The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area General Truck Talk Help IDing a 1958 Postal Van

Got an email asking


Can you help him with this? I asked for some pictures, of course. If he sends some, I'll post here. If you have questions for him, I've forwarded this post so he can check.

Thanks gang.

Next email:


You eBay folks can find the images and info, I'm sure.

I sent him a direct email reply with a few details to help him out with initial ID info. Suggested he might want to join us and he said he would. Look for his registration to come through soon so we can welcome him properly and continue to help out!

Details please. Others would enjoy hearing all that you found out, and his responses.

Detail’s forthcoming, but probably tomorrow as it’s too much to try and do via cell phone.

Here's some pics of it from the listing.

The VIN given is a bit confusing. There's too many "58"s in it, the C would mean its a 3400 (cab forward van) but the E would mean 3600 (3/4 ton pickup). The F designates it was made in Flint.

Thanks for the info Possum!

From what I could find, the truck most likely started life as a Model 3442 104" wheel base (judging by the size of the truck pictured) Forward Control Delivery Chassis. The number Troy emailed “C5812E58F115229” as related to a 1958 Chevy Postal Van is one that can’t be easily decoded with the typical Chevrolet vehicle serial number information. It was probably created/assigned by the specialty body company that built the truck body and includes at least some of the base chassis ID info. I'm thinking the chassis was probably stamped with a Chevy chassis ID number at the factory, which I think may be found on the left frame rail. Someone with more info will point out if that's right or not.

According to various resource info I have (see links below), in 1958 Chevrolet produced 3 different “Step Vans” also known as “Double Duty” trucks on commercial 3/4 ton “Forward Control Delivery Chassis” and built/sold the bare Forward Control Delivery Chassis to specialty body builder companies to produce custom delivery style trucks for various buyers. In this case, the US Postal Service.

All 3 Chevrolet built Double Duty models (Step Vans) were rated at 3/4 ton (Maximum GVW of 10,000 pounds), but there were 3 different wheel base chassis for 8’, 10’ and 12’ bodies.

The eBay truck appears to be an 8’ Forward Control Chassis with right hand drive to accommodate the postal truck operation needs. The automatic transmission would have been the 4 speed Hydramatic as indicated by the shifting guide decal on the dash.

Being a specialty body truck, the manufacturer (looks like “GERSTENSLAGER”) would have come up with its own vehicle serial number sequence that may or may not incorporate the original chassis and engine serial number???

It’s a very interesting truck for sure. I hope this info has helped Tony a little bit. If/when he does purchase the truck, I suggested he might want to consider signing up with Stovebolt. He said he has actually owned several 1948-52 Chevy trucks so he said he is definitely interested in joining our community.

A couple other bits of info he provided in another email indicated the truck originally had 8 lug 17.5" split rims, which have since been changed to 15" rims by the current owner. Those original rims indicate they would be correct for the identified Forward Control Delivery Chassis, which also appears it could be equipped with the 3/4 ton (12" x 2" front and rear) or 1 ton brakes (12" x 2" front and 14" x 2-1/2" rear) according to one dealer info chart pic below.

Here are some links to more info for anyone interested:

1958 Chevrolet Full Line dealer handout.

1958 Chevrolet Truck Engineering Data document.

1958 Chevrolet Truck Data

Here's the link to the ebay ad for those who want to "ride along" on this one.

Be advised ... sniping of this truck away from the OP is incredibly bad form. So don't do it.

Update this evening:


Great news! Troy's got a registration past the first hurdle (email verified). He's waiting on our end for the first approval. Soon ... maybe soon.

One minor correction to the above information, which is a moot point since the OEM wheels have been swapped out- - - -a 17.5 inch wheel is for tubeless tires with a very radical taper to the bead seat and a short, stiff sidewall, not a "split rim". They are the same height as a corresponding 16" tube type tire on a 3 piece rim.

My guess is it left the factory with just the frame stamped serial number which would NOT have the 'series designation' included...frame numbers start with the YEAR, then PLANT and then UNIT number (starting with 10001). So, Chevrolet stamped the frame 58F115229 and the body builder added C5812E.

Mike B

Thanks everyone for all the FABULOUS info. I pick the van up next Saturday. Once I have it in my hands, I'll compare it to the info given and go from there. The current owner has had it for 20+ years and drives it often for errands and fun. I believe he has the original wheels and he mentioned that it was really difficult to find tires which fits in with the info from Hotrod Lincoln. Does anyone know if the 1958 commercial 235 6 cylinder is different than the light truck and car 235 6 cylinder?

Welcome (Officially) to Stovebolt!!! Glad you made it in and posted your info on the upcoming truck collection. I know we are all waiting on seeing many more pictures of the truck and helping with your learning on the ins and outs of the truck.

Here's something that may help get an idea of Stovebolt. "Welcome and now where do you go??" before posting questions about the various info you want to learn about. Your engine question will be better asked and answered in the Engine Shop forum.

Once again - Welcome! I look forward to many conversations in the future on your truck.

Thanks Gdad, just getting my feet wet. I'll ask the engine question in the appropriate place.

It's entirely possible that the engine could be the larger 261 cubic inch type. They're difficult for the casual observer to tell from a 235 unless they're are aware of a few noticeable differences. The 261 was mostly used in commercial vehicles, of which the postal van would definitely qualify.
Jerry