Differing from the station wagon models

The Pontiac Motor Division entered into the post-war Sedan Delivery scene in 1949 with the release of the all-new Streamliner Series version, featuring an all-new frame, new sheet metal and riding on a 120-inch wheelbase. Both an L-head inline 6-cylinder and an L-head inline 8-cylinder engine was available. Front coil springs were used with variable rate leafs on the rear, drum brakes front and rear. Hydra-Matic Drive transmission was optional. Some of the premium features of the Pontiac line was the standard equipment including heater and dash-controlled hood lock. Pontiac advertising for their Sedan Delivery referred to it as a "Business Builder" and it was actually listed as a truck in cataloging. A total of 2,488 Pontiac Sedan Deliveries were produced. 

Pricing of 6-cylinder versions was listed as $1749.00, with the 8-cylinder model costing $1817.00. This historical example has seen a full restoration under the guidance of expert John McMullen who was a former Pontiac dealer. It was sold at RM auction in 2012 and is today highly cherished as a truly historical Sedan Delivery, complete with the distinctive "Pontiac Service" livery on each side. A high luster maroon factory color was applied during the restoration, and it's a fine example of a Sedan Delivery that has survived the years and now looks as good or even better than when it first rolled off the General Motors' assembly line.

Examples of Sedan Delivery Vehicles

Ford's 1930 Model A Sedan Delivery had a longer and wider body than the Tudor Sedan, it was trimmed inside with Masonite and steel paneling, two seats were fitted with a toolbox placed below them. Actual storage area was listed as having a load length of 57.6-inches, 43.6-inches wide, and 45.8-inches tall. Power came from Ford's 40-horsepower L-head 4-cylinder engine, featuring 4.22:1 compression ratio and two-barrel carburetor. Wheelbase was 103.5-inches, and the wheels were 19-inch in diameter. In factory materials this vehicle was known as the Deluxe Delivery model. Shipping weight was listed at 2,282 pounds and the selling price was $545.00.

The 1933 Chevrolet Eagle Series Model CB Sedan Delivery (categorized in factory literature as a Commercial Car) shown here was a DeLuxe version as equipped with coach lamps on the body rear quarters. Inside the cargo area saw a load space 57-inches long, 50-inches wide and with 44.5-inches of available vertical clearance. Power came from Chevrolet's 206.8-cid OHV inline six that delivered 56-horsepower.  A total of 3,628 of these vehicles were built, with a shipping weight of 2,750 pounds. Standard versions were priced at $545.00 and DeLuxe models at $560.00.

Inside the 1933 Ford Sedan Delivery Type 850 was a 59-inch long cargo area, measuring 45-inches wide and 42-inches tall. The passenger compartment had two folding bucket seats done in artificial leather material, giving access to the cargo area without having to go around the back of the vehicle. This year the Sedan Delivery had its body built by the LeBaron Division of Briggs Mfg. Co., complete with a large rear door. Price of the 4-cylinder version was $520.00 with V8 models costing $570.00. Shown here is an example used by the Vancouver, B.C. Canadian newspaper, fitted with a special rear standing board.

The 1940 Studebaker Champion "Sedan Delivery" was clearly a 2-door passenger car with 28-inch x12-inch panels placed over the rear side glass for an advertising lettering area. The two-tone color combination was aimed at providing a valuable advertising medium. There was 64-inches of flat cargo area available as the rear seat was removed, plus providing a full 120-inches of the limited cargo area as the result of the removal of the passenger's side. The decklid lifted high and measured 43-inches wide. Power came from a Studebaker 78-horsepower L-head inline-six. These Champion models were known for their high gasoline mileage achievements with 27.25 miles per gallon cross-country in the then-famous Mobil Economy Runs.

Pontiac was a more up level brand as compared to Chevrolet, and the "Silver Streak Sedan Delivery" was a more expensive alternative to the Chevy. The advertising people described the Pontiac as follows: "Here is the perfect delivery vehicle for those firms who want the prestige and pride of an eye-catching, head-turning advertisement on wheels." Two-tone paint and rear fender skirts were available on the options list. In this photo, it is a vehicle used for Hennepin County (Minnesota) and equipped with a windshield visor and evidently was fitted with the standard six-cylinder engine due to the lack of an "8" on the side Silver Streak emblem.

