A 'virtual garage' of antique Chevy & GMC trucks from around the World

1948 Chevrolet 1-Ton Panel Truck

Owned by Dave Manske "old panel" Bolter # 15996 Eastern Wisconsin

01 October 2007
# 2071

From Dave :

           I have a 1948 Chevrolet 1-ton panel. These things are big! It was a one owner truck -- a friend of my Dad's. The truck served as as service truck for a one-man business. The guy retired and the truck sat at his place until he didn't want to license it anymore. In the mid-1970s, he put it on our farm in Nebraska, out in the trees. There it sat, basically, until I pulled it out two years ago and brought it up to Wisconsin.

           Everything's original and there -- lights, engine, gauges. I'm looking at restoring it ... if I'm not pronounced insane! The serial number on the door: 5FSE1971; engine # FI202A or F1202A (is it a "one" or an "i"?)

           Anyone with info, suggestions or opinions -- let me know! I'm new at this.

           Trivia ... it has a "ladder rack" on top (attaches to rain gutters) and the original yellow pine planks on the floor (but not in useable shape). The archives people at Chevy couldn't tell me much about how many were made, etc. The "Stovebolt VIN buster" confirmed that it was a 1948.

           It's BIG ... so I've debated whether or not to fix it up -- I want a daily driver. Some people say I'm nuts -- others tell me that it's not that much work! Now ... if I only really knew what I was getting into, and how many piggy banks to break!

           Thanks for your "tech tip" and for the site -- it's been a lot of help already!

Dave

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