparently, offered by a dealer, this was once a “quick” delivery vehicle, but we don’t know what the cargo may have been.
The 1170 and the 1270 represent 6 cyl (odd number) or 8 cyl (even number).
Looking at the cowl tag, this is a 1270, so this is/was built with a V8. What you see in the picture taken from the open driver’s door is a clutch pedal- the brake pedal is covered up by that replacement floor pan laying on top of original floors. You can see someone cut, and then covered a hole in the floor for a shifter. The view from open passenger door shows steering column had a shift lever.
This had a grey vinyl bench, and factory hue was Ermine White. Someone even ordered full tinted glass. All per the cowl tag.
If you look at the engine bay pics you can see the shifter rods for a standard transmission.
Yep….a Cali car for sure – mine is as well but a 1959 sedan delivery…..same roof rust from mine being an LA car.
The thing that fascinated me as a little kid – still does, to some extent – was how ONE car brand could have, essentially ONE model (soon to change, of course) and yet so many different flavors. Of that one car.
This one: You could have Mama’s basic family sedan, four doors. Widowed Aunt Edith, doing well on hubster’s estate, might choose a two- or four-door hardtop Impala. Two-tone, red interior, to match her lipstick.
This year, the city cowboys could have an El Camino, to haul hay for the horses they wished they had. The aging playboys could have an Impala drop-top. City Cab could get a Biscayne or 150 with black vinyl seats and rubber floor coverings; and Crack Plumbing and Fabulous Florist could haul their products or supplies, in this Sedan Delivery.
And of course a few years earlier, the surfer dudes could have had their Nomad…sadly, there weren’t enough surfer-dudes with money enough for new Chevrolets.
But, all from the same basic body. All had the same grille; the same design cues on the body and greenhouse; the same tail treatment. Yet such different flavors.
Today, of course…or, until recently, you could choose from a wide variety of vehicles. But they were all dedicated designs – no confusing a Trailblazer with a Caprice or an Aveo.
Wider variety…but I can’t help but think, something is lost, in losing the familial ties together that were there in the first postwar years.
Just needs love and money to make her a nice driver…either stock or lightly modded.Beautiful starting point.
I think the Ford Courier (Ford’s sedan delivery) was made for the 1960 year but was a 2dr wagon without a backseat. Not really a s/d but marketed as one. Also sedan deliveries had a one piece liftgate. But the 1960 Courier had a tailgate like s/w. Ya gotta wonder who thought we needed a big 2dr station wagon without windows but they sure were cool. Chevy tried to bring it back with the Vega and HHR but it never really caught on. We never got a Chrysler factory version PT Cruiser, but there was some kits made by the aftermarket.
Opel made some cool wagons with wimpy motors. Dad bought a rare Mitsubishi Japanese made wagon with a beefy 4 cylinder engine. It was kinda too fast for the suspension. Brother wrecked it, but it was really awesome actually. I bought an Audi with the Sprinter Van 5 cylinder engine wagon related to the Quattro successor. It was all wheel drive on demand, but 70/30 or something when 4wd was off. It wasn’t fast or fuel efficient, but I doubt any way to roll that car. It was stable in all weather conditions. Nagging electrical gremlins I had no patience for it. I’ve always loved 2 door wagons, compact wagon even better it it’s only got 2 doors. With a small utility trailer on occasions, it can accomplish just about anything.
A lot of these deliveries were used by flower shops, drug stores, and small grocery stores that delivered. In their second lives many became painters and carpenters rides.
This one would be nice with a mild 350, 5 speed from a Camaro. I’d keep the inside and outside low key with a simple white or light blue paint job, keep the bench seat, and put black low pile carpet on the inside bed wall with a thick vinyl bed mat. A set of period correct slotted aluminum mags or maybe some charcoal gray American Torque Thrusts with the polished rim.
Too far away or I’d be interested.
Some one at one time did an extensive color change to black. Does not look too far gone, I believe that it hauled silver quickly! I once upon a time built the model kit but am too old now to take this on.
Hahah, I thought about this model too when I saw this car with the Quicksilver painted on the side!
How funny, when I saw the post ahead of yours this is the first thing I thought. We are all just grown kids. Man,simpler times back in those days. I built that Quick Silver as a kid and thought it was the coolest.
I was waiting for someone to post it.
