The origin of the term "sedan delivery"

[Lothar]

I have long been interested in sedan delivery vehicles. I have a friend who had a 1941 Chevy sedan delivery, and a local florist has a 1937 Ford sedan delivery. Both of these vehicles are built on 1/2 ton truck chassis and use truck front clip sheet metal, as are all the later 1940s-1960s sedan deliverys that I have seen. I always assumed that this was the pattern on which all sedan delivery vehicles were built, until I found this ad while cruising the internet:



This is clearly a 1940 Studebaker Champion 2-door sedan with the rear windows removed. Other photos in this brochure show that the rear seat has been removed and a cargo compartment is walled off behind the front seat. It looks like it could be a factory brochure, although it could also be something that a coachbuilding company produced. I don't have the actual brochure, I have just seen pictures on the net. Has anyone ever seen one of these vehicles in the real world? Is this a proto-business coupe? Did other marques or builders make this type of vehicle?

[Skip Lackie]

Yes. Dick Quinn has three of them and recently posted pictures of all of them, side-by-side. I believe Chevy also made a similar vehicle.

[RadioRoy]

The definition I have always heard is:
Built on a truck chassis = panel truck.
Built on a sedan or station wagon chassis = sedan delivery.

Many folks see a panel truck and call it a sedan delivery, but that's not the way I have always heard it defined.

[Flashback]

RadioRoy is right. I have owned many and built several. Sedan delivery is just that. A delivery vehicle on a sedan chassis. There were some earlier Panel trucks and panel deliveries. Sedan deliveries were one of my favorite builds years ago. I had one show car delivery. If I can find a way to get a picture on here I will post it.

[8E45E]

Yes. Dick Quinn has three of them and recently posted pictures of all of them, side-by-side. I believe Chevy also made a similar vehicle.

RQ posted some factory photos here: http://forum.studebakerdriversclub.c...sedan+delivery

I thought it was three Coupe Deliveries he has; not Sedan Deliveries.

Craig

[Studebaker Wheel]

Yes. Dick Quinn has three of them and recently posted pictures of all of them, side-by-side. I believe Chevy also made a similar vehicle.

Actually Skip my Champions are Coupe Deliveries (see photo). So far as I know there are only two surviving 1940 Sedan Deliveries and unfortunately both have been converted to street rods.



- - - Updated - - -

Yes. Dick Quinn has three of them and recently posted pictures of all of them, side-by-side. I believe Chevy also made a similar vehicle.

Actually Skip my Champions are Coupe Deliveries (see photo). So far as I know there are only two surviving 1940 Sedan Deliveries and unfortunately both have been converted to street rods.

[Skip Lackie]

Actually Skip my Champions are Coupe Deliveries (see photo). So far as I know there are only two surviving 1940 Sedan Deliveries and unfortunately both have been converted to street rods.

Whoops -- sloppy use of terminology catches me again. You'd think at my age, I would defer responding when I don't have time to really think about my answer.

[jclary]

Whoops -- sloppy use of terminology catches me again. You'd think at my age, I would defer responding when I don't have time to really think about my answer.

Please...Skip....don't do that...If you did, it would make the rest of us look bad.

[Studebaker Wheel]

Here is the rest of the four page showroom catalog on the Sedan Delivery. I also wrote a seven+ page article with numerous photos on the 1939-41 Champion Coupe Delivery and Sedan Delivery in the Antique Studebaker Review for July/August 1998.

[Lothar]

Thanks, Mr. Quinn for filling in the details about these unusual sedan delivery vehicles. Also thanks to Roy for explaining the difference between panel vans and sedan deliveries. You guys are great educators! Thanks for sharing your knowledge!

[Skip Lackie]

Please...Skip....don't do that...If you did, it would make the rest of us look bad.

When it comes to screw-ups, my lead is secure.

[jclary]

Looking at the brochure pictures posted by Richard Quinn, to make best use of available cargo space, this was truly a "one seater." In my youth, I often saw commercial vehicles with "NO PASSENGER" signs. With this vehicle, I suppose if you wanted to ride along, you would have to bring your own seat!

If you had one of these at a show, not only would the judges have to deal with no "back seat," but no passenger seat either. Judging gets worse at "Non-Studebaker" shows, where (especially younger) judges lack knowledge across brand periods and offerings. I have been in shows where judges have questioned the plastic cover on my C-Cab dash, and the lack of a back seat in my Business Coupe. It is bad enough for curious onlookers to ask why you modified the car, but really disappointing for a show judge to compliment you on such a smooth "chop" on the top of your completely stock original car!

[Lark Ken]

Speaking of sedan delivery's does anyone know whether any Lark deliveries remain.

[Quentin]

Sedan Delivery vehicles are referred to as "Panel Vans" down here. Panel Trucks are generally just called Vans.
Panel Vans were very popular in the 70's with the youth/surfing culture, and could be purchased from the factory highly optioned.
Holden (General Motors) produced a special run called a "Sandman" (Chrysler had a "Drifter"), most with V8, 4 speed, special stripes, bucket seats, full instrumentation, big stereos etc. Many threw a mouldy mattress in the back to complete the package. Panel Vans were often seen at the Drive In Movies reverse parked, tailgate open with owner and partner in the back (rarely watching the movie). Often referred to in Oz vernacular as "shaggin' wagons" (don't ask).

[8E45E]

Often referred to in Oz vernacular as "shaggin' wagons" (don't ask).

We know! http://www.vanninmovie.com/

Craig