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Stored For 30 Years: 1937 Chevrolet Canopy Express

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What a cool little commercial truck! This 1937 Chevrolet Canopy Express would be just the thing for a flower or fruit delivery service–can you imagine the attention you would get? It’s available at auction here on eBay, with bidding very low but not having met reserve yet. The truck is located in Hico, West Virginia.

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At first I thought this was a home made conversion, but this is an excerpt from the original 1937 Chevrolet catalog. It’s even the right color!

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Here’s the very practical rear of this great truck–I can imagine a little fabric would make this really pop–maybe in a blue/white stripe motif? Just an awesomely practical vehicle that’s been stored for the last 30 years! That’s right, it’s been kept in climate controlled storage in New Jersey for three decades. I’m so glad it’s resurfaced now.

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A little bit of period type sign lettering on the side (are there folks that still do that?) and you’d be set! Maybe you could take it to old car meets and sell parts out of the back!

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I’m not sure I’d leave the seats alone, but they do fit the general feeling you get from this truck. Aw, what the heck, what are a few patches! Wouldn’t you drive it as is?

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Here is the original engine that is said to run well. The brakes have been worked on and operate well, and you’d be surprised at the list of things the seller says work great. They have a video ready to send of the truck in operation, and claim there’s nothing to stop you from driving it. I’ll be honest, I really like the idea of using this at old car shows, whether to sell memorabilia, ice cream or whatever out of the back. I know I’d stop and look at whatever was for sale, and just think, it would be a business expense and might even be tax-deductible! So which one of you is going to step up and buy it!

Comments

  1. Scot Douglas

    I have no idea why, but I really, REALLY want this truck!

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    • Jamie Palmer Jamie Staff

      Me too, Scot. Good luck–you won’t be bidding against me. Let us know if you get it!

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      • Scot Douglas

        I’m afraid this’ll go for far north of what I’m willing to pay. :(

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  2. dirtyharry

    Great find, so much potential for many uses. I see a huge driving ice chest for your next event. They were a great idea and made sense for “selling what you got,” right from the truck.

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  3. Paul

    Put the necessary parts back where they belong and leave it alone, patches and all. What a great find.

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    • David Wilk Member

      +1. Preserve and drive.

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  4. Jay M

    Very cool, and you will probably have the only one at your local car show.
    I wonder why both rear fenders were changed? They are now welded to the top of the running boards, no longer bolted to the rear of them. Almost look like car fenders instead of the correct (panel van only) fenders.

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  5. Bobsmyuncle

    If you Google image Canopy Express you find most examples as you describe them.

    However there are some (though fewer) as seen here with the more rounded fender, and in fact the brochure featured above features that same fender.

    Given the numbers perhaps its an earlier style of which fewer were made and/or survive?

    There was a beautiful, if over restored, version for sale years ago on eBay and featured on the site that professes you need a trailer (but between you and I, I think that’s because all the featured cars are high dollar trailer queens) easily found by searching the site.

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    • Jay M

      Possibly. I have never seen them not attached to the rear of the running board.
      Also, all of the factory manuals I have show them flowing all the way down to the bottom of the body in the rear.
      I will go take a look at my collection of 37/38 fenders…always something new to learn.
      Thanks!

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      • Bobsmyuncle

        Jay, my apologies you said REAR fenders! Now I’m off to investigate myself.

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      • Bobsmyuncle

        I do see both styles, so my earlier comment may stand. And the fender perfectly follows the body crease.

        That said that’s quite a booger weld not likely OEM. Let me know what you find, my curiosity is piqued.

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      • Bobsmyuncle

        Apparently this is a ’37

        And another here with good photos; http://jandjauction.hibid.com/lot/6628-6043-36028/1937-chevrolet-canopy-express/

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  6. Alan Brase

    Gone. 33 bids, then somebody did the buy it now. Well bought, I would say.
    Yes, the first time I saw one of these I figured it was home made. But it was a little too finished. Can’t remember the brand but it was in Kirksville (northern) Missouri. Many years ago. Seems like I saw a lot more old cars in Missouri than Iowa years ago. But I suppose high scrap prices brought them in for scrap.
    Al

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  7. Bobsmyuncle

    Wow sold for $15 000! That seems like BIG money compared to the one I mentioned above that was fully (as I said over) restored that sold for $16 900 in 2012.

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  8. scott

    So many uses for a fully restored truck. It looks like a ton of fun.

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  9. Bill Hass

    I bought I’ll let you know about the fenders@

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    • Jamie Palmer Jamie Staff

      Cool, Bill! Update us once you take delivery!

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    • Jay M

      Congrats Bill,
      That is one of the most original and complete trucks that I’ve seen in a long time.

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    • michael

      bill did you buy the canopy express pickup in 2016 I have one and would like to talk to you about yours thanks my name is Michael 1-317-809-5069

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  10. Johnni B

    There is a Canopy Express at the Swope Park Zoo in Kansas City being used for an old display or something. It’s been years since I have been there but if I remember right it was a 37 Chevy model. Really cool.

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  11. Ck

    Sombody in Somerset Ma has a green one all restored or all original not sure which but such a kool truck either way. Yours is just as kool Bill ,good for you congrats.

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  12. robertpratt

    i have a 1937 all original , i bought from the original family & drove it hope 18years ago& now i dont know what its value is

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