1957 Chevy Step Van build or do you want to see my Gerstenslager

Looks good!

Hold my drink, see I told you thatl buff out!

 

We cut a bus in half and shortened it
A chop on this slab sided box would be easier

 

Touché! Indeed you did! But the bus had separate panels, the truck is one big slab.....

Hey, you’ve done this stuff before, you know what y’all can do. I’ll watch, not gonna try it myself!

 

A bit of a chop and new shoes. Not sure exactly how much was chopped, just applied the precision eyeball. Laid the A pillars back because it would probably be easier than sectioning the top.

 

Thanks
I like that

 

We discussed a chop. The post would either have to be leaned back of the roof sectioned.
We could remove the skin above the belt line and chop the inner structure. Then cut the skin to fit

 

Guy just offered me a deal ( swap for a little labor) for a 250 6
It would be taller but allow for more foot room due to a narrower set up
One reason we opted out of the caddy was how far up( from the original engine placement) the engine will sit due to almost a 10 inch drop
Decisions Decisions

We were joking about leaving the distributor loose. A v8 would sit high and far back enough for you to adjust it while cruising
Students call it RVT
redneck variable timing

 

You could always set the Caddy engine back a foot or so. No problem with driveline length. Or even cooler, find an old Eldorado transaxle and set the engine in the back. Betcha could do wheelies with that sucker.

 

Want to use the cargo area
We thought about doing something crazy like that
Had a friend with another 350 he didn’t need just come up in the past few minutes
Too many options. I help a lot of folks fix rides and they always have extra parts laying around
So far I have traded fixing things for the front and rear suspension, transmission, wheels and some engine options. A 250, 327, 350
Plus e- brakes and wheels brake pedal assemblies, booster and MC
Still have less than a grand in everything in that last pic of the van

 

The ElDo option would cost you 18" of elevation in the rear cargo floor area but gain a flat floor up front. May need to add some heavier duty cargo tie downs as well.
Alternatively a 292 I6 with COE style manifolds using an up draft carb would give you a pretty small foot print up front and plenty of grunt. And you could incorporate the RVT upgrade!

 

I reckon a horizontal dual headlight setup would correct some of the sad looking face. It would give the impression of a wider body. A bit like why horizontal stripes on a shirt makes you look fatter.

 

thought about something like this

 

Looks like we may have a little corporate sponsorship/support on the van
Still finalizing some details, but a wheel mfg may be wanting to use this for some advertising and also to support tech schools. Not going to name any names until we work it out.
The van was born with 19.5 wheels and smaller 15 and 16 inch wheels look lost to me. So we’re plan to run something closer to the original size.
Hopefully painted steel with OE caps.

 

Love your work. Good to know there are some great teachers out there.

 

I wouldn’t use the word “great”.
Unorthodox fits better
Thanks

 

57 IH truck headlight bezels ? Great project to teach with .

 

Making some progress

 

Well we shoved a 472 in it for now.

 

Plenny a room for that, looks like. Is it at installed height?

 

Need to raise up the trans a little.
Will probably move it forward an inch as well. But that is close on the height
The crank pulley is right at the axle centerline. Should balance out good for autocross racing.

 

Might not have to plumb a heater. Could just open up the dog house in the winter.

 

I just went through the postings. such a neat project. I am a big fan of old Postal vehicles. I have collected in all scales over 250 Postal truck models . So I looked and found what I believe to be a tin model of what you are restoring . I am not good with picture posting so I can send a picture to you or rely on a friend to help. I retired last year from the USPS after 46 years with them. My last 30 was in the body shop. When I first went to the shop in the corner doubling as a shelf and dust collector was a 1929 Ford AA original postal truck . I couldn't believe the neglect. One of my best memories was being chosen to drive that truck in a parade. It was gobbled up from us by the main offices in DC and I last saw it in President Bush's inaugural parade. At least it is being preserved. Working as you do with the youngwer generation is to be commended. looking forward to tuning into the build.

 

Thanks.
Part of our plan is to “restore” the postal service paint scheme.
Meaning a preservation of existing “patina” while making some changes.
This isn’t popular with some but if we were to attempt to paint it for a show type finish, most of the exterior metal would have to be replaced.
The bottom was blue, a red stripe in the center with a white top. US Postal Service with a serial number was painted on each side.
After we stuffed the 472 in it Friday, our automotive instructor said “ if it fits, it ships”.

 

Here is an advertisement showing the original paint scheme.

 

If you send me an email through pm I'll forward the picture of the tin model.

 

Here is one found online.

This one was at the scrap yard I bought mine from.

Supposedly there is another one close by. Trying to contact the property owner.

 

Awesome thread and awesome project, just read through it all. I have one too that I've been working on for a few years.

Mine is a 1958 that was a mail truck in rural Nebraska. I swapped the body onto a 1999 Tahoe chassis with a 2005 Tahoe motor (5.3 LS). Lowered 4/6 static drop with 20" wheels.

Still a ton to do, but mechanically it's sound. Drove it from Phoenix to Vegas last year for a car show.

5B3CD4EB-E58A-4B6A-8B64-A6623CEDB2AE_1_105_c by MPegan posted Mar 19, 2020 at 7:56 AM

 

Glad I finally found someone else that is working on these old postal vans. I have a 1956 Chevy 3442 that was abandoned years ago (30+). It's amazing how well the steel body and framing has held up over the years. It's missing the front grill. Does anyone have a resource for one, or can you provide me with some measurements so that I can build one?

Screenshot_20200523-165011_Gallery by Lucas Stewart posted May 28, 2020 at 6:27 PM

20200525_100526 by Lucas Stewart posted May 28, 2020 at 6:27 PM

20200527_161503 by Lucas Stewart posted May 28, 2020 at 6:27 PM

 

I can get some measurements if I can remember to do that tomorrow when Im back at school
it would be a simple grill to build