1936 GMC AC 152 Panel Van
A panel van, also known as a blind van, car-derived van, (United Kingdom), or sedan delivery, (United States), is a small cargo vehicle with a passenger car chassis, typically with a single front bench seat and no side windows behind the B-pillar. Panel vans are smaller than panel trucks or cargo vans, both of which use body-on-frame truck chassis. As they are derived from passenger cars, the development of panel vans is typically closely linked with the passenger car models upon which they depend. North American panel vans were initially based upon the two-door station wagon models, while Europe's narrower roads dictated that panel vans utilize the smaller donor chassis of subcompact cars in that market.
For consignment, a 1936 version of the GMC AC 152 panel van. This one was originally used in Connecticut by a company named Lauras Market in Jewett City. It presents with what I would call a nicely aged patina with some surface rust, a bit of more invasive rust on the passengers rear fender and back roll pan but a newer rebuilt and repainted engine. The interior and dash are all original.
Exterior
A wide horizontal ribbed chromed radiator grille with a less aggressive front edge crease is flanked by a single stalked headlight on either side and 2 small bullet style turn signal lights on either side. Below is a curved bumper with a center inside down V for more protection and round fog lights just to either side. Wide curved front fenders flow up and down just below the headlights, and eventually roll down to a running board. A single door is on either side just above the running board. The paneling begins with solid window free steel on the side slabs which run from the door to the back of the van and from the running board to the roofline where they meet at a drip edge. All this somewhat rounded over steel is painted green with some chip offs and the beginnings of rust within those chips. The old company logos are still there although faded. Another pontoon rear fender presents on either side attached to the back of the running board. A gracefully rounded back dual door set up is on for easy access to the goods inside. A curved rear bumper is below and has some rust spotting on the chrome. Also the rear roll pan has some more extensive invasive rust. Lime green painted artillery wheels in 15-inch form are on all 4 corners and are wrapped in 235/75R15's on all 4 corners.
Interior
Plenty of steel with the interior "grid" in square bar formatted upper curves in the bars that stretch from side to side and hold the roof on. The floors are pickup style with wood boards in-between steel dividers. The wheel wells are all steel as well. In front dual low back buckets in unknown condition due to them being covered with blankets. An original dash is noted and has plenty of black faded texture paint with some areas chipped off. The gauges are original and have cream faces and rusted bezels with red pointers. Definitely original to the truck. In front of the passenger a glove box door resides. The driver's side has a large bakelite steering wheel. The floors have raised square pattern rubber and it is fairly clean. A heater is noted on the passenger side toe kick area. Inside of door panels are also steel and show rusting and surface rust but no invasive rust.
Drivetrain
Under the hood it appears to have undergone some restoration as the engine is painted in like new olive drab and it has no drips or rust like the remainder of the truck. The engine is a 216ci inline 6 cylinder and is not original to the truck. It has a 1-barrel carburetor on top with a 3-speed manual transmission on back. The rear axle weighs in at 5.43 so there is plenty of cargo hauling power.
Undercarriage
Under the bodywork for the frame there are several types of rust ranging from light surface, to heavier surface to heavy rust on the frame. It is still sound though as there is no invasive rust. The underside of the bed boards are not rotted and I see a new muffler. The running board hangers are sound,although surface rusted. Leaf springs for all the corners' suspension and drum brakes are also all around.
Drive-Ability
The truck started right away out of the gate and idles nicely. It's a little creaky but still holds it's own. All functions although bare bones are in working order save for the headlights.
Plenty of patina, plenty of history still emblazoned on the side painted windowless panels, and a newer engine and all steel interior with a pickup style bed. Holding the original dash and newer wheels and its ready for business in historic throwback to a simpler era style. Ripe for the low fruit picking in our Hallowed Hall jungle of cars.
Classic Auto Mall is a 336,000-square foot classic and special interest automobile showroom, featuring over 850 vehicles for sale with showroom space for up to 1,000 vehicles. Also, a 400 vehicle barn find collection is on display. This vehicle is located in our showroom in Morgantown, Pennsylvania, conveniently located just 1-hour west of Philadelphia on the I-76 Pennsylvania Turnpike. The website is www.classicautomall.com and our phone number is (888) 227-0914. Please contact us anytime for more information or to come see the vehicle in person.
