We found this nice view of a 1947-53 Chevrolet/GMC panel truck interior. It shows a rear view of the very rare optional passenger seat in its raised position. It was necessary to give this right seat an ability to tip up and forward so access to stored freight would be more accessible from the passenger door opening. 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. This lid 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 is the metal panels on the seat backs. This was to protect seated driver from 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!!
