Jim Carter Truck Parts, in our Feature Truck of the Month series, we try to find examples that are just a little different. This month’s 1941 Panel truck certainly fits in this category!
Jeff Stires of Conway, Arkansas is the proud owner and builder of this unusual ½ ton Panel truck. At first glance, it appears to be another great Panel truck that has been rebuilt with the outside giving a mild custom appearance.
Note the antique license. It probably is still titled on the body!
You would be only half correct in this assumption. Yes, the body, front sheet metal, and interior has a more custom appearance. What a great job Jeff did on this!
Purchased in 2014, it was his primary extra time hobby project for six years. Finished off in 2020 GM Gun Slate Metallic.
Here is the out of sight big surprise! The total running gear is a 1993 Chevy S-10 pickup. Includes a 4.3 liter V-6 Vortex engine, 4l60e (4L60E) transmission, PS, PB, tilt steering wheel with Dolphin updated dash gauges. (Yes, if Jeff really wanted to get crazy with this modified Panel truck he could soon get enough speeding tickets to frame for his garage wall.)
He discovered a company (EZ Swap) that markets special kit of fabricated parts that allow a custom attachment to his ½ ton Panel truck body. With even moderate mechanical skills Jeff took his time and made this connection just right. He says if he did it again, he could do it in half the time!
This Panel truck might look almost 80 years old, but it runs, stops and handles just like a modern up-to-date S-10 truck with a high performance 4.3 liter Vortex V-6 engine.
You can contact Jeff at: jstires@conwaycorp.net