What about the “Bad Actor”?
we had a 1957 ford wagon, my dad hauled his hunting dogs in it in the back . theyd get in and sit down so they didnt get thrown around.
How funny, when I saw the post ahead of yours this is the first thing I thought. We are all just grown kids. Man,simpler times back in those days. I built that Quick Silver as a kid and thought it was the coolest.
I might puda glass panel behind the passenger’s side window for intersections but…
as most here no, I’ma wagon guy.
May B the cheb 292 as i6 is also a fav.
So a thumb up, esp for rarity.
The holly/weber progressive 2V?
Other handling/safety mods but the usual “sleeper” result (just no real speed equipment). 4 to 6 sided wood in the back for bang up’n easy replacement w/interior grill for back window protection? Might try’n figure out how to install one dor-barn door or lift gate back there (but current is no problem. Just for ‘difference’).
Thank you, MikeG–was about to make the same comment,
Can someone please translate this gobbledy-gook?
I can read it better than he can spell it!
Say hello to “chrlsful”.
Just skip it ;that’s what i chose to do …
Ahaha, when i see his name , i simply skip to the next comment !
“By the late 1950s, the American-built, full-size Sedan Delivery was all but gone, with Chevrolet being the only holdout. Ford had one but transferred the concept to the new compact Falcon in 1960, and Chevy would do the same with its new Corvair in 1961.”
There was no sedan delivery version of the Corvair Lakewood wagon that I know of. Maybe the author is thinking of the Vega?
Corsair van
no way but a 348 in it tri power
4 speed like it should have forget about all this new junk just tire burning raw power like it was 1960 again
Do the floor plans include pans? Driver’s seat looks like poor man’s A/C
In 1959-60 this was made possible by a 2 door floor pan and body shared by the base Brookwood wagon, El Camino coupe/utility and this sedan delivery.
All three were axed for 1961, as the compact Corvair took over the 2 door wagon role.
Big mistake by Chevrolet. They wouldn’t regroup until 1964, when the new mid-size Chevelle line would include a 2-door wagon and El Camino.
i don’t think there was a 2dr Corvair wagon. I only ever saw the 4dr Lakewood. and that didn’t make the cut for ’65 redesign. Sure would have been neat though.
61 qnd 62 only for Corvair wagon.
Crate 350 and 4-speed. Clean the interior and reapoulster the seat. Then have scuff it and shoot it with matte clear to preserve the patina. This Sedan Delivery is really cool.
no do period correct with a 348 tri power
I’m with him on the 350, better milage and performance for less money. The 348 would look cool if that is your thing I admit.
Forget the damned “patina”.
I don’t understand the craze of “patina”. I know it is different strokes for different folks, but IMO, a nice paint job would look so much better. I was about 7 when this car was built. If I were restoring it, frame off, body acid dip, then finish it and make it a sharp looking, stand out vehicle.
Nice ride, to far out of my budget for restoration because I would have to hire a reputable shop for most of the work.FantomWorks in Virginia comes to mind for someone to do it right
I don’t think the 350 will out perform the 348 I will admit I do not know a lot about the 350 when they came out I was getting older and didn’t get involved with them Chevy engines I know best
283 265 348 327 396 302 427 never knew much about the 350 never excited me
I had one a number of years ago. I drove it home from the used car lot. The rust worms destroyed the rear wheel arches and gutters. I sent it down the road figuring that the rust repair was way beyond my talents. It ended up being totally rebuilt with a 409 and 2 4bbls and 4 speed.
now that’s how it should be rebuilt except I still would have gone with a 1960 348 ci keeping it correct for the year
Serious but do-able project for a skilled metalworker.
Sorry to say it will likely be hot-rodded, the only way to not be upside down from the body repair.
I’m a 6-cylinder fan but the best fate for this is the plain 2-barrel 283 (to match the original build) and stick shift with B-W overdrive……
Could be a great resto-mod if enough is left. I remember them…
Seriously! It needs better stuff than that.A big block or maybe an LS engine.Up dated suspension and interior and a slick paint job. No batman stuff!
I have one of these in Robin’s egg blue. A 283 automatic. it was the ultimate blind spot car and HOT inside. The rear door can be an issue. mine drove and worked fine but I lost interest in it and it just sits. No one wanted it when it was for sale so it will ultimately be used as parts for a convertible that needs a left quarter and a few other bits. Rust free sheet metal is always good.