The 1955 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery had a base price of $1699.00 and the shipping weight listed at 3110 pounds, as listed in the Chevrolet Truck catalog. In a clear change from previous Chevrolet body styles, the new '55 design had a smooth, almost straight transition from hood to front fenders. The Sedan Delivery had stark trim and could be considered a basic transportation vehicle, albeit one that could haul cargo. It was rated as having a payload of up to 850 pounds, and a maximum gross vehicle weight of 4,100 pounds.

"Spread Wing" rear styling was a visual highlight of the 1959 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery, which was based on the Biscayne 2-door station wagon. Wheelbase grew to 119-inches (two inches longer than the 1958 models) which provided the largest cargo space ever for a Chevrolet Sedan Delivery, 93 7/8-inch in length. "This handsome hustler is longer and wider, with more load space inside than ever before," wrote the advertising agency. As a result of this enlarged cargo area, in some cases, these 1959 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery vehicles were converted to "Ambulette" emergency vehicles. While there was no chassis or sheet metal changes, there was the addition of a compartment divider and required ambulance interior appointments. Base engine was the 135-horsepower inline six, with two optional 283-cid V8s, two-barrel version delivering 185-horsepower, four-barrel version, 230-horsepower.

In 1964 this Ford Falcon-based Sedan Delivery was produced in small numbers, just 776 were built. Featuring a seven-foot-long bed, it shared the same basic layout as the Ranchero Pickup. This particular Sedan Delivery is what speed equipment entrepreneur Harry Eberlin used in the mid-1960s to pick up parts at places like Moon Equipment when he had a single shop located in San Bernardino, CA. This vehicle which later grew to the "Super Shops" chain that peaked at 165 stores all across the USA.

With a front end that had a strong Camaro flavor, the Chevrolet Vega debuted in 1971, and included in the body style selection was the Panel Express. The single-seater had more cargo space available because of one less front seat, plus the removal of rear seating which provided space for additional storage space. It came without carpeting and the curb weight was just 2,152 pounds. Pricing started at $2138.00. In Canada, there was also an "Astre" Panel Express equivalent marketed by Pontiac from 1973-to 1975.

The vent louvers on the sides of the Vega Panel Express (and station wagon) were part of the vehicle's flow-through ventilation system. All factory printed material emphasized that while it was considered a truck, it was light duty in nature. Here's what one of their magazine advertisements said: "After all, how big does a truck have to be to carry pizzas, prescriptions, potato chips or flowers?"

Very late on the scene was the announcement of Ford's, as described here, "Little Hauler" Pinto Panel Delivery that was introduced for the 1978 model year. Barely a footnote in Sedan Delivery history, this Pinto press release mentions an available steel-mesh partition that could be ordered as an option, to separate passenger and cargo areas.

Dubbed the Pinto "Cruising Wagon" and introduced for the 1977 model year run, Ford presented this modified wagon (which was more accurately riding the wave of the then-huge custom van craze rather than simply being a Sedan Delivery) with it being available through the 1980 model year, which was the final year for the Pinto series. Steel side panels with bubble glass portholes, a front spoiler, bold graphics, full carpeting on load floor and inner quarter walls, dual sport mirrors, styled wheels and Sports Rallye package came standard, 57.2 cubic feet of cargo area (with rear seat folded down). This variant of the Pinto was aimed at being a lifestyle vehicle.

A modern-era sedan delivery is the Chevrolet HHR Panel, a Bryan Nesbitt-designed retro-themed vehicle that was produced beginning in 2007 through the 2011 model year run. HHR stood for Heritage High Roof. With a cargo-carrying capacity of 62.7 cubic feet, it was a versatile hauler with a unique appearance. It ran on a 103.5-inch wheelbase with a listed curb weight of 3,155 pounds. This SS Turbo version featured a 260-horsepower turbocharged Ecotec LNF 2.0L I4 powerplant.

