We recently found a rare view of this Chevrolet/GMC panel truck interior. It shows a rear view of the very rare optional passenger seat in its raised position. This was necessary to give this right seat an ability to tip up and forward so access to stored freight would be more accessible when the passenger door was open. Very ingenious by GM!
Very few new panel trucks came with this extra seat. The metal platform in the photo is all that was there.
This platform always has a rectangular lid covering a storage compartment. This gave a convenient location for the driver's important papers. It looks like the battery cover except it is longer.
Most business panel truck owners did not spend the extra money for the right seat and then find their driver’s friend riding with him during the work shift.
NOTE: The right and left seats are the same except for the attaching to floor brackets. Also of interest are the metal panels on the seat backs. This was to protect the seated driver from the freight moving forward in an emergency stop. Oops! The driver’s seat back can still swing forward, pushing the operator against the steering wheel. Those were the days!!
