1948 Chevy 1-Ton Panel Truck

	Owned by Robin Browning "48 Chevrolet 1 Ton Panel" Bolter # 15839 San Jose, California Talking about this truck in the DITY Gallery

More truck pictures in Webshots!

From Rob :

I have some corrections (already fixed in the original write-up ~ Editor) and have some additional information about my Advance Design Chevy 1-ton panel truck.

I discovered the distributor date code of 8L17 which translates to December 17, 1948 date of manufacture. I found some production dates (?) stenciled on the TOP of my back doors of 9-15-?? -- the last two digits were unreadable, but the 9-15 was on both doors.

Another production note that I found on-line was the 1948 total production of 3805's was 6641 trucks from all the plants across the country.

I added a "New" album in my Webshots account so once you link to Webshots, look at the "New" album and you can see pictures of some of the items mentioned above.

I up-graded my spotlights to bigger Unity's, added Guide fog lamps, an additional taillight/stoplight assembly, a roof mounted spotlight, turn signal switch on the steering column, and just pictures of what the truck looks like today.

Enjoy. Remember you may e-mail me with any questions or comments.

Thanks!

Rob

03 September 2007
USA Labor Day
# 2037

From Robin :

           Hi! I have owned this beauty since 1981. I purchased it from the original owner in San Diego, California. It is a 1948 Chevrolet 1-ton panel truck. It has lived its life as a plumbing truck from its original purchase in February 1949 from Campbell Chevrolet in San Diego.

           The truck was build in Los Angeles (Van Nuys, CA) in December 1948. The VIN is AFCA 787551, which is the number on the engine block. The ID plate on the driver's door post has the GVW listed at 8800 LBS, stamped with 20 FS-L 1995.

           It is pretty near original, with the exception of the doors. The doors are 1952 with push button outside handles and wing vents.

           Here are a few other angles: from the rear, passenger's side ~ a nice view from the front, driver's side ~ the gauges and the dash.

           The transmission is an SM420 RC 243798, with a date code on the case of J78, which decodes to being assembled on October 7, 1948. The rear end is a 5.14:1 RC 1117, Detroit Gear & Axle, which decodes as being assembled November 17, 1948.

           The original paint is Mariner Blue, option 234H, which can be seen on the firewall and on all the undersides of the fenders. It is also equipped with RPO option #267 Auxiliary rear springs (6 leaf), plus I have 7.50x17 - 8 ply tires all around. The radiator code of 58E translates to May 1958 production date.

           I completely rebuilt the 216 engine in 1992, with hardened exhaust valve seats for running unleaded gas.

           As for the body, I am very slowly working on it. I'm more a mechanical guy, so it is in top running and stopping condition.

           Any question or comments, feel free to drop me an email. And check out my Webshots account for more photos!

           Thanks for this outstanding web site!

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