Bob Wolfenden’s ’37 Ford Commercial
By Rich Boyd
Panel trucks are simply too cool for school! Plus, the utility aspect is also a valuable service for hot rodders who like to travel in comfort and carry a few amenities, such as tools, parts, coolers and chairs for the eventual rod run or outing. Bob Wolfenden of San Pedro, California, saw a faded red ’37 Ford commercial panel in his harbor front neighborhood for months, but he’d never hooked up with the owner. He’d been craving a commercial for decades, because it was the first car he owned as a teenager.
Finally, Bob tracked down the owner one day as he was on his way to the hospital for something more serious than a routine checkup. It seems the owner had recently put an ad in the paper to actually sell the panel truck, and Bob was ready to make an offer that was a little less than the asking price. When Bob arrived at the owner’s shop the telephone was ringing off the hook and interested callers were asking for directions to come see the truck. Right then, Bob told the owner to tell the current and all future callers that the truck was sold. He had no intention of risking the loss of the panel to another customer. Bob paid the full asking price and was happy to beat the rush of would-be buyers.
Several years rolled by before Bob was ready to rebuild the panel truck. But, after seeing the high quality work performed at Scott Bonowski’s Hot Rods and Hobbies (then located in Torrance, California) he was ready to turn it over to the capable professionals for a complete refurbish and a few added details. The chassis, drivetrain and interior received the majority of the hot rod shop’s fabricating attention.
While the exterior appears stock, a few modifications were made. Drip rails were added above the driver, passenger and rear double doors for additional strength and protection from the elements. The panel’s interior was given a more obvious upgrade with leather-covered seats and cargo area side panels. Stereo speakers were integrated into the kick panels and rear cargo panels for the necessary cruising tunes.
While the exterior doesn’t reflect a great deal of custom details, it does reflect what’s around it very well. The PPG paint was blocked and primered to perfection before the fenders were treated to pitch-black paint and the body was set off with very dark metallic cherry, a conservative custom mix. However, the dark paint sets off the side panel graphic that advertises Bob’s storage facility for the car connoisseur who wishes to have the maximum security available for his or her classic or hot rod toys.
We haven’t seen very many commercial trucks as pampered and petted as Bob’s ’37 Ford panel. On second thought, though, it does seem a fitting reward for a life of routine work and very little special attention.
Under the stock hood is a 350-ci GM crate engine with Ram Jet induction backed by a 4L60E automatic transmission. Torque is sent on to a Ford 9-inch rearend with Positraction.
Mark and Marcos of Elegance Auto Interior in Upland, California, invested two weeks of long days to complete the panel truck’s spacious interior in time for the Grand National Roadster Show. The side panels and seats are trimmed in cognac-colored leather with 4-inch pleats.
The round face gauge (on the left) is actually an AM/FM radio with period-perfect knobs below. A rebuilt original clock (to the right) is mounted in the glove compartment door.
There’s plenty of cargo room in the rear behind the second seat. Notice the storage area on the passenger side that was modified and repositioned from behind the driver’s seat. The oak headliner soaked up approximately 10 coats of varnish before the meticulous painters at Hot Rods & Hobbies were satisfied.
A graphite-colored fabric cover was created at Elegance Auto Interiors to minimize the attention that the spare tire might get from viewers. The chrome-plated rear bumper of the panel is of unknown origin. All of the chrome plating was performed at Vern’s Chrome Shop in Gardena, CA.
Got stuff to be delivered? Cowl lamps from 1932 were added for detail and a more resto rod look. Pinstriping and signage were designed and painted by Styles.
Owner Bob Wolfenden owns a maximum-security auto storage facility for car connoisseurs called Auto Palace, located in San Pedro, CA.
The original condition of the panel truck was bone stock with a few dents and dings thrown in for free. The paint of unknown origin was a bit faded, but the truck was in running condition and unmolested by tomahawk repairs.
