The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs I’m trying to confirm the year of my 1 ton panel…

I’ve owned this ol’ feller for over 30 years, all the time I thought it was a 1950 or 51. The door plate says different (1952 ?) but there is no wing window.

1 ton panel, 17 inch 8 lug wheels, long wheel base. Probably an old California school district truck.

It looks like the door handles are from a 47-51 truck. The doors could have been replaced.

Advance Design Overview

I'd go with the ID plate, as it looks original. Not a 1947-50 cab as it doesn't have the side cowl vent. The Panel trucks were a bit of a specialty (fewer made) and they might have been using up older parts, although 1950 non vent window doors in 1952 would be kind of a stretch for that. Prior to 1952, the bumper should have been chrome, not painted, even on plain-jane trucks. The painted bumpers were used in 1952-53.
So I'd have to agree with jimgmc, that the doors were changed at some point in it's life.

Thanks y’all !

It is my understanding that you can't just change the doors without changing the striker plates on the truck as well. I also understand that is no easy task. The latching mechanisms are different from 52 on up. What do the striker plates look like?

Good point about the striker plates. 1951 doors are unique, in that they have vent windows, but the older style door latches and strikers.

Pretty easy to tell the difference between the two styles (see pic)

I’m not sure that will confirm anything because My truck, a ‘52 3100 came with 47-51 striker plates. It closed, wasn’t really secure so I changed them out with the correct ones.

It’s my understanding that that in order to change a ‘52 to an earlier door, the “B” pillar needs the section where the latch sits to be grafted in in order for it to latch properly.

That is a nice ol’ feller. Looking at the ID plate: 6KSI 1563 - 6 = Oakland, Ca. KS = 1952 3800 1-ton.
I = September. 1563 shows it was # 563 to be assembled that year. I’m not sure what the stamped digits are above the serial number?

What does the speedometer look like? 1949-1951 White needle 80MPH, 1952-1953 white needle 90MPH.

It looks like a foot activated park brake. I thought the 1-tons used the hand lever to the right of the transmission. Is your transmission a floor, or column shift? Just curious. Maybe it was placed out of the way of access through the passenger door?

There are several articles on the Jim Carter website (in the Blog section) about the changes over the years. Your question gives me an excuse to look through them…

1952-53 Korean War = no chrome. Your bumper looks painted.

It’s hard to see but it looks like your rear bumper does not follow the contour at the ends. I too have a 1-ton panel and my rear bumper does not follow the curvature of the body. The smaller panel trucks do have a rear bumper that matches the contour. I have seen a few 1-tons for sale with the flatter rear bumper, but have not read anything about this.

I was thinking you could get a date code off the engine block. I just read the engine mounting was changed in 1952 for cars only, but the blocks were all changed. If you have a front mounted 216 engine from 1952, it will have the 3 holes on each side. Easier to check than looking for a date code.

Here is an interesting detail. The Hood side emblems. 1949-1951 in addition to the Chevrolet emblem, a 3100 emblem was mounted below.

Interesting about the extra digits above the serial number.
On my 1951 3100, also an Oakland CA built truck, it has C 51 76 above the serial number. So I'm guessing the 52 on 57NAPCO's panel indicates the year, and the 51 on my truck also indicates the year. Maybe it's for people who didn't have access to decode the KS or JP in my case as the year and model codes. No idea about the C or the trailing numbers. I''ve seen a 1950 2-ton from the Norwood, OH plant (code 9) that didn't have those extra digits.

If your speedometer is coming out at any time check the back I have one from my parts truck that is stamped 1952 on the back.

Thank you all for the great info !