Sedan Delivery Advertising

The Plymouth Commercial line was built on a 116-inch "commercial car" chassis and no sheet metal was shared with the passenger car line. A single rear door gave access to the load area, which measured some 78-inches in total length. It rode on 16-inch wheels and power came from a 70-horsepower L-head inline-six, displacing 201.3 cubic inches. There were 1601 of the pictured Commercial Sedan Delivery units built, with a curb weight of 1850 pounds, priced at $695.00.

After WWII Ford Motor Company started production of "1946" model-year vehicles, which were largely warmed-over 1942s, with a new grille design providing a new look. 1242 were sold in '42, while increased to 3,187 units. Post-war costs raised from 1942's $810.00 to $1186.00.

Chevrolet proclaimed that their 1950 Sedan Delivery was "truly (a) one of a kind." They did in fact have some direct competition inside the General Motors group, however, with the higher-priced Pontiac Streamliner Sedan Delivery. Pontiacs ran a different chassis (4-inch longer design) chassis had premium content in comparison. The Sedan Delivery from Chevrolet was accurately listed as being the "one and only full-size sedan delivery in the low-price field" because Ford and no other low-priced manufacturer sold Sedan Deliveries, Pontiac was considered a mid-priced vehicle.

Along with all-new styling and the availability of the brand-new V8 Chevrolet engine, displacing 265 cubic inches, the 1955 Sedan Delivery from Chevrolet was a low-line 150 Series, devoid of any side trim with clean, smooth sides and wraparound windshield. The front doors were from the 2-door sedan models, along with the 2-door Handyman Wagon. It ran on a 115-inch wheelbase. A new design "lift-easy" cargo door was used. Only a single driver's side seat was fitted. A new ball-joint front suspension was a technical highlight. The V8 engine was a $99.00 upgrade over the Blue Flame base inline six-cylinder engine.

The 1956 Chevrolet Sedan Delivery was redesigned along with the Chevrolet passenger car line, and up front was a revised full-width grille while the sides now had a single spear of chrome running along the front fenders, doors and into the quarter panels. Still based on the no-frills 150 Series, inside there was only a standard left-side sun visor and rubberized flooring. This advertisement mentioned the available V8 Super Turbo-Fire powerplant with four-barrel carburetion and dual exhausts for Sedan Delivery buyers, an interesting take on being able to swiftly deliver products and parcels. 

Called the "Panel-Wagon," Studebaker's 1958 Sedan Delivery entry ran on a 116-5-inch wheelbase and was powered by a flathead 101-horsepower 185.6-cid inline-six. It was no rocket as it took over 20-seconds to reach 60-mph. It shared the same rear window/tailgate arrangement as the company's station wagon, which was a bare-bones model called the Scotsman. The Panel-Wagon was really   a kit sold by dealers to convert a station wagon to a make-shift Sedan Delivery type vehicle. While it was not a fast parcel hauler by any means, it was a reliable and economical vehicle, nonetheless.

The new for 1971 "Vega Panel Express" Chevrolet was based on their Kammback Station Wagon but with blanked-out rear windows. A subcompact, it ran on a 97-inch wheelbase and was fitted with a 4-cylinder engine featuring an aluminum block. Unlike all other Vega models which featured front bucket seats, the Panel Express was equipped with a single driver's seat, and a passenger's side st available optionally. They advertised their new miniature Sedan Delivery as being a "kinky way to haul around your surfboard." Some 7,800 units were sold, and it was very much a lightweight hauler, as it only had a cargo payload capacity of 650 pounds. Some were used as U.S. Postal Service delivery vehicles.

Ready for Restoration

A 1949 Pontiac Sedan Delivery (one of 2488 built) ran on a 120-inch wheelbase which was five inches longer than the Chevrolet Sedan Delivery. Available with two different engines, a 90-horsepower inline six-cylinder (239.2-cid) or an eight-cylinder engine (also inline) that developed 103-horsepower from its 248.9 cubic inches. This example is an 8-cylinder version (an "8" appearing between the Silver and Streak on the fender emblem). The upholstery was brown imitation leather, and when equipped with a radio, the antenna was mounted on the driver's side front fender.