By Rich Boyd
Panel trucks are simply too cool for school! Plus, the utility aspect is also a valuable service for hot rodders who like to travel in comfort and carry a few amenities, such as tools, parts, coolers and chairs for the eventual rod run or outing. Bob Wolfenden of San Pedro, California, saw a faded red ’37 Ford commercial panel in his harbor front neighborhood for months, but he’d never hooked up with the owner. He’d been craving a commercial for decades, because it was the first car he owned as a teenager.
Finally, Bob tracked down the owner one day as he was on his way to the hospital for something more serious than a routine checkup. It seems the owner had recently put an ad in the paper to actually sell the panel truck, and Bob was ready to make an offer that was a little less than the asking price. When Bob arrived at the owner’s shop the telephone was ringing off the hook and interested callers were asking for directions to come see the truck. Right then, Bob told the owner to tell the current and all future callers that the truck was sold. He had no intention of risking the loss of the panel to another customer. Bob paid the full asking price and was happy to beat the rush of would-be buyers.
Several years rolled by before Bob was ready to rebuild the panel truck. But, after seeing the high quality work performed at Scott Bonowski’s Hot Rods and Hobbies (then located in Torrance, California) he was ready to turn it over to the capable professionals for a complete refurbish and a few added details. The chassis, drivetrain and interior received the majority of the hot rod shop’s fabricating attention.
While the exterior appears stock, a few modifications were made. Drip rails were added above the driver, passenger and rear double doors for additional strength and protection from the elements. The panel’s interior was given a more obvious upgrade with leather-covered seats and cargo area side panels. Stereo speakers were integrated into the kick panels and rear cargo panels for the necessary cruising tunes.
While the exterior doesn’t reflect a great deal of custom details, it does reflect what’s around it very well. The PPG paint was blocked and primered to perfection before the fenders were treated to pitch-black paint and the body was set off with very dark metallic cherry, a conservative custom mix. However, the dark paint sets off the side panel graphic that advertises Bob’s storage facility for the car connoisseur who wishes to have the maximum security available for his or her classic or hot rod toys.
We haven’t seen very many commercial trucks as pampered and petted as Bob’s ’37 Ford panel. On second thought, though, it does seem a fitting reward for a life of routine work and very little special attention.
Under the stock hood is a 350-ci GM crate engine with Ram Jet induction backed by a 4L60E automatic transmission. Torque is sent on to a Ford 9-inch rearend with Positraction.
Mark and Marcos of Elegance Auto Interior in Upland, California, invested two weeks of long days to complete the panel truck’s spacious interior in time for the Grand National Roadster Show. The side panels and seats are trimmed in cognac-colored leather with 4-inch pleats.
The round face gauge (on the left) is actually an AM/FM radio with period-perfect knobs below. A rebuilt original clock (to the right) is mounted in the glove compartment door.
There’s plenty of cargo room in the rear behind the second seat. Notice the storage area on the passenger side that was modified and repositioned from behind the driver’s seat. The oak headliner soaked up approximately 10 coats of varnish before the meticulous painters at Hot Rods & Hobbies were satisfied.
Drip rails were
added above the side and rear doors of the panel in anticipation of all-weather
touring. Notice that the fenders of the panel are black but the body is very
dark metallic cherry custom mixed by Dave at Finish Masters in Hawthorne, CA.
A graphite-colored fabric cover was created at Elegance Auto Interiors to minimize the attention that the spare tire might get from viewers. The chrome-plated rear bumper of the panel is of unknown origin. All of the chrome plating was performed at Vern’s Chrome Shop in Gardena, CA.
Owner Bob Wolfenden owns a maximum-security auto storage facility for car connoisseurs called Auto Palace, located in San Pedro, CA.
The original condition of the panel truck was bone stock with a few dents and dings thrown in for free. The paint of unknown origin was a bit faded, but the truck was in running condition and unmolested by tomahawk repairs.
I conceive you have mentioned some very interesting details , appreciate it for the post. car roof fabric
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