The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs Has anyone ever seen one of these ?

I saw this truck on Craigslist and though it was interesting
I searched the Internet and ever picture on Stovebolt and could not find another like it . so of course I bought it . Ok I do not need an excuse .
It was sold as a 1 ton 3800 with 29K on it
My guess it was a factory truck sent specialty shop much like conversion vans are today
It has a "Factory Finish " look to it on the inside . Professional like they did many of them
Also who makes repair panels for panels ?
Has anyone ever seen one of these ?
Any comments ?
Thanks
Dan

http://s376.photobucket.com/albums/oo203/OldoginMd/?action=view&current=006.jpg

Dan,

That is most likely a conversion truck - another manufacturer bought a panel truck from Chevrolet and then converted it. I have seen one other conversion like this.

Jim Carter (in the Links section) sells some repair panels for 47-55 panel bodies.

That's a nice looking truck.

Tim

Thanks Tim ,
You can bet it will ugly up a bit when I am behind the wheel , [ It runs good ]
I looked in the link section before I posted but missed Jim Carter's link , so I looked again , could you give me a better clue where it is at?
Thanks
Dan

I'd like to see one like that in my driveway. What a great push car!

I've never seen one like that. Personally, I don't really care for it, but I guess there was a good reason to convert it.

I guess that is the reason I bought 53 panel ,It's unusual enough to use for advertising and I can ramp my panhead right up in there without putting any more notches on my head
Dan

Dan - Jim Carter here .... wasn't that panel [or it's twin] discussed here a while back? seems I recall someone said it was done by a local shop specifically for the fire dept

Bill

Bill,

Maybe that is where I saw a body/conversion like that?

Tim

Bill
Thanks bill for the link , I still do not see a panel truck "panel's" on there .
For the record I just bought this truck yesterday 22 Nov 2008
As far as the earlier discussion about this truck I would have no idea as I never came to this forum until I had a new interest in this style truck , but I knew that if anywhere on the web I would find the answers , it would on Stovebolt ..
The truck was a fire co truck at one time but the conversion appears to be of the type that you would not expect to be a one time thing , I believe whom ever did this had to have done several .
Dan

Dan - toward the end of sheet metal you'll find all that's available

the roof raise would be something that would have been like roof raises on RV buses are nowadays, if someone wanted one, the only thing required would be good bodywork skill and some sheet metal from the wrecking yard .... "one off" custom work trucks aren't really uncommon

the swooping drip rail line is what looked familiar to me - look at the inside of the side panels and you should be able to see what was added, may have used a section of roof from a crashed panel truck, the front of that raise above the "cab" looks quite like the back shape above the doors

Bill

Here are conversions by Proctor-Kee... not show a raised rood ambulance/panel.

Here are some books that might interest you:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0873496426/carlytheautow-20
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/158388081X/carlytheautow-20

I've either seen pictures of that one, or there is another like it (picture) running around.

Thanks Red ,
When looking through the links section it is easy to get lost as they all seem to be offering the same thing . your link was very helpful .
Looking inside the panel the area of the patch is visible and I will post some picture of it in coming days . Yes I could see where they may have reversed a section off another panel , from the inside the roof was not just put on in a straight line ,but curves up towards the front of the truck and sits on a frame that looks similar to a "knee" wall you wood see in stick built house construction . The doors look like they have "add ons" but nicely done
Thanks again
Dan

Thanks for the link Tcl , as for the second book I think I will wait for the movie .... Just kidding .. It was a little pricey and will go to the library and truck to find some info .
OldSub if you remember where you saw it , let us know
Thanks
Dan

OldSub,

You are right on the money! That truck was on ebay about the end of March or first of April of this year. I remember it too! I don't remember how much it went for though.

Best wishes,

Les

Oldsub ,
It went for $1500.00 but the 185 mile tow was killer.
Dan

I saw this first hand in Chantilly Va back in 2002. Danny Bryant owned it and he lived off of Route 50. Did you buy this from Danny?

TrknGMC ,
No I did not buy it from Danny , but if my guess is right I bought it from the guy who got it from Danny .
The guy I bought it from traded a 1962 Porsche for it and recently fell on hard times .
Would you have a contact number for Danny ? I would like to trace it back . I am waiting a call from the fire dept.
Thanks
Dan

Although I have never seen this particular truck in person I did see it on-ebay earlier this year. The Sunbury Steam Fire Company still runs a fleet of vehicles that are painted black. From memory, they have a 1950's American LaFrance pumper as well as a mid 1970's Mack CF pumper. I've had the pleasure of judging both of these trucks at various fire musters in PA.
After seeing your truck on e-bay I asked an old time member of the Sunbury Fire Co. about your truck. He recalled the truck and said that he drove it. He said the fire company obtained it second hand and adapted it for use in the volunteer fire service.

I wish I had more info. to pass on to you, but thats all I can remember.

Thanks Jf..
I plan on contacting them
Dan

I have a truck with a body like this. The maker was Christopher of Ny,Ny. They started somewhere around 47 doing these. I think yours is one of them. I have a Gmc Version and is a 1955 model.

They made them in 4 ways. Police,Fire,ambulance, or All In one. I have the all in one. I did see an add for the 47 - 53 that Auto Lit guy on ebay has the add. I paid 75 plus shipping for my add.

These are rare and mostly used buy the Civil Def. Most ambu. units were station wagons durring this time. so, to have what is called a high top is a rare piece.

If you want to email me at [email protected] I can send you pics of mine. You will notice they are the same.

They would add pumps for the fire trucks. They were Foam units.

Those were cool. I have only seen one other christopher made unit and that was a 64 that was sold on escam a year ago..