Canadian Sedan Deliveries

North of the border the Ford Motor Company offered unique-to-Canada "Meteor" series vehicles, which were basically, standard Fords with slightly different trim and grilles. A 125-hp V8 was standard equipment. Company brochures pointed out that for advertising purposes these vehicles had a large area available for billboard-sized side markings. 

There were only 857 1957 Pontiac Sedan Delivery models build, and this Imperial Ivory-painted example is a shining example of a beautifully restored low mileage of this Canadian-only vehicle, the 521st one off the assembly line off the GM Oshawa, Ontario factory. It ran on the 115-inch Chevrolet chassis and power came from the Chevrolet truck-sourced 148 horsepower 261-cid inline six-cylinder engine with a 3-speed manual transmission column shift.

A surviving 1959 Pontiac Pathfinder Sedan Delivery, a 1-of-449 vehicle that was promoted in Canada. It actually was listed in the GMC truck brochure and not in Pontiac literature, even though it was a Canadian Pontiac, albeit with a shorter Chevrolet Chassis, and V8-equipped versions had Chevy 283s under their hoods.  

Drag Strip Sedan Deliveries

The Sedan Delivery made its way to the drag strip because of a peculiar discovery found inside the rule book, where the National Hot Rod Association used the NADA Vehicle Guide. Because the Sedan Delivery was technically a truck, it was included with a list of available truck optional equipment, in particular, the Chevrolet heavy-duty Hydra-Matic automatic transmission. This special transmission had four forward gears, and with that, drag racers could obtain the truck transmission. When it was specially modified by specialty transmission shops (such as Vitar Engineering on the East Coast, and California's B&M Transmissions) it offered a great advantage in performance (over the traditional 2-speed Powerglide automatic that was used in passenger cars). Combined with the optional engine that featured dual four carburetors (225-hp) and low rear gearing (5:38:1), this combined equipment proved to be a potent package.  

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‍Sedan Delivery in Scale ‍

Expert model maker and craftsman Cliff Read took on an ambitious project of creating a one-off 1:24 scale 1957 Pontiac Pathfinder Sedan Delivery, something that was not available in the market, so he did one himself. Using a 1957 150 2-door station wagon, the Muscle Machines Series, diecast along with a 1957 Pontiac Bonneville Convertible from Franklin Mint.  

In keeping with accuracy relating to the details of the 1:1 car, a color was mixed to match the originally available Malabar Yellow hue, applied throughout including doorjambs and on the spare wheel/tire as housed under the floor pan. 

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Rarest of All

General Motors had two different Sedan Delivery vehicles available in dealer showrooms, from Chevrolet and Pontiac. However, records have shown that in 1950 the Oldsmobile Division of GM joined in the building of Sedan Delivery models, although they were not available to the general public. With just seven ever known to have been built, the pictured example is one of three that is believed to have survived. Research has shown that Oldsmobile Assembly Plant managers were assigned these unique vehicles, one for each of their seven factories. Upon closer inspection, it is clear that they were not modified versions of the Pontiac or Chevrolet versions but based on the Oldsmobile 4-door chassis. Another unique feature was the fitting with the 303-cid Oldsmobile Rocket V8 engine, producing 135-horsepower with 7.25:1 compression ratio, with hydraulic lifters.  Different from all other Oldsmobiles that were built on the standard production lines, these seven Sedan Delivery vehicles had unique firewall ID plates with '99' identification. Note the one-piece glass on the windshield not used on the Chevrolet or Pontiac 1950 models, plus the rear cargo door was shaped differently than the other GM Sedan Delivery models.

With the V8 power under the hood and featuring a 119.5-inch wheelbase not shared with the Chevrolet and Pontiac production versions, these were extremely rare in 1950 and ultra-rare now all these years later.