Low Production Panel by Seth Doulton
When one thinks of low-production body styles, we first think of Cameos, of course. After that, perhaps 58-59 Fleetsides or maybe nine foot bed 50's stepsides. The rarest of all models light duty truck has got to be the panel trucks produced from 1967 through 1970. These last four years was the last hurrah for the panel truck. The last panel truck rolled off the assembly line in 1970 and the model has not made it back to the drawing board since.
The panel was replaced by the full-size van which has become a staple in the delivery and workforce stable. It's sad that these sleek, stylish trucks were cut short of their full 1967-1972 run. The main reason these panels are so scarce today is not because of low production alone, but mainly the fact that they were used almost exclusively for work and delivery trucks. When it came to these trucks, the word used was not taken lightly. Drive trains were worn out and the bodies took a beating; I doubt that any were ever garaged. I have literally only seen about a dozen of these trucks through the years, and probably only half have been in great condition. They all came with barn doors, unlike the Suburbans that came with barn doors and a lower gate.
The Suburbans had wood floors from the rear of the second seat. The Blazer had steel floors whereas the panel had a wood floor from the rear of the front seats back. Speaking of front seats, the panels had unique, wide bucket seats that had steel seat back panels. The right-hand seat was optional. They came standard with left hand armrest, visor and seat belt. When the optional RH tilt seat was added it came with a RH sunvisor, armrest and seat belt. Only one interior color was available each year. 1967 and 68 had fawn interiors and '69 had saddle and "70 came with sandalwood. The wood in the back was painted black.
Ordered as work trucks, the panels were outfitted with the bare necessities like an occasional heater and a rare AM radio; almost never with air or tilt column. However, they could be ordered with the (RPO 262) Custom Comfort and Appearance Option which included high note horn, additional dash panel insulation, cigar lighter, "Chevrolet Custom" name plate on rear door, cowl
insulation, undercoating bright metal windshield mouldings, chrome vent assemblies, deluxe dash knobs, "Custom" emblems on front fenders, and dome lamp with bright bezel.
Chrome bumpers, chrome hubcaps and stainless full wheel covers, along with custom side moulding, were also available. I would love to see a photo of a panel with all the options. When you ordered the mouldings, you also got a bright gas cap. They were also built primarily with six cylinders and half tons. Used mostly by flower shops, delivery companies, and bakeries for
city delivery, there was hardly ever a job they couldn't handle with a half ton payload
and a six-cylinder. This also helped keep the gas mileage up.
One of the most difficult parts to find for these panels are the taillights and lenses. They are, however, shared with the Suburbans. To make a long story end, found a panel the other day! It's got one of the best bodies I've seen for an unrestored panel. It has some rust in two places, but the rockers and the floors are perfect. The front-end group and the quarters are also really clean. The rear doors are wiped out but I found some really straight ones from my long time pal, Jim Ries. Jim originally bought them to change his Suburban over from the lift gate to barn doors. He soon thought better of it when he surveyed the job.
My panel is a 1969 CS20905 built in Fremont, Ohio (one of only
988). I haven't decided which way I'm going with it. Right now, my plan is to get it
straight and drive it.
Total production of panels from 1967-70 was 23,408. That's a small
percentage considering almost two and a half million trucks were built in those
same years. Less than 1% off all trucks were panel deliveries.
