57 Chevy Panel Van

[northerngmc]

Originally Posted by Diesel

Can anybody decode my VIN# for me ???

I would say you have a Chev. I think a GMC would be a 93XX and not a 3105.

The 8 starting would also indicate a 1958......

Good luck getting the registration changed.

[57ToyBox]

Thanks on the good luck
I'm gonna give it a try tomorrow (Wednesday)

[57ToyBox]

It's been bugging me that my ownership says that this truck is a GMC when you can easily tell it's a Chev, (except the hood)
On the advice of a fellow classic truck member and the Ministry of Transportation
I got a few pictures printed at Walmart and took them to our local Chev dealer.
Manager said he just couldn't print something off stating it's a Chev instead of a GMC without some other accredited professional advice.
So he was nice enough to call Chevrolet Corporate office Vintage div.
The girl at the other end said all she needed was the VIN# to confirm it.
And sure enough.. She confirmed it. It was originally a Chev and not a GMC.
With that info he was able to give me the letter I needed.
Now I just need to take this back to the MTO and get a new ownership.







Funny thing happened while I was at the Chev dealership.
Salesmen started to gather at the reception counter. Peeking over shoulders to check out my picture on the counter
One salesman said "HEY !!! That's the old Milk truck" I laughed and said yeah a couple of friends called it the milk truck too.
salesman replied No. No. REALLY That's the old milk truck that use to deliver milk to my parents house when I was a kid !!!
I thought that was kinda cool... I'm starting to learn more and more about this trucks history.

For $40. This Chev Vintage Div. will send me a history package for this particular truck. Were it was built, which dealership it was sold at and to who. and for how much.$$ and then the history of people that owned it after that.
I think I'll order it.

[56chevy1300]

Awesome project! Love the panel.

[57ToyBox]

Thought I better give my thread a bump.
I finally got my truck home... I feel a lot safer know it's and not at that storage facility.
There was times I went to visit it and found the doors left open. Not a good feeling, know there was people snooping around my truck.

Now it's home I can really go over it and assess it and come up with a plan of attack for the resto

[dennis57]

Glad you have it home. I'm looking forward to reading the build.

[FRENCHBLUE72]

Congrats on gettin her home and gettin her back to chevrolet status

[57ToyBox]

Hi Guys
I've got sum bad news and
I've got some exciting news.

First the bad news.... just because I like to save the best for last.
Bad news: Since I've had my 57 Panel at home I've hardly touched it
Well... I've cut off the rotten left (Driver's side) step and mocked the replacement step.

The good news !!??!! While I was at the Barrie car show and swap meet buying parts for my Panel I bought a 1957 Mack truck
I still got a bunch of parts for my panel LOL

Not to offend anybody or step on any toes but here's a link to my new truck. (link to follow)

[sweet70beast]

For $40. This Chev Vintage Div. will send me a history package for this particular truck. Were it was built, which dealership it was sold at and to who. and for how much.$$ and then the history of people that owned it after that.
I think I'll order it.[/QUOTE]

You guys up in Canada are so lucky to be able to do that.

[57ToyBox]

Originally Posted by sweet70beast

For $40. This Chev Vintage Div. will send me a history package for this particular truck. Were it was built, which dealership it was sold at and to who. and for how much.$$ and then the history of people that owned it after that.
I think I'll order it.

You guys up in Canada are so lucky to be able to do that.[/QUOTE]

I still haven't done that, I'll have to order one and post the info for you all.

[57ToyBox]

I finished cutting out the rust step and mocked up the new one.
I nice feeling of satisfaction seeing the new parts going on.

[OrrieG]

Looking good, take a look at your lower hinge pocket instructions, I think it is supposed to mount UNDER the step sill which aligns the outer sill with the door bottom.

