1941 Ford Delivery Panel Van - Dually - V8
This 1941 Ford Delivery Panel Van was a US army-issue ambulance with 1½-ton chassis fitted with dual rear wheels. It is powered by a flathead, V8 engine with a manual four-speed gearbox; top speed is around 50mph.
Originally intended for use as an ambulance for the US Army in Europe during the Second World War, nothing is known as to how and why it was never delivered and eventually ended up in a barn in Arizona where it was discovered in 1975.
That would be a nice trailer hauling truck, replace the flathead for a modern LS3 Chevy 350 and four speed auto and disk brakes all around and it would be a hell of a sleeper and a lot faster then 50mph...
ReplyDeleteI would love to make your modifications to make it a more satisfying everyday driver but I would drive it anyway because I'm kind of a nut about these styles of panel vans.
DeleteI would think the top speed is just limited based on gearing for the dual axle. I'd guess the army spec'ed it out for harsh road conditions where low speed gearing and torque are more important. Swap out for a better gear ratio and that flat head should get you up to 70 or better. If my 223 cu in inline six with all of 115 hp could run a 63 F100 up to 70, I'm pretty sure the flat head V8 could match it. Sourcing original replacement tires could be kinda iffy though, might have to swap wheels to something newer.
ReplyDeleteYour guess about the gearing is probably right on the money. The Army wouldn't have cared much about speed, especially with an ambulance.
Delete