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HomePick of the DayPick of the Day: A rolling billboard with 1930s style from Ford

Pick of the Day: A rolling billboard with 1930s style from Ford

The 1939 panel truck combines collector car fun with business opportunity

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Panel trucks have been around for over a century, and they are relatives in many ways to the sport utility vehicles that have become so abundant on modern roadways. 

The idea behind the panel was to provide secure cargo-carrying capacity with a fully enclosed body.  Ford was an early pioneer in the movement, and one such panel truck even at 81 years old is still putting in work.

ford

The Pick of the Day is a black 1939 Ford panel truck advertised by a private seller in Peoria, Illinois, on ClassicCars.com

While some panel trucks served as ambulances or even hearses, this Ford has spent the past six years as a road-going advertisement for a construction company.  It’s a nicely kept example that went through a complete and professional restoration, according to the ad, and the workmanship in the body shows as “laser straight.” The truck would be ideal for pulling a trailer carrying a collector car while doubling as a business ad.


The asking price is $24,900, which would provide the next owner with the opportunity to customize the truck with a new company logo.

Some of the key items that were addressed as part of the restoration, the seller says,  as well as a few things that set this ’39 apart from others, include a rare dual-wheel configuration in back.  Double delivery doors give full and convenient access to items stored in the cargo area, and a period-correct flathead V8 gives this truck the motivation it needs to move cargo in style.  A 4-speed manual gearbox puts the power – all 85 horses of it – to the road. 

ford

This truck has a people-hauling capacity of just two on leatherette front seats, but the utility of the large cargo area offers abundant options for other cargo.  Plus, it’s a truck that won’t blend in with most delivery vans, and it would make a fun conversation piece with vendors or other business partners.

To view this listing on ClassicCars.com, see Pick of the Day.

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Tyson Hugie
Tyson Hugie
Tyson Hugie is a Phoenix-based automotive enthusiast who has been writing for The Journal since 2016. His favorite automotive niche is 1980s and 1990s Japanese cars, and he is a self-diagnosed “Acura addict” since he owns a collection of Honda and Acura cars from that era. Tyson can usually be found on weekends tinkering on restoration projects, attending car shows, or enjoying the open road. He publishes videos each week to his YouTube channel and is also a contributing author to Arizona Driver Magazine, KSLCars.com, NSX Driver Magazine, and other automotive publications. His pride and joy is a 1994 Acura Legend LS coupe with nearly 600,000 miles on the odometer, but he loves anything on four wheels and would someday like to own a 1950 Buick Special like his late grandfather’s.

3 COMMENTS

    • But sir, this is one of the coolest old trucks ever.
      And anyone can change the lettering; what I wonder is how the Ellis Island immigration officials missed this, and allowed a family of new Americans to carry this name.
      I used to live in Amsterdam- ask me about the district!- and they’re there for sure.
      Still, this thing is flat wicked.

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