[57ToyBox]

I think your rite OrrieG actually I'm quite sure your rite... That why I'm gonna hold off on welding that in place until the Lower Hinge parts come in. Thanks for the heads up though

[57ToyBox]

Well I'm having a ***** of a time finding a complete set of replacement Lower Hinge Pocket panels
I can find the Inner L pocket and the Hinge panel... but it's the Lower outer L pocket that always seems to be on back order.
If I'm gonna buy them and have to pay for shipping to Canada... I want the 3 pc set

A couple of posts ago I promised a link to my newest project truck. 57 Mack B61
http://www.bigmacktrucks.com/index.p...pic=10914&st=0

[OrrieG]

The local battery company is going to love you! Nice looking truck, I really want an old wrecker...

Can't help you on the parts but I know they are available, another current build thread just put them in his.

[71 burb]

sweet burb i bet its real fun working on it

[renegade6]

The hinge pockets are pretty plentiful, I believe Mike has them (bumpandgrind garage) and some others. PM me if you can't find them.

[57ToyBox]

Originally Posted by 71 burb

sweet burb i bet its real fun working on it

Thanks 71 burb ya I'am enjoying this project, but it's not a burb buddy. It is a panel van suburbans have more glass and the difference is in the VIN#

Originally Posted by renegade6

The hinge pockets are pretty plentiful, I believe Mike has them (bumpandgrind garage) and some others. PM me if you can't find them.

Thanks Renegade6 with your help I now have a lead on a complete set.
Thanks man


OK guys... I need a lil help.. Your opinions are very important to me.
I'am trying to modernize my drive train and ride without changing the appearance of the truck at all.

I want 4 wheel disc brakes or at least good front disc
I want a nice tight smooth ride with very very little body role on corners.

So far I haven't had any luck finding these up grades. Now I'm leaning towards putting my 57 panel on my 89 Chevy short box chassis.
What do ya think. I know it doable.

[ezekiel]

Well, it's a great idea for all the reasons you listed but it's also a questionable choice because the donor chassis will have wider axles.

My research has revealed that the 89 axles will be 2 to 4 inches wider than the original axles therefore the wheels will protrude into the wheel openings.

You will have to research the wheel rim offset required to compensate for this. If the wheel offset is even obtainable.

I've seen some guys just go for it and live with the consequences. I don't think they can even think about lowering the truck but why would anyone do that?

As a result of this, I've considered doing a Camaro rear axle and front clip install.

Do lots of research! There's a way of getting what you want.

[Woodbutcher]

Hey |toybox,
I thought I recognized that panel from the CR forum. Some of us get around, eh? Any progress as of late??

[57ToyBox]

Hi Woodbutcher
Thanks for checkin out my thread. Sadly No updates on my panel resto.
Confession : I'm guilty of getting side tracked on a couple of my other projects.
I've been working on a new 07 Chevy Silverado 2500HD Duramax and my 57 Mack truck.
Mack is now for sale and the 57 Chevy Panel van is still sitting in a safe place and is gonna get 100% of my attention this spring.
I'm trying to figure out what the CR forum is you mentioned. I'm sure as soon as you PM me I'll kick myself for not figuring it out. LOL

[RCbowtie69]

nice project

[57ToyBox]

OK I'm having a BEACH of a time sourcing out chassis parts ie: brake shoes, brake drums, suspension bushings etc,

So I'm gonna have to do what I didn't want to do. But drastic measures ....

So I need your help. I'm gonna do a FULL Chassis swap and seeing as I'm gonna go to the expense I might as well go 4x4.

Any suggestions on a recommended 4x4 chassis?
The wheel base on my Panel is 114.5 inches
Four wheel disc would be preferable

Any help would be HUGELY Appreciated

[bensimmons_05]

Believe it or not, your local parts store carries a lot of the spring bushings, brake shoes, drums, etc. I worked at autozone for years and had part listings for all the things you listed. Sometimes it takes a little finess and knowing how to operate the system (looking for different year trucks with the same hardware, etc) but it is definately not impossible! Try to find an employee that knows how to use the system and you should be able to find a lot!

[57ToyBox]

Thanks Ben
I'll give that a try. I would be easier for me to Safety my truck that way then to try and safety the truck with 4x4 mods done to it.
Some mechanics just don't want to take the responsibility to allow a heavenly modified truck to be licensed and on the roads. Risking their mechanics license.

So if I can find the OEM parts I will be further ahead. Then convert to 4X4