SHIPPIN’ STEEL – JOHN LEGGETT 1954 CHEVY PANEL DELIVERY

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As most of us gearheads would agree; if you run a business that can justify owning a shop truck…have one! John Leggett is no different, and this is his version of the perfect companion to his international freight management business, EDI.

John’s business of importing and exporting general freight and automobiles puts him in the perfect position to pick and choose from a variety of desirable vehicles that come his way. Five years ago this 1954 Chevy panel delivery was a barn find that he couldn’t pass up.

Located in a San Francisco shed, the old original panel truck was a rolling only version of its former self, but the patina spoke volumes to John who could see the potential of resurrecting it as a mobile business card for his company. That and it was just too cool to leave.

Once home in sunny Queensland, the original 230ci Chevy blue flame six was reawakened and fitted with a new exhaust and twin carbys in true hot rod style, both fed by a new 50 litre gas tank. Backed by a four on the floor cog swapper, John remarks that it’s a little sloppy on the shift and there’s a slight crunch moving into second, but by adding couple of quarts of new oil it will be fine for now. Fresh lube was also injected into the stock diff and new springs all-round complete the drive train make over.

While a new master cylinder, booster and brake shoes were being installed, the original wheels were sandblasted in preparation for Chevy red powdercoat and new caps. John chose military style tread rubber from Antique Tyres to replicate the audible sound of 4WD road noise…on purpose. “It’s just that sort of truck,” he remarks in gest!

With mechanical refinements sorted, he focused his attention to the stunning muse that Mother Nature and Chevrolet Bros had provided before him. With almost flawless sheet metal for a car of its age and considering that it is a commercial vehicle, John let the patina’d panel speak for itself.

“The paint was chalky and flaky so we washed and brushed it over a few years to where we were happy. We then handed it over to Vick Pattison who applied the incredible sign writing, loosely based on my design. It really is her identity now.”

Clear coated for longevity, the old work horse was treated to some interior upgrades with crocodile skin stretched over the existing bench seat, new auxiliary gauges and John’s prerequisite HP stereo. Other than new driver and passenger side glass, a tasty lick of paint to adorn the dash and fluffy dice, the interior was doneski.

Interestingly, John believes that the cargo area must have only hauled cartons as the condition is quite extraordinary. Other than a sparingly lick of preserving oil, the payload floor is untouched since purchase. While the seat back tell-tails the delivery’s true age, the shag pile carpet above may allude to its owners.

If needing (wanting) a shop truck isn’t justification enough, John also found a perfect place to hang a small portion of his licence plate collection. Neat!