New acquisition: 1940 Dodge VD-21 Panel Wagon.....1/2 or 1 ton?

[dbcolts]

I haven't found much info on the 1940 Dodge WD-21 Panel Wagon trucks. This one has "6-lug" wheels. Which I would think are for 1 ton trucks. I think they are 20" rims......not sure yet. I don't have possession of it yet.....and won't be able to run the serial number.....or check the data plate until I get it this Wednesday. Its a nice "desert find" here on the West Coast of Calif. It seems to have a long wheel base.
I've included some pics......it has the rear fenders, steering box, running boards, etc. Its nice that the roof is sound and has a "fitted" metal roof" where the veneered wood roof used to be. Rear doors are complete.....and work. Engine is a "craps shoot".....but does turn over. I have some pics of these being used as Ambulances in early WWII.

 

[VintageIron]

DB-
Please let me know what you find out about this vehicle, I am a fan of the van's.

 

[dbcolts]

Vintage Iron
I don't really know anything about the history of the WD-21 panel truck.....other than it used to belong to one of the local MVCA members years ago. And it has an old Carpet Company sign on the side. We do have it together now.

 

[VintageIron]

Thanks for sharing, like you I need to brush up on the details of those years vehicles, do you know the wheelbase, what plans have you for it?

 

[dbcolts]

The 1-ton panel truck wheel-base is 125". I bought it apart, and just finished putting the front clip and back fenders on.

 

[dmetalmiki]

That is one nice looking vehicle..with a load of "presence" deserves restoring.

 

[tankdriver]

Another one saved......

Thank you.....

 

[saddamsnightmare]

October 2nd, 2016.


I believe that that same body was used for the basis of the Dodge carryall station wagon, and possibly a base side (US) Ambulance. In any case it is a very unusual survivor, so do right by it and it will likely do right by you. Good Luck!

 

[dbcolts]

The "one ton" that I have is too long to be the same as a Carryall. Similar.....just too long. The 1/2 ton panel trucks, though, are the same body as the Dodge 1/2 ton WC-10 Carryall and.......its the same as the 3/4 ton WC-53 Carryall body. They used the same body (with some minor variations) on the WC-10 and WC-53. The only difference between the panel and carryall......is the windows for the carryall. Also the panel has doors in the back, where as the carryall has a tail-gate. I've seen the "doors" put on a carryall. So the back opening must be the same on the panel and